Here she was back home in London, and with her big strong Australian by her side, and she was the one discharging huge pistols at strangers. She giggled at the incongruity of it all. She put her hand to her mouth, surprised at the giggle, and she could see the look on Coopers face. He too was surprised. Concern and surprise chasing each other across his open, handsome face. She reached up and stroked his jaw. His stubbly whiskers felt like sandpaper, but nicer. Shaving in the shower was tricky. Cooper cupped her hand in his, holding it to his cheek.
“Are you all right Rebecca?” He asked with worry in his voice. “I hope that the shock won’t affect you badly in any way.” He looked down at her abdomen then back into her eyes. She saw the look and blushed slightly. ‘So he is worried’ she thought.
“I’ll be fine Cooper. I recognise the shock for what it is, but other than that I’m unharmed. Thanks.” She kept her hand in his though, and closed her eyes. The peace of the quiet air conditioning sounds almost lulled her to sleep. All too soon the car arrived at the kerbside of her apartment tower. William looked around at the passing pedestrians, just as a precaution. He didn't really expect anyone would be on watch. The person who had snatched Rebecca in the hotel had seemed to be acting on his own, although undoubtedly had something to do with New World. He stepped from the car and held the door open for Rebecca and Cooper to alight. Cooper helped Rebecca out, keeping his hand on her upper arm to support her. She was still as pale as a ghost, and his concern was obvious. William waited until they were inside the building, and the huge glass doors had closed behind them before departing.
Rebecca was in a quandary. On the one hand she thought that she really didn't want Cooper in her life. She was sure he had turned up out of some idea of duty to her and the unborn child. Yet here he was, still helping her and showing all the signs of a real father to be, concerned for his woman and child. By the same token, she didn't want to feel obliged to marry Cooper just because they had conceived a child together. Her thoughts whirled around in her mind. That she loved him was in no doubt, but could she take the time out to have a child and marry, with a husband and family that would surely intrude dramatically on her current life style? What would he do in this huge bustling city. He would be like a fish out of water here in London. There was no doubt that he could find suitable work, but would that keep a man happy who was used to being in the wide open spaces doing just as he pleased. No nine to five man this one. Rebecca looked up at Cooper as the lift doors opened, and smiled. He was very special and she knew it. She would be crazy to let him go. Even crazier if she actually forced him away. She made up her mind on the spot. Time was of the essence, and as she didn't think Cooper was going anywhere anyway, regardless of what she wanted, she was happy that the decision was made. She really started to relax. The lift doors opened and she fumbled in her grip for her keys. Cooper hung back a little, uncertain as to whether he should come in with her. Her apartment door was right in front of them.
"Umm, Rebecca, do you want me to come in with you? Perhaps you need to get some rest rather than talk. I've no doubt Charles will be in touch soon enough to sort it all out." He leaned in and opened the door for her and stepped back to allow her access. The colour was back in her face he noticed, but she still had a far away look in her eyes, and seemed to be only half hearing what he was saying.
"Rebecca, I think I will sit with you a while. You don't look at all ready to be on your own. Come." He entered the apartment, holding her gently by the hand to lead her in. She was looking at him intently, and it was he thought, a little unsettling. She hadn't said a word so far. Cooper looked about him, the apartment was beautiful. Spacious, and bright, the weak afternoon sun streaming in through the wide windows. It would be dark soon he thought. There was a long settee in a well type area by the windows, and he guided Rebecca to it and sat her down. He piled cushions up near her so she could relax back on them if she wished, and lifted a coffee table into place by the settee within easy reach of her. She was following his actions with her eyes, but still seemed content to remain silent. 'Well that's ok.' He thought. 'Hell of a thing having a Colt 45 go off in your hand.' He smiled at Rebecca and went to find the kitchen and the coffee. It didn't take long, and soon he had a couple of steaming cups on the low table, with some sugar cubes and milk in a small jug that he had found in the 'fridge.
"Rebecca, you don't have to talk at the moment, I understand you probably won't be feeling like it after recent events. However, before I leave - before you tell me to leave - I must tell you that I will leave very reluctantly. I will not go easily, nor quietly. This child is our child. Not just yours. I don't just have a duty to help raise it, I have a right. I have a right to love it's mother... I want to give the child everything, but the best thing I can give it is to love its mother. You Rebecca. I love you with all my heart." Cooper was kneeling on the floor by Rebecca's side, her hands in his by now as he looked intently at her. Suddenly he drew a breath. She was crying. Tears streaming down her face.
"Oh my God!" He exclaimed. "What have I done. Rebecca, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I should have waited; you are in no state to be listening to me running on."
Rebecca put her arms around Coopers neck and drew him to her.
"No Cooper my dearest. I could listen to you all day. I'm crying for happiness. I've just realised as we came home here how much I really do love you. I'm happy for you to have any part you like in the raising of our child."
Cooper rested on his knees. He was a little stunned. He hadn't expected Rebecca to come right out with such a statement. Perhaps she was affected by events more than either of them thought. "Rebecca, hush my dear. I'll call a doctor for you. I think you may still be suffering from shock." He got to his feet and picked up the phone, suddenly realising that he had no idea how to get hold of a doctor. This was a disaster. How did he expect to help raise a child when he couldn't even call a doctor?
"Rebecca, I'm sorry again... do you have a number for a doctor.?" Before he could answer, the phone in his hand rang and he automatically answered it.
"Charles here. Is that Cooper. Good. I'm on my way over. Be there in five minutes. Don't leave the apartment."
"Charles," Cooper interrupted. "Send or bring a doctor with you please. I'd like Rebecca checked over properly." Charles rang off and Cooper went back to kneel again by Rebecca. He searched her face for signs of trouble, but she seemed fine now. The tears had stopped, which was a good sign he thought.
"Charles will be here shortly, and bringing a doctor to give you the once over." Cooper didn't know whether to smile or frown. Rebecca said,
"It's ok. I'm ok. Really, I'm ok now. I don't need the doctor. Really."
Cooper shook his head.
"It's too late anyway now. Charles will have one on the way. I wonder what Charles wants anyway?"
Rebecca struggled to sit up straight again.
"Well. I did shoot a man in the leg. I don't know how I'm going to talk my way out of that one. Self defence I suppose." She shook her head and frowned in thought. Things just kept happening. Getting in the way between her and Cooper. She really needed to sit quietly with him and talk about what they were going to do. He obviously loved her, but how did he see his future role with her? Rebecca couldn't even guess. Was he seeing himself as the visiting father? The live in father? Well, that would mean marriage, and he hadn't even mentioned that option out loud. Did he want to get married? Did she want to get married? Truly. She loved him - she knew that, but did it necessarily mean marriage. That was a lifetime commitment. What of her career, and his for that matter?
Cooper stood up and went to the wide windows overlooking the London skyline, thinking to himself as he watched the slowly changing light as the day moved on. He trusted his love for her, and her desire to know all of him. He knew that if he did nothing he was risking what they had each day he kept the secrets of his life inside. He knew that facing her he was facing himself, so he had to accept what he was and where he had come from, and what he was to become if he was to ever be fully accepted by her. It was a pity that Charles was going to be here so soon. That was to be expected though he thought, given the circumstances. There were questions to be answered and as Rebecca was a lawyer, no one would know it better than her. So much turned on his decision he almost couldn't face it, but he knew he had to. He had to be strong, and firm. Rebecca and the child needed him. Would need him. He didn't believe for one second in the seemingly new ideas that a woman could maintain a vibrant career and bring up a child on her own at the same time. She would need help, and a shoulder to lean on. The door chimes sounded just as Cooper was turning back to Rebecca, his mouth opening to say something. Rebecca was watching him in expectation, he could see it plainly in her face. With a hiss of frustration, he redirected himself to the door, spreading his hands in a 'what can we do' gesture that brought a fleeting smile to her face. Cooper swung the door open to see Charles standing there waiting to be welcomed in. A person Cooper took to be the doctor beside him.
"Come in Charles, come in. What's the bad news then?" He shook hand quickly as the doctor was introduced.
Charles came over to the lounge where Rebecca was sitting. He was smiling broadly.
"Rebecca my friend, how are you feeling? I do hope you are well." He looked at Cooper.
"Rebecca, I could use a Scotch; what about you Cooper?" He looked back at a surprised Rebecca.
"Yes, I know it's a tad early, but you do keep the finest blends I know, especially the one produced by our Canadian friends. Single malts get far too much press, and I can tell you your Canadian Club is perfect for a congratulatory toast in the late afternoon." Much against Coopers ideas of what was needed, Rebecca got up and soon had some glasses, ice and a decanter of Canadian Club whisky on the coffee table in front of them.
Charles held up his glass, the ice cubes tinkling together.
"Did I say toast? I did didn't I. I believe there will be a wedding soon?" His eyebrows raised to emphasise the question in his voice. He held his glass toward Rebecca who responded with hers, the soft clink soon joined by Coopers. While Charles and Cooper took appreciative sips of theirs, Rebecca sniffed appreciatively at hers and then just held the glass in her lap. Charles looked at her silently, then at Cooper.
"Ahhh, I am right after all." He looked at Rebecca. "Truly. Congratulations." He smiled at Rebecca. "So I guess you will be taking some time off soon?" He added.
Rebecca placed her untouched drink on the table in front of her.
"Soon enough for that." She said with a smile, and a glance at Cooper.
Charles jumped to his feet and gulped his drink down. "Nice whiskey that!" He said, turning for the door.
"Oh, by the way, the reason I came by." He said. Rebecca went white and caught up Coopers strong hand in hers.
"There will be no... repercussions - from the little fracas recently. You weren't even there. Of course Cooper is living there at the hotel, but he neither heard nor saw a thing. Isn't that right Cooper?" Charles turned at the door, his eyebrow raised as he looked pointedly at Cooper.
"Well, must go, we have some people to escort to the Russian embassy so their medical staff can take care of their own nationals. It seems one of them injured himself messing around with a gun. Nasty things. Guns that is." He sailed through the door smiling. A 'Ciao' floating back to them as the door closed.
Rebecca looked at Cooper, now sitting beside her on the lounge. He was shaking his head and smiling. He looked again at Rebecca and rose to his feet.
"I'll just wait here until the doctor has checked you over." Within minutes the doctor was on his way down to re-join Charles.
"Rebecca," he said. "I should go back to my hotel and clean up a little. You will be ok here now; it seems that Charles has taken care of everything - although you did a pretty good job yourself. If it's ok I'd like to come back later this evening, we could maybe have a meal somewhere nice, and talk a little. What do you think?" Cooper was looking hopefully at Rebecca, his face open and happy. He had come to a decision and it was shining in his eyes.
Rebecca handed him her set of door keys. She had been clutching them in her hand all this time.
"Of course Cooper, I would like that. When ever you are ready, just come back and let yourself in. I need to freshen up, and rest a little as well." She lay her head back and closed her eyes for a moment. Moments later - it seemed like only moments, she slowly opened her eyes to a darkened room, only the faint light of the city glow penetrating the gloom. It took a moment before she realised she was in her own bed, the covers pulled up to her chin. The night stand clock glowed eight pm. She sat up, trying to clear the fog from her brain. She had no memory of coming to bed, no memory of undressing. The last thing she had done was ask Cooper to come back for dinner. Which must mean soon! She needed a shower. That would clear her mind, and bring her tired body back to life. She swung her legs off the bed and stood up, heading for the shower, only then realising that apart from her knickers she was naked. She blushed faintly at the thought of Cooper carefully undressing her and tucking her into her bed.
The needles of the shower spray stung her back into life, and the water cascading through her hair made her feel halfway human again. She finished and towelled herself down briskly, and went back into her bedroom to find something to wear to dinner.
Niggling at the back of her mind was the question of Cooper. Could she share her life with him? Could she share her child; their child actually she conceded? She realised with a start that the answer was surely yes. Was that what Cooper wanted? She thought it was. She didn't think for a moment that he would have it any other way. Could she, could he, surmount the logistical problems that would come with such a union? She knew for a fact that she could never ever live in the remote outback on his Australian cattle property. She couldn't even think how she would raise children in such a forbidding place.
Cooper caught a taxi directly back to his hotel and went straight to his room. It was time to make decisions, and stop waffling about. He got onto Skype on his laptop and called his house back in Australia. He knew the manager would be there, although probably asleep at this time. It must have been the very early hours back there. Cooper was paying the man to do a job, and that was a 24/7 job. The call was answered by the manager after what seemed an interminable time to Copper. Stanley was the mans name, and he sleepily said.
"Yes, Stanley here. Cooper, what's up?"
"Stan," Cooper replied. "Is the work nearly finished? All of it."
"Just about." Replied Stan. "I can send you photos if you like. Do you want them now?"
"Yes, send the lot please. Is the outside finished? The yards, the gardens, the power turbines and solar farm?"
"Yes, the wind farm is up and operational, and it's not visible from the house. Neither is the solar farm. You have enough power being generated here now to power a small town. With the new types of batteries available now from that US company, Tesla, your supply is guaranteed for years to come. Not that we get many cloudy days here, but the winter nights can be a bit long, but as I say - power to spare and then some."
Stan got busy sending batches of photos via the Skype file upload. Cooper made some notes on a pad he kept by the laptop, and took a mouthful of San Miguel, a beer he was beginning to like.
"Stan, the gardens and lawns? Is the walled garden finished and ready for planting?"
"Yes Cooper, all done. I can't imagine what you want a walled garden for out here though. You certainly don't need to keep the warmth in, which is the usual reason for a walled garden."
"No, that's true," replied Cooper, “but what I do want is a garden that is secure from kangaroos, dingoes, and people. The boundaries should be as I wanted - at least twenty yards away from the actual garden edges. Have you started the soil treatment? It's mostly sandy loam, and needs a lot of nutrients to get it started, not to mention the water softening from the artesian well. That stuff is nearly brine, and no good for the garden." Cooper scratched his chin in his now familiar manner.
"I can tell you Cooper, the teams you have had here have been working like Trojans. Seriously, I've never seen the like of it. I do hope you are keeping track of costs? I've seen the accounts I've been sending to your city office. I doubt Toowoomba has seen the like of it in a long time. Some of the suppliers are struggling to keep up to the demands." Stan had another batch of photos ready, but the transmission was interfering with the quality of the video link, so he held off.
"Well, if they can't supply our needs, go further afield and find others who can. Europe can supply what we need easily. Italy, Spain, Greece will jump at the chance to supply building materials. Germany for house materials." Cooper brushed his hand across his forehead. "Stan, what ever it takes, I want that place finished and ready within the next two months max." Cooper was not smiling, and Stan just nodded.
"It'll be done Cooper. It may take another team of men or two?" Stan didn't sound too sure.
"So put them on. Just get it done." Cooper said firmly.
He scribbled more notes.
"So the outside is almost done. The yards and lawns, trees and shrubs, flower gardens. Shade trees. Secure fencing of at least two acres around the house, and grassed and watered and planted with trees and flowering plants as far as can be seen from the house. I want that whole area watered on an automatic sprinkler system. It has to stay green all year round. Which reminds me, how is the work going on the underground water cisterns? We don't get much rain, but when it does it buckets down, and I want to catch that and keep it. We can't keep using the artesian bores, their levels are dropping and the government is going to shut them off all together one day. Apart I hope from house bore holes. So we have to be ready. Those underground cisterns have to hold at least a year's supply of water. More if we can do it." Cooper could see Stan fidgeting on the other end of the line.
"What's up Stan? Something not right there?"
"Well, the work on the cisterns is slow going. The local heavy equipment operators are struggling with the concept. Not sure how to proceed." Stan looked at Cooper, obviously looking for guidance.
"Stan, I just finished saying. What ever you need, get it. You have everything at your disposal, and a whole world of resources to draw on. If the locals can't handle it, put them on the road building, and get a team in from Brisbane or Sydney to handle it. They have built road tunnels down there, so a couple of big water cisterns shouldn't be a problem, regardless of where it is. I want that done first thing in the morning. Your morning. ok?"
The cross checking went on for another hour. The house and all of it's surrounds were covered. The house would be unrecognisable now. Every mod con was in place, and some that seemed to have no useful purpose. Lined and sealed, with evaporative cooling, and air conditioning both installed. The place was rapidly looking like a sprawling palace, and that's just what Cooper wanted. A palace for his love, Rebecca. He knew she was adamant she did not want to live and work there, but Cooper had other ideas anyway, that would not go against her wishes.
The last thing to arrange was staff. They had to be in place by the end of the next month. Thirty days plus what remained off this one.
"Ok, thanks Stan. That's excellent. Great work. It couldn't have been done without you. One last thing. Can you get your wife, and one other of the ladies out there, to see to the hiring of staff? Two head gardeners, and four garden labourers. The head gardeners of equal rank. They look after the grounds and the walled garden where the household veg and fruit will grow. What ever they need will be supplied. The same ladies will also hire house staff. Cooks, and house keepers. One cook, two house keepers. They are to be here every day, but of course with weekends off. Friday nights to Sunday nights. If there is no one in residence, that is, myself or Rebecca, then they stay on, and just keep the house tidy and maintained. They must be able to look after guests as well. This is permanent work. If you can't find them local - go international. If your ladies who do the interviews aren't comfortable with them, regardless of qualifications, then they don't get hired. And no mad cooks. You know what camp cooks can be like, and chefs have a reputation for being somewhat crazy. However, the cook or chef must be male, and married with a stable marriage. His wife will work either as an assistant to you, the manager, or to your permanent staff. She must not work in the house or with the cook. They will gang up and end up trying to run the house. It always happens. It may be difficult, but no single cooks or chefs. The other house staff can be, and indeed can be local girls if you find any suitable. It's up to you and your wives."
Cooper sat back, satisfied for the moment that he had covered all the ground. One last thing came to mind.
"Before you go Stan. The sheds and workshops, and station hand accommodation..."
"All done Cooper. Half a mile away from the house, and fenced and landscaped. there's never been a station hand's set up like it. Nor a workshop for that matter. We're living in luxury. My house is just a little toward the house from the sheds and quarters. The wife is very happy, and so is the wife of the under manager, their place is right by the station hand's quarters. Oh yes, the aircraft landing strip has been moved now too. It's much further away from the main homestead, and newly surfaced, and big enough to land a 747 if you wanted to." He smiled in satisfaction. Everything was looking good.
"Excellent Stan. Good work. Ok, get an early start, I'll contact you again in a day or so. Anything comes up, email me, or phone me direct if it's urgent." Cooper wasn't finished yet, but his next call would have to wait until business hours in Toowoomba, many thousands of miles away. There was nothing further he could do for the moment. It was now also too late where he was to make any business enquiries locally. It didn't matter, the important bit was done. It was now getting on in time, so Cooper had a shower and changed his clothes. He also shaved. He hated having stubble on his chins, it looked scruffy, and felt terrible. He couldn't understand the latest trend that had young men looking like Euro Trash, with a few days’ stubble on their chins. It was particularly scruffy when you had fat balding old businessmen adopting the same look. Ready at last, he headed for the foyer and reception.
"Excuse me miss." He asked the receptionist. "Can you recommend a nice restaurant in the area, quiet preferably, no resident rock bands please." He smiled. The receptionist picked up a couple of brochures and handed them to Cooper. He sorted through them quickly. At last he had one he thought suitable. The Hawksmoor Guildhall looked just what he wanted. Easy going charm with a relaxed atmosphere.
"Looks nice." He said to the girl behind the desk.
"That's perfect. I've been there after work myself. Nice place, I'm sure you will like it sir." She smiled.
"Thanks." replied Cooper and left the front door of the hotel, the concierge calling him a taxi as he came out. He would be back with Rebecca shortly, and he hoped she had had time to get some rest. He was a bit worried about her. He knew she was a strong young woman, but she had been through a lot in the last few hours, and it may have finally caught up with her. He hoped not. He called the restaurant and booked a table for two. Somewhere to the side slightly of the main dining area. He needed some quiet so they could talk. The taxi glided to a stop outside of Rebecca's apartment building.