Chapter Eight

Catherine struggled to sit as she tried to shake the sleep from her body. She was astounded to find herself lying stark naked. She clutched the sheet to her chest.

Get it together, girl. It’s not as bad as you think. So what? She had slept with the man. Many women her age did that. That deliberation made her snap her eyes shut in disgust. She slumped back onto the bed feeling even more mortified. A few moments passed before she would allow her eyelids to open and to recall the previous night.

It wasn’t in her plans and naturally a one-off thing. Those words didn’t even come close to freeing the guilt hammering at her insides. It had to be the drink. That’s it, she thought. It had to be.

Catherine was never one to have a one-night stand in her entire life. Even though her memory of the past was a bit fragmented, she was certain she didn’t randomly jump into a male’s bed. Well, allow a male to jump into her bed. She had to remind herself that she had lost her long-term memory, not her decency. She braced herself before scampering to the toilet to heave up the remains of the wine.

Ah, proof. It was the wine, she thought as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and noticed her hair was matted, and her eyes reflected tiny, red road maps buried within the whites. The more she thought about her reckless behavior, the more she trembled. She drew in an unexpected gasp when she heard a knock on her door.

“Catherine. Hey, Cat. Are you all right?” It was Brad’s voice. She swallowed.

“Be up there soon, Brad.” She tried to raise her voice, but somehow it caught in her throat, and she swallowed it back. The knock repeated, but this time louder.

“Cat, are you awake?” She crept to the door.

“Yes, Brad. I’ll be up there soon.”

She showered and dressed in a navy pair of shorts and a white singlet shirt. She pulled her hair up under a white cap before applying sunscreen to the exposed parts of her body. The final touch was a smear of lip-gloss over her tender lips.

In her dash to make up the bed, she ran into her discarded underwear, which made matters worse. Sickened by her behavior, she tossed them into a laundry bag and finished straightening the bed.

Peeping through a small crack in the door, she noticed the coast was clear and with hesitation, she opened it. She tiptoed toward the galley to make a coffee. When she finally sat down, she closed her eyes. Her body sizzled. She knew her clothing concealed her feminine parts, but she wasn’t sure the previous night’s activities weren’t highlighted over her face, letting the entire world know what she had been up to.

However, she knew she could always blame it on overindulgence. Overindulgence in what? The wine or Nathan? She closed her eyes. Whatever it was, it sure was nice. Her lips thinned as she slipped into a private world of her own.

“You okay?”

She jumped in her seat and snapped her eyes open. “Brad, you scared the life out of me.”

“Sorry, Cat. I didn’t know you were off with the fairies, again.”

“Gee, thanks…off with the fairies.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. I seem to be always slipping into a world of my own lately.” Her lips pulled into a tight grin.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, why shouldn’t I be?”

“Well, for one thing, you don’t usually sleep in.”

She noticed curiosity creep into his eyes.

“What time is it?

“Eleven, Cat.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, but the guys want to leave in about an hour.”

“Why?”

“They think they’ll get sunburned. It’s already thirty-eight out there.”

“Is that the only reason? Haven’t they heard of hats and sunscreen?”

“I think a few of them have lost their sea legs.”

She forced a giggle.

“You feeling all right? You’re mighty pale?”

The upturn of his lips and that, ‘I know what you did last night’ look, made her nervous.

She cleared her throat. “Yes. Thank you, Brad. I think it was the wine. You know me…a couple of glasses, then poof!” She wanted to ask about Nathan but didn’t dare.

She felt each stroke of Nathan’s eyelashes when she made an appearance on the top deck. Rolling her lips together did nothing to settle the beehive of emotions clambering through her body.

As she made her way to the control station, she sucked in a breath when she passed Nathan. “Morning, all. Sorry I slept in. It must have been all that wine last night.”

“And the rest, my dearest Catherine. Admit I exhausted you,” Nathan whispered.

His breath being so close shot a startled gasp to her throat. Slipping onto her seat didn’t give her the fraction of relief she needed.

“You can’t fool me.”

His playful mood unnerved her. She wished he would keep it quieter, especially in front of everyone.

His intense examination stripped her flesh, singeing the tiny hairs on her skin. Her cheeks warmed. Her skin pricked with awareness, but what could she do? Jump up and scream at him to stop it? Stop his mental torment in front of all the others? That would be more embarrassing than putting up with it.

Recollection of the previous night came in flashbacks. She hated not knowing every single little snippet of what had happened. In one instant, her mind recollected him moaning on top of her. Disgusted with herself, she struggled to force it away as she tried to cling to some preservation of professional dignity. Of all the places to let it happen, there was no excuse. She allowed it to happen on the catamaran while full of knowing men.

She took them further out to sea, and they fished until Mathew was sick.

“Anchor, Brad,” Catherine called, swiveling in her seat.

“Sure, Cat.”

After the anchor was drawn, she maneuvered the catamaran toward the river. The waves were a lot larger now, crashing over nearby rocks. Catherine concentrated, and the catamaran sliced through them as though they were in a swimming pool. Cruising down the river, she headed for the Marina. As soon as they docked, the men started collecting their belongings.

Catherine stepped down to see them off. After all, it was part of her job as skipper and good personal relations for the Cruise Cat. She noticed Nathan hadn’t yet surfaced. Therefore, a wander toward his cabin found him packing his personal belongings. He seemed to sense her entry and swung around.

“You’ve been avoiding me, Catherine.” He tossed some belongings into his suitcase with irritation.

“I want to say something, Nathan.” She gazed at the floor then toward him. “I’m not a woman who has a one-night stand. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It wasn’t in my plans…I mean.”

“What is in your plans? No one and nothing. Is that how you operate?” His voice loomed in dark objection. “To bound yourself up with your work. To never have any enjoyment in life?”

His mobile phone blurted its presence from his hip. Clicking open the case, he answered.

“Nathan Alexander. Not now, Jane.”

Jane, who is Jane? Then, she remembered. Once a city guy always a city guy. He probably had many enjoyments in his life and many Janes. That’s all she was—one of his enjoyments, one of his Janes. Humiliation ripped at her insides.

She slipped away, leaving him to finish his call, and wandered to the top deck. She was on the verge of giving in, of letting her feelings for him take over. Holding her breath and shutting her eyes didn’t free the ache within her heart. She slumped into her seat, staring out over the ocean with tear-filled eyes.

It was some time before Brad announced they had all left. “Tommy said to say goodbye and that he’ll catch up next week.”

She half-expected Nathan to at least say goodbye, but then again, she didn’t mean much to him.

“Cat, are you feeling okay? It’s Nathan Alexander, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a good man, and I know he’s got eyes for you. Everyone could tell. Why don’t you give him a chance?” Brad rested against the railing.

“You don’t know the man, Brad. He may be my partner at Airways, but that’s all. He’s not my type. Now, off you go. I checked with Simone. The next booking is not for another week. Perhaps you can have a week off if you like. How does that sound?”

“Great, thanks Cat. You have my mobile number if you need me.” She watched him jump onto the dock.

The only eyes Nathan had were eyes to take her for his enjoyment. She bit on the inner side of her lip.

* * * *

Arriving at Airways the following day was one big, big mistake. Nathan was on the telephone, a large pile of papers sat in front of him. Catherine stood outside the door.

“Yeah, the Cruise Cat was great...greater than I anticipated. Yeah, the bait has been taken, Brian.” A comical laugh erupted from his lips.

Catherine’s body tensed, and she felt the building up of pressure she assumed to be her blood pressure. It hiked up within seconds. How dare he! She was the bait. Apparently, she meant nothing to him. To hear he’d been discussing their relationship over the telephone with a complete stranger, she cringed. When he hung up, she stalked through the door.

“What do you think you’re doing?” The son of a bitch! How dare he go through my personal property!

“Reading, and a good morning to you as well. I see you have recuperated quite well?” He stretched back in the chair, tapping a pen on the edge of the desk, and quite aware of the resentment intensifying before him.

“Well…yes,” she stammered. “I don’t think it is appropriate that you march in here and pry.”

“Pry? Is that what you call it? I could have sworn I was reading an account quite openly.” His composed objection infuriated her.

“Aren’t you working, today?”

She noticed him taking in her short, red dress. A dress that was now just a bit too short for her liking, although it felt right when she’d put it on that morning. It clung to her like plastic wrap, and she wished she’d chosen something else to wear.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” She didn’t owe him anything—any explanations, nothing. So, why was she answering every question he threw at her?

He pointed at her dress with his pen. “In that?”

“Yes, in this!”

The muscles in his jaw tightened. “You never work in anything else but your overalls,” he stated disapprovingly.

“I decided I needed a change.”

“We have to discuss working arrangements.”

* * * *

Thoughts of the night on the Cruise Cat sprung to his mind. Those curves, those breasts…he remembered them so well. His mind had formed a permanent photo snap—each recollection clear and digitally enhanced. Everything about her made him want her in more ways than just slipping under the sheets.

“We have already discussed working arrangements. There is no need to discuss it any further; there is no need for change.”

“Sit down,” he demanded, pulling out a chair.

She was attentive to his overpowering tone, and although she appeared unwilling, she slipped onto it and crossed her legs at the knees.

“Bad for circulation...sorry.”

She forced a burst of air through her lips, swung her leg out and rested her foot on the floor.

“You must agree that Macquarie Airways is not running as best as it could.”

She continued to stare at her sandals.

“Catherine.” He raised his voice. “This is serious. It’s not something you take on in a whimsical, fancy-free matter. It’s the future of Macquarie Airways. Agreed?”

* * * *

“Yes, I agree,” she muttered as she glanced up. Just because she said she agreed didn’t mean a single thing. Subconsciously, she toyed with her bottom lip.

“Cleaning aircrafts is absolutely ridiculous. No one in his or her right mind does that. They generally don’t need an outside clean—perhaps inside from time to time.”

“I clean them for something to do around here. Besides, they look great...If you can think of something to occupy our minds, let it out. I’m all eager for new ideas.”

“Now, don’t get smart. I’m trying to take a financial interest in the business, and you think I’m playing.”

Ah, she thought. That word: enjoyment, playing. Maybe he is…maybe that is what his intentions have been all along. What about Dad? That too was probably a lie.

“Listen, I know you don’t want me around. If you feel so resolute about this, I could always sell my share to someone else.”

“What? To a perfect stranger? What about me?” She glared at him.

“For one thing, you don’t have the funds to cover it.”

“How do you know? What right have you got to poke your nose in any personal area of my life?” Her body shuddered in attack.

“I can sell my share to whomever I like—even a female. Now, that would suit you well.”

She hissed at him. A female would be worse. Too much bitchiness for a start, and they would never agree, even on a small matter. Besides, what female would want to take on such a business, unless she had been flying all her life? That was something she couldn’t risk and realized it would be better for Nathan to stay. That is if she could possibly stand the man.

“We could do extra endorsements, hire out planes, take on joy flights…the list is endless. The three aircrafts that were your father’s are a complete waste. The Comanche needs its props dressed. The chips in them are dangerous. They need a good file.”

“They don’t get used, so what’s the point?”

“We could hire them out, especially the larger aircraft. It’s a complete waste. It will bring in more cash. This place receives a great deal of inquires. Why don’t we deliver the service, and in the meantime, collect extra cash?

“Another thing. Pete doesn’t have to be here five days a week!”

“Whoa, hang on a minute. Pete does a lot of work around here.”

“I know, but he’s what, in his sixties? I think he would appreciate time off. Say, bring him in here, three or maybe only two days a week?”

She shot him a horrified gaze. “Pete was Dad’s friend. You can’t just do that!” Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch.

Nathan shook his head. “I had some idea that perhaps I’d undertake joy flights, fishing trips, and weekends to Windy Rock.”

She shook her head in return. “And whose aircraft would you be using?”

“Catherine.” He let go of a breath. “Do you want to see Airways go under? I thought you wanted a very enterprising business. There is a possibility Airways could become insolvent.”

“You figured that out all by yourself? I know things aren’t going very well. I would like to see it prosper.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“This business is also mine, Catherine. We need to make changes. Otherwise, Airways will be on its way down the tube.”

On its way...eh. It was already on its way. She always thought the Cruise Cat would compensate. It hadn’t. In fact, her surplus cash flow was nil.

“If you think that’s what it will take.” She sighed, rubbing her fingers over a tension headache spreading across her forehead.

“I do. I also think this would be another reason your father left me half of Airways.”

She stood. For a few moments, his statement rendered her speechless. “Come off it! You think so?” She snapped. “You’ve come up with a few wacky ideas, and you believe them,” she blurted, shaking her head in disarray and turning to head toward the door.

“I don’t call them wacky...I call them the right steps in the right direction. We haven’t much choice, Catherine. We will discuss this over dinner tonight,” he called after her. She glanced back.

“Whalebone Restaurant, seven sharp. I’ll pick you up.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll meet you there,” she said before walking out.

Her words seemed to be a silent echo of protest not reaching his ears. Or was he more determined?

Each time she laid eyes on him, it leveled her emotions to plain ol’ mush. That’s what she was, and it sickened her. Several times, she examined her motives, oh and don’t worry. She had plenty of them. Nevertheless, when she came face to face with the man, she was a dissolving heap of gooey substance that melted all over a guy. Urgh, and it sickened her.

When she returned home, she wasn’t sure what to wear on a business date. It wasn’t a date, she was positive.

Running her fingers along the dresses in her wardrobe, she hesitated beside a little black one then a powder blue suit. Whalebone Restaurant wasn’t exactly the place to wear a suit, so she settled for the black dress.

Seven on the dot, Catherine pulled into a parking space beside the restaurant, noticing Nathan was waiting by the front entrance. When she stepped from the car, she sucked in a deep breath, only to step right up to him. Sudden thoughts of shrinking back into her seat would have been a wiser decision instead of battling emotion after emotion.

“You look spectacular.”

“Thank you.”

She didn’t mention the fact that his appearance almost knocked her off her feet. He looked too good in a dark navy suit, with a light blue shirt and matching tie.

He took her hand, producing tingles to swamp her body. The warmth of one single male’s hand was overwhelming, and the fact was she wasn’t used to dealing with feelings of this kind, or even remembering feelings of this kind—she was a fish out of water.

Each day had run according to clockwork. Now, it consisted of conflicting emotions, hurtling through her at a pace that confused her even further.

“And, especially beautiful when you smile,” he added as they walked through the entrance door.

A waiter escorted them to their table. They weaved their way out onto a floating dock built over the water. Moments after she sat, the sun speared a crimson glow across the sky, leaving a magnificent, golden reflection upon the river. An unexpected shower came from nowhere, and then opened into a downpour. It dispersed as quickly as it arrived, leaving the sky in a full array of brilliant stars.

As the waiter approached to take their orders, Nathan filled two glasses with wine. They decided on a seafood platter for two, consisting of lobster, fish, prawns, calamari rings, oysters, and salad.

“Do you agree with my suggestions?” He glanced at her.

“Well, yes. I know Airways needs something, but...”

“Have you any suggestions? After all, we have equal shares.”

“Nathan, I have many unanswered questions. Do you mind, before we go any further?”

He rubbed his chin with his right thumb. “Not at all, although, I feel like I’m facing a firing squad.”

She grinned. “Not quite. You said you and my father were close.” She reached for her wine, twirling the stem in her fingers. “If you were close...well…why didn’t you attend his funeral?”

He was in silence for a noticeable lapse of time. “I haven’t spoken about my father. I find it difficult, but I think I should shed a little light on the subject. I know you don’t remember much, so I’ll start from the beginning.” He cleared his throat. “I was brought up on a property at Deep River. My father studied law many years before and had a choice of living out west with my mother for health reasons. He chose my mother, but she died of a heart attack. After she died, we stayed on for about two years. I was ten at the time. Dad loved his way of life and tried to survive without Mum.” He paused, taking a mouthful of wine. “We moved to Port Macquarie for a few years.

“Well, to cut a long story short, we moved back to Sydney. Do you remember when I moved to Sydney, Catherine?”

She gazed into his eyes. “No…um, no I don’t. I’m sorry.” She toyed with her bottom lip.

“As I was saying, Dad took up his former position as a barrister—a damn good one as a matter of fact. He had a stroke the same day as your father’s funeral. He’s left with Alzheimer’s disease. I had to be there for my father. Do you understand? It was a terrible strain, knowing the best mate I ever had was no longer with us, and I couldn’t attend his funeral.”

His eyes clouded with sentiment.

“Dad’s in a nursing home in Sydney. It doesn’t seem real. My father didn’t deserve what he’s now suffering. He was a damn good father. Occasionally, he’ll get a flashback of the property and speak of my mother.”

Tidal waves of despair choked Catherine’s throat. When the waiter appeared with their meal, she didn’t acknowledge, couldn’t acknowledge. “I...I’m so sorry...for—”

“You didn’t know the circumstances. I would have been right beside you if it was possible. Your father’s death had a strong impact on me. It was a great loss. I loved him just as though he were my father. I owe him so much.”

She swallowed against a dreaded bubble. “Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I thought you had already made up your mind. You had your reasons worked out.”

“Oh, Nathan If only I had known. I was such a fool.”

“Forget it. Past is past.”

Sliding down in her chair seemed appropriate, something suitable to match her mood. Perhaps a paper bag would do the trick. She felt like shoving her head in it to camouflage the guilt now hammering through her.

How could she be so judgmental to jump at any impulsive conclusion just like that, especially not knowing the facts? How she hated herself right at that moment.

* * * *

Nathan regained his levelheadedness. He straightened his shoulders and reached for his glass. “Do you have any recollection of me at all?”

“No, I’m sorry...I don’t remember anything…only waking up in a hospital. It’s all blank pages. I can’t even remember the car accident. I guess it’s a way for my body to deal with shock, to block it from my mind. Tommy and Brad helped me to remember some things concerning the Cruise Cat and Airways. The Cruise Cat seemed to fall into place, although I have no memory of ever going out on it. When Brad took me out for the first time after my accident, everything seemed natural. It was as though I’d never forgotten how to dive, how to maneuver the boat—anything. There are still a lot of things I find difficult, though.”

“I have to make you remember me, Catherine. If it’s the last thing I do...we were such good friends. Well...more than good friends.”

“What is more than good friends?”

Now, she showed signs of concern. Her eyes held a panic-stricken look.

“I met you at Airways. Your father introduced us when you were eleven, when I was up here with my father. I didn’t see you again until you were about fourteen. Then, we seemed to run into each other at the beach. We got to know each other quite well. Don’t you remember all the teasing I used to do? You’d get mad and throw handfuls of sand at me.” He laughed. “That is if you could catch me. Mind you, I gave it back.”

She smiled. “If only I could remember.”

“It will come...one day it will return, Fish.”

“Why do you call me Fish?”

He grinned and took a sip of wine. “When you were sixteen, no one could get you out of the water. I guess that’s why you love the ocean so much, why you like swimming with the dolphins. You belong in there with them.”

Catherine’s lips tugged into a thin line. Here was a man who knew more about her than she did. Embarrassment filled her cheeks with warmth, and she wondered how much more he knew.

“You’re a mermaid in disguise.”

It would be a beautiful memory if only she had it. The tension and strain began to fade, and she felt at ease knowing he had been telling her the truth all along. “The doctors say there’s a possibility that I’ll get all my memory back. I think I will...one day...at least, I hope so.”

“A toast to your memory...I mean, for it to return.”

She clicked her glass with his. “To the future,” she whispered.

“You okay?”

“Yes, I will be.” She cleared her throat, fidgeting with the white napkin sitting on her lap.

“Can I ask you a question, now? Just tell me if you don’t want to go there, and I will back off.”

“No, it’s all right. Just because I haven’t much up top doesn’t mean I can’t hold a reasonable conversation.”

His left hand went over hers as it rested on the table. It felt good—so good, she didn’t want him to move away. After all, she did have feelings for him, feelings she would never disclose. That would certainly lower her stakes. She didn’t want to fall in love, but it was almost too late. She was well on her way. It scared the daylights out of her. She had to find her memories before finding anything else. Regaining her memory had been her number one priority. Although, she realized plans could change. She drew in a slow, quiet breath.

“The aircraft Juliet, Echo, Delta. It’s yours, isn’t it?”

Reality stabbed at her mind.

“It’s your aircraft, isn’t it?”

A tight grin pulled on her lips before she rolled them together. “You knew all along, didn’t you?”

He shook his head and grinned. “Yes, yes I did...remember when I tried to jolt you into remembering—a little tactless, but nevertheless.”

She noticed his voice was a lot calmer now, much gentler. “Pete has filled me in on a lot of things concerning my flying and Airways.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but you should try to fly again.”

“Since Dad’s aircraft accident and my car accident, I’m afraid to fly. I haven’t set foot and never will in any type of aircraft.”

“You have to talk about it, talk to me. I’m a good listener.”

After toying with a piece of lobster, it disappeared into her mouth along with a sip of wine. “Tommy, Brad, and Ali have told me a lot. I couldn’t have gotten through without them...well, Dad...he was...hardly recognizable when I went to identity his body. I don’t understand why they needed verification, especially when there...well, there wasn’t much left to...”

“I understand.”

“That was enough. I just can’t do it. Not any more, that is. It may sound strange, but Nathan...I’ve forgotten how.” Tears made a path down her cheeks. “You know I’ve been going over the theory, but I can’t do any more. I just can’t. Somewhere inside, I guess the feeling of actually flying is there, but each time I think about it, my legs fill with such heaviness, insisting I stay glued to the ground.”

“It’s all right. Shush.” He stroked her hand with his fingers. “If I was beside you, I could have done all that, helped you out. I regret not being with you when you needed someone so badly. What about Pete? They could have asked someone else to identify your father.”

“Pete would have had a heart attack. He’s too old.”

“Well, as I said.” He wanted to change the subject quickly. He saw anguish stabbing at her eyes, the dark shadows haunting her as though it happened only yesterday. “There are many new services we could bring to Macquarie Airways, and don’t worry. I will never push you to instruct.”

He couldn’t imagine not being able to fly. It was a part of his life. He tossed the idea around in his mind and pledged a vow. Someday, he’d get her back in her aircraft, and that was a promise he would keep. She must have gone through a lot—alone, with no other relatives to help. He cursed under his breath for not being by her side, for not helping her through such a tough time in her life. It was then he wondered what Bob would have thought about the situation. Had he also let Bob down by not looking after Catherine?

He finished the last of his wine in one gulp and set the glass on the table. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes,” she muttered.

When they stood, he slipped his hand under her elbow and escorted her toward the front bar before stepping out into a humid and tranquil night.

He dreaded the thought of saying goodnight. He didn’t want her driving home alone. He didn’t want her to be alone. “What if I drive your car and leave mine here?”

She nodded.

“I don’t even know where you live. I can get a taxi back to pick up my car.”

“Up from Shelly Beach.” Gazing up, she smiled.

“You made an impression over the weekend. The men thought you were superb. You’re a very talented lady.”

He met her gaze and noticed a certain sparkle had returned. He hadn’t seen that sparkle since she was sixteen.

“Here we are.” She searched for the keys in her bag and dropped them in his hand.

Nathan opened the passenger door before slipping behind the driver’s seat.

“What made you choose the Cruise Cat?”

“I was told I undertook a diving course out of curiosity and went out on a few boats. I guess you could say I got more of a feeling for the water. I was addicted. Dad had Airways, and I helped a day here and there. That’s what Tommy said. I guess you could say it lured me in. I decked it out, hence my cabin.”

“It’s a great boat.”

“It’s a catamaran.”

He shot her a quick look and grinned. “Catamaran...do you want to take the long way around the beach? That moon will be over the ocean by now.”

“That would be nice.”

Pulling the car over to the side of the road at Oxley Beach, the moon feathered the ocean, bathing it in tiny beads of light.

“It’s magical.” She sighed in appreciation of its beauty. Feeling Nathan’s fingers stroking her shoulder, she turned toward him. He moved closer, and his lips brushed hers. It was such a delicate move, with continual repeats.

She moved her hand to his chest, giving him an indication that something was wrong. As he moved away, his eyes roamed over her face with puzzlement.

“Is there a problem? Have I missed something?”

“Nathan, the other night…”

“The other night, I made love to you. Is that a crime, a sin?”

She gazed at him with revelation. It was as though bubbles had formed in the center of her mind. She tried to recall his movements that night on the Cruise Cat.

“Made love to me? You clearly stated it was enjoyment.”

“It was. The best enjoyment I have had for many months, actually ever in my entire lifetime. Catherine, I happen to love you. Love is good for one’s soul.”

Her skin pricked with goose bumps, and numbness followed along with pangs of stupidity. Closing her eyes to block out the experience didn’t deter the surge of guilt. With her eyes closed, she felt his breath close to hers. His lips moved over the side her cheek, producing little nips. She stirred and embraced him with her heart, realizing she had been so blind, so careless in her attitude.

“I love you, too, Nathan. I really do.” She murmured between a kiss. So much for keeping her feelings under wraps, but with Nathan, everything seemed natural, as though it was right.

He withdrew. “We should leave. Otherwise, someone will think we’re parking.”

She smiled.

“Where to?”

“Just up a little further. It’s on Lighthouse Road.”

He veered left.

“Here.” She pointed to a driveway on her right that disappeared behind gum trees and shrubs. He was impressed as he slowed the vehicle to a crawl and maneuvered around a corner opening to a large Queensland cedar-style home.

“Very nice. Yours?”

“Yes, Dad used to live here. Brad told me that Dad lived here for a year before he died. He sold his home at Lighthouse, further down toward the beach, for a good price.”

Nathan followed her through the front door, closing it behind him.

“Coffee?” On her way to the kitchen, she paused beside a stereo system and chose light background music.

While she made coffee, he wandered into the lounge, finding the unique style of the home impressive. It was an open plan area, with the kitchen and dining room in view. On the far side, he could see wide, glassed-in doors.

Just as he was about to sit, the sound of a kitten meowing caught his attention.

“There you go, Alexis. You love your warm milk, don’t you?”

“Did you say something?” he called. He waited for an answer. When she didn’t reply, he walked toward the kitchen. To his amazement, he found her huddled on the floor, patting a small black and white kitten. He stilled to observe a maternal side of her, leaving him speechless.

“Mummy told you she wouldn’t be long. You’re such a sweetie,” she continued, stroking the kitten.

“I didn’t know you were a mother…”

Catherine gazed up. “Oh, I thought you were in the lounge room. Someone has to look after the poor little sweetie. Alexis meet Nathan.”

A pleasant grin slid over his face as he bent down beside her to pat the kitten. He shook his head in surprise. “Hello, Alexis. Now I’m talking to a cat. I must be mad.”

“Alexis is very lucky.”

Now, he derived a conclusion. “Is that the same kitten? The one you risked your life to save on the airstrip?”

“It sure is, and she’s my baby.” Catherine pursed her lips.

He couldn’t get over the motherly instinct she had for a cat.

“Coffee will be ready soon.” She stood to put on the kettle.

Nathan moved into the kitchen and stood behind her. “What about your mother, Alana? Have you ever heard from her?”

His gut clenched, and he snapped his eyes shut for a regretful few seconds.