The Cattleman's Special Delivery. Barbara Hannay
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the dispassionate detachment of a medical practitioner.
Not so easy when Jess’s skin was moon pale and smooth as sifted flour and when her body was lush and ripe with the fullness of her pregnancy. She was lovely. Earthy. Madonna-like. With an unexpected fragile beauty that could catch a man totally unprepared.
He was aware of her distress, however, and he worked quickly as, between them, they eased her maternity slacks down. He rubbed her back and legs dry with a fresh towel while she took care of her front. Then he squeezed moisture from her hair and rubbed at it with the towel.
Her bra was wet too, and he undid it gently, conscious that her full, round breasts might be tender.
When he helped her into his shirt, it came down almost to her knees and he had to roll the sleeves back several times to free her wrists. She kept her eyes downcast, no doubt embarrassed.
‘Let’s get you comfortable,’ he said, helping her onto the bed.
His bed.
According to his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in a decade, he’d been born in this room, although his younger brother, Tony, had been delivered in a hospital in Cairns, many hours’ drive away.
Now, Jess lay on her side, an expression of fixed concentration on her face, her hand gently massaging her tense abdomen.
‘I’m going to ring the Flying Doctor,’ he said.
If they couldn’t land in this rain, they could at least give him medical advice. He’d take all the advice he could get. This was his worst fear—a dependent woman on his isolated property, with no help for miles. His mother had been right. This was no place for women.
‘Can I get you something from the kitchen, Jess? Would you like water?’
She gave a faint nod. ‘Maybe a sip.’
He went quickly to the kitchen where he found his father cursing as he fiddled with the knobs on the radio.
‘Can’t get this damn thing to work.’
Reece sighed. ‘Did you find the medical chest?’
His dad looked churlish. ‘Forgot.’
‘Can you get it now?’ Reece gave another despairing sigh. This was a new problem that had arrived just lately—these signs that his father’s short-term memory was deteriorating, along with his temper. But tonight he didn’t have time to worry about it. ‘I’m going to make some calls.’
His dad’s face broke into a rare grin. ‘At least I remembered to put the kettle on. You’ll need boiling water, won’t you?’
When Reece came back into the room with a medical chest, extra towels and a glass of water, Jess was fighting another urge to push, blowing frantically as she’d been taught in antenatal classes.
She heard the clink of the glass as Reece set it down on a bedside table.
‘How are you doing?’ he asked as the contraction finally loosened its grip.
‘Awful,’ she grunted. ‘I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never, ever having sex again.’
She saw him swallow a smile and she sent him a hefty scowl. It was all very well for guys. They got it easy—a night of fun and, nine months later, someone else endured giving birth to their child.
Perhaps it was just as well Alan wasn’t here right now. She’d have given him a piece of her mind.
Oh, dear Lord, the poor man. Jess was instantly ashamed. How could she be angry with her husband when he might be seriously hurt, or even—?
No, she wouldn’t allow herself to think the worst, but tears stung her eyes. Tears for Alan. Tears of self-pity.
Hoping Reece hadn’t noticed them, she dashed at her face with the sleeve of the shirt he’d given her.
‘Would you like your drink?’
She shook her head. She was past needing a drink. What she needed now was a miracle. She needed to be magically whisked away from this isolated, outback homestead. She knew Reece was doing his best and she was grateful. Truly. But how could a lonely bachelor cattleman deliver her baby? She wanted to be safely in Cairns with a midwife and a ward full of nurses … doctors on standby …
‘Did you get through to the Flying Doctor?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he on his way?’
Sympathy shone in Reece’s dark eyes. ‘With all this rain, they can’t risk trying to land on our boggy airstrip.’
A surge of hot panic ripped through her now. ‘What does that mean? I’ll have to wait for an ambulance?’
He dropped his gaze and looked uncomfortable.
‘Tell me there’s an ambulance on its way,’ Jess pleaded.
‘Yes,’ he said at last. ‘A policeman is coming from Gidgee Springs and the ambulance from Dirranbilla.’
She sensed there was more bad news. ‘But … what are you not telling me?’
Reece grimaced. ‘The creeks are coming up fast.’
‘So they might not make it?’
‘It’s … possible …’
This time, when Jess felt her face crumple, she didn’t even try to be brave. What was the point? Everything was stacked against her. First a terrible accident, then her labour starting in the middle of nowhere. And now, no chance of help.
She and her baby were going to die.
All alone out here.
‘Hey, Jess.’
She felt Reece’s hand on her arm.
‘It’s OK,’ he soothed. ‘You’re going to be OK.’
‘I’m not,’ she wailed. ‘I don’t know how to do this and neither do you.’
‘I know how to deliver calves.’ He gave a shrugging smile. ‘And there’s no need to panic. I’ve talked to a telehealth on-call doctor and he’s told me what to do. He’s on standby to talk me through step by step if I need help.’
‘Oh, terrific. So I can have my baby by remote control and a tele—’
Her words were cut off as the urge to push crashed back with a vengeance. She screwed up her face and clenched her teeth to stop herself from screaming. She so-o-o wanted to push, but she couldn’t forget the dire warnings from the antenatal teacher about not pushing too soon. Oh, God, how could she not push?
It was too hard to hold back.
‘Can you see the baby’s head?’ she groaned.
‘Would you like me to check?’
Exhausted already, Jess nodded, all pretence at modesty gone. If Reece could see the head she wouldn’t keep fighting. She’d give in to the urge to push.
She watched his face as he cautiously lifted the shirt, saw his dark eyes widen and his Adam’s apple ripple in his throat.
‘What?’ she demanded. ‘What’s happening down there?’
‘Your baby has dark hair.’
Really?
In spite of everything, Jess felt her mouth tilt in a tremulous smile. The baby was a real little person. It had dark hair. She felt an unexpected spurt of excitement.
She looked at Reece, surprised by the emotion shimmering behind his smile. The poor man hadn’t asked to be thrown into this situation, and he was doing his best. She realised he’d spread a waterproof on the bed and he’d set up a tray with items from the medicine chest. He was a stranger, doing everything he could for her and for her baby.
She