Adelaide
“Care for something hot, strong, and a little sweet?”
I open my eyes and find myself face to face with Ford.
“Morning,” I mumble and yawn.
“Come on sleepy head, time to get the day under way.”
Grumbling a little I roll over and pull the sheet up above my head.
“Just a few more minutes.”
Ford grabs the sheets and pulls them off me. I squeal and sit up.
“What’s the rush?” I yawn again.
“No rush, just time to get going and start the day, my dear.”
He leans toward me, and I feel his lips on mine.
“I made you a cup of tea. Just the way you like it. Strong, black, and a little sweet.”
With a grin, I take the mug from him. I close my eyes and savor the smell of it before taking a sip.
Mmm. Delicious.
“I could get used to this,” I say and smile up at him.
“Be my guest.”
For a few minutes, I sip my tea in silence. Ford sits on the edge of our bed and just watches me.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?”
Of course, I know exactly what we’re doing today, but it doesn’t hurt to go over it.
“I think the electrician is coming some time this morning to do his final check on the wiring before signing off and letting us officially open up for business.”
I smile.
“It’ll be good to work out of a proper hospital and not a make shift tent anymore.”
Amazing really how far we’ve come in the last few months. After the kidnapping, Ford convinced me to speak to my family about putting some money into this village.
He argued that my father was always looking for a worthwhile cause to support, and my cause was right up there.
To my own surprise, Dad didn’t take much convincing.
It was Sten who put up the biggest opposition. According to Sten, I should be on the next plane home and not leaving the family mansion, until one of his snobby friends has made an honest woman out of me.
Of course, he felt better hearing that Ford was going to do just that.
Okay, so maybe he wasn’t making an honest woman out of me because there’s no talk of marriage. But Ford was staying and moving in with me.
In the end, I don’t know who talked sense to Sten—Dad or Ford—but even he came around. Last month, he even dropped in for a visit. I think he wanted to see for himself exactly what I was getting myself into, and if Ford really was here with me.
Dad also asked for a progress report so he could see exactly what his money has been spent on.
I have to say, the building looks impressive.
It has everything a little hospital would want. The best part, though, is the building right next door. Right next door to the new bush hospital is a nursing school.
Already, we have enrolments from all over the country.
Once it officially opens for teaching, it will be amazing.
“Any news on the trial?”
I know Ford doesn’t like to talk about it, but I believe open communication is the key to a healthy life and solid relationship.
Ford’s features harden a little.
“There won’t be a trial,” he mutters.
I look at him, trying to hide my surprise. Last I heard, local police had captured Demetri Bordeaux and charged with kidnapping and all kinds of other things. According to Ford, he was going to defend every charge, which meant Ford would have to attend court as a key witness.
“What do you mean?”
His body language oozes the don’t-talk-to-me vibe.
“I mean he won’t be going to trial.”
Again, I don’t understand, and I wish he wouldn’t shut me out like this. I thought we’d moved past this.
“Ford,” I start and he shakes his head.
“Look, I don’t like to talk about the bastard. He’s so toxic, and he tried to hurt you.”
I swallow. This is the first real emotional outburst Ford’s had about this shady character.
“But—” I start and stop.
“He’s not going to trial because he’s dead.”
Silence.
Dead.
Had Ford really just said the man is dead?
My throat feels dry, and I feel faint. Sure, the man was obviously some deranged criminal, but how come he’s dead?
“The local police were transporting him to the city. On the way, he tried to escape. He got away and hijacked a small plane. Unfortunately for him, the plane was in the hangar for repairs. He never stood a chance.”
I swallow before I take another sip of my tea.
Wow.
What did you call that? Poetic justice or the universe paying you back?
Maybe it was karma. Whatever it was, it was probably for the best.
“I…” I stutter and stop. It’s difficult to find the right words right now.
“Look,” Ford holds up his hands. “I don’t like the bastard. Of course, I’m sorry he died. But let’s just agree that this is the end of the story. No more needs to be said. Goodbye. Finito.”
I don’t respond. I put my tea down and warp my arms around him.
The muscles of steel relax as my body melts into his.
His lips kiss my neck, my ear lobe, and he moves onto my mouth.
When I pull back, I’m out of breath.
“If we don’t stop now,” I don’t finish the sentence, as there’s a knock on the front door.
Ford stands up. “I’ll check who it is.”
As is his way, he becomes tense and goes into protector mode.
He still has it in his head that I’m a risk of kidnapping. I don’t agree. But then, again, I don’t argue the point either.
I mean, I was wrong once before, and who’s to say I might not be wrong again?
I hear low voices but can’t work out what’s being said. Hearing voices is a good thing though. If the stranger had been a danger, I would have heard shots by now.
By the time Ford comes back, I’m ready and dressed for work.
“Who was it?”
Ford turns to me with a puzzled expression.
“Who was who?”
I roll my eyes. Sometimes I wonder about that man.
“Who was at the door?”
“Oh, just one of the local kids telling me there’s someone at the hospital. I’d say it’s the electrician.”
“Great,” I say and walk past him. “Care to join me for breakfast?”
He nods.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
We sit at our round kitchen table with a view of our new backyard. I miss seeing Edgar play in the tree we planted just for him.
Sure, he visits from time to time, but it’s not the same as having him here all the time.
With the money Dad agreed to put into the village, there was enough to build a nice house for Ford and me.
It’s not massive, but it’s bigger than my hut. And it’s got things like solar, hot water, and a coffee machine, even though I still prefer my tea.
Ford, though, is a coffee man. I think he only drinks a cup of tea for breakfast to impress me.
“What’s on your agenda today?” I ask him as I peel some fruit.
“I’ve got some calls to make. A meeting with Ollie regarding the logistics for the security of the big soccer match at the end of the month.”
I chuckle.
“I bet you don’t call him Ollie to his face, do you?”
Ford shrugs.
“I call him Ollie as much as I can and whenever I can.”
With a shake of my head, I get up from my chair and go to leave.
“You’re a cruel man, Ford.”
I kiss him on the way out. As soon as I step through the front door, a soccer ball comes flying in my direction. Expertly, I kick it back to the group of kids playing on the street.
They wave to me and yell something I can’t quite understand.
It doesn’t matter anyway because they’ve gone on to chase their ball.
Slowly, I meander through the village to get to the hospital.
I do hope I can open the doors today or tomorrow. I can’t wait to use the new facility.
As I walk along I can’t help but smile to myself.
How great life had worked out for me and Ford. I was able to stay here and help where I feel I’m needed most, and Ford uses this village as his headquarters for his private security firm.
And, of course, he offered Oliver the job of second in charge. To my surprise, Oliver accepted.
When I get to the hospital, I see the door is open.
With a big smile, I walk in. I can’t see anybody.
I walk from room to room until I get to what is labeled as the office of the Dactari.
Hesitantly, I enter.
I almost feel as if I’m intruding, even though it is my space. The desk is a heavy mahogany number. My father insisted on being in charge to furnish my new office.
I sit on the chair and run my hand along the wood. I would never have picked something so expensive, but it does feel nice.
A noise from the window startles me.
And then I smile. Edgar appears in the window.
“Well, hello, stranger,” I greet him.
He comes in and lands in the middle of the new desk with one graceful jump.
“What brings you hear today?” I ask and pat his soft fur.
His beady eyes look at me, and then he holds out his little paw.
I gasp as I see what he’s holding.
“Will you marry me?” Ford asks from the door, and when I look over to him, I see he’s on one knee.
With a shaking hand, I take the ring from Edgar and slip it on my finger. It fits perfectly.
“I will,” I say and walk over to where Ford is.
He stands up and pulls me into his arms.
When our lips meet and we kiss, it’s as if we’ve never kissed before.
Time stands still and all that matters to me is this kiss, Ford, and our happily ever after.