Outback Love

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“Doc, I need to stop this mine.” Blane said, looking out the window at the pools of water amongst the hard compacted dirt.

“Yes, we do.” Doc sighed. “I know everyone is blaming you but that’s just anger. The real culprits are the ones who sign the documents to allow it in the first place. I mean, we get it. Our country is rich in minerals and people want to capitalise on that, but they cant just keep leaving gaping holes in the ground. Its not just us and the communities around us either. If you pump water from the Artesian Basin you will cripple half of outback Australia. So many rely on that water.”

Blane nodded. “That would be our first port of call I think. Establishing a water system that is workable for everyone.”

“That would cost a mint.” Doc sighed.

“But what if we brought people in who want to trial systems? There are people all over the world trying to help with irrigation systems and water in drought-stricken areas. Maybe there are people who will help us.” Blane replied thoughtfully.

“Maybe you have more influence than me in that area mate.” Doc replied.

“There are people who have approached us in the past about assisting with rehabilitation. My father has never rehabilitated a piece of land he has acquired yet, so he laughed them out of the office. I can do some research.” Blane offered.

“That’s definitely a good start.” Doc smiled. “The red dust is getting under your skin huh?” Doc asked.

“Doc, I cant take Mira back to the states. I cant. It would destroy everything I love about her.” Blane said seriously.

“Love huh? You really are mates then?” Doc asked.

“Yes, we are. Can I ask you a question?” Blane began.

“Shoot.” Doc asked.

Blane looked at him confused.

“Shoot, fire away.” Doc repeated.

“Ahh. Are you a shifter?” Blane asked.

“Me, no I’m just plain old me. The wife is though.” Doc answered.

“A dingo?” Blane asked.

“She sure is. There are many shifter animals, but genetics will always play a part in whether you can breed or not. Weredingo and human works. Werewolf and weredingo works. There would honestly not be many others but from what I understand, everyone just keeps to their own kind.”

“That has always been our way too.” Blane agreed.

“Are you worried your pack might not accept Mira?” Doc asked.

“Hadn’t crossed my mind to be honest. I know she wouldn’t cope there though. There’s no freedom and if my father has been in charge again there will be even less. Many of us are independently wealthy and it shows. There is a great divide in the pack, which was my parents doing. I can think of a dozen off the top of my head that are loyal to me and would leave given the opportunity.” Blane replied.

“Here we are.” Doc said, pulling up in front of another old farmhouse. This one was huge and built from brick with verandas that stood out 5 metres from the building.

“Wow.” Blane breathed looking at the home.

“Brace yourself, its not going to be pretty inside.” Doc murmured. He walked over to a fence looking at the livestock beyond. They weren’t well kept and it was time for someone to intervene.

“Bob, Lilly. Anyone home?” Doc called out, banging on the door.

An old man shuffled his way out of an inner building to the door. When they walked in Blane could see that there had been an existing veranda that had been enclosed, creating a barrier from the heat around the home.

“Bob, this is Blane. He’s Miras new fella.” Doc said by way of introduction.

“Wayne is it?” Bob asked putting his hand up to his ear.

“Blane.” Doc shouted.

“Hello Wayne.” Bob smiled. He shuffled his way into the loungeroom where a woman was laying on the lounge in front of the tv.

“Lilly.” Doc smiled as he walked towards her. “Health check time.”

“Don’t know why you waste your time coming out Doc, there’s no health to check here.” She wheezed.

Doc held his finger up to his lips and handed her a Mars Bar.

“God love you Doc, you’re a life saver. The supplies didn’t make it out here this week.” She sighed, slipping it under her pillow.

“What do you mean the supplies didn’t make it out here?” Doc asked.

“No food was delivered.” Lilly shrugged.

“Well, what are you eating then?” Doc asked, his face a mask of frustration.

“Baked beans mostly.” Lilly shrugged.

“Lilly, I’ve told you to call if you need us.” Doc replied.

“The phone never works.” Lilly sighed. “We’re still eating Doc.” She smiled

“Righto, lets get on with this then. How’s the pain been? And tell the truth Lilly.” Doc warned.

“It’s been pretty bad Doc.” Lilly tried to smile but tears were gathering in the corner of her eyes.

“Lilly, are you taking the pain meds?” Doc asked.

“I do at night, but I need to keep an eye on this old goat during the day.” Lilly replied.

Blane had noticed something on the floor and got Doc’s attention. He used his eyes to get Doc to look over and see the giant rat that was dead on the floor.

Doc looked around the room and Blane nodded. Quietly he slipped out of the room to have a look around. He found many other dead mice and rats.

“Lilly, I know you’re gonna argue but I’m going to have to insist. I want you and Bob to come into town for a couple of nights. I’ll send out a crew to help with the property.” Doc said.

“Oh Doc, no.” Lilly replied her eyes filling with tears.

“Lilly, how did the mice and rats die?” Doc asked.

“Poison. Bob puts it out.” Lilly replied.

“My friend Blane is going to take a look around ok. I’m concerned you may be getting sick from the poison.” Doc said nodding to Blane. “You know who he is?” Doc asked, trying to distract her.

“Who?” Lilly was curious.

“Mira’s new fella.” Doc answered her.

“Ohh, she’s back. Please tell her to come see me?”

“Well, she’s staying at the hotel with Blane for now, so you’ll be right next door.” Doc replied. “And you know how bad she can be for sneaking you sweets.” Doc winked.

Lilly nodded. “Ok, Doc, if it means seeing Mira I’ll go.”

Doc smiled. “You want to get some things together?” Doc asked. Lilly nodded and Doc helped her stand up. Lilly pointed to her walker and Blane moved it in front of her.

“Bob.” Doc yelled out.

“Huh?” Bob replied.

“I’m taking you both into town for a couple of days. I want to keep an eye on Lilly.” Doc said. “Go pack a bag.”

“But the property!” Bob growled.

“It will be taken care of Bob now let’s go!” Doc demanded.

Bob left the room, muttering under his breath.

“Lilly has stage 4 cancer. Bob is her carer but cant care for himself. We cant get a nurse out here so we all pitch in to help. She is determined to die at home. It means someone has to check in every day in case they cant get through on the phone.” Doc explained.

“What is it with the phones up here?” Blane asked.

“We are so remote nothing works. Satellite phones do but they are expensive to buy and run. Nobody up here is making more than $50,000 a year so that is completely out of reach for us.” Doc shrugged.

“It isn’t for me.” Blane mumbled.

Doc nodded as Lilly and Bob walked out with their bags.

“Let’s go.” Bob growled as he walked towards the door.

Doc took the keys for the house and locked up as Blane lifted Lilly into the car. As they drove away tears filled Lillys eyes.

“You’ll be back Lill.” Doc said quietly.

They drove straight back to the clinic and Blane retrieved Lilly from the car, carrying her inside.

“Go get Mira if she’s still around. It will help.” Doc said to Blane. He nodded and stepped off the veranda, walking towards the pub.

He walked in the front door and immediately heard the noise. The jukebox was playing and there was a group around the 8 ball table. Mira smiled, cue in hand as she looked at her opponent. She winked as she potted the 8 ball. Everyone in the pub cheered as the man handed over $20.

“Mira, Doc needs you.” He said through their mind link. Mira looked up and smiled before running over to give Blane a kiss. As they walked out, she put the $20 on the bar. Davo nodded and pulled a large jar out from under the bar, placing the money in it before returning it to the shelf under the bar.

They walked outside into the rain and over to the clinic. As soon as Mira saw Lilly and Bob her face lit up and she ran over to hug them.

“Oh Mira darling.” Lilly cried as Mira hugged her. “I’ve missed you.”

Mira smiled at Lilly again before hugging Bob.

“Lilly and Bob were involved in the searches when she was younger. They love her like their own.” Doc whispered to Blane.

Tears were forming in Blanes eyes as he watched.

“How about I get Beth to cook you two up some dinner huh?” Doc asked.

“That would be lovely, thanks Doc.” Lilly smiled.

Ali had walked in the room and Doc turned to her. “We just want to watch for signs of poisoning. House is full of dead rodents.” He whispered. Ali nodded.

“And push those two beds together so the lovebirds can see each other.” Doc winked as he walked out of the room.

Blane looked at Doc who nodded towards the front door, so he followed him.

They walked over to the bar and Doc called out over the jukebox. A man walked over and turned it off at the wall.

“Listen up you lot.” He began. “I’ve been out on house calls this morning. Old Kenny is offering the shearers quarters to anyone who can give him a hand with fencing. You’ll be supplied with food, and we will ensure your comfort.” 3 men from the indigenous put their hands up.

“I can take my family and the missus can help with cooking.” One man said.

Doc nodded. “He needs help with wound care.”

One of the other men stepped forward. “I take my missus, she can do that.” He said.

“Right, we will organise that for the morning. Make sure you have your gear packed. Kenny said the roof of the shearers quarters needs fixing.”

“I can do that Doc. Got some old sheets of iron. I’ll come out with youse tomorrow.” Keith said.

“Now, to Bob and Lilly. We have them at the clinic tonight and for the next couple of nights.” Doc began,

A couple of the men laughed. “Howdya manage that?” One asked.

Doc looked at Blane.

“Ahhh Mira, of course.”

“Things aren’t good out there. I don’t know if the stock will need to be put down, some of them are very thin.” Doc said looking around. “There’s a bigger problem though. Dead rodents throughout the house, killed by poison.”

There was some quiet chatter in the crowd.

“I can spare some grain Doc but not a lot. It’s been a lean year all round.” One man put his hand up.

“Good man Frank. Anyone else?” Some of the couple put their hands up and offered food and cleaning.

Doc nodded. “Will need to be tomorrow.”

Everyone nodded and went back to their drinks.

“Come on son, we’d better let Beth know to put on some more food.” He said as they walked out. Doc walked around behind the clinic to a neat weatherboard house. He walked up on to the veranda and took off his boots. Blane did the same as they walked in.

“Beth!” He called out as he walked up a long hallway and into the kitchen.

“Is this him?” A woman walked in the back door with some fresh vegetables in a basket.

“One and the same.” Doc smiled.

“Come here.” The woman said as she walked over to hug Blane.

“I’m Blane Ma’am.” Blane said awkwardly, as Beth pulled away.

“I am Beth and I’ve been waiting to meet you since you arrived.” She smiled at him.

“I brought Bob and Lilly in Love; told em you’d make them some tea.” Doc smiled.

“Ohh, how are they?” Beth asked.

“Not great. I've just been to the pub to organise some help. Stubborn old goats, him and Kenny both.” Doc muttered.

“So Blane, tell me about you while I cook.” Beth smiled at him.

“He asked Mira to marry him.” Doc spoke up.

A small shadow passed over Beth's face, but the smile was back on in seconds. “I really am so pleased for you both. Losing Jack nearly killed me but having Mira around as helped.”

“I am truly sorry for that loss.” Blane said quietly.

“Thankyou.” Beth smiled. “So, you’re a shifter huh?” She asked.

“Yes ma’am, wolf.” Blane replied.

“And an Alpha.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes ma’am.”

“I can feel it.” She smiled.

“How long are you here for Blane?” Beth suddenly became serious.

Blane sighed. “There’s a lot to work out still. At the moment I’m waiting for my Beta and my sister to arrive. I’ll sort out the rest from there. They still think I’m dead.”

“You haven’t linked with them to let them know you’re alive?” Beth asked.

“I cant link with anyone but Mira.” Blane shrugged.

Beth frowned and walked over to where Blane sat at the kitchen table. “May I?” She asked putting her hands up near his head. He nodded.

She put her hands on his head, moving them around like she was feeling for something.

“You bump you head?” She asked.

“Yes, when the plane crashed.” Blane answered.

She nodded again and pushed her thumb into a spot near his neck. She placed both thumbs at the base of his skull and pushed up.

Blane shook his head, trying to shake the feeling that he was connecting to a speaker.

“Try.” Beth smiled.

“Em?” He said trying to connect with his sister

Thousands of miles away in the car travelling North Emily suddenly sat upright.

“What is it?” Luke asked.

“Luke, I just heard Blane!”