“Just breathe.” He cradled her head to his body. “It’s shock, sweetheart. Shhh.” He stroked her damp hair. Libby heard him talking to a nurse, but it felt like he was far away. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of him as she fought to stay conscious.
The rattle of teacups on a tray made her open her eyes and focus. Holly leaned into her mother’s knee as a nurse handed Libby a cup of tea. She sat up, took it and held it steady.
“Thanks.” She took a sip and pulled a face at the sweetness of it.
“Sorry.” The nurse laughed. “Best thing for shock, but it can be a bit much if you aren’t into that much sugar.”
“No, really, that’s okay.” Libby thanked her. “If that’s the worst I have to deal with, it’s no big deal. How long until we can see Tom?”
“Give it half an hour. Doc has put the man’s shoulder back in, but he feels a bit dopey. He said to tell you he was fine and not to worry.”
“That’s great. Thanks.” Her baby and Tom were safe, and it was thanks to the man sitting quietly next to her. Taking a deep breath, she turned to him. “Nathan, I don’t know how to thank you. I can’t imagine what I would have done if you hadn’t been home.”
“I would do the same for anyone, but if you don’t mind, I would rather not discuss this just now.” His eyes were distant and gray as they looked at her. “We’ll go and see Tom, and then I’m taking you home. You and I will talk about this at a later date when you’ve had time to think about what happened today and why.” He turned from her and drank his tea.
One minute he was holding her as she went into shock, saying soothing words to her and ordering her tea, and the next minute he was cold and unresponsive.
Talk to me later...right, ignorant bastard.
Her first reaction to him was right, the bossy prick. He’ll probably try to convince me to go back to the city. Fat chance that was going to happen now. He didn’t want her; he wanted to control her.
“Whatever. But I give thanks where they’re due, and I won’t forget what you did today. Thank you.”
He looked at her while she gave her little speech and then turned away. He remained motionless until the nurse came back and showed them into see Tom.
He lay propped up in the emergency-room bed, his arm strapped to his chest to restrict movement. His face now had color, and he sipped a cup of tea with his good hand.
“Libby.” She kissed him and expressed her relief. “I’m so sorry for what happened. I didn’t realize the water would come down on us so fast. If it wasn’t for the horse shying like it did, we would have been all right.”
“It doesn’t matter. The only thing that’s important is that you’re both okay. When the boys came back and said they couldn’t find you on our side of the creek, I panicked. It was lucky Nathan was able to get to you. Something I’m very grateful for.”
“Thanks, Nathan.” Tom looked gratefully over at him. “I guess I owe you one.”
“Think nothing of it, mate. The one you should be thanking is Holly.”
“Yes, I guess I should.” Tom nodded and took Holly’s tiny hand in his. “I don’t remember much of what happened though. It’s all a bit fuzzy. Perhaps you should tell me what went wrong, Holly.”
She looked at her mother and then smiled at Nathan before she told them what had happened out there. Tom had told her to stay on their side of the creek while he went to bring in a couple of calves that had bolted and were stranded on the other side, too scared to come across to their mothers. He’d had them almost through the raging waters when Tom’s horse appeared to slip and fall, throwing him into the rushing creel. Holly had pushed Puddin’ across the river to get him to shore and sat with him until help arrived. By the time Nathan had found them, the water was closing in, and she was scared she couldn’t move Tom on her own. “He was too heavy for me.”
“You did well, Holly, my girl.” Tom smiled at her. “Make sure you give Puddin’ some extra hay for being so brave going across that water, won’t you?”
Libby’s heart thudded as she thought of her little girl crossing the raging water. She could tell from the dark look Nathan gave her, he was thinking about the danger Holly had been in saving Tom. She should never have let Holly go out with Tom, but it was too late now. An argument was brewing in Nathan’s mind; she could just imagine what he was thinking. She’d no doubt think she was irresponsible in his place too.
By the time they got back to Nathan’s house, the rain had eased, but the waters were continuing to rise. If they came up too much more, the back paddocks would flood, but that would not put them or the house in any danger. Nathan pulled up beside Libby’s four-wheel drive and slammed the door. He turned to her, a scowl on his face.
“I’ll pick Tom up and bring him home tomorrow if the road isn’t cut. In the meantime, try to keep your kids at home where you can keep an eye on them.” He grunted before storming off.
“Well, he’s in a pissy mood, isn’t he?” Pete noted from where he stood with Molly and the boys.
“Is Tom okay?” Winton and Josh watched Nathan storm off.
“Yeah, guys, he’s fine.” Libby felt relieved now that she was back with them and the worst of it was over. “He had a dislocated shoulder, and they gave him some pain relief before they got him out
