Chapter Nine

The room was engulfed in silence. Coolness coursed over her flesh. Alana, was that her name? Alana…her mother. To hear someone say her mother’s name after such a long time opened a recess in her mind.

She turned, blinking away the tears brimming in her eyes. Her hands twisted together by her stomach.

The flashbacks came in pieces, jolting her mind like sharp pin pricks to the temple. She was waiting on the veranda…it was dark. Then, she remembered her father’s words.

“Your mother has left us.” She recalled what happened when she was eleven years of age. Her body was motionless as she tried to grip onto fragments of her memory.

“You...you knew my mother?” she blurted.

“I knew of her.”

Seconds passed before she could speak. “She’s…she’s out th...there somewhere. I remember...I rem...It’s a pity she didn’t love me enough to want to walk back into my life. You know her name?” She repeated with shock, with disbelief.

“Yes, sit down. You need to sit...I want to tell you something.”

“I want to stand. What?” Her eyes flickered over him with uncertainty.

“It wasn’t until I was twenty-three that your father asked me in complete confidence to try and find her. He did it for you.”

“W…what?”

“Will you sit down?”

She trembled and swayed. On his approach, she backed away and headed for the table. Pulling up a chair, she sank onto it. Nathan pulled out another chair and moved it closer.

“I’m sitting,” she stated with a startled bite in her voice.

“I had a bit of time up my sleeve from my studies, law at the university. Your father rang my father and asked to speak with me. I flew all over Australia, and my father had a couple of private investigators looking into it. It was all very professional. Catherine, your father could tell how much you needed a mother. He was concerned for you and did everything he could to try to bring her back. There was no evidence of her anywhere, nothing.”

“Just like that.”

“Yes, just like that.”

“She…I’m remembering. She oh…So, now you know she walked out on me, because she didn’t love me enough to stay.” Her dark lashes blinked at the tears clouding her vision.

“That’s not the reason she left. Listen, honey.” He picked up a box of tissues and placed them in front of her.

“Listen. That is not the reason.” He pressed the palm of his hand over his forehead and gave it a rub.

“Well, there is no other,” she whimpered. She gazed blankly as his hand slid over hers.

“She left because of another man.”

“Hang on just a minute.” She snatched her hand from his and plonked it in her lap. “You’re saying my mother slept around,” she threw back in protest. “That is ridiculous.” Her eyes glared in a desperate attempt to picture her mother, and failing to do so, she sobbed.

“Hey, shush. It’s all right.”

“I even forget what she looked like,” she wailed.

“I didn’t say your mother slept around. She left with another man. Don’t blame yourself for something you had no control over. It wasn’t your fault. ” Moving closer, his arms went around her waist, and he pulled her toward him. He wanted to hold her, to take away her pain, and to love her.

“So, it wasn’t my fault,” she stuttered.

“No, honey. It wasn’t your fault at all. Here.” He pulled out a tissue and reached out to blot her tears.

“I wonder if she ever thinks about me. If she ever has taken time out from her busy life to feel for me, even to wonder what I’m doing, where I am. I can’t imagine being a mother and not wanting to see my child.” A well of tears filled her eyes. Her mouth dry, and her heart caught up in the mother she no longer had or knew. “I can’t handle this, anymore. I can’t handle all the emotion, all the facts I don’t know, and now I’m not sure I want to remember much more. I think it’s best left alone.”

“Do you really think so? Is that what you want?”

On an exhaling breath, she spluttered, “No...I guess I have to find out some day. It’s just a lot to comprehend. Look at my hands.” She held both trembling hands out in front of her.

“You’ll be okay. I’m here to help you, Catherine.” He took hold of her hands, his thumbs lightly stroking the tops of her palms.

She bit on her lip. “Thank you...Do you know why Dad asked you to look for my mother?”

“I guess my father and I were the only people he could trust. I used to fly up here for the weekend.”

“You did?”

“You would have been in school most of the time. I recall you going to boarding school in Sydney for a while. Bob wanted you to have a good education. Nevertheless, he didn’t want to leave you alone. He was so concerned for you. He said each night you would sneak down the stairs and sit on the front porch for hours, waiting for your mother to return.”

“He told you that?” She pulled away a little, finding it so hard to comprehend that he knew more about her past than she did. “And boarding school. I have no memory. No one has said anything about a boarding school.”

“Bob told me a lot, Catherine. As for the school, I think you only attended for a few years, then you came back here to finish your studies. Let’s get that coffee.”

Her gaze traced over his face. She saw kindness and sincerity swirling within the green of his eyes. “Thank you for trying to find her.”

“Any time.”

He walked into the lounge-room.

Catherine coughed a few times and blew her nose. A few moments later, she found Nathan stretched out on the sofa, his feet resting on an ottoman.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Thank you…I’ll be fine.”

“The fireplace…do you use it much in the winter?”

“Yes. I can’t stand the cold.” She placed the coffees on a timber table.

“Here,” he patted the seat beside him.

Following his suggestion without wavering, she snuggled up against him, his arm sliding over the back of her shoulders.

“It feels right,” he whispered.

Nathan seemed to settle her nerves. It was as though the light at the end of her tunnel had a shine—a real sparkle, full of hope.

She kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I would like to ask you one more little question.”

“Fire away.”

“When I arrived at Airways, you were talking on the telephone. I was listening by the door.” He jerked forward and turned to face her.

“You mean to say you were eavesdropping?”

“No…well, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just—”

“What other occasions did you accidentally overhear?” The playful glint in his eyes gave him away.

“Why, I do believe you are trying to stir me.” With a slight tilt of her head, she pointed her nose upward.

He rubbed his chin with his right hand. “Hmmm.”

“Well?”

“I have forgotten the conversation.” He grinned.

“Let me refresh. You stated the bait had been taken. I almost died. You told a complete stranger about our…well…”

“Hell, Catherine.” The amusement quickly left his face. “What a mix up. I was referring to Windy Rock. I intend to buy the place. We let it run for several months, knowing there wouldn’t be any other offers...well, I hoped. That’s why I waited. Baited them up, you could say.”

Catherine’s mind filled with dull sentiment. She ground her teeth.

“I thought you...”

“You thought I was referring to you.”

“Well, yes.”

* * * *

He closed the space between them, looking into her eyes. At times, they were the saddest eyes he’d ever seen. “As I said, I love you. I think I have loved you since the day I met you when we were kids. Even when I spotted you in the hangar that day, I had a strange feeling. I don’t know what it was, but it was always in my heart.”

“I love you, too. So very much that it hurts.”

She tasted his lips as they brushed hers, then he spread little nips down her throat. Standing, he pulled her up against him. He looked around the room, swept her into his arms, and carried her from the lounge-room to where he thought the bedroom lay.

Catherine snuggled her head onto his chest and realized he had taken the wrong turn. She giggled. “That’s my office in there…there’s only a desk and shelves lined with old books.

“If you’re game, so am I?”

“Not this time. It’s the second door to your left.”

He turned the knob before pushing it open with the side of his shoe. A distinct frangipani fragrance rose to his nostrils as he carried her toward a black, wrought iron bed. Hanging just above was a white mosquito netting, which enclosed the top half of the queen-sized bed.

Trying to strip the doona cover from the bed with one hand was difficult, but in no time, he had her lying on frangipani-printed sheets. He bent over to switch on a bedside lamp, bathing the room with soft light. Moving beside her, his lips moved over hers. His kiss, seductively slow, compelled her to respond to the need that burned inside. His fingers traced lightly over her bare shoulders, and the thin straps of her dress fell aside. She shuddered at the sensations his fingers had triggered as they snaked over her. His touch, gentle and teasing, delivered unbelievable affection.

“You’re so beautiful.”

Small murmurs of pleasure broke from her lips.

His hands continued moving over her, and he thought of his lost treasure—a shimmering jewel he held gently in his hands. His fingers worked their way under the top of her dress, slipping it down toward her waist and revealing a black, lacy bra over swelling breasts.

“Oh, God.” His words were throaty.

“Nathan, you make me feel so good. You…”

“Just enjoy,” he hushed through the silence of the room. He unclipped her bra, pulling it out from under her, and revealed pink nipples waiting eagerly for his mouth. A gasp escaped her throat, and she arched her body. His lips roamed over her as one of his hands discarded the dress and g-string. In desperation, she helped him with his shirt, and then he slipped off the rest of his clothes.

He moved over her, their gaze locked with delirious need. With a desire never to part and a hunger that drove them, her fingers molded into his back, and her breathing was reduced to quick, shallow breaths. Moving her hips slowly against his delivered a sudden burst of arousal. The passion intensified, propelling them toward their ultimate finale.

Nathan rolled to one side and propped himself beside her, his fingers tracing lightly over her belly.

“Where did I find you? You are perfect. My angel in disguise.”

She pulled a quirky face. “I think I fall short of that at present,” she whispered before saying, “I love you, Nathan.”

He had connected with her in a way he never thought possible. With absolute redemption, he would take her as his wife when the time was right. This catch would never get away—not this time. “I love you, Catherine.” His words slipped out from under an opulent kiss. He pulled back a little, noticing how relaxed she was, laying on her back with no regard for her nudity. Pulling her closer toward him, she nestled her head against his chest, one arm draped around his midline.

“Promise me one thing?” he asked as he slipped his arm under her neck.

Tilting her head upward to make eye contact, she said, “What’s that?”

“You believe what I say and not what you hear, and while I’m in the right frame of mind, we have to discuss marriage and all the babies we can make.”

Catherine sprung to a sitting position. “Hang on a minute. Whatever happened to the courtship stage, the romancing? Just because I slept with you doesn’t mean I’m marrying you or having your children,” she blurted.

Nathan continued to lay back. His arms stretched above him with his hands under his head.

“What, no babies?” he jested.

“It’s not that I don’t want children. I want at least four, but to even discuss it.”

“Your answer is obviously ‘No.’”

“Did I say that? I…I…well, let’s just see. And, yes. I would like to get married someday and have plenty of children, but a woman likes to be romanced for a very long time. Actually, all her life.”

“Okay. Just this once, I’ll let you off the hook, considering it’s late; however, when you’ve had a good night’s sleep, we’ll continue discussing it.”

She grinned and eased her lips over his before resuming her earlier position. The word “marriage” repeated in her mind.

* * * *

The telephone’s persistent shriek startled her from her deep sleep. She absorbed the haziness of her bedroom as her right hand grappled at the empty space beside her. An unfamiliar sensation rose in her stomach. Her left hand reached for the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Good morning, my beautiful lady.”

“Morning to you,” she said, trying to shake sleep from her body. “You didn’t wake me before you left?”

“No. You were out for the count. I didn’t want to disturb that serenity, although you added a little snorting sound on a few occasions.” He chuckled.

“I did not,” she protested.

“Oh, yes you did. I didn’t want to spoil your sleep.”

“Thank you. I did need the sleep, but in future, could you wake me before you leave. It’s nice to say goodbye.”

“Whatever you say. I have to fly to Deep River. It’s quite urgent. I have to sign papers and finalize a sale. I’m sorry to leave you like this. I received a telephone call this morning from a friend in Sydney. He’s been doing some research for me, and now is the time to go.

“It’s a long story, and I’ll fill you in when I return. Would you like to escort me?”

“No, thanks…sorry I…can’t. I‘ve got a lot of things to attend to, and…”

“It’s okay. I thought there might have been a possibility.”

Her ears pricked to his somber reply.

“I know I shouldn’t have asked. One could say I was hoping. I was going to explain Deep River’s possibilities to you last night, but other matters needed attention.” He cleared his throat.

“What might that be?”

“I think you know what I mean. Do you understand? This is something I have wanted to undertake for years. It’ll take about two days.”

“Okay, but before you go,” she added. “Where is Deep River? I’ve never heard of the place?”

“It’s out west past Tamworth, past the mountain ranges. It’s a small place. I’ve left the facts with Pete. I’ll have my mobile with me, but it might be out of range. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Look after yourself.”

“Okay, bye.” The telephone clicked in her ear.

She felt as though life was dealing her the better hand. Fate had launched into her life to give her a future with the man she loved with all her heart. This fate would also provide her with the life she had always wanted—a household full of children and a home full of laughter and love. Now, all she had to do was get a hold of those forgotten memories to make her whole, again.

* * * *

Arriving at Airways, she found Pete at the side of one of the hangers, sitting on an empty forty-four gallon drum.

“Morning, Pete. Having a rest?”

He turned. “Morning to you, too. Yup, just a little. Want to join me?” He pulled up another drum and dusted it off with his hand. “There you go.”

“How’s Margaret these days?” She yelled above the sound of an aircraft taxiing past them.

“Marg, she’s doing fine. I need to spend more time with her these days.”

Was that a hint? Perhaps Nathan was right. She glanced at the side of his weary face. Then, it dawned on her. He was doing it for her.

“Why, you scheming old thing.” She playfully jabbed him in the shoulder. “You stayed on because of me, didn’t you? You stayed, because I didn’t have Dad around.” She shook her head in disbelief.

“I knew you’d find out one day.” He chuckled. “Bob would have wanted me to.”

“I don’t think so. Not to the extent where you and Margaret are spending less time together. Listen, Pete. What if you come in for two days a week?”

His weathered face scrunched with perplexity. “Are you sure? What about Airways?”

“Have you forgotten I have a new business partner?”

He eyed her with suspicion. “Could it be this new business partner is more than just that?”

“You know me better,” she chided, then added. “Maybe…just maybe.”

“If you can survive without me, I would enjoy working two days. If you need me any more than that, I’m a telephone call away.”

“How about you start next week when Nathan’s back from...what’s the name of that place?”

“Deep River. Hasn’t he told you?”

“He said he was going to finalize a sale and sign the papers. What do you know about the place?” Her boot scraped back and forth, toying with the dirt underfoot. Absentmindedly, she watched the dust rise and settle.

“Windy Rock is at Deep River. The river that runs behind it is the very same river where he used to spend time fishing with his father. A couple of kilometers south is the property his father once owned. He purchased it last time he was out there and noticed a huge for sale sign on the roof of a place further upstream.”

“You mean to say he’s bought the property, as well as going to finalize another sale? What in heaven’s name for?” Her concern grew deeper. This time, she scraped the dirt irately with her boot.

“That’s all I know. We’ll find out more when he gets back. He said he would be gone for at least two days. He left bout eight this morning. It would take around two hours to fly there.”

“Deep River sounds like a name out of a movie or something.”

Pete chuckled. “I’m going to check out Porter’s aircraft.” He stood, stretching his wiry limbs.

Catherine watched an aircraft as it taxied toward the hangars. “Before you go, Pete.” She turned to face him. “Nathan booked the Cruise Cat for the entire weekend. I wonder how that came about. Come on now, Pete. Spit it out. I want all of it. Not just bits.”

He shook his head. A low chuckle vibrated from his lips. “You’re too good for me. I was wondering how long it’d take you to work that out as well. I was helping out a little. You did say the business wasn’t good lately.”

“Helping out? What if I said maybe there was a little matchmaking scheme going on?”

“All I did was hand him one little card. Didn’t see no harm in that.”

She recognized the twinkle in his eyes.

“I knew it. Just knew it. Gee, Pete. Don’t you think I can get my own man, if need be?”

“Cat, he didn’t know it was you who skippered the Cruise Cat. Didn’t even know you had any link to it. Besides, a little matchmaking goes a long way.” Pete chuckled.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I would swear an oath. Just told him it was the best around, and that’s the absolute truth.”

“Did you know Nathan and I were once friends?”

“Yeah. You used to go swimming with him and hung around with him here at times. You were young, so I was told. It was before my time here.”

She jumped to her feet when she heard the telephone ring from her office. “I’ll get that.” Rushing as fast as she could, she managed to reach it before they hung up.

“Macquarie Airways, Catherine Berg speaking.”

“Yes.” It was an inquiry to hire an aircraft. At once, she thought of Nathan’s words and the Cheyenne sitting idle in the hangar.

“We would like to hire an aircraft at one o’clock today. We need one that will seat five or more.”

“Yes, we have a Cheyenne that seats up to seven. It’s an immaculate aircraft, with a cruising speed of 393 to 524 kilometers an hour. It’s not that old—a few years. It runs well and has recently had a hundred hourly maintenance.”

“This afternoon at one.” She glanced at her watch pulling a face. They didn’t waste time. “Yes, we can do that.”

After discussing payment and details, she went to find Pete.

“Hey, Pete,” she called. “Got a minute?”

“Yeah, Cat? What’s up?”

“We have a customer. He would like to hire an aircraft. I told him the Cheyenne was available.”

“But…you haven’t hired that out since…”

“Nathan was insistent. We are to hire out the two aircrafts to bring in more profit.”

“What about yours? Your Juliet?”

“No. Mine stays put.”

“Okay, are you sure?” He scratched the side of his head.

It had taken some time to tow the aircraft out into the open space.

“Damn heavy thing.”

“The tires need air.” Pete let out his usual chuckle. It was as though nothing deterred him.

“It had a hundred hourly a few months ago. Remember?”

“I’ll give it a complete check over and fuel up.”

“Let me know when you’re finished.”

She turned and made her way back to the office, feeling an inner contentment and pleased about hiring the Cheyenne. After all, her father would have wanted her to undertake anything that would help Macquarie Airways to prosper.