Chapter Six

It was the usual long wait in Doctor Curtis’s office. Catherine hated the waiting room of any doctor’s office. A few magazine racks and about a fifteen chairs lined one wall, with another row of chairs just in front. A huge, fake plant in one corner broke up the starkness of the area.

The quiet floating through the airways stifled the urge to cough. Just as she was about to pick up her second magazine, her name was called, and she followed a nurse toward the doctor’s office.

“Catherine. It’s good to see you, again. Take a seat.”

“Hello, Doctor Curtis. I’m doing okay.” She sat opposite his desk while he walked around to sit. He was in his mid-forties. A telltale sign of gray wound through his dark hair. His smile was soft, his voice assuring.

“How have you been since the last time I saw you.”

She rolled her lips together. “I’ve been okay, but it’s so difficult at times.”

“There’s not much more we can do for you. You know that. After the psychotherapy and the medication, we thought something might change. I was sure your memory or at least a portion would return. You’ve had a double dose of trauma. As I’ve said, there is no reason for your memory not to return. It could be all at once or in small slots.”

“I’d settle for the small slots. Anything would be better than not knowing. So many people, well a few, have come to me and stated that they know me, but I couldn’t tell you who they were. It’s so weird at times and scary.”

“I ran into Ali the other week. She said you’re doing well. You’ve gone back into the water, out onto the boat.”

“It’s not a boat. It’s a catamaran,” she interrupted.

“Sorry, Catamaran. Ali also said your nerves are a little shaky.”

“Ha. My nerves...well, they are to some extent. I feel as though I’ve lost the real me. The person I used to be.” She twisted her mouth to one side.

“Worrying to the degree you have been is not going to help at all. It will cause a lot of problems, stress, sleeplessness. You’ve got to get on with your life and make sure you look after you...number one person.”

“I’m trying.” She crossed one leg over the other.

“There have been cases where people have had complete recoveries. We could try hypnosis, again.”

Catherine shrugged. “That didn’t help at all...I’ll see how it goes.”

“Do you want anything to help you sleep?”

“I’ve still got some pills left from the last prescription. I didn’t use them for that long.”

Doctor Curtis sat forward, his hands clasped together on the desk in front of him. “Are you still meditating and doing yoga?”

“I enjoy it. I’ve kept it up.”

“Good. There’s not much more we can do. If you feel you need to, come and see me if anything happens. If your memory returns or you are worried about anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Catherine drew in a breath and stood before reaching out and shaking hands with him across the desk. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

She turned and opened the door.

“Don’t forget. If something unusual happens, get yourself in here.”

She smiled back over her shoulder and nodded in acknowledgement.

* * * *

Catherine squinted with skepticism when she arrived at Airways. Perched on a ladder was a bare-chested, muscular, sweaty body—something that she wasn’t accustomed to seeing every day.

She leaned on the edge of the hangar, gawking at Nathan’s physique. How does one put up with that and for the entire day?

As though sensing she was behind him, Nathan turned. “Morning, or is it afternoon?”

“Morning to you, too. You must enjoy your work. Why do men find such fascination with engines?”

“I guess you can say it’s in a man’s blood, but I’d rather fly the things.”

“What are you doing?” she said on her approach.

“Doing a little maintenance. Making sure everything is up to scratch. I have to do something around here.”

“This place won’t do well unless we have an instructor. That was something that gave a good return in the past,” she stated with a sarcastic hinge to her words.

“I thought we discussed that earlier. I recall you backed off. Besides, I don’t think instructing is my forte.”

“What is your specialty?”

“I have a few trade secrets.” He tucked the rag into his back pocket and sauntered toward her, forcing her to draw in a sharp breath when he stopped inches away. The sight directly in front of her was hard not to absorb.

“Do you usually start this late?”

“Some people begin working before they leave home.”

She tilted her head upward, pointed her chin, and shot him a cheeky grin before turning and walking into her office, thinking of her father along the way. He would have known what to do, how to handle things. She let out a frustrated breath and sank onto the office chair.

“Are you in a world of your own?” he questioned as he leaned on the edge of the architrave.

She shot upright in her chair. “Don’t you ever knock?” Her breath hitched in her throat as her gaze rested on an almost naked man. She blinked twice, and then blinked, again.

His short shorts did nothing to control her sinful mind. She rested back on the armless chair, and her gaze steadied on the dark mass of hair just below his navel. She flicked her gaze away. Control was what she needed, except it wasn’t happening. Not at all. It’s sexual attraction, and she concluded she was definitely not into that. So what if he had a beautiful, strong, masculine body and a face that made you sing hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the male race.

If she gave in to all the signals her body was experiencing, it would end up like the last time. What was she thinking? Oh, geez. What last time? Her breathing intensified. She bit her lip.

Somewhere deep inside the recesses of her mind lay an overwhelming experience of suffering and sorrow. A sorrow she didn’t understand. She wanted to catch hold of it and remember. It was there, she felt it, and she felt as though it only happened yesterday. A chill grated up her spine.

“Knock knock, Catherine.”

She gazed at him, not realizing he was still in the office. “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“Yes, I noticed. Are you back, or would you like to continue to daydream.”

Catherine shook her head. “You’re mad, you know that?”

“Nope, but coming from you, that must mean it’s a compliment.”

Catherine released a tight smile. “I was wondering. You were the one who said the business needed a revamp. We really do need an instructor, someone to take over where Dad left off.”

“I don’t fancy teaching. There are other means, you know.”

“Listen.” She stood up. “I really don’t know why you’re here, what you want, and for the life of me, I can’t figure you out.”

A smile touched his lips—playful, teasing, and downright too sexy for a man that was her business partner.

“Why don’t you sell your share to me instead of making everyone else miserable?”

“Miserable…what the! Is that your perception? Your father is one reason I’m staying put. Besides, how would that change your financial position? I think it would make it considerably worse.”

She ground on her teeth knowing damn well she didn’t have the funds to buy his share, and her stomach soured at the thought that she had no means to step forward.

“I don’t make a wage at all from Airways. What makes you think it can be turned around, give it a full return?”

His forehead creased, and his eyes deepened to a dark almost wicked blue. “What about your other income. Doesn’t that bring in enough?”

“Whoa, hang on a minute. What I get, my income—if anything—is none of your business.”

“The courts might think differently.”

She propped the other hand on her hip.

“Looks like you haven’t much choice other than to sell.”

His words drew raw panic. “I won’t sell. I will never sell. My father will live on forever here, even if it takes all I have. It’s only a matter of time before the court will rule you out completely.”

“It usually takes quite a while to contest a will, sometimes as long as five years.” With that statement, he turned and walked out, leaving her to deal with a battlefield of emotion.

What is it with that man? He’s so stubborn, so…so…she mumbled under her breath. What absurd reason would he have to keep the business? She blew air from pronounced lips. What was she going to do?

She wandered out into the open space toward a wire-meshed fence. Her right hand moved to block the sun’s rays as she studied an aircraft making a touchdown against a crosswind on the airstrip. Everything had been blown out of proportion.

This had been the longest twelve months of her life. She missed her father and wished he’d explained his intentions of why he left half of the business to Nathan. She sighed. “Eh.” Even if her father told her, how would she know? Nathan made everything appear so difficult. She crossed her arms.

She couldn’t forget that Nathan was the son her father never had. If only she knew more about that side of her father, she would have understood. A brother or sister would have been nice. A few tears escaped her eyes, revealing the torment she suffered from not remembering her past. She was going around in circles—each day just as dizzy and crazy as the last.

If her father was still alive she’d have a million questions to ask him, but there was no one to ask about Aaron. He said they had sex. It was bad enough not remembering Nathan, let alone not remembering who she’d slept with or not. She sniffled.

Ali told her that her father would have wanted her to get on with it, to get her butt into that cockpit and instruct. Although she’d been having theory lessons with Kevin to help her relearn vital information to help with the business side of Airways, she hadn’t stepped a foot in an aircraft since her father’s death. What if she was up in the air and forgot how to fly? In no time, she’d be heading for a mountain or ditching it in the ocean. Kevin recently said she was ready for the sky, ready to spread her wings once more. The cold hand of dread tightened around her chest almost cutting off her windpipe with that thought. Imagine climbing into a light aircraft without a parachute—now that would be asking for trouble. It would be downright suicidal.

She rolled her lips inwards.

“Sure is beautiful.” Nathan’s breath against the back of her neck sent goose bumps flitting down her spine.

“Yes, it’s so beautiful, so blue,” she replied, turning and positioning the small of her back against the fence, her hands behind her, and her fingers curled around the sturdy wire.

“I was talking about you,” he stated.

Suddenly, she was locked in his arms, his mouth moving over hers. The kiss was the same tenderness she had experienced before, soft and inviting.

Finally, he set her free.

“I don’t think we should keep repeating that,” she spluttered.

“Why, because you enjoyed it?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Not in words, but your body says it all.” His gaze overwhelmed her as they held that intense, devouring, “melt me all over” look.

“I see you have rules for all occasions, depending on the time, or what sort of mood you are in. You didn’t say anything about our last kiss.”

She inhaled a nervous breath.

“I think Bob had a lot of plans for you and Airways. Perhaps he wanted me to inherit you as well.” His lips slid into a teasing grin before he released a chuckle.

A high-pitched laugh and a shake of her head was all she could manage during the following seconds. “That’ll be the day.”

“It remains to be seen, dear Catherine...I have to go to Sydney tomorrow, sort out some business matters...catch up with a few business associates.” He hesitated and stared directly at her. “I’m concerned for your wellbeing. I think I will always be concerned. I’m going to sell my business in Sydney to a former business partner. He always wanted to take over, and he’ll do a good job. Also, I have a stopover in the outback for a few days.”

“Why are you telling me?”

“Macquarie Airways for one reason, and you know the other.”

A wavy feeling skittered through her body. “The other…you think my father wanted you to watch out for me. You really have tickets on yourself, don’t you? I do have the ability to look after myself, and if necessary, I could always hire a bodyguard—hire someone to carry out certain tasks.”

“Don’t kid yourself. That costs money, and the episode with Aaron was a perfect example.”

“Aaron. I would have handled him if you weren’t there. He’s a piece of cake.” Well, she was afraid of him, but she would never admit that to Nathan.

Nathan shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ve got an idea. Seeing as you love the place so much, why don’t you take on the instructing? Why aren’t you out there flying?”

Her lungs almost collapsed as a raw ache sat heavy in her chest. Her fists balled. Her first thought was to run, to get as far away from him as possible. She didn’t need him, didn’t need his smart comments. Her hands propped on her hips as the thought of flying raced with fear through her veins.

“How do you know I can fly? How do you know anything?”

“The papers say it all. I know all about your awards, your abilities as a pilot. The air shows you entered and performed in with excellence. Don’t forget Bob and I spent a lot of time together.”

“I’m glad someone knows something about me, because I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.” She lied. Pete informed her about her flying expertise, but she found it difficult to comprehend that she’d actually get up there and fly upside down. It didn’t seem like something she’d ever do. Even the thought made her feel sick.

“Is that what you’re hiding back there, locked away in your father’s office, with all his memories? Is this what he deserves—his efforts hidden, gone, forgotten? I thought you said you wanted to remember him, wanted everyone to remember him. At this rate, you are going to bury him forever.”

Goose bumps fled her flesh. Shots of guilt unearthed more fear. “It’s none of your business. You have no right to pry!”

“You haven’t flown since he died. Is this another way of securing your feelings, by locking them away as well? Are you going to waste all your talent, let it dwindle with age? What will you have left? Why don’t you fly?” The green in his eyes almost turned white, or was it the reflection from the clouds moving in?

“I have other interests. Besides...I have no memory of flying...none. I think it would be a bit impossible.” She couldn’t stop trembling, couldn’t stop the flood of tears that escaped her eyes, over her cheeks, only to trickle down her neck. She wanted to dissolve right there and then onto the bitumen.

“Nothing is impossible if one sets their mind to it. I see you everyday taking a walk over to Bay Wings, and it appears you have been having intense lessons with Kevin, their flight instructor.”

She shook her head. “Naturally, you’d know. Just because you’ve had it easy all your life doesn’t mean everyone has.” A little voice inside her head screamed to get out of there. She turned, and just as she began to bolt away, a strong hand caught her arm and dragged her back.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you. Come here.” He pulled her against him, her head rested on his chest, and she sobbed.

“I’m so sorry. I know it’s none of my business. I care for you. I care for your wellbeing.”

Her body quivered against his. He withdrew a handkerchief from his back pocket.

“Here, wipe those tears away. I never meant to do this to you.”

She accepted the handkerchief and began to sniffle into it.

“You have put so much into being such a damn good pilot. I’m sorry for upsetting you. I was hoping it might jolt your memory, make you realize you were born to fly. You come from a father who was the best pilot in Australia, Catherine; it’s in your blood.”

“I know. As I said, I feel something. Although I swore I’d never again set foot in any type of aircraft, something insisted I relearn most things. It has helped me understand aircrafts and the running of Airways. It’s like relearning to walk, again. It’s kinda scary.”

“You were born to fly, Catherine.”

“I’m not too sure about that...but I shouldn’t have let my emotions dash off like that,” she whispered, gazing at the ground.

His hand slipped under her chin, prompting it upward until their gaze connected. Catherine wriggled from his touch and stepped back.

“Let’s head back,” she said with a nervous breath.

He gave her a questioning look before they strolled back to the office side by side.

When she sat down, she blew her nose and watched him from the corner of her eye as he put the kettle on. She was attracted to him and wondered what was so special about this man.

“You need a good cup of coffee.”

“I know I said sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I only wanted to say that I wouldn’t be around for a few days. Probably well into the middle of next week.”

“That’s all right. Silly emotional female at fault—letting her emotions run wild. I understand you have a business to take care of, but you aren’t needed to do any work here. As I said, there is not much to attend to.”

“Here.” He passed her a coffee.

“Not disturbing something?” The voice called out from the hangar.

“No, Pete. Come in.” Nathan turned.

“I just wanted to see if anyone took care of John’s plane, he’s flying out at three.”

“Geez, I forgot. What’s the time?” She jumped from her seat, sending her off balance. Nathan watched her shoot up.

“Hang on,” he grabbed her with one hand just as she began to topple, and helped her back to the seat.

“What is it? Aren’t you well?”

“Nothing. It’s—”

“It’s more like she works too much,” Pete added.

“Gee. Thanks, Pete.”

“Someone has to know, Cat. With all your work on the weekend, and I know you are up at five every morning.”

Nathan’s forehead creased, and he scratched the side of his head.

“What for? Five’s a bit early.”

“I just do it. Stop making such a fuss. Listen, I don’t need someone to keep an eye on me. My father knew that, and you have to know it as well.” The truth was she spent hours mediating and practicing daily yoga in the morning. The more she tried to get her mind to relax, the more she thought it might pry open that vault locked with memories.

“You could have fooled me,” Nathan commented.

“Pete, can you take care of John’s aircraft? I’m leaving for the day. My mobile is on.” With that, she grabbed her bag and dashed out the door before Nathan could call out or even stop her.

* * * *

“What the...why is she like that?” He shook his head.

“You gotta give her time, Nathan. She’s suffered a great deal since her father died. She’s got no one left, and because of the accident, her memories are zilch.”

“Yeah, I know, but she should see a doctor or something.”

“She’s tried. I think she’s still seeing someone. I reckon it’d be scary not knowing certain things in life, not knowing about personal stuff. It makes a person what they are. With that gone, well there ain’t much left is there?”

“The hardest part is she doesn’t even remember me. When she was sixteen, we used to swim together. We were mates, more than mates.” Nathan couldn’t tell him any more. It had been a personal secret between Catherine and himself. They had sworn an oath, and he intended to keep it. It wrenched at his gut to see her like she was, and he was helpless, which made it even harder.

“Give her a little more time. She’ll be okay...I should go and tend to the aircraft.”

“Want a coffee before you go?” Nathan glanced at him then turned to pick up his mug.

“No, thanks. I’ve got to get this aircraft done. Then, I’m off, too.”

“Okay, Pete. Talk to you soon.”

He sipped on his coffee, his thoughts on Catherine. It was probably best not to bring up flying anymore. Not until the right time. He’d been a fool, and he even pushed her again without realizing it. He had to remember she was like an aircraft in his hands. He had to be careful and steer her with care. His gut churned with longing. He wanted to hold her forever, take away her sadness and pain, and replace it with all the happiness he could give. He cursed under his breath. How could he have been so tactless, so insensitive? His mobile phone rang from his hip.

“Nathan speaking.”

“Hi, Nathan. I want to go over your plans for the next two weeks.”

“We dealt with that last week, Brian. I’m flying to Sydney tomorrow. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“You’re getting married?”

Nathan laughed. “No, not getting married.” Not just yet, he thought. “See you soon.”

* * * *

Nathan was doing a pre-flight check, purposely slowing his pace. He hoped Catherine might make an appearance. Unable to wait any longer, he retrieved his mobile phone from his hip and dialed her number.

He’d spotted it in her office on the wall with a list of other numbers he hadn’t time to digest or jot down. He let it ring for some time. Just as he was about to press “End”, she answered.

“Catherine speaking.” The sound of her voice was relieving.

“Hi, Catherine speaking, Nathan here.” He chuckled. “I wanted to say goodbye. I hope you’re feeling a lot better after yesterday’s upset. I was worried about you and thought you would be out here by now.”

“Yes, thanks. I‘m fine. I had to attend to some personal matters. I imagined you soaring through the sky early this morning. I thought you would be in Sydney by now.”

“I slept in.” It was the worst excuse he could possibly use. He’d never slept in any day in his life. “Anyway, look after yourself, and I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Have a nice flight. Bye.” If that was ever at all possible, she thought as she hung up. Her heart fluttered, her mind raced. Here she was about to take the man to court, and he acted as though it didn’t deter him whatsoever. Then again, why should it? Being a lawyer, he probably thinks he can get away with anything. She phoned Adam earlier and got a brief rundown on the possibilities.

She cannot contest the will under grounds of disinheritance. Rarely a person succeeds, unless they have reasonable grounds. One was her father’s mental capability, which wasn’t a possibility. Apparently, he was the brightest, most quick-witted man she had ever known. One fact she could use was to prove the will wasn’t properly documented or signed. That in itself wasn’t going to be easy.

* * * *

Catherine loved the freedom of the river and the ocean. She thought about being up there in the sky, and she couldn’t remember what feelings she had when flying. She couldn’t remember if she loved it.

Pete had given her the rundown on Macquarie Airways and tried to jolt her mind into remembering her aircraft, Juliet, Echo, Delta. It had been sitting idle for far too long, and she knew that. As far as she was concerned, it would just have to sit there for the rest of its life. Just because a little bug inside insisted she learn something about flying, it wasn’t because she was going to step foot in one and fly, again—to actually lift the damn thing from the ground.

Her father’s accident and his state at death instituted a lifetime sentence.

I won’t die in an aircraft…ever. Not like Dad, burned beyond recognition. Her eyes welled with tears. As far as she was concerned, her feet were better off glued to the deck of her catamaran or on bare earth.

Catherine carried a large box and made her way toward the Cruise Cat. It was going to be a warm day. The weather forecast was high thirties with clear skies and smooth seas. She called out to Brad as she approached the Cat and placed the box on the dock.

“These men have picked a great weekend to go out.”

“Yeah, I hope they are a low-profile bunch.” She replied.

“I hope their behavior don’t even come close to the last ones. That guy, what was his name? Ben, that’s right. He couldn’t even walk straight, and he spewed all the time. He was legless. When he finally stepped back onto dry land, he looked a terrible sight.” Brad laughed.

“Let’s think positive this time. Is Tommy here?” She questioned as she gazed around.

“Nope, but he will be soon. Can’t wait to have a feed, miss his cooking.”

“I’ll check up top while you finish packing these boxes. Oh, I have a few more in my car, if you don’t mind.”

“Done.”

Seven o’clock arrived, and four men wandered down toward the Cruise Cat. The image was unbelievable. They looked as though they were about to spend their entire lifetime aboard. Then, when Brad noticed the cases of beer and the bottles of whiskey, he shook his head.

“I guess this is it, men,” Nathan stated, looking at the name written in gold lettering across the bow of the catamaran—Cruise Cat.

“Morning, all. I didn’t get your names. Only a company name: Lawyers of Distinction.”

Nathan stepped forward, producing his hand. “That’s us. I’m Nathan Alexander.”

They exchanged a brief handshake.

“Brad Williamson. I’m the number one deck-hand.” He laughed. “The only deck-hand.”

“These are my partners, Wayne O’Brien, Mathew Reading, and Alan Schubert.”

Brad produced his hand once again. The men ranged from about thirty to forty. After introductions had taken place, Brad proceeded to show them to their cabins. On the way, he explained the layout of the catamaran.

“The Cat has four cabins plus the skipper’s cabin, ten births, two showers, and two toilets. The main deck is spacious. You’ll notice once up there. It has general seating with a fully featured helm control station. That’s where the skipper is.”

“What a fine piece of equipment,” Nathan stated as he popped the top off a bottle of light beer.

“Forty foot of it,” Brad announced. “Excuse me. I have to check with the captain.”

Brad disappeared up to the top deck. Catherine sat at the control station and swung around.

“Ready?”

“Yep.”

“What are they like?”

“The usual city guys carting a box of grog, but I don’t think they will be too much of a handful.”

She started the engines and waited until she heard Brad call out. They hardly ever used the intercom. She would have to remind him to use it sometimes.

“All clear.” Proceeding slowly away from the dock, the Catamaran purred, slicing through the water as it headed east along the Hastings River to meet the ocean.

* * * *

Nathan breathed in the salty air and noticed the river was at its best—with a high tide and inviting, aqua blue water.

“Hey, Nathan. Take a look at that!” Wayne announced. Nathan took a mental note of the ship anchored at town green. “Sure is a beauty. It must be at least one-hundred years old,” Nathan stated.

The steady speed and the smooth control of the Catamaran was remarkable. Nathan gazed at the passing view of tall, Norfolk pine trees, which lined the top of the town’s main beach. It was a beautiful sight, so different from what he was familiar with in the city.

He was in paradise. The air was smooth and warm. The sky displayed one of Port Macquarie’s better days. Although, one important item was missing, and that was Catherine with his arms wrapped around her. He had missed her during the past week and wondered where she was and what she was doing. He didn’t want her to be lonely. He wanted her to laugh, to be happy. He wished there was something he could do to help her.

The muscles in his jaw tensed, and he wished she was by his side instead of his partners. He knew his feelings had grown for the woman—they ate at his gut—but how could he explain the way he felt toward her. She had made it clear she didn’t remember him, and he wasn’t welcome in her life. That statement he ignored. He wasn’t about to give up on her and wouldn’t until she was his. Trying to free his mind from the persistent thoughts, he called to Brad.

“Hey, Brad. Does the skipper mind being disturbed?”

Brad turned. “She’s got it under control. She’s the owner as well, but you can go up if you like.”

He thought Brad had said “she” as he begun to climb the steps. His puzzlement was confirmed when he reached the top rung and took one step toward the control station.

An icy draught chilled him.

“What in the hell...Catherine?”