Nate did his usual prelaunch check on the outside of the boat, the early morning sun beating down on his back. Summer was making a show as the date clicked another day closer to the school holidays and the Christmas break when all hell broke loose at the lake. The place filled with the daily bedlam of families, holidaying visitors and tourists from the south flocking to the lake’s shore and their majestic boat cruise.
Nothing to complain about if the anticipation of busy days and sun-soaked afternoons were what he was after. He wasn’t so sure anymore.
This morning, everyone was in high spirits, and the air was buzzing as the crowds arrived. Included in the growing horde were the local mayor, television news crews, local newspaper reporters and the general hubbub of locals interested in listening to the man who came back to thank them for saving his life. Rumours had spread like out-of-control fires about the gift he would bestow on the local area as a thank you.
One woman had been instrumental in saving this man’s life. Nate would never forget her quick actions and her medical skills as she took control of the emergency and brought the man back to life. Her daringness, her confidence, her everything. In all the years of skippering the boat, he’d never experienced an incident like it. He was a fraud accepting anything on her behalf, yet Tash never mentioned reaching out to Roberta, and there was no way he would ever do so after she’d pushed him away. The fact she was still recovering from her accident played on his mind, but Bob assured him, with the one phone call he’d made asking about her condition, that she was fine and doing well. Was she still planning to leave the north? Bob couldn’t answer him.
Today, their usual visitor numbers would easily be surpassed after social media spread the word about their special guest and what he was doing for the local environment. Two million dollars was a lot in anyone’s books.
Added to this was Nate’s reputation. Many people had speculated about how both would perfectly go hand in hand. This only forced his wayward mind to remember how it felt to hold Roberta’s hand. To smooth his over her supple skin. Explore intimate places.
He shook off the memories and berated his stupid self. Move on, dude. She told you to do so and has made no effort to seek you out. Nothing had changed. If only he could force his mind to change direction, too. To sometime in the future where he was happy.
Usually, something like this huge donation would light a fire beneath him. But of late, he’d been flat, uninspired and lacking energy. Hadn’t fully agreed to accept the money, even though Tash was doing a fine job of accepting it on his behalf. Wasn’t sure if he should pass the responsibility on to someone who could reignite the same level of passion he once had.
That time barely six weeks ago.
When he was a different man.
He hated being in this slump. Although he’d been there before, somehow, this was different. He avoided the cottage as much as possible. Spent way too long couped up in the boatshed, robotically sanding and sanding. The rowboat was coming along fine. He could begin the exterior epoxy coating soon.
He looked up when his name was called. Sophie, who was tasked with greeting the passengers this morning, waved him over. Every invited guest was now on board, and it wouldn’t be long until their special American guest arrived, and Nate promised Tash he would welcome him personally.
He straightened, pulled his shoulders back and found that little store of energy he sometimes called on lately to find a smile. Come on, man, make an effort. Two million is a shitload of money. Deep down, he knew he could do so much good with it. Find it fast! Find the old Nate, for God’s sake, and forget about her. She was always leaving; you knew that from the start.
The small cluster of special guests hovered near the moored boat, along with the television crew interviewing them. Nate moved to where Sophie was standing, welcoming them all aboard while the camera captured every moment. The American tourist—Brian—was there with his wife, their son, and the son’s family. It was a long way for them to travel, and it suddenly struck Nate that here was one man who was grateful to be alive. He could take away some valuable lessons from this.
Nate was young and fit, which he’d always prided himself on. Never smoked or drank excessively. Ate sensibly and healthily and would continue to do so. He should be grateful if only there wasn’t a sense of ‘why bother’. Something was missing. That spark, that purpose, that one person. Twice he’d fallen down the rabbit warren. He wasn’t sure if he could climb back up yet.
With their special guests on board, he relaxed his jaw which hurt from the strain of smiling and turned away, allowing his standard frown of late to take over.
Just as he was about to unwind the rope holding the boat moored, something caught his eye. A latecomer was limping down the steps.
He stiffened. He knew that shape. Recognised those curves. Had seen her in that yellow dress before. His mouth suddenly dried as he remained frozen. What was she doing here?
She wore a ridiculously wide-brimmed hat, probably the reason her olive skin always looked so good and well cared for. When she reached the gangplank, she came to an abrupt halt, her eyes cautiously taking in the surroundings.
“Hello, Nate.”
“What are you doing here?” It came out sounding harsh, and he instantly regretted it. But he wouldn’t be blamed for his rudeness. It was probably all the pent-up frustration from the past weeks of waiting for any outlet. Like right now. He wouldn’t take it back. Why was she here?
“What do you mean? Tash told me to get my butt here today or else?”
“Huh? You’re calling bullshit. She hasn’t said anything to me.”
“She obviously didn’t tell you she came to visit me earlier this week.”
Bloody Tash! Sticking her nose in his business, all over two million dollars. “So, you don’t really want to be here today?”
“Nate.” They both spun around when Sophie approached them from the boat. “Hey, Roberta!” she shouted and galloped over to hug her hard. “Great to see you again. Boy, am I glad to have you back. You look fabulous, by the way.” She looked down at the moon boot covering her ankle and then giggled. “Except for that thing on your foot.”
Roberta laughing along with Sophie had the same effect as a knife piercing deep inside his heart. He and Roberta had spent all of thirty seconds together and were already at each other’s throats. Sophie turns up and it’s a lifetime reunion of besties.
Sophie stepped away from Roberta and turned his way. “Uh … Nate, I’ve got everyone ready to go, including our special guests. Don’t be too long. I’ll go and set up the Devonshire tea stuff.”
“Are you coming on board?” Sophie asked Roberta.
“I sure am.”
“Yay! I better get back.” Sophie waved goodbye and spun around, dashing back on board.
For three agonising seconds, Nate stared at Roberta, wishing for many things. But more importantly, he didn’t want her here if it was the last place she wanted to be. “Don’t come on board if you don’t want to be here, Roberta.”
“Um … I’m more scared of Tash, thank you very much. I’m getting on this boat whether you want me there or not.”
“And then what?”
“I’ll smile prettily. Take my money, and yours, if you don’t want it. Administer it if you’re too lousy to do so yourself. Organise Brent, Nadia and all the other motley crew.” She squared her shoulders and took a step onto the gangplank. “Look, let’s just say I’m going to have a wow of a time, with or without you.”
Nate’s chest expanded with outrage. “You’re the one who told me to go live another life,” he hissed.
“And I gave you six weeks to do so. Happy?” She tilted her head to the side, a smile threatening to expose itself.
“You’ve got to be joking?”
“Nope, not at all. Now get this damn show on the road and hurry up.” She reached up and brushed his cheek with a kiss before sauntering off with a sway of the hips. He didn’t doubt it was more pronounced for his benefit and had nothing to do with her limp.
He swore, and Roberta spun back tutting, her finger tapping her mouth at the same time. “Hurry up, Nate, we have a cruise happening here.”
Her laughter rang out over the calm waters of Lake Barrine and carried back to him on the wisp of the breeze brushing his cheeks. The exact spot her mouth touched only seconds earlier.
He unravelled the rope holding the boat moored and jumped aboard. Was this his life if he ventured down this path? What stupid motive could she possibly have to come back and haunt him every day? Surely it wasn’t the money? What had she and Tash discussed? When he was finished today, he was going to corner Tash and make her come clean. Then, he was going to drag Roberta over to the cottage and demand answers. Nothing more! God help him, he needed to keep his mind off those gorgeous curves and one incredible mouth that could turn him on in an instant—whether she was kissing him, talking nonstop, or using it to unleash a voice that created magic.
Already his skin was tingling, his mind going to places he hadn’t dared to for weeks. How the heck was he going to get through the next hour? Keep a smile on his face the whole time? Accept two million dollars and look grateful for it? All without killing Roberta first for twisting his insides when he most needed to be of sound mind.
The day was doomed.