Breaking The Drought (11 page)

Her heart raced and her breathing was laboured as she hurried along the overgrown track back to the others. It was tough going but she knew it was more than the physical exercise causing her heart to pound. The thought of Luke's touch, of what had happened in the river, was causing an adrenalin surge. When she pictured his wet hands caressing her slowly, his lips gently kissing her all over, it caused a reaction she'd never felt before. It was a mix of elation, nervous anticipation and an absolute desperate desire for those hands to be on her again as soon as possible.

She heard voices coming from below and realised that she was close to the spot where Brooke had fallen.

‘Luke,' she called. ‘I'm back.'

He scrambled up the bank towards her. ‘What did you get?'

Jenna handed him the bundle.

‘Great. The newspaper will make a good splint. We just need something to secure it with.' He tossed the other items aside. ‘Best not give her anything to drink in case she needs surgery.'

‘Do you really think it's that serious?'

‘It's hard to tell without an x-ray. Her whole lower leg is tender so there might be a broken bone there, or it could be just bruising.'

Jenna nodded, impressed with Luke's knowledge of first aid. Obviously that sort of thing was important to know if you lived out here.

‘Wait here. I'll splint the leg as best I can and then Rob and I can carry her up.' Luke took off his T-shirt and started ripping it into strips.

As she looked at his bare chest, an image of their bodies entwined on the riverbank flashed through her mind.
Stop it
. This was definitely not the time to be thinking about her desire to be back in Luke's arms. She tried to focus on the task at hand. ‘What's that for?' she asked.

‘To secure the splint. Stay here. We'll have her up in no time.' Luke set off down the embankment again.

From up on the road it was hard to tell what was happening. Jenna caught glimpses of Luke and Rob bent over Brooke and after some time she saw Brooke's body being lifted. Rob appeared to have her under the arms, while Luke supported her legs. Progress up the slope was painstakingly slow and Jenna began to feel anxious.

Finally they made it safely to the road. Jenna rushed to Brooke's side. ‘Are you okay?'

‘I've been better,' Brooke said, but she managed a smile.

‘Spread the towel out, Jenna. We'll let Brooke rest for a minute before we head back to the ute,' Luke said.

‘You mean give yourself a rest,' joked Brooke, as the two men set her down on the towel.

Luke grinned. ‘Good thing you're only a lightweight, or we'd be in real trouble.'

‘We can't carry her like that all the way back to the ute,' said Rob. ‘It'll be too uncomfortable for her.'

‘No,' said Luke. ‘She can wrap her arms around our shoulders and we'll support her that way. The splint is pretty secure so her leg should be fine.'

‘It's a pity it's so far away,' said Rob.

Luke looked at Jenna. ‘You could go get the truck. It won't get far along this track but even a couple of hundred metres would help. The closer you can get the better.'

‘But…'

‘You can drive, can't you?'

‘Of course I can drive.'
So long as it's an automatic transmission
.

‘Well?'

‘Where are the keys?'

‘The keys are in the ignition,' Rob said.

Jenna shook her head. No one she knew would ever leave their car unlocked, let alone the keys in the ignition. She turned and headed back down the track once more. What were the odds of Rob's old truck being automatic? Pretty slim she thought. Last time she'd driven a manual was the day she passed her driver's test, almost 10 years ago now.

When the ute came into sight she crossed her fingers.
Please be an auto
.

She climbed up into the driver's seat and cursed. No such luck. She clenched her teeth in determination. How hard could this be? Thousands of people drove these types of vehicles everyday, why not her? It wasn't as if she was stupid.

She turned the ignition and released the handbrake.
So far so good
. She put her foot on the clutch and slid the gear stick into first and then slowly released the clutch while pushing on the accelerator. The ute stalled.
Damn
.

It took three more false starts and some bunny hopping before she managed to propel the vehicle forward. Too scared to change out of first gear, she nudged the truck along until the track was too narrow and overgrown to continue.

Beads of perspiration trickled down her face as she opened the door and swung herself down. So much for the swim cooling her off. Hot and dirty, she made her way back up the now too familiar track.

Luke's face was sporting a large grin when she caught up with them. ‘Have a bit of trouble getting the ute started?' he asked.

‘No,' she said.

‘Sounded that way from here.'

Jenna felt her face colour. ‘I'm not used to driving trucks,' she said.

Luke and Rob laughed. ‘Don't worry. At least you managed to bring it up a bit further,' Luke said.

‘I'm not sure how much further I can go,' said Brooke. Her face was now twisted in pain.

‘The ute's not far,' Jenna said.

‘Thank God,' said Brooke.

They walked the final length of the track in silence.

When they finally reached the ute Brooke kissed the bonnet. ‘I never thought I'd be so happy to see such an old rust bucket,' she said.

Rob and Luke helped her into the front passenger seat, which Rob had pushed as far back as possible. ‘Try to keep your leg still,' Luke said as he propped the toolbox and a towel under Brooke's foot.

Jenna had to sit in the middle of the backseat because Brooke's seat was pushed back so far. Luke climbed in next to her. Her skin tingled as his bare skin grazed hers.

He reached down and took her hand.

Jenna felt a lump welling in her throat. She hadn't held hands with a boy since high school.

‘I'll drop you two off at Tandarra on the way to the hospital,' said Rob.

‘No, I want to come,' said Jenna.

‘The nearest hospital is nearly an hour away,' said Rob.

‘I don't care,' Jenna replied.

‘Jen, I don't want both of us to miss the bush dance. I'll be fine. I'll have Rob with me.'

‘But…'

‘We have to go to Tandarra anyway. Maggie will be wondering where we've got to,' Luke said.

Jenna shook her head. ‘Brooke, I really think I should come with you.'

But Brooke was insistent. ‘If you miss the dance because of me it will be adding insult to injury and I mean that quite literally. Please, Jen, go and have some fun.'

‘Well…if you insist.'

Brooke turned her head and managed a smile. ‘I do.'

Luke squeezed her hand. ‘Besides, I'm not going to the dance without you.'

Jenna watched Rob drive off with a twinge of guilt. She should have insisted on going to the hospital. It was totally selfish of her, she knew that, but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend one last perfect night with Luke. He made her feel so alive and desirable. Simon had never made her feel that way, not even when their relationship was new. So what if nothing more could come of her time with Luke? She would have the memory of one magical night and that was better than nothing.

‘You two had better get cleaned up quick smart if you want to make it to the dance,' said Maggie.

‘Won't take me long,' said Luke.

‘Good, because I want to leave in half an hour,' said Maggie.

‘But I have to have a shower, do my hair and my makeup,' said Jenna, alarmed. She normally allowed at least two hours to get ready for any event.

‘You'd better hop to it then, Miss Jimmy Shoes,' said Luke.

Jenna hurried off, frowning. She hadn't even decided on what she would wear yet.

Back in her room, Jenna scattered the contents of her suitcase on the bed. What did one wear to a bush dance for heaven's sake? If Brooke was here at least she would have someone to bounce ideas off. Maggie didn't really seem the type to be too fussed about fashion and Luke would just laugh if she asked him.

She decided on an emerald green halter neck dress that fell just below the knee. Silk was probably too dressy for a bush dance, but it was the most casual thing she had brought aside from shorts and swimwear. She pulled out her taupe wedge sandals and a pair of silver hoop earrings. That would have to do.

After an express shower she applied the barest of makeup, threw her outfit on and pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. A slash of pink lipstick and she was ready to go. All done in only 35 minutes; that must be some kind of record.

She went out to meet the others feeling quite pleased with her effort. Luke was pacing on the veranda and Maggie was already in the car. ‘At last,' Luke said.

‘I went as fast as I could,' Jenna replied, a tad annoyed that he did not appreciate her effort.

Luke's face softened. ‘You're here now and that's what counts. Let's go into town and have some fun.'

Jenna smiled as she followed him to the car. She was really looking forward to spending the evening together. She pictured the two of them dancing cheek to cheek as they had last night. Only this time there would be no doubt about Luke's desire to be with her.

When they arrived in town Jenna was surprised to see the cricket ground totally transformed. A stage, comprised of two flatbed trucks, sat in the middle of the oval. In front of the stage sat a large wooden dance floor. Lanterns and fairy lights had been strung up everywhere and the oval was dotted with hay bales.

‘Wow,' said Jenna. ‘How did this happen?'

Maggie laughed. ‘The Barlow Social Committee is a well-oiled machine,' she said.

‘So says its leader,' said Luke.

‘I can't take credit for tonight's event,' said Maggie. ‘I didn't do anything to help.'

‘No, only organised the whole thing,' said Luke.

Jenna turned to look at Maggie. ‘You certainly have been busy.'

‘Tonight was a cinch. Barlow holds bush dances regularly so we just super-sized our normal organisation. Pretty much everyone in town helped in some way.'

Luke pulled the car to a stop. ‘Here we are, ladies. Jenna, welcome to your first Barlow Bush Dance.'

Jenna's heart skipped a beat as Luke opened her door and offered his hand. She placed her hand in his and smiled. Being treated like a princess wasn't so bad after all. Luke returned her smile as she alighted, nodding his head in a slight bow before releasing her hand to assist Maggie. The three of them walked side by side towards the middle of the oval.

Jenna soon discovered her wedge heels were not the most practical shoes to be wearing to an outdoor event. She wobbled along, struggling to keep up with Luke and Maggie.

‘Are you okay there, Miss Jimmy Shoes?' Luke asked.

‘I'd be fine if you'd stop calling me ridiculous names,' Jenna said.

Luke flashed her a cheeky grin and Jenna shook her head in mock exasperation. She looked around at the gathering crowd and decided her dress was a definite mistake. Everyone else was dressed simply. Most of the other city girls wore modest cotton frocks and the local girls were dressed in jeans and singlet tops. Jenna felt like a Christmas tree in her outfit.

‘Pull up a hay bale and I'll go grab us a drink,' said Luke.

Jenna looked at the hay bales and screwed up her nose. ‘I'll stand,' she said.

Luke shrugged. ‘Suit yourself. What do you want to drink?'

‘Some bubbly would be nice.'

‘Beer, white wine or soft drink, I'm afraid,' said Luke.

‘Oh. White wine then.'

Maggie settled herself on a hay bale. ‘I'll have lemonade.'

‘Okay. I'll be right back.'

Luke wandered off into the crowd while Jenna shifted from foot to foot.

Maggie patted the hay bale. ‘Come and sit down, Jenna.'

‘I'd love to, but I don't want to ruin my dress.'

Maggie pulled a shawl out of her basket. ‘You can use this for now. Spread it out and sit on it.'

‘I couldn't do that. It might get soiled.'

‘I don't care. I'd rather you be comfortable.'

Jenna smiled and accepted the shawl. ‘Thank you.'

Maggie returned her smile. ‘How are you finding country life, Jenna?'

‘Very different,' Jenna said.

Maggie laughed. ‘I guess it is at first, but you get used to it.'

‘I'm not sure I could ever get used to it,' Jenna replied.

Maggie's smile faltered slightly and Jenna realised she was being rude.

‘Of course it's lovely and peaceful out here,' she ventured in an attempt to redeem herself. ‘Sinclair's Hole is just gorgeous.'

‘Yes it is, but rural life is not for everyone.'

‘It's a lovely place to visit,' said Jenna with a warm smile.

Luke returned with the drinks. Jenna eyed the plastic tumbler and sighed inwardly. Not a good start to her magical, romantic evening.

Luke frowned. ‘Would you rather a beer?'

Jenna felt colour rising in her cheeks. He had obviously noticed her disapproval. ‘No, the wine is fine.' She took the tumbler from him and sipped. The wine was sweet and warm. Jenna willed herself to swallow and smile. ‘Lovely,' she lied.

‘I'm going to check that the band has everything they need. We need to get the music happening,' Luke said.

Jenna went to get up. ‘I'll come with you.'

‘Nah, you stay here and keep Maggie company. I won't be long.'

‘Sure.' Jenna tried to cover her disappointment by taking another sip of wine, which caused her to wince. If only Brooke was here so she had someone to share her misery with.

Two of the local women approached Maggie to give her an update on some gossip involving the possible sale of the local pub. Everyone was polite and tried to include her in the conversation, but Jenna found it difficult to join in.