Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense (17 page)

'With the
drought and everything been so dry lately we've been on guard, but usually we
don't. There was one a few months back, before the rain. I think it was not
long before you moved back here. Nothing too dramatic. But nevertheless our
boys are alert and on standby.'

Zoe wiped the
plates and glanced through the window. Disquiet settled over her. 

'Don't worry.
Jordan's been a firey for years. He knows what he's doing. He's the best. Done
courses after courses, and knows the area well.'

'It wasn't
that...it's.'

'Oh I'm sorry.
I forgot, your house, the fire.'

Jade reached
out and rubbed her back. 'It's a grass fire, Zoe, and kilometres from any house
or property. It's got to be contained, that's all.'

Zoe nodded.

'I'll be back
in a jiffy. The kids are stirring.'

Zoe glanced
into the lounge area where Luke, Adam and Katie were sound asleep. She smiled.
They appeared as though they'd been dumped on the couch, with legs and arms
dangling in all directions. It amazed her that the children were asleep,
especially with the chatter going on beside them. She glanced at the clock and
it registered after ten thirty.

Jade returned.
'They're worn out.'

'I imagine so.
They didn't stop once during the night.'

'Do you want
me to put Luke to bed before I go, Jade?'

'Mike. Yes
thanks. Mike, have you met Zoe.'

'Yeah. Sure
did. The other day as well. We spoke a bit during the night. I hope you enjoyed
your party Zoe.'

'It was great.
Thanks for coming.'

'No worries.
I'll put Luke to bed, then I'm off.'

'Okay.
Thanks,' Jade said and watched him saunter toward Luke.

'He's such a
nice guy. He helped Jordan so much when well, during the rough days. He was a
godsend to have around.'

Zoe was
thankful Jordan had family and friends to support him when she hadn't been
around.

After cleaning
up and saying goodbye to all the visitors there still wasn't a sign of Jordan's
return. Zoe glanced at the clock. He'd been gone two hours.

'Give it
another hour. I'm sure they'll be back by then. Tony went with them. I think
Jordan will drop Tony off home on the way back. I'll stay at Mum's for the
night. I can stay until Jordan gets back. Keep you company if you like.'

Zoe felt
relieved. She didn't want to be alone in the house with Luke. What if something
happened to him? She couldn't take on that responsibility, especially alone.

Jade
disappeared for a while, and Zoe wandered toward the television noticing the
children weren't asleep on the couch. She turned back, glanced through a
doorway only to spot Jade walking out.

'I've put them
in Jordan's bed. At least we can watch a bit of tele.'

Zoe sat on the
end of the lounge and Jade sat next to her. 'Finally. My feet are killing me.'

Zoe smiled and
noticed a news headline slide across the screen in bold white print.

Fires springing
up around Munna.

'Did you see
that?'

'What?'

'The
headlines. It said fires are springing up around Munna.'

Zoe's
heartbeat increased as she stared at Jade.

Jade stood.
'I'll give Jordan a call.' Jade rushed over to her handbag sitting on a chair,
and picked up her mobile. While it rang, she looked over to Zoe, giving her
hand signals. Zoe couldn't make out what she was trying to say.

Zoe shook her
head, trying to indicate she didn't understand.

'Jordan. About
time. Are you okay? We saw the news flash.'

'What? When?
Okay. No she's still here with me. Okay.'

Jade hung up.
'They have them under control. Apparently the smaller one was picked up by
winds, shot a few embers attacks into a nearby property. He's on his way home
as we speak.'

Zoe placed a
hand over her chest. 'That's good to hear.'

Half an hour
later she heard Jordan's vehicle pull up. After he helped Jade carry the
children to the car, he returned inside while Zoe was gathering her bag.

'You can stay
if you like.'

'I've already
told Jade I'd go with her. She's taking me home, and staying at your parents’.
Besides I'm pretty worn out, and by the looks of you, not that much better.'

He stopped
beside her, reached out and ran a hand down her cheek. 'Sorry to cut the party
short.'

'It wasn't
your fault. Most people left about eleven or perhaps a little later.'

He moved
closer, tilted her chin upwards with an index finger, edging her closer until
his lips roamed over hers. Zoe absorbed his warmth, the passion and the
tenderness until he drew back.

'Come on. I'll
walk you out. Thanks for keeping an eye on Luke.'

'It wasn't me.
Jade is really good with children.'

He walked her
to Jade’s four-wheeler, stopping by the passenger door.

Jordan poked
his head through the doorway. 'You okay to drive?'

'Yup. Climb in
Zoe.'

Jordan watched
as she swung up onto the seat.

'Drive
carefully.' He closed the door after her. Standing back, Zoe gave him a wave,
but she doubted he would have seen it through the darkness.

'Why didn't
you stay the night? I think Jordan wanted you to.'

'He's had a
rough night. Perhaps some other time.'

***

After supper
and feeling ill at ease, Zoe wandered toward the front door and swung it open,
sending her heartbeat ricocheting in her throat. Down the valley, towards town
but further onward, the mountains were tainted with brown-red clouds of smoke.

She walked
down the steps to the side of the house where the trees opened up to a better
view of the valley. Her heart stalled at the sight. Angry, black and white
clouds of smoke encroached on Munna.

She retreated
to the veranda, and dashed inside, hoping to hear a news headline on the television.
Settling back, she waited for what seemed ages but there was nothing to let her
know what was happening. After making a cup of tea, she returned to the veranda
and watched the undulating smoke clouds.

Turning, she
eased down onto a timber chair, sipping on her tea, and her view diminished as
the dark of night impinged over the last light of day. Zoe's gaze flicked
toward the driveway when the roar of a vehicle caught her attention. Headlights
cut a path toward the front gate. The vehicle came to a sudden stop, and the
driver's door opened.

'Zoe, Zoe.'

It was
Jordan's voice, and she stood, reached inside the front door to switch on the
outside lights.

'Zoe. I'm glad
your home.'

She raised her
eyebrows, wondering where he thought she'd be at that time of night. It wasn't
as though she'd made many friends in the area as yet.

'Hi Jordan.
What's up?'

'I need you to
keep an eye on Luke for me. There's a fire.'

'Jordan?' Zoe took a few more
steps, and spotted Luke climbing from Jordan's vehicle clinging to a bag, with
a distraught look.

They walked up
the steps toward her. She turned to Jordan.

'I can't. Look
what happened at the pub the other night. Jordan. What if it happens again?'
she whispered.

'It won't. I'm
asking you, please.'

'What's going
on?'

'There's a
fire. It's blocked the road into town from Jade's place. Mum and Dad went over
for dinner this afternoon. Tony is away, and the kids are there as well. The
fire is heading straight toward Jade's place.'

Zoe slammed a
palm to her chest.

'They have no
way out.'

Shivers
tripped over her skin and she glanced at Luke who remained silent. She couldn't
look after her brother let alone look after someone else's child. She tried
that for a few short moments at the pub and didn't do such a good job.

'What are you
going to do?'

'I have to go.
I have to help my family. Please keep an eye on Luke?' The desperation in his
voice, the look of alarm over his face softened her heart.

Zoe nodded
with reluctance and looked at Luke. Fear was embedded in his eyes. 'Come here
sweetie.' She put her arm out and Luke took the few steps between them,
huddling against her side.

'Be careful
Jordan, it sounds bad.'

'It is. Don't
expect your landline to be working. It's knocked out everything including power
to the town. I can't contact Jade or anyone north east of Munna.'

He walked
closer to Zoe, leaned in and took hold of her elbow before kissing her on the
cheek. 'You take care. I'll be back as soon as it's all under control. Don't
leave the house.'

Jordan said
goodbye to Luke and he made him promise to behave for Zoe. She felt sorry for
Luke. He was handed around a lot lately and she wondered what he thought of his
father’s increasing absence. Although it wasn't Jordan's fault. She watched
until his vehicle dipped from sight, and then led Luke indoors.

Her nerves
wouldn't settle, and now she had to entertain a six-year-old child. She'd never
had anything to do with children. The incident at the pub proved that. One
distraction and she'd forgotten about him.

'Luke. Can you
sit down? I think I might need to talk to you first.'

He perched on
the edge of a dining chair.

'Dad is a good
firefighter. He fought a fire before and his hand got burned.'

'I know he
is,' she said, when she sat beside him. 'Listen. I don't know much about
six-year-old boys as I well...I have no relations, no brothers or sisters,
cousins, or little nieces or nephews. Do you know what I mean?'

'You haven't
got a husband as well.'

'No. I haven't
got a husband. Have you had dinner?'

'Yeah. Dad
made me eat some vegetables, and we had shepherd's pie.'

That was a far
cry from her left over spaghetti bolognaise she'd downed earlier. 'Well, I was
going to have dessert and I wondered what you eat for dessert.'

'Sometimes we
have apple pie. But that's only when Grandma makes it. Ice cream is good.
Chocolate flavouring is my favourite.'

'Well it so
happens I have ice cream and chocolate flavouring. Would you like some?'

His eyes
beamed. 'Yes please.'

Zoe got up
from her seat, walked into the kitchen and placed two bowls on the bench top.
She scooped generous amounts of ice cream into the bowls and topped them with
the sauce, and retrieved two spoons from a nearby drawer.

'Well. We
could eat here. But I do have a television in the lounge room now.'

'Cool.' He
jumped from his seat. 'Will I leave my bag here?'

'Yes, for
now.' While she carried the two bowls, he walked beside her into the lounge
room.

Zoe knew his
pyjamas and toothbrush would be in the bag, and she gathered it wouldn't be long
before he fell asleep. He looked tired.

'Cool,' he
said when he spotted the large soft floral lounge.

'There's a
little bathroom next to the kitchen, well down the hallway.' She placed the
bowls on a coffee table. 'How about you go into the little bathroom and change
into your pyjamas and then we can have our ice cream. Come on I'll show you
where it is.' Zoe walked into the kitchen and picked up his bag before showing
him the way.

While he was
changing, she wondered if the television still had reception. She switched it
on and let out a relieved breath just as a news headline crossed the screen.
She checked that Luke was still busy, and listened, feeling mortified.

'An
uncontrollable bush fire has blocked the north east road from Munna. The only
entry and exit into Munna is the main road to Tamworth. Several homes in the
area have been destroyed and more are in its path. The New South Wales Fire
Brigade is at the scene as I speak, with support coming in from as far away as
Queensland.' The newsreader hesitated, glanced sideways then looked up again.
'News has recently come in of another fire which is out of control to the
northwest of Munna. Although a north-easterly wind is now blowing, we are
hoping it doesn't change to a north-westerly.'

God, she didn't
think it was that bad. Her mouth opened when it showed firemen fighting the
huge flames. She glanced closer, wondering if one of them was Jordan. A report
arrived saying several firefighters had smoke inhalation and were treated at
the scene, with one of the men shipped to Tamworth hospital. Those
fire-fighters were from Tamworth on the other side of the fire.

'We urge all
residents of Munna to take your first step in securing your home and be
prepared for the worst. The wind has picked up and news of its strength
increasing is expected.'

She changed
channels when Luke appeared in a cute pair of light blue boxer shorts with a
matching top, holding his bag in his hand.

'How'd you go?
Everything all right?'

'Yup.' He
dropped the bag near the lounge and jumped up onto the edge. 'Where do I
sleep?'

'There's a
spare room next to mine. It has a new bed, and I made it up in case I had a
visitor like you.' 

Luke seemed
pleased with the idea, although Zoe felt uncomfortable wondering how to
entertain a child. After stressing for a few moments she concluded that they
were only miniature versions of adults and surely there wouldn't be too much in
caring for one, especially when they'd be asleep shortly.

She handed
Luke a bowl of ice cream. 'It's a little melted.'

'I like it
melted, best.'

Zoe grinned,
and glanced at the television as a documentary about whales came on. She
flicked her gaze to the window and back to Luke, who had devoured his ice cream
before she had even started hers. 'I don't feel like mine now. Do you want some
more?'

'Yes please.
Wow. Two bowls.'

'Yes. But
don't tell your father.'

'I won't.'

While he was
content with the second bowl of ice cream, she moved to the window, and slid
the curtain aside enough to get a better look. She stilled as she focussed on
the huge cloud of thick orange smoke covering the sky. She squinted. It
appeared to be some distance off, but it was impossible to know how far, or
even what direction it was heading at that stage. A fire was on the west side
of town and one was blocking the exit road to Tamworth. Montagreen and Jordan's
parents’ property were south of Munna. She released a tight breath.

Dropping the
curtain, she turned and spotted Luke who had devoured the second bowl of ice
cream and was now resting on the edge of the lounge, sound asleep. Too easy.
She wondered why she'd stressed so much. She walked to the television and
turned down the volume and then slipped a hand around his neck, another around
his waist and lifted him into her arms.

He was heavier
than she imagined and as she carried him upstairs, he didn't stir. She wished
she could sleep as soundly. Upon reaching the bedroom, she pushed the door open
with her foot and walked to the bed, easing him down. He mumbled, but she
managed to pull the covers back and he automatically snuggled down, while she
placed the sheet over him. She grinned. He was a miniature version of Jordan.
After a few seconds of admiring how much he looked like his father and
satisfied he was safe, she turned and left the door open so the light from the
hallway would shine into the room.

Back in the
lounge room she picked up the bowls and returned to the kitchen, checking her
mobile phone on the way. There were no messages or missed calls. Anxiety worked
through her and she walked to the front door, swung it open and stepped out.

A blast of
wind hit her face towing with it the strong scent of smoke. Leaves and twigs
flew through the air. Nervousness wound through her and she wondered if the
fire had changed direction. Aware of her predicament she mentally assessed the
area. There wasn't any dead grass or timber lying close to the house or any
trees overshadowing the rooftop. Most of the yard was cleared when the house
had been renovated except for the dead grass on the other side of the fence.
She glanced at the fence, ran her gaze over the grass and prayed the fires kept
well away. 

She turned and
walked indoors to the lounge room, hoping another news headline would let her
know what was going on. She slammed to a stop when she spotted the video clip
appearing as though the world was melting under the ball of the sun.

The orange
glow she noticed earlier in the sky held a terrifying colour of red. Trees,
scrub, everything was alight. The fire ripped up the unsuspecting land, devouring
everything and anything in its path, spurred along by strong north-westerly
winds of up to one hundred kilometres an hour and it was heading in her
direction. All the blood in Zoe's body slowed. Where was Jordan? Oh God no. She
had to take care of his son.

She froze as
fear grabbed hold of her and rocked her senseless for what seemed like minutes.
Her gaze fleeted about the room. How long did she have? She hobbled toward a
lounge chair and settled onto its softness. She drew in small breaths, holding
each breath for a few seconds, and then letting it out before she inhaled
another.

Her gaze
flicked back to the television. The picture and sound was breaking up. She
could hardly see what was going on let alone hear the newsreader. She picked up
her mobile phone, but the reception had died.

She wondered
if Jordan had managed to reach Jade's house, and wondered if the house had gone
up in flames...and...his parents. Were they safe? Were Jade and her children
safe? Nausea grew in her stomach. She thought of Jordan's parents’ property but
that was thirty minutes closer to town. She doubted it was under any
threat...as yet. She had to have a plan. What could or should she do? Grabbing
a torch on the way, she ran outside, and checked the front surrounding area. The
smoke was growing thicker and she put a hand to her mouth.

Thank God,
Luke was asleep. What would she say to him? Would he freak out, become
uncontrollable?

After checking
around the house, unable to spot anything imminent, she returned indoors and locked
the door behind her. She went about making sure all the windows and doors were
firmly shut.

A nervous
shudder rose up her throat. She'd never thought about a bush fire. She had no
training in dealing with something as horrific, but natural instinct had her
rushing to the bathroom and wetting a few towels. She dumped them on the
breakfast bar when she returned, and grabbed a tea towel from a nearby drawer.

She doused it
with water from the kitchen tap and wrung it out before returning outdoors.
Wrapping the tea towel around her mouth and nose, she ran toward one of the
front hoses, turned it on and began drenching the house. She soaked the front
veranda, soaked everything in sight.

She turned in
the direction of a sound and a shiver tripped over her skin. What was it? A
roaring, although some distance away, wasn't like anything she'd ever heard
before. It sounded like thunder, a tree crashing perhaps. Her heartbeat picked
up and her body, saturated with perspiration.

Rushing as
quickly as possible, she finished hosing the back of the house, returned
indoors grabbing the front mat on the way, and dropped it inside the door. She
ran up the steps to one of the front bedrooms and peered through the window. In
the distance, a distinct orange red glow had claimed the land and she thought
of the animals, the koalas, the kangaroos and all the birds in harm’s way. The
glow was still a few kilometres away, but the wind was pushing it right at her,
in the direction of Montagreen.

An ember
attack was imminent. Her gaze stilled over the table and chairs under the tree.
They were far too heavy to move. Her eyes filled with tears and fear did a good
job of setting up an insidious shudder to course through her body. She
swallowed, blinked the tears back and knew she had to remain strong. Fear or no
fear, she had a child to care for and he was Jordan's son. She
wouldn't...couldn't let anything happen to him.

A glow caught
her attention, and she noticed a spot fire beside the front fence. Alarmed at
what was happening, she shot from the room, checked to see if Luke remained
asleep and found he was unaware of the disaster closing in around them.

As she bolted
down the stairs, she thought it odd that small fires were popping up so close
to Montagreen. Was there someone about that purposely lit all the fires? That
thought almost had her tripping over her feet, but she steadied her balance and
headed into the kitchen to wet the tea towel for a second time. She had to
check outside.

Rushing toward
the front door, she tied the tea towel around her face before dashing outside
noticing more spot fires, springing up in the front yard. Embers rained down
over the surrounding area.