Page 108 of Where the Wattles Bloom

Lachlan, who Rowena had never once seen out of his depth, turned frantic eyes on her. ‘Help her.’

Dread sank like a lead weight in Rowena’s belly. But she just nodded as she knelt beside him and calmly said, ‘Call the ambulance.’

It was as if she’d thrown him a lifeline. ‘Shaun,’ he barked over his shoulder, ‘grab the sat phone from the ute.’ Turning back to Reggie, his eyes blazed down at her. ‘Don’t you die on me,’ he growled. ‘Don’t you dare fucking die.’

He didn’t wait for her to answer, just pushed away, snatching the phone off Shaun.

‘Is he gone?’ Reggie asked, wincing a little, her voice low and raspy.

Rowena watched as Lachlan strode away into the full sun, yelling into the phone. ‘Yes,’ she said, returning her attention to Reggie, scooping up her other hand.

It was cool and clammy and the fingers around Rowena’s heart squeezed a little harder.

Reggie managed a small smile at Albert before she glanced at Rowena. ‘I’m done for.’

‘Reggie …’ Rowena shook her head, desperate for it not to be so. ‘The ambulance is on its way.’

But even as she said it, she could see that Reggie was right. It would take god knew how long for medical help to arrive, but even if there was a full emergency department at her disposal right now, it wouldn’t help.

Reggie was dying.

‘I can’t feel my legs,’ she said.

Rowena shut her eyes briefly. It wasn’t a surprise, given how she’d landed and the back-breaking noise of that crack.

‘I have the big C. Lung. Doc gave me a year.’

Everything fell into place then. The cough Reggie hadn’t been able to shake. The weight loss she’d hidden. Rowena glanced at Albert. He was staring at the woman he loved, his eyes glistening, his expression a mix of devotion and stoic resignation.

He knew she was dying too.

She looked at Reggie again. ‘How long have you known?’

‘A few months.’

‘Could they not treat it?’

A feeble laugh escaped those pale lips, followed by a paroxysmal cough that seemed to weaken her even further.

‘Not here,’ she said as she recovered. ‘And I’m not … going to the … city.’ She was panting between words now. ‘Too many people of … my age go there and … don’t come back. I was going to see … the baby, that was … enough for me.’

Her hand moved, groping for Rowena’s abdomen. Blinking back tears, Rowena placed the clammy palm on her belly.

A smile touched Reggie’s mouth. ‘You’re going to be … the best mama.’

Reggie’s faith that all would be well with the baby had always been unshakeable. Rowena wished she’d had a fraction of the older woman’s confidence. As if reading her mind, Reggie smiled. ‘Don’t worry … everything’s going to be just … fine.’

Rowena swallowed against a hard lump and nodded. Reggie shouldn’t be wasting precious last words on assuring her, but her certainty meant a lot nonetheless.

‘Where’s … Lachy?’

‘He’s calling the RFDS.’

Reggie shook her head slightly. ‘Tell him to … call them off … tell him … to come … it’s close now.’

Rowena wanted to argue. To yell at her to not die, as Lachlan had done. To tell her she could get through this. But even if that was remotely possible, she’d be in hospital in the city for a long time.

No Blairgowrie. No Ace.