Jack bulled in the room and screeched to a stop, his heart triphammering. He let out a breath. Mac arched backwards sucking in air, chest heaving. His arm was on his shoulder, blood leaking through his fingers. Jack eased the rest of the way in the room.
"Mac? Everything ok, kiddo?" Mac's eyes were closed and his body was shaking either from pain or fever. Jack's eyes travelled to the dark haired woman who stared down at a long bloody fang in her hand. Jack scowled angry, "What the hell are you doing? That was too deep, why did you pull it out?" The woman turned almost as pale as Mac.
"I...I didn't, he did. I turned my back for a second and…"
"Dammit." Jack crossed to the other side of Mac's bed. Mac looked at him and managed to lift the corners of his mouth.
"Ow." He whispered breathlessly.
"Ow? That's all you got! What in the hell do you think you are doing?" Jack growled. He grabbed a towel and pulled Mac's hand from his shoulder and pressed the cloth against the bloody wound. Mac gasped unable to stop a soft cry of pain. Jack sat down beside his partner.
"I was just kidding about that necklace, dude." Mac's abdomen bounced with a snort of laughter. He grimaced and closed his eyes. Jack put his hand over Mac's forehead. His fever didn't feel as bad, but Jack knew better than to trust it. Mac reached out and fisted Jack's shoulder.
"It was the source of infection...had...had to…" Mac's eyes drooped. Jack gently pushed hair out from the kid's pale forehead.
"I'm sorry. I got some antiadhesive to take the duct tape off so I could clean the stitches…" The woman's eyes were filled with tears as she stared at the four inch tooth in her hand. Jack crossed to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you a doctor?" She looked at him fear creeping through her eyes.
"Something like that." Before they could say anything else the tall Texan strode in as if he owned the place. The man had a bigger than life charisma that filled the room. He wore jeans and a black T Shirt. He had ornate alligator skin shoes. Jack liked the man's style.
"What's going on, Vi?" He asked the short woman. His dark eyes ran over Jack then took in Mac's bloody body. Vi had frozen in fear. Jack frowned.
"Hey there, my name is Jack Dalton, this is my friend Mac. We were in a helicopter that crashed…" The man smiled and motioned for Jack to follow him back to the living room. Jack paused looking at Vi.
"You got this?" She sniffed and nodded setting the tooth aside.
"We're fine." Vi bent over Mac and returned to his care. Jack nodded and offered a small smile at the naked relief in her eyes. Jack followed the big man. The blond woman stood hands on her hip staring out the window. Jack could feel waves of tension coming off her. He scanned the room.
"Where are the ki-"
"The water is in the refrigerator through there; there should be some stuff to make sandwiches." Jack met the woman's eyes for a microsecond. There was a pleading desperation in them. Jack smiled smoothly.
"Thank you, ma'am. You do not know how grateful we are to come upon you." The Texan grinned.
"You a Texan?"
"Born and bred." Jack grinned. The man held out a huge paw.
"I'm Buck Engleton." Jack's jaw dropped.
"Engleton meats." Buck laughed at the awe in Jack's voice.
"You better close that mouth, bud, the flies are hell out here." Jack blinked and offered a genuine grin.
"What do you expect? You're practically Texan royalty." Buck laughed and
"Tell ya what. While these nice ladies take care of your buddy in there, why don't I show you around and we can have real steak an' 'taters?"
"Sure, you can't beat that with a stick!" Jack said. He paused and looked back at the blond. She looked bleached of all color. Jack gave her a small nod. She let out a breath and managed a weak smile.
"Take care of my boy, ok?" The woman seemed to uncoil tension leaving her.
"Absolutely, you can bunk here when you're done." Buck turned to protest. The woman shot Jack a microsecond look of desperation. Jack put a hand on the big man's shoulder.
"The beds are better here, and a hell of a lot cleaner than any bunkhouse I ever saw." Buck narrowed his eyes. Jack's face was open and friendly. Buck smiled.
"Maybe so, but their food sucks. That charity of theirs send shit for food." Jack followed Buck out of the building, down the stairs to a 4x4 dusty truck. Jack climbed up wincing at the pull on his elbow. Buck looked at him curiously. Jack bit back his yowl of pain.
"Just banged it in the crash." Jack offered. He didn't miss the look of suspicion that cross the man's face, "I tell ya if that pilot shows up he's gonna be hearing from my lawyer. 'Go see the Amazon it'll be great, see the sights, enjoy the weather…'-my ass!" Jack channeled his best Bruce Willis. Buck laughed, a deep sound that rumbled from his belly.
"You got conned by one of those fly-by-nights, huh? They're like vultures."
"Yeah, evidently they don't know shit about flying either." Jack said. Holding that grin was harder than anything he'd had to do since they crashed. Sorry Pete. He silently whispered.
"Well, here we are, my brother." Jack couldn't help but grin. The lowing of the cows, the smell, the yells of men rounding up the herds. He felt a pang of loneliness for his home state and his family.
"I never seen these before what are they?"
"They're Zebu, they were brought over from India because they can stand this hell-hot heat. They're pretty good. It's something new we're trying." Jack raised an eyebrow.
"You got thousands here, and this is something you're trying?" Buck laughed.
"My pa always said, go big or go home. Once those two ladies are done with the crap they're doing, I'm gonna get another fifty acres up on that hill. I'm gonna try to bring in some buffalo…"
"In this heat? I never met one but they look awfully furry."
"I'm gonna try a new kind of ranch, a refrigerated breeding program."
"You want to cross these here Zebu with buffalo?"
"Yeah, according to the scientists who presented early tests it will make cattle heartier, and I have to say, going by the samples I've had, mighty tastier."
"Really?" Jack couldn't stop his mouth from watering, "I don't suppose…?" Buck guffawed.
"Damn right we're having that for dinner." Jack and Buck both let out a Texas yell.
Dinner was better than Jack could have imagined. The Texans shared tall tales about their families and rehashed what went wrong in Texas going back to the Alamo especially with the Dallas Cowboys.
Jack glanced around the long table. Cowboys, or gauchos came in groups ate then left. This was a working enterprise. It was too big for Buck to know their names or identities, but they knew he was the boss. The two Texans had been left alone, no one coming near. Jack didn't miss the glances at them. These workers would not meet his eyes. They came in, scarfed down their meals then scurried out. Jack frowned. They were served cafeteria style from giant bins of cooked beans. Buck caught Jack's look.
"They're shy around these parts." Jack didn't like the slight edge of cruelty in the man's tone.
"Do you ever feel guilty?" Jack asked sipping his Skol. The beer was warmer than he liked, but after the hot jungle it felt like the fountain of youth.
"About what? Cutting down the woods? Don't tell me you're one of those god damned tree huggers." Buck pulled back with open hostility. Jack smiled and waved a placating hand.
"Of course not, I'm Texan." Buck laughed and raised his beer. They chinked bottles.
"Amen to that, brother. Look, I employ more people than the rest of the continent. They work hard but get fair room and board and some centavos in their pocket to spend. Do you think some old trees and 'gators are worth that?" Jack frowned sipping his beer. He shrugged and leaned back patting his belly.
"Damned if I know," Jack said fighting a yawn, "I just know I am tired as hell. It's been a hell of a day, week or whatever."
"Sure you don't want to stay here?" Jack shook his head as he absently rubbed his sore elbow.
"I gotta go check on my boy."
"Is he your kid?" Jack grinned.
"Close enough."
"I get it. Jake, my foreman is like that to me. I'll drive you back. Maybe you can goose the girls."
"What do you mean?" Jack asked puzzled as he settled into the truck and the loud engine roared to life.
"The U.S. government sent them in to do some sort of cataloging of flora and fauna or some shit. I can't touch them until their contracts up." Buck grinned, "Luckily that ends this week. Only five more days and that stupid greenhouse will be plowed under and hello new cattle. Never tasted anything so good, have you?"
"No, can't say I have." Jack said around a yawn. Something was rotten here, but right at the moment he was too exhausted to think about it. Buck kept up a steady chatter that almost lulled Jack to sleep. He blinked aware when they pulled up to the green tree house.
"Well, I have to run to the far range tomorrow but I expect I'll see you soon. I'll send Jake over tomorrow with some steaks."
"That sounds like heaven." Jack said honestly. The two men slapped hands and knocked shoulders in a one armed bro hug. Jack waved as the truck pulled out. He rubbed his eyes. He dragged his ass up the stairway and staggered into the kitchen. The blond woman looked up from paperwork sprawled across the table. She folded it over quickly hiding it from his view.
"Have fun?" Jack narrowed his eyes at the tone of anger and suspicion. Jack rubbed his face.
"Look, I don't know what's up between you gals and Buck…" The woman leaned forward fire in her deep set blue eyes.
"No, you don't." Jack felt his hackles rise. He opened his mouth to let loose at the woman when Vi came striding in.
"Shush, you two! Mac is sleeping finally." Jack and the blonde shared a guilty look.
"Look, I'm sorry…"Jack realized he didn't know the woman's name. The blonde laughed. It was surprisingly high toned.
"Caty McBride, this is my partner Viola Harris." Jack grinned.
"Well nice to meet you officially. We have to have a long talk…" Jack yawned. Vi laughed and grabbed him by the arm. She pulled him to the bunk room. Jack breathed out in relief. Mac was sound asleep. He occasionally murmured or twitched but appeared to be resting. Mac's chest was wrapped and his shoulder had clean bandages. Jack leaned over Mac a soft smile on his lips. He ran his head through Mac's hair. Mac absently swatted his hand away. Jack chuckled and turned.
Viola smiled warmly at him.
"You two have a special bond." Jack nodded and yawned. He plopped onto the bunk beside Mac's, flopped back and closed his eyes out cold.