A yap distracted him and Alex ran around the side of the house with Maggie close behind him. “I wondered where you two had got to. Thought you were inside the house.”
Maggie raced up the steps and through the front door. “Maggie wouldn’t listen to me.” Alex bolted after her. Hamish sighed. He should hunt them outside.
Not that a boy and a dog could do much damage. He checked his watch. Time to hurry Billie up before they all got soaked. Hamish spun around searching for her. He called out again. Nothing.
Another loud rumble made him search the sky. The storm was coming over fast. This wasn’t going to be a summer shower. A crack of thunder shook the ground and a bolt of lightning hissed over the lake. Waterbirds cried out and the wind howled, sending a swath of dust over water. Hamish lifted a hand to shield his eyes.
A splash caught his attention. A hand surfaced from the murky depths and then disappeared again.
Billie!
Hamish bolted down the slope and ran straight into the lake. A face broke the surface, gasped and went under again. He lurched over the cracked earth, waded into the water, the mud sucking at his shoes, pulling him deeper.
“Billie!” His voice crack with fear. “Billie!” He plunged into the water, searching for her, desperate to find something he could grasp hold of. Tendrils of wet hair brushed over his hand and he grabbed for it while fighting to keep his head above the surface.
Focused on keeping her safe, the slap of her hand on his face did little to deter him. She tried to pry his hands from her hair and gagged when her face broke the water. Hamish gripped a wrist, pulled her body into his, but still she fought. Strangled cries rose from her trembling lips and she choked on the dirty water.
He held her close, pushed her head to one side to expel the water, his hand gripping her chin as she fought him. “Billie, stop. I’ve got you. Stop fighting, it’s Hamish.”
She twisted out of his grasp, slippery with mud and launched herself away from him, still fighting whatever demons were on her tail. Hamish kept up with her until she clambered out of the water and collapsed on the edge of the muddy bank. He dropped beside her, reaching out once again.
Billie heaved in ragged breaths and swivelled to escape him, screaming unintelligible words at him.
“Billie, for goodness sake stop, it’s me, Hamish.” She slowed, opened her eyes, wary and ready to fight him again. Dirty water trickled down from her sodden hair and she brushed it off, her eyes still wild and unfocused.
Easy does it, she’s spooked still. “You’re safe now, Billie.” Hamish grasped hold of her hand and she paused, took a moment to look around her. They stared at each other for a heartbeat before her face screwed up and a sob escaped her chest. “You’re safe. I have you.”
She launched against him, gripping his soggy jacket like a lifeline.
* * *
“This time you’re going to the hospital and you’re staying there. You scared me to death, Billie.”
“I’m fine. I want to go home.”
“No. I insist on the hospital first. You almost drowned out there.”
Hamish stood with Alex and watched the ambulance driver strap Billie into the gurney before slamming the door. “Follow us in and they’ll want to talk to you then. Can’t see anything too much wrong with her apart from near drowning, but the doctor will have to check her out.
Pete hovered by his ute, his face lined with worry. Hamish held out his hand to him. “Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.”
“No worries. All I did was go down to the neighbours and call an ambulance.” He scratched his head as they ambulance started to drive away. “Let me know how things turn out.”
“Right, I will. Let’s go, Alex.”
They sat in the waiting room at the hospital, anxious to hear when they’d be allowed to see her. “Family of Billie Stanford?”
“That’s us.” Alex jumped up and hurried towards the nurse.
“This way. The doctor said you can see her now.”
Alex ran ahead of Hamish, pausing at the door of his mother’s room. He glanced back at Hamish for support. “In you go.”
Hamish followed. Billie lay on the bed, her skin deathly against the white sheets. She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw them.
“Hi.”
“Mom.” Alex hurried over and threw himself at her, his cries ripping through Hamish’s chest. He took the chair beside the bed and waited for Alex to calm down.
Billie stroked her son’s hair and smiled over at Hamish. “Thank you.”
He shrugged, uncomfortable with praise. “Not necessary.” I would have done anything to save you, Surely you know that.
“It is.” She ran her fingers through Alex’s hair as he calmed down. “You took me back to the house against your better judgment. I appreciate it.”
“Did it help?”
“I don’t know. I think I have it clear in my mind, but maybe I’m kidding myself.”
Hamish nodded at Alex. “Would you like me to take him to Frederick and Lucy? They should be back at the motel by now since they wouldn’t find us at the house.”
Alex lifted his head. “I want to stay with you, Mom.”
“We can all come back later, Alex. Maggie is outside tied up. I think you need to make better arrangements for her, what do you say? And your grandparents are probably wondering what’s going on.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He sat up. “Will you be okay by yourself?”
“Honey, I’m fine, promise. You go and do what you have to do. The doctor said he won’t let me go today anyway so there’s no rush.”
When he arrived back at the hospital, Hamish eased himself down into the chair beside the bed and wondered how he would be able to help her. She opened her eyes and stared at him. Without speaking she held
