Obsession Down Under (14 page)

“What about Rocket?” she asked, stroking the horse’s neck. Whip loved that animal and no way was any harm going to befall his horse whilst in her care.

“Don’t worry about him, Jess. That horse knows his way home better than I do,” Mark called as he climbed into the driver’s seat and switched on the engine.

Brenda swung in next to him, and Cyril got into the back. Convinced Mark was telling the truth, Jessica hurried over.

“Move over, sis.”

Brenda shifted into the middle, and Jessica climbed in beside her. When the door slammed, Mark spun the wheels kicking up a spray of dirt and took off in the direction she had come from.

Chapter 19

Whip could feel himself drifting again. When a soft hand touched his cheek, he was confused. His eyes were leaden, but he forced them open. It wasn’t a dream. “Jessie Rose,” he murmured. He hadn’t heard them arrive. Cyril was there, too, and so were Mark and Brenda.

“How’s it going, bro, you feeling okay?”

Mark’s voice was low and nervous. Whip thought he must really look like shit for his brother to show that much concern. Lord knew, he felt like shit.

His gaze found his sister’s solemn little face, it was paler than normal and her bottom lip trembled. “Yeah, I’m fine, just dreaming,” he reassured them all.

“What the hell were you doing, boy, that you let a damn snake get ya?”

How to answer Cyril? Not with a confession. So he stayed silent knowing if he survived, he’d never live this one down.

Pity came from an unexpected quarter as Mark chimed in, “Never mind that old man, just help me settle him into the back of the Ute. Plenty of time for explanations later.”

They picked him up and with tender hands carried him over to the vehicle.

“I’ll ride with him.” Jessie Rose shot up and scampered into the back of the Ute. When he rested his head in her lap, her cool hands stroking his brow was soothing. Brenda jumped in, too, and covered him with the picnic blanket.

“You’re going to be all right, Cowboy, just take it easy and stay still.”

“Damn, babe, I wanted today to be special. I can’t believe . . . so stupid . . . not to have done a thorough check around . . . before spreading the blanket. A hot day . . . snakes get thirsty too. I know better.” He paused for a minute or three to catch his breath. “I’m just grateful it was me . . . and not you. I’d never forgive myself . . . had you been bitten.” His eyelids forced their way down, too heavy to hold open.

“Stay with me, Cowboy,” Jessie Rose begged, giving him a gentle prod, but he couldn’t rouse the energy to open them.

Even when Brenda cried, “Whip, please wake up.” His eyes remained closed. “Jessica, do something,” she begged.

Jessica’s heart hammered and perspiration beaded her brow as the Ute bounced over the uneven ground. It must be one hundred degrees and not a breath of wind or a piece of paper in sight to fan Whip.

“Come on, Cowboy, don’t do this to me. Wake up.” She gave Whip a firm shake. His skin was clammy to the touch, his color a pasty gray. She glanced at Cyril but couldn’t hold his gaze.

“Keep talking to him love, try to keep him conscious.”

“I’ll do my darnedest.” She looked across at Brenda. Silent tears slipped down the girl’s cheek as she chewed her knuckles.

Jessica reached over and rubbed her arm. “He’s going to be okay. I refuse to accept anything else,” she reassured the teenager.

“Promise me.”

Brenda’s lips were trembling and her eyes were swollen. Jessica inhaled and then released the breath. “I promise to do all in my power to keep him safe.” She prayed her words weren’t rash, but what choice did she have? It was what she had to believe.

She dragged her eyes from the frightened teen and rested them on the man she loved. “Don’t you bail on me now, Cowboy. I forbid it. Do you hear me? Open your eyes, Whip.” Her voice was strong and harsh as a blizzard as she took him by the shoulders and gave him a hard shake. When his lids cracked open, she let out a nervous sigh. “Talk to me, honey, tell me about some of the pranks you and your brothers got up to. I could sure as heck use a good laugh right about now.”

At her words Whip, whispered, “Let me see. Well . . . there was this one time when Travis and I . . .” he began.

She only half-listened, more concerned with getting him to hospital than the intricacies of the tale. When he lapsed once again into silence, she prodded him for details, and he rallied, beginning where he’d left off.

Brenda was pale and silent. Her fingers twiddled and pleated her shirt with nervous apprehension.

Jessica sent her a forced smile and squeezed her hand, though she was feeling less than confident.

Armidale Hospital, when it came into view, was larger than she’d anticipated. Mark sprang out of the Ute the second it came to a standstill and raced through the hospital’s sliding doors, not even waiting to ask how Whip was doing.

“How you holding up, boy?”

Whip was semi-conscious and answered in little more than a croak.

“Nauseous, weary.”

“Don’t you worry, son, we’ll get some of that antivenin stuff into ya, and you’ll be right as rain in no time,” Cyril said before climbing down to open the tailgate.

Brenda leaped down just as Mark arrived back with a nurse and an orderly pushing a gurney.

Everything happened in a whirlwind after that. Whip was placed on the gurney and rushed into an examination room, a doctor and two nurses in attendance.

Cyril, Mark, and she took turns pacing the corridor. Brenda sat rigid on a padded chair, waiting in sullen silence for news of her brother.

When a nurse appeared and beckoned them in after what seemed an eternity of waiting, Jessica was through the door and by Whip’s side in a flash.

“You’re awake.” She clasped his hand, and leaning down, brushed his lips with her own as the rest of the McGregor clan filed in.

Brenda tried to maneuver herself between the bed and her, so Jessica released Whip’s hand allowing the younger girl to get close to him.

Jessica raised her eyes to the white-coated doctor. “What’s the prognosis?”

“I’ve injected him with antiserum, and he’s responding well to the treatment. Time will tell, but he’s fit and strong.”

“Thank you, doctor, that’s a relief.” Jessica wiped her brow, her mouth lifting into a full-blown smile.

“First time I’ve treated a snakebite that high up on a leg, though. Still, I guess there’s a first time for everything. Mind you, I won’t ask what he was doing at the time.” He laughed, the skin around his eyes bunching as they lit with a knowing gleam.

Busted.

The devilish wink he gave her had her hot as a fire and she imagined her face was as crimson as a sunset, but before she could speak he saved her any further embarrassment.

“Whip always was a lucky son of a bitch, and the pressure bandage worked a treat, slowing the toxin in his blood stream from travelling to his heart. Nice work, miss. Your quick thinking very well may have saved his life.”

She smiled, her eyes sweeping over the others in the room. “I was just following Whip’s instructions,” she responded with an awkward stammer. With the exception of old Cyril and perhaps Brenda, they all had a pretty good idea as to how Whip had come to be bitten on the upper thigh.

Cyril scratched his head. “For the life of me son, I still can’t get my head around how a red-bellied black got you just under your backside, you being so tall and all.”

“Yeah, must have been part kangaroo to jump that high.” The older nurse added her two-cents worth with an impish snigger.

“Or here’s a thought, Cyril, maybe Whip was lying down at the time with his mind on other things,” Mark hinted with a smirk.

“Lying down by the creek, his mind on other things? Don’t be daft, the boy didn’t come down in the last shower, give him credit for some common sense.”

Cyril’s voice held indignation on Whip’s behalf.

Jessica sucked in her cheeks in an effort not to grin.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself then?”

Now that the danger seemed to have passed, Mark was going to milk Whip’s predicament for all it was worth.

The way Jessica saw it, she had two options, either cover it up with a lie or brazen it out with laughter. “It’s my fault, Cyril, I’m just too damn desirable for my own good. I turned my feminine wiles on Whip, and what can I say? He didn’t stand a chance. It can be a curse sometimes.”

“I know where you’re coming from, dearie. I have the same effect on men,” the gray-haired matronly nurse, who was busy taking Whip’s temperature, said, straight faced.

“Ah, get away with you both,” Cyril muttered, turning his hat in his hands and shifting from one foot to the other. It was clear he was embarrassed at being so thick, and she felt a little sorry for him as the room erupted into laughter at the old man’s discomfit.

The doctor cut him some slack and stepping forward, extended his hand to her. “I’m Bruce Harrison, and you must be Jessica. The McGregor boys always were ill-mannered when it came to introducing the hot women around.”

Her face, already heated, surely deepened to a scarlet hue and must have registered surprise at his knowing her identity.

“Only that I was on duty last night, we would have met at the barbeque, but news travels fast in the bush anyway,” he explained. “Besides, the twins and I go way back. We were at school together, got into mischief together. As kids we were practically joined at the hip, so believe me when I say nothing with this boy is sacred.” He grinned and tussled Whip’s hair.

“Ah, quit flinging the bullshit, Harro. Whip’s as tightlipped as a corpse. ‘Sides, anyone in their right mind wouldn’t tell you a blasted thing. Your mouth’s as wide as the Pacific.”

Her face stretched with merriment at Cyril’s rapid defense of Whip.

“Get away with you. You always did take his side, you old codger.”

“And rightly so,” Whip piped up, giving her a wink.

She turned to Bruce. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Harrison, but I wish it had been under different circumstances.”

“Call me Bruce,” he insisted. “We don’t stand on formalities around here.”

“When can we take him home?” Brenda spoke for the first time.

“Mmm, I’d like to keep him overnight for observation. He’s been very lucky, thanks to Jessica, but I don’t want to tempt fate. If he pulls up okay in the morning, you can take him home then and good riddance. But he’ll need a couple of days bed rest to recuperate, no exertion, you understand, and that includes funny business.” He wagged his finger, his gaze swinging between Whip and her.

“You’re just loving this, aren’t you?” Whip grumped at his friend.

“You got that right. Now I gotta vamoose and go see some really sick patients, so I’ll catch you lot later.” Bruce patted Whip’s shoulder and then gave it a light squeeze before leaving with the two nurses.

“I’ll see he follows your instructions to the letter,” she called after him, and turning to Whip, said, “You look exhausted. I think we should leave and let you get some rest.”

“Now that’s the first sensible dang thing I’ve heard said all day.” Cyril jammed his Akubra on his head and headed for the door. Mark made a move, and Brenda and she followed his lead.

“Take it easy, bro.”

“Yeah sure, see you tomorrow. Hang back a minute Jessie Rose, I want a word.”

“Why just her?” Brenda muttered.

“Scram, kid,” Mark ordered as he none-too-gently ushered his sister through the door. “We’ll wait for you outside, Jess, take your time.”

She nodded, and the moment the door closed, she clambered up onto the bed and threw her arms around Whip. Her mouth found his in a brief but sensual kiss before she drew back. “I’m sorry, Cowboy, I feel so responsible. If I hadn’t seduced you . . .”

“Rubbish, babe, you’re a city girl. I’ve lived on the land all my life and should have checked. You’re right about one thing, though. You are too damned desirable, so come here.”

She caught his fingers as they stroked her cheek and pressed them to her lips. “You heard what the doctor said, no funny business.”

“You just let me worry about that.”

“Hmm, well, it was funny business that got you into this predicament, so I think we’ll follow doctor’s orders. Now is there anything I can do for you before I go?”

“You can promise me you won’t be on the first bus out of town.”

Her brow puckered, and she took her bottom lip between her teeth. Brenda would take some convincing, but seriously, she couldn’t leave now. “I promise.”

“Good.”

“Is that it?”

“I guess a head job is out of the question?”

She rolled her eyes. “See you tomorrow, and don’t give the nurses a hard time.”

“Never, and don’t you take any crap from my family.”

She gave him the thumbs-up and left to find the others.

Chapter 20

Jessica hurried through the sliding doors and out into the sunshine, but on rounding the corner, she could hear raised voices.

Brenda’s face was contorted. “She’s nothing but a gold digger, and once she gets her claws into him, she’ll take him away, and we’ll never see him again.”

“Hang on a minute, sis, nobody’s taking anybody anywhere. Surely you knew Drew and I were just teasing when we said that?”

“No, I don’t believe it. You don’t know her like I do. She’s only got dollar signs in her eyes.”

“You’ve got no proof of that, so why say it?” Mark folded his arms and demanded.

“I have to agree, girlie, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick with that claim.”

Jessica’s heart warmed at the men’s defense of her as she approached the trio. So that was the reason for Brenda’s hostility. Time to put her mind at rest. “Brenda, you’ve got it so wrong,” she said, trying to amend the situation.

“Of course you’d say that, but I know what I read.”

“Read?” Mark interrupted, sounding incredibly like Whip. “You mean to say you
did
read Jessica’s e-mails? What were you thinking? Wait until Whip finds out.”

Brenda burst into tears, and Jessica felt for the girl.

“Let’s all stay calm,” she suggested. “Whip doesn’t need to know about this, but Brenda and I do need to sort it out.”

“First she needs to apologize.” Mark glowered and stabbed a finger in his sister’s direction.

Jessica ignored him. “I don’t understand where in my e-mails you got that impression, Brenda, for the life of me I can’t figure it out.”

“You were writing to someone saying Highland Glen was not a two-bit ranch and that you’d hit the jackpot.”

“Is that what this is all about? Well, I can see how you may have got the wrong impression. That e-mail was to my best friend Trish who tried to talk me out of coming. She was so worried I was walking into a dangerous situation. I was trying to reassure her all was well and that Whip was a terrific, hard-working man with a close and loving family, and that the property wasn’t a hovel. If you’d read on, you would have seen we’d joked about him being a two-headed axe murderer.

“Trish was scared for my safety, but I thought visiting him was worth a chance. We’d been writing for such a long time and seemed to click, we were both curious to meet in person.”

Mark laughed. “We joked about you being hit with the ugly stick, and perhaps having a few ankle biters on the side, but the thought of you being a gold digger never crossed our minds.”

“Believe me, I am so not interested in Whip for his money. In fact, I had no idea he was rich until Annie told me.”

“Now that that’s been cleared up, Princess, have you got something to say to Jessica before we head home and give the others the news of your brother?”

Brenda pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, her eyes red rimmed and downcast.

Jessica sensed Brenda still had doubts so made a mental note to forward that particular e-mail to her so she could read it in its entirety. Yes, perhaps that will clear up the whole misunderstanding.

Whip’s unfortunate tangle with the snake and Brenda’s apology changed things. Jessica had intended on staying at the motel but the family wouldn’t hear of it. Whatever Mark had said to Brenda was a mystery, but even she agreed that Jessica should stay, albeit with a sullen pout. Jessica made good on her intention and forwarded Brenda the infamous e-mail in the hope to allay her fears. It was what she was thinking about when Brenda walked into the kitchen the following morning.

“Hello, Brenda, I was hoping I’d see you. Did you get my e-mail?”

The look the teenager gave her was wary. “I read it.”

“And?”

“I can see I got
that
e-mail wrong, but I’m not convinced I misjudged you. You know what they say about first impressions?”

“I do. I also know what they say about giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Brenda, I’m not after Whip’s money, and I’m not here to steal your brother away.”

“Then why are you here?”

The question took her by surprise. Why was she here? To satisfy a whim? No, if she was honest, she came here to meet her Internet lover in the hope that he’d turn out to be the man of her dreams. And he was. Not that it would do her any good. He was successful, handsome, strong, and ever so desirable and caring. She was older, overweight, and had nothing going for her. Donna was his type—beautiful, well-groomed, vivacious Donna. Jessica had to admit the other woman looked good in his arms. The recollection hurt, and she almost whimpered. This could only ever be an affair, a holiday tryst, something to remember.

“I wanted to meet your brother,” she said. “It was mutual, really. We’d been communicating for so long it seemed the natural progression.”

“And now?”

“I’m not going to deny I have feelings for him, but that’s between Whip and me.”

“Are you going to tell him what happened?”

“If you mean am I going to tell him you threatened to hurt two people you’ve never met if I didn’t do as you said, then no, I’m not. I think it would hurt him too much to realize his sister was capable of something so cruel.”

Brenda’s eyes liquefied, her shoulders slumped, and she dropped her gaze. “Thank you.”

Jessica nodded.

Brenda went to walk away but turned back and whispered, “I am sorry.” With her head hung low, she scurried from the room.

Later that morning, Jessica was helping Annie make a batch of lamingtons for Whip’s homecoming.

“They’re Whip’s favorite,” Annie explained, coating the small square of sponge cake in the runny chocolate icing and then rolling it in coconut before setting it aside.

“Are you ready, Jess?” Travis asked, walking in on the domestic scene and sticking his finger into the chocolate mix. “Mmm, yum,” he said, licking it clean.

“The answer is no, Travis, you cannot have one, so don’t even ask.” Annie’s voice was stern as she placed another completed lamington on a tray with the others.

Travis’ mouth pulled down, and Jessica laughed at his downtrodden expression.

“Take pity on him, Annie, and let him have one. I don’t fancy driving to the hospital with him drooling and complaining all the way there and back.”

Travis patted her shoulder. “You’re a good woman, Jess.” He flattered as he stole a lamington from the tray and devoured it in two bites, and then, turning to Annie, added, “And you, my sweet, are a treasure.”

Annie swatted his chest, saying, “And you, my husband, are so full of it. Now get going, and I’ll see you when you get back.”

Whip was sitting in the waiting room chatting with Bruce when Jessica and Travis arrived.

“Hello, you two.” Bruce beamed at Jessica, and stood and shook hands with Travis.

“So, mate, is he fit enough to come home?” Travis asked.

“Yeah, he’ll do. If I was him, though, I’d buy a lottery ticket. He was damn lucky.” Bruce then turned his attention from Travis to him. “I’ll see you later, mate, but remember what I said. Bed rest for a few days and I do mean rest, no monkey business. Doctor’s orders.” As he walked away, his hearty chuckle lingered as he disappeared down the corridor.

“You look much better,” Jessie Rose said, greeting him with a kiss.

“I’m feeling not bad, and once I get out of this place, I’ll feel even better. Shish, I hate hospitals, they’re so full of sick people.”

“Okay, clever man, let’s get you home.”

When Travis grasped his arm, presumably to help him up and out to the car, Whip shook him off and grumbled, “Lay off, junior, I’m not a freaking invalid. I can still walk.”

“Well, mate, from what I heard, you should be grateful it was your leg and not your donger that got bit, you big dufuss.”

He sent Travis a scowl meant to wither but didn’t retaliate with words.

Jessie Rose propped herself under his arm and they ambled outside and over to the car. “Well, I for one am very grateful the big dufuss’ donger was spared.”

She and Travis both burst into peals of laughter at his expense as they all climbed into the vehicle.

Travis took the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition. Whip settled into the seat beside him and Jessie Rose scrambled into the back. Once they were all buckled in Travis set the car in motion.

The trip back to the homestead started with recriminations from Travis but ended with laughter. Travis, in a typical Travis fashion, did a post mortem of the events and berated him for being so damn stupid. His reproach wasn’t malicious, though, genuine concern was his motivation. His brother had to get it off his chest, so Whip just let him rant and rave and rode out the tirade in silence.

“That’s all I’ve got to say about it, but you can be sure those two clowns at home won’t stop there. I warn you, Jess, they’ll torment the crap out of you both until the middle of next week,” Travis predicted, and Whip had to agree.

When they pulled to a halt in front of the homestead, he wasn’t the least surprised to see the whole welcoming committee spill out onto the veranda.

Annie was down the steps in a flash and reached him just as he stepped out of the vehicle. The next second, her arms were around his neck and her lips were on his cheek.

“Thank God you’re okay. We’ve all been so worried.” Her somber tones belied the mischievous glint reflected in her eyes, but she held her mirth in check, and for that he was grateful. She greeted her husband next and then Jessie Rose, before turning back to him and slipping her hand around his arm. “Jessica and I made lamingtons.”

He felt the wide grin leap across his face. “They’re my favorite.”

“And that’s why we made them,” she said, walking him up the steps with Jessica and Travis trailing behind.

As they stepped onto the veranda Drew, Mark, and Cyril, crowded around him. Only Brenda hung back.

“You’re looking better,” Cyril observed.

“Yeah, I heard you were practically at death’s door,” Drew snickered.

Now that Mark and Drew were sure he was out of danger they would be itching to fire the first shots, but to their credit they held their tongues due to the women hovering around. Later he’d get the full measure of their ribald humor. Brenda was subdued and not like herself at all. It reminded him he still had to sort out the tension between her and Jessie Rose. “How goes it, sis?” he asked, ruffling her hair and bringing a smile to her face.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Her voice was low and her expression guarded, but before he could read it or question her further, Gladys bustled in.

“Out of the way, you lot, and give the lad some breathing space,” she said, shooing his younger siblings and her husband away. “Go on up to bed, love, and I’ll bring you a tray. I called Bruce, and he said ‘you had to take it easy for at least three days,’ so I don’t want you lifting a finger, and I’ll have no argument either.”

“Whatever you say, Gladys.” He looked over her shoulder and gave his male siblings a smug grin. The brothers groaned. How easily the tables had turned. So much for them paying him out now. Once again, they’d be stuck doing his chores while he was lazing around in bed. Only this time, all the women would be waiting on him hand and foot.

Three days in bed wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The first day he dozed on and off and did some research. The second, he made some phone calls and amused himself by reading and watching the television. The women were forever popping in, fluffing his pillows, bringing him treats, making a fuss, and breaking the monotony. He was more than relieved Brenda and Jessica seemed to have made up, but he still wanted to get to the bottom of it. Brenda presented the perfect opportunity when she came into his room later that afternoon and perched on his bed.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m good. I’ve just about had enough of lying around though.”

“Guess it would get kind of boring. Still, I wouldn’t risk Gladys’ wrath by leaving the room if I were you.” She giggled.

“No chance of that happening, I’m not that brave.” He gave her a smile and patted her leg. “Now kiddo, we need to talk.”

“I thought that’s what we were doing.”

“About Jessica.”

“Oh. Her.”

“Yes, her. We talked about it last night . . .”

“What did she say?” Brenda double blinked and rushed her words, her pitch higher than normal.

“Not much really, only that it was a misunderstanding and you two had sorted it out. So care to elaborate?”

Her mouth opened, but before she could answer there was a knock on the door and Jessica walked in, followed by Donna.

“You’ve got a visitor,” Jessica announced, her lips curved up in a smile that wasn’t reflected in her eyes. “How about we give them some privacy, Brenda?”

“That’s not necessary. Stay and join us, Jessie Rose.”

“Thanks, I would, but seriously, if you want to eat tonight I’ve got to get dinner started.”

“I’ll help you.” Brenda jumped up and followed Jessie Rose out of the room, a little too eager to escape for his liking.

Donna stayed for just over an hour. Before leaving, she asked, “Have you shared my secret with anyone?”

“No, I gave you my word.”