Flight of the Jabiru (24 page)

Rick soon returned with a plate, cutlery, and a glass. He looked very pleased with himself when he sat down. “This is an unexpected surprise,” he commented happily. Lara couldn't help smiling as his upbeat mood was so infectious, but Jerry was sullen.

Lara put a serve of chicken on Rick's plate.

“What a nice change from fish,” Rick commented as he tucked into the meal. “This is delicious,” he added after swallowing a mouthful. “I usually throw my scraps to the ducks and geese but I can't bring myself to kill one for a meal.”

“Why not?” Jerry asked pointedly. He was finding it near impossible to hide his annoyance.

“It's a trust thing,” Rick insisted.

“What do you mean?” Jerry asked.

“The ducks and geese have come to trust me since I've been feeding them. As soon as they see my boat they swim to meet me with their little babies, looking to see what I have for them. I couldn't kill one. It just wouldn't be right.”

Jerry looked disbelieving of someone who claimed to be a hunter.

“I know I'm soft,” Rick admitted. “Especially for a former soldier.”

“I think it's sweet,” Lara said, smiling at him warmly. “You have a good heart.” She was beginning to understand why he didn't kill crocodiles.

“This chicken was alive not so long ago,” Jerry pointed out, fed up with Rick scoring points with Lara for his soft side.

Rick looked at him and his expression became grave. Then his gaze dropped to the chicken on his plate. Lara was watching him as he put his cutlery down and lent back in his chair, appearing to feel quite upset. He didn't take his gaze from the chicken.

Lara fell silent, too. She could imagine what Rick was thinking, because obviously he was very compassionate about animals. He was someone who relocated crocodiles in preference to shooting them, even though his own life was put in danger. She couldn't understand what Jerry hoped to achieve with such a comment.

Jerry looked from Rick to Lara, stunned by their reactions. He couldn't believe he'd completely ruined the evening with such a thoughtless comment. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I know it's different. You didn't see this chicken before ... please forget I said anything.”

Rick made a muffled, choking noise. With her chin still down, Lara lifted her gaze in Rick's direction. He had his head down, too, but their eyes met and locked. She covered her mouth with her hand, but also made a muffled noise.

At first Jerry thought that Lara was crying and he was completely dismayed. She'd never dine with him again! It took a few moments for him to realize that Rick and Lara were stifling giggles. After a few seconds they were no longer able to contain their emotions and burst into laughter.

Jerry was completely perplexed. Then he became a little cross that Lara and Rick appeared to be sharing a private joke. He drained his wine glass and refilled it.

“I'm sorry,” Rick said. “Had you going, didn't I? I'm not that soft that I can't eat chicken,” he said. “And I don't have a problem with fishing for my dinner.”

“Very amusing,” Jerry mumbled.

Lara couldn't believe he didn't see the funny side of the situation. “You didn't fool me, Rick,” she said proudly.

“Obviously you have my warped sense of humor,” Rick replied with a grin. “By the way, what is that strange smell?” He looked around for something left on the jetty.

Lara realized he was probably referring to the cream she'd smeared on herself. “It's mosquito repellent,” she said, offering her wrist for him to smell. “They attacked me as soon as I sat down so Jerry gave me some cream he'd had a scientist make up.”

Rick smelt her wrist and wrinkled his nose. “I reckon it could be sold as croc repellent,” he joked.

Lara laughed again. “It's not that bad, is it?”

Rick laughed. “It's up there,” he teased.

“Stop it,” Lara snapped, although she didn't take offense. “Do you like the wine?” she asked him, determined to change the subject.

“It's not so bad,” Rick said. “For last week's vintage.”

Lara laughed again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“I'll help you take the table and chairs back to the pub,” Rick insisted when they'd finished eating and Jerry began packing up.

“There's no need,” Jerry rushed to say as he stacked the chairs to carry. He was very much looking forward to spending a few minutes alone with Lara when he walked her back to the rectory, and he didn't want Rick disrupting that part of the evening, too.

“It's the least I can do after you shared such a wonderful meal with me,” Rick said ignoring Jerry's protests as he cleared the table. Lara took the casserole dish and the candle, while he wrapped the plates, cutlery and glasses in the table cloth and packed it all in a basket that had been under the table.

“I can come back for that stuff,” Jerry insisted in frustration.

“Nonsense. I'm here, so I'll help,” Rick said. The table was light to carry, so Rick also picked up the basket. He and Lara set off for the pub, leaving Jerry to follow with the chairs.

As they walked by candlelight towards the lights of the hotel in the distance, Jerry caught up and Lara thanked him for a lovely evening. “It was magical dining on the jetty beside the billabong,” she said with a sigh. She'd really enjoyed the setting.

“Have any of the locals taken you out in a boat yet?” Rick asked her.

“No, not yet.”

“So you haven't done any fishing or seen the rest of the billabong?”

“No, the local fishermen have offered,” Lara said. “But I've been preoccupied with getting the school up and running.”

“Would you like to go out in my boat tomorrow?” As it was Sunday he knew there was no school.

Lara hesitated as she had lessons to prepare.

“Teachers need some relaxation, too, don't they?” Rick persisted.

“Yes, and I guess I should know about our environment for future lessons.”

“I'd be happy to show you every corner of the billabong. I'll even give you a fishing lesson.”

“That sounds lovely, Rick, thank you,” Lara said appreciatively.

Rick noticed that Jerry was solemn. “You're welcome to come, too, doc,” he said graciously.

Jerry was tempted to accept if only to upset Rick's plan to have Lara all to himself, but he felt spiteful and ashamed for thinking that way and he wasn't normally like that. “I've got patients to see near McMinns Lagoon tomorrow,” he claimed, trying not to sound as dispirited as he felt.

“That's a pity, Jerry,” Lara said sincerely.

“Yeah, maybe another time, doc,” Rick added.

“Don't you ever get time off, Jerry?” Lara asked.

“Not very much,” he replied. “I get a few hours now and again, but there are always patients to check on and not many relief doctors who'll come out here.”

“You're very dedicated, Jerry,” Lara said. “That's admirable.”

It lifted Jerry's spirits to hear that Lara held him in high regard. “I chose this profession to help those who most need it. In the Territory, that's the people in outlying settlements who can't get into the city often.”

“Then they're lucky to have you,” Lara said.

Jerry's faith was renewed that he had a good chance with Lara.

Betty, Colin, and Monty were still in the pub with a few of the locals when the trio arrived. They'd been speculating all night about how the dinner might've gone, especially when Monty returned to say that Rick had arrived in his boat and disrupted Jerry's plans for romance under the stars.

Betty studied the features of the two men when they entered the hotel. She'd noticed that Rick had a real cheerful disposition, and this evening was no different. As she spent most of her days with two perpetual moaners, Colin and Monty, she was in a unique position to appreciate a happy, positive soul. One look at Jerry and she could see that he wasn't happy at all. She gave him a sympathetic expression to convey that she hoped he had ‘better luck next time.'

Lara thanked Jerry for a lovely evening, and also Betty and Monty for their part.

“The food was delicious, Betty. It was especially enjoyable dining under the stars and the billabong is so beautiful at night. And Monty's violin playing made the evening all the more enjoyable.”

“I play better when I'm drunk,” Monty suggested.

“You only think you do,” Colin chipped in.

“And what hidden talent do you possess?” Monty shot back.

“The talent for looking busy doing nothing,” Betty laughed.

While the others laughed, Jerry remained silent; preoccupied with thoughts of how he would tell Lara that he'd enjoyed her company when they had some privacy.

“Tomorrow you'll see how beautiful the billabong can be in the mornings,” Rick said.

Betty looked inquisitive. “Do you have something planned, Lara?”

“Rick is taking me out in the boat tomorrow morning,” Lara offered.

“We should leave bright and early, when it's still quite cool,” Rick suggested. “Early mornings and late evenings are the best times on the lagoons.”

“Then I'd better get a good night's sleep,” Lara said. “Good night, everyone.”

“I'll walk you home,” Jerry offered quickly.

“That's okay, Jerry,” Lara said. “Rick is going that way and you must be tired. Goodbye and thank you again. I enjoyed myself this evening.”

Jerry wanted to ask if they could do it again, but his self-confidence was at an all-time low and he was afraid he'd stumble over the words with an audience. Instead he watched Rick and Lara as they headed off into the darkness, wondering how the evening could've gone so wrong. He then turned to the bar and ordered a whiskey.

“Your evening didn't go quite as planned, did it?” Betty said to him.

“That's an understatement,” Jerry snapped. He took a deep breath. “I'm sorry, Betty, I shouldn't be taking my disappointment out on you,” he said. “Lara and I were having a lovely time until the croc hunter came along and spoiled everything with his jovial antics.”

“Jovial antics! That sounds interesting.”

“He told Lara that he couldn't possibly kill a duck or goose to cook because they trusted him! Have you ever heard of a hunter who couldn't kill a duck for that reason?”

Monty overheard this remark. “In my opinion he has no right to call himself a croc hunter when he won't shoot them,” he said. “Now you say he won't shoot ducks, either. I'm beginning to think he's a bit strange.”

“He's not strange. He has a big heart, that's all,” Betty said. She thought Rick was lovely, and that the men in town, including Jerry, were just jealous, but she daren't admit that out loud.

“Well, his soft side has certainly impressed Lara,” Jerry said.

“You aren't going to give up because of one little setback, are you?” Monty asked.

“Of course not,” Jerry sighed. “Once the crocs are gone, Rick will be gone, too.” He sculled his whiskey, said goodnight, and left the pub.

“Poor Jerry,” Betty said when she heard his vehicle leave. As much as she liked Rick, she wanted Jerry to find a wife and settle down, too.

“If he's got any gumption, he'll fight for Lara,” Monty suggested.

Lara went down to the jetty as soon as the first rays of sunlight split the dark sky. She'd slept fitfully, dreaming of Jerry and Rick and the billabong.

Rick was already waiting for her on deck with a steaming mug of tea in his hands.

“Permission to come aboard, captain,” Lara called playfully. She noticed Rick's hair was damp and slightly curly, which only added to his attractiveness.

“Granted,” Rick said with a warm smile as he helped her aboard his twenty-five-foot wooden boat. “I was just contemplating whether I'd have to wake you.”

“I've been up for awhile,” Lara admitted. She realized that, apart from their initial meeting, she always felt relaxed in Rick's company.

“You should've come aboard earlier. You could've made my breakfast or swabbed the decks,” Rick joked.

“I'm no swabbie, sir. So be careful what you say, or there'll be a mutiny!”

Rick laughed. “Mutineers walk the plank, and you know what that means. They become breakfast for the crocs,” he said.

Lara pretended to swoon. “I give up, sir. Hand me the mop and I'll swab.”

“Not this morning, fair lady. Today you get a tour of my vessel. She was built by a shipwright in Port Adelaide for the previous owner,” Rick explained as he took her into the living quarters. “He and his wife spent five years sailing around the Northern Australian coast, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island. When the wife developed a kidney problem and had to have regular hospital treatment, they sold the boat to me. This is the galley,” he said proudly, showing her his little kitchen. It was compact, and extremely tidy. “I've just boiled the kettle if you'd like a cuppa,” Rick said.

“I've just had one, thanks. Did you spend all night cleaning?” The galley was spotless.

“It's my army training,” Rick said with an easy smile. “But it's also the only way to live in confined quarters, especially in rough seas. Everything must be stored securely in its rightful place.”

Next Rick showed Lara his sleeping quarters, which were also compact, but looked comfortable. The bed was a good size, and neatly made up, and there appeared to be plenty of cupboard space. Lara noticed there wasn't a thing out of place, not even a pair of shoes.

“Is this another closet?” Lara asked, looking at a door.

Rick's smile broadened. “This boat is just what I was looking for, but this closet is one of the main reasons I bought her,” he said proudly.

Lara was baffled until he opened the door to reveal a compact shower cubicle. “Not all boats have facilities like this,” he said proudly. A different small door revealed a toilet. He explained that he used billabong water. “It's not hot, but you don't need it to be up here in the Territory where it's never cold.”

“Very modern,” Lara said impressed.

“There's nothing worse than having to use buckets for washing and well, you know...”

“I can imagine,” Lara said, moving on to inspect two cabins with two bunks in each. Next Rick showed her a lounge area with a table for dining. Out on deck there was plenty of space to host fishermen and storage space for their tackle. Overall, Lara was impressed with the boat and expressed her thoughts to Rick.

“I can see why you are quite comfortable living on your boat,” she said. “Everything you need is right here.”

“There is nothing like the freedom of being able to wake up in different surroundings every day and all I can hear is the ocean or birdlife on the lagoons,” Rick said. “It's so peaceful. I try not to show it, but the war scarred me mentally as well as physically. Sometimes, in my head I can hear gunfire and the screams of my injured mates. I have nightmares and wake in a sweat. It might sound crazy to someone who hasn't experienced what I have, but the life I lead does wonders to heal my mind.”

“It doesn't sound crazy at all.” Since being incarcerated, Lara identified with his need for space and freedom. “I won't pretend to know what's it's like to go through a war, but I can see why you'd find this lifestyle so appealing.”

Rick was amazed. “Not many women would understand why a man would want to live on a boat instead of in a house with a picket fence.”

“Not so long ago I might've been one of those women, but now I feel differently. Being out in the open and at peace with nature is something you can't take for granted.” Lara smiled to hide the horrible memory of being trapped in a small cell with bars on the window.

Rick wanted to ask what had changed her, but he thought she'd tell him in her own time if she wanted to. Lara was indeed tempted to open up, but now was the not the time. She wasn't sure he wouldn't think differently of her if he knew she'd been in prison. “Are we ever leaving the jetty?” she asked with an eager smile.

“Yes, we are, matey,” Rick said jovially. He leapt onto the jetty and untied the boat. A few minutes later the engine roared to life and they set off.

There was a canopy over part of the deck so the rising sun wasn't a problem. As the boat glided through the still water, Lara felt a cooling breeze in her face, which was refreshing. She closed her eyes for a few moments and enjoyed it, unaware that Rick was watching her. Being on the calm waters of the billabong was so different to sailing on the ocean. The tranquility was amazing. She couldn't help smiling as she stood near Rick at the helm.

“We've just been through what's known as the ‘runoff' period,” Rick explained. “That's when the warm floodwaters on the plains recede and run into tidal channels, causing a feeding frenzy for barramundi. Some of the biggest fish weigh a massive fifty or sixty pounds.”

“Wow, you could feed a big family with a fish like that,” Lara exclaimed.