Sunday
Black Jungle Springs
On Sunday morning Ellie rose early. She briefly considered driving out to the farm – Kane had said his mother wouldn’t mind – but then remembered that she’d promised Heather she’d come out to Black Jungle Springs for the day. She still hadn’t caught up with Bill Jarragah and she wanted to ask him if he’d heard anything about Panos Sordina and the development along the river.
She slowed her speed as the car crossed the last causeway across Stove Creek on the winding Old Jim Jim Road. The causeway was almost dry – just a small flow of shallow water across the lowest point in the middle – but Ellie still glanced nervously to each side as the tyres sent a sheet of water arcing high in the mid-morning sun. But there were no crocodiles basking in the warm winter sun this morning. When she reached the other side, a couple of Aboriginal children – probably Heather’s cousins – ran along beside the car smiling at her and waving. She didn’t recognise them and a pang of regret shot through her as she waved back. Between their rosters, she and Heather rarely had time off together, and she didn’t get out here very often anymore.
After turning off the sandy road, Ellie parked beneath the old Darwin woolly butt tree next to the falling-down fence at the Jarragah house, smiling as she looked up at the brilliant orange flowers. On one of her visits with her dad, Bill had stood beneath the tree and shown her the buds. ‘The orange flowers tell us it’s time to start lighting fires, to clean up the country so we don’t have intense wildfires late in the dry season.’ Heather had rolled her eyes; she’d been more interested in the Dolly magazines that Ellie had in her bag than hearing about boring old trees.
‘Ellie!’ Heather pushed open the screen door and ran lightly down the steps to the car as she climbed out and stretched. ‘It’s so good to see you here, away from work. Just like old times.’
Ellie grinned at her. ‘It’s only two nights since we had a drink together.’
‘Yeah, but you rushed off early and took Fly Boy away before I could get to know him.’ Heather tipped her head to the side and examined Ellie as she reached into the car for her bag. ‘How was the drive to Jim Jim on Friday? Did you learn any more about him? I’m not stepping on your territory there if I make a move on him tonight, am I?’
Ellie laughed at the barrage of questions, and ignored the strange feeling that ran through her. ‘Of course not. You know my policy: absolutely no sex with staff. I have to work closely with him, so he’s all yours.’
‘Did you check out the muscles in his arms?’ Heather shook her fingers in front of her face. ‘I wonder how big his –’
‘Heather! You sound like we’re in high school again.’
‘I was only going to say I’d like to get a look at his six pack.’
‘You were not. I know you too well. But just for the record, his abs are as good as the rest of him. When I first met him, he wasn’t wearing a shirt.’
‘Oh, lucky you. All I get to see is Terry in his work shirt and a tribe of kids in the crèche!’
Ellie walked around and opened the boot. ‘I brought a cake from the kitchens.’
‘Yum. I’ll put the jug on.’ Heather took the cake from her, and Ellie kept an eye out for snakes as they walked through the long grass to the house.
The screen door creaked as Heather pushed it open, but the house was quiet. Ellie looked around. ‘Where’s your dad? Up in Darwin?’
‘No. Still in bed.’
Ellie frowned. ‘He’s not crook, is he? I haven’t seen him since I came back.’
‘No, he had a late night. He’s got a lot on his mind at the moment. Between you and me I’ve been a bit worried about him.’ Heather dropped her voice to a whisper as footsteps padded along the dark hallway to the back of the old house. ‘See what you reckon.’
Bill appeared in the kitchen doorway and Ellie frowned as he stretched one arm into the air and held onto his blue striped pyjama pants with the other. He’d lost a lot of weight in the month since Ellie had seen him and his chest was sunken. His face unshaven, with his hair unkempt, he looked every year of his sixty-plus age.
‘Ellie. You’re a nice surprise to wake up to.’ Bill hitched his pants up with an apologetic smile. ‘Sorry, I’ll go and get dressed before we have a cuppa.’
‘Hey, Bill.’ She walked over and kissed his leathery old cheek, relieved when no smell of alcohol greeted her. For a brief moment, she’d wondered if he had gone back to old habits. She caught Heather’s eye as he walked back down the hall.
‘See.’ Heather mouthed at her and Ellie nodded. He looked dreadful.
When the bathroom door closed, Ellie walked over to the sink where Heather was filling the kettle. ‘Is he sick? Has he seen the doctor?’
Heather shook her head. ‘No, he’s got something on his mind and he won’t talk about it. Lots of mysterious phone calls at all hours, and he leaves the room so I can’t overhear. He’s been to Darwin about five times in the last two weeks. And every time he comes back he looks more worried than the last time.’
‘I’m not surprised that he’s so tired.’ It was a good five-hour return trip from Black Jungle Springs to Darwin. ‘I wonder what’s going on.’
‘I can’t get it out of him.’ Heather shrugged. ‘But you know the way he is. When he’s good and ready, he’ll share. Now get the knife and cut me a huge piece of that carrot cake.’
The kettle boiled and they sat down at the table together. Heather reminded her about the band playing in the bar.
‘Make sure you get dressed up tonight, Els. We don’t get much chance to. And if you do, I can get dolled up and not look too obvious. Don’t want to scare Fly Boy away.’ Heather wiped her mouth and let out a gentle burp. ‘Oops, pardon me.’
‘That’ll pull him in.’ Ellie nudged her friend with her elbow. ‘Treat him gently. If he comes that is. I get the impression Kane’s not very interested in socialising.’
Heather burst out laughing. ‘Aw, come on, Els, I’m not that bad.’
‘You are too, Heath! You can be downright scary, especially when you’re all dressed up. And when you put on that Mae West voice – the blokes have no hope.’
‘I can’t wait to get to know him better.’ Heather waggled her eyebrows and giggled.
By the time Bill reappeared, shaved and dressed, they had demolished half the cake. He picked up the huge teapot that Heather had placed in the middle of the table and poured tea into one of the enamel cups she had laid out. ‘So what brings you to Black Jungle Springs, Ellie?’
‘I actually wanted to catch up with you.’ Ellie looked across at Heather apologetically. ‘And you too, of course, Heather.’
‘I thought the crocs in Stove Creek must have kept you away. They’ve been thick as flies this season. Bit of a worry.’ Bill teased her as much as the other guys did.
‘Yeah, we saw a monster one at Djarradjin on Friday.’ She sipped her tea and looked at him. ‘I needed to ask you something, Bill.’
‘What’s up?’ Bill blew on the tea before he drank it.
‘I flew over our old place the other day and the back paddock was full of machinery. The ground’s been dug up.’
The hot tea spilled onto Bill’s hand as his cup tipped over. He swore, then got up and crossed to the sink to run cold water over his hand. He stood with his back to them. ‘Dug up?’
‘Are you okay, Dad?’ Heather pushed her chair back but he waved her to sit down.
‘Yeah, I’m okay. Cut me a piece of that cake, will ya?’
Ellie narrowed her eyes as Bill sat back down. He avoided her gaze as he rubbed his hands together nervously.
‘So, do you know anything about it?’ she persisted.
‘No. I mean, yes.’ Bill picked up his cup again but his eyes were darting around the room. ‘Yeah, I think they’re getting ready to plant some new trees.’
‘Who?’
‘The owners, I guess.’ Bill’s bare foot was jiggling up and down on the old worn lino.
Ellie frowned. ‘I think you’re wrong. Panos Sordina told me he was putting in a new dam, but what I saw from the air doesn’t look like a dam. Do you know anything about coal seam gas mining?’
Finally Bill raised his head and looked Ellie squarely in the eye. ‘You don’t live there anymore, so what are you so worried about?’
‘I’m worried about what I read in the paper, how close the exploration is to the park and the South Alligator River. Everything Mum’s been saying.’
‘What exploration? What’s she been talking about?’
‘You know . . . the fracking.’
Bill held her gaze. ‘What paper was that in?’
‘There was a report in the Darwin Sun. I read it online. It said that Sordina had met with your council. It was about coal seam gas exploration.’
‘Just stay away from it, Ellie.’
‘What are you saying?’ Ellie glanced across at Heather as she waited for Bill to answer but she was staring at her father, her brow creased in a frown.
‘I ain’t saying nothing.’ Bill lowered his voice. ‘Just forget about it and stay away from the place. Okay?’
‘But Bill, you always taught us –’
‘Fuckin’ drop it, Ellie. All right?’ He stood and his chair fell to the floor with a crash. He picked it up and shoved it under the table.
‘I have to go out,’ he muttered. ‘Nice to see you.’
Ellie and Heather stared at each other as he strode through the door without a backward glance. Soon they heard the rattling of the diesel motor in his old Land Cruiser, and he drove away.
*
Kane hadn’t intended going to the bar that night, but the sound of the music drifting through the lodge eventually enticed him from his room. A couple of drinks and some good music would do him good, break the melancholy mood he’d been in since visiting his mother. He also hoped that Ellie might be there; he wanted to let her know how much he’d enjoyed their trip down to the waterfall.
He stepped into the shower and rubbed his aching neck; the muscles were tight beneath his fingers. He’d spent all day thinking about how to get his mother back to Darwin. He’d tried to call Panos a couple of times but his stepfather hadn’t answered and Kane wasn’t going to leave a message. Probably still at the bloody horse races. He couldn’t understand how his mother had ever fallen for the guy.
Whatever Panos was doing, Kane was determined to get her back to Darwin where she was close to doctors and facilities. He was secure financially – the active service bonuses had let him build up a healthy investment portfolio – and it wouldn’t hurt to buy an apartment and set up Mum in the city.
He pulled on a fresh pair of denims and a button-up black cotton shirt and headed for the bar. The grounds were well-lit and he was surprised by the number of people making their way to the entertainment area. Family groups dotted the lawn on picnic rugs and the tables inside were almost full.
‘Kane!’
He turned as he heard his name called. Heather was waving from a table at the back of the room, well away from the low stage where the band had just finished a set. Steve, the barman, was sitting opposite her and the rest of the table was empty.
‘Hey, we thought you weren’t coming.’ Heather leaned forward and Kane got a flash of dark skin and generous breasts pushing out from a very low-cut shirt.
He looked at Steve. ‘Night off?’
‘Yeah, I was lucky. Usually have to work the nights the bands are on, but the roster was done and I was due for a Sunday off.’ Steve’s eyes were fixed on Heather’s cleavage and Kane stifled a smirk.
Be less obvious and you might get lucky, man.
He slid along the wooden bench beside Heather.
‘How was your trip down to Jim Jim the other day?’ Her arm pressed against his shoulder as she leaned into him.
‘Amazing place. I would have liked to swim but Ellie warned me about the crocs there.’
Heather waved a dismissive hand and this time her leg brushed against his. ‘Ellie worries too much. I’ll take you down there on your next day off and we can swim. It’s safe.’
‘Why’s Ellie so scared of them? Did she have a scare?’
‘Yeah, when she was a kid. It freaked her out for ages.’ Heather ran the tip of her tongue along her lips as she stared at him.
‘She said she grew up on a mango farm on the way to Darwin.’
‘Yeah.’ Heather didn’t elaborate and Kane turned to Steve. ‘Can I get you another beer, mate?’
‘I’m right, thanks. The barman will keep an eye on us.’ Steve kept his eyes on Heather as he answered.
‘Hey, there’s Ellie, too.’ Heather waved towards the wide archway beside the bar. ‘Els, over here.’
Ellie stood in the doorway, her gaze scanning the crowd. The light behind her made her light-coloured dress a little transparent, and she tugged nervously at the hem. She was nowhere near as confident as she would have people believe. She spotted them and made her way across the packed room. Kane couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her hair was loose and curled over her shoulders, and her lips were shiny with a soft pink lip gloss. She’d done something with eye shadow, and her blue eyes looked huge.
When she reached the table, a waft of floral perfume preceded her as she slid across the seat beside him. ‘You look gorgeous, Ellie.’ Heather readjusted the neck of her top and flashed Kane a grin.
‘You do.’
She lifted her eyes to his. ‘Thanks. It’s nice to get dressed up sometimes.’
The band launched into a cover of ‘Eagle Rock’ and the barman arrived with two jugs of beer and a dozen glasses tucked precariously in a tower under his elbow. By then, more staff had squeezed onto each side of the table. Kane was jammed between Ellie and Heather.
Conversation was difficult without yelling so he sat back and sipped his beer, content to watch the group at the table. They were obviously a close-knit bunch; there was a lot of good-natured teasing and they were all comfortable with each other. It reminded him of the mess on base. People comfortable in their own skin, private but knowing their mates well enough to trust. He pushed away the memory; the last thing he wanted was another of those damned flashback, panic things – whatever the psychiatrist had called them.
Dissociative episode. That’s what the shrink had said. Substance abuse and sexual problems went hand in hand with it, he’d been told. Well, he wasn’t doing drugs and he hadn’t had sex since the –
Since it had happened. Maybe it was time to make sure everything still worked. Prove there was nothing wrong with him. To himself as much as the clinical psychologist. The way Heather was trying to catch his eye and leaning into him, he knew he’d have no trouble scoring there. But his eyes were drawn to Ellie. Kane put his glass on the table and turned half sideways to face her. She was staring at the band, but he had a feeling her thoughts were a long way away. He leaned forward and touched her arm lightly. ‘You okay?’
Ellie blinked and looked at him, and her blue eyes were full of confusion. ‘Sorry, what did you say?’
‘Are you okay?’
She nodded as the band launched into the chorus and the crowd on the makeshift dance floor cheered and sang along. The band was semi-decent and the pressure of Ellie’s leg against his was pleasant, but it was impossible to talk, and Kane itched to get out of there. He’d avoided Heather for the past five minutes; the more beer she drank, the louder and more obvious she was becoming. Every time he looked to her side, her gaze was fixed on him. But as pretty and friendly as she was, there was no answering spark from him. Finally, the band took a break, and Ellie turned to him.
‘Are you enjoying the music?’
‘They’re good but I think my eardrums are going to shatter.’ As he spoke, Terry and the two girls on the other side of Ellie stood and headed for the bar.
‘Want to make a break with me before we get jammed in again?’
‘Good thinking.’ Ellie grabbed her beer and followed Kane as he slid along the bench.
‘Be back soon. Taking a break from the noise,’ she called to Heather. Kane led her to the cleared grassy spot on the river side of the bar, his hip jarring as he strode across the concrete floor.
‘God, that’s better.’ Ellie fanned herself with her hand. ‘I’m not used to these nights.’ Her cheeks were flushed and Kane watched as she lifted her glass and drained the beer. ‘That’s enough for me. Two beers and my head spins.’
‘Want to have a dance when the band comes back on? Work it off? I’d hate to see you with the head spins. Not a good look for a pilot.’
She paused for a moment, staring over towards where Heather was holding court. Then turned back to him. ‘Why not? One dance won’t hurt. I can’t remember the last time I had a dance.’
‘What’s going on?’ He nodded over to the table. Heather was now watching them.
‘Make sure you have a dance with Heather, too.’ Guilt crossed her face and he finally understood.
‘I’ll see how the hip holds up.’
A few minutes later, the band struck up an AC/DC song. Kane grabbed Ellie’s hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.
All thoughts of Heather, his mother and flashbacks disappeared as they gyrated, twisted and turned to the thumping music. His hip held up and he ignored the occasional twinge. Kane smiled as she reached for his hand and twirled herself beneath his arm. He didn’t let it go when she twirled back around.
The music slowed and the band launched into a ballad. Kane held out his hands. ‘A real dance?’
Her lips spread in a slow grin as she pointed to her feet. ‘You’ll be sorry. I might be able to use these feet to fly a helicopter, but I’m pretty useless on the dance floor.’
‘I’m not real good either. I have a hip that occasionally gives up the ghost.’ Kane looked down at her. ‘But you look pretty good to me.’
Her cheeks flushed even pinker as she stepped in front of him and he took one of her hands in his, pulling her close, before resting his other hand above her waist. She barely reached his shoulder. Kane rested his chin gently on the top of her head and caught another whiff of that floral perfume. Her silky dress was soft and slippery, and a jolt of pleasure shafted through him.
Maybe it was time to start living again.
‘What happened to your hip?’
He shrugged. ‘Just a bit of an accident last year.’ He waited for the stress to hit, or the heavy sadness, but all he felt was the soft, pliant woman in his arms.
‘I love this song.’ Ellie hummed along with ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ and the murmur of her voice sent a vibration through his chest. Kane let himself relax even more but disappointment replaced his contentment when Ellie pulled her head back.
Maybe it was a bit too romantic for her? Christ, he almost didn’t recognise himself, but she smiled and put her hands on his shoulders and they rocked in time to the music. Pleasure engulfed him as her soft curves pressed against his chest. The song continued and Kane closed his eyes, giving into the sensations that were coursing through him. He raised one hand to her neck, and threaded his fingers through her soft hair. He opened his eyes, knowing he should have pulled away and she should have stepped back, but neither of them moved when their eyes met.
‘Want to go for a walk on the boardwalk?’ He held her gaze and she smiled.
‘Sounds good.’ Her voice was soft and husky. Seconds later, Kane had pulled her from the dance floor and led her towards the door.
Ellie was looking ahead and didn’t see the look of pure venom that Heather threw her way as they stepped past the bar. Kane shrugged it off and followed Ellie onto the path that led down to the river.
They didn’t speak until they reached the metal boardwalk that skirted along the edge of the water. It was softly lit, and deserted; the only sounds were the muted thump of the music and the occasional splash in the river.
Until the accident, Kane had always taken his pleasure when he’d wanted to. He realised he’d missed the smooth skin, the sweet scents and the soft lips. It had been way too long, and the desire that was coursing through him now had nothing to do with making sure everything still worked. It had more to do with this beautiful woman who was leaning back against the metal fence and watching him with a wary expression.
But when he bent his head down, Ellie stood on her toes and met him halfway. He’d intended to be gentle but as soon as their lips met, need ignited, and it was hot and hungry. Kane groaned against her mouth as Ellie slipped her hands beneath his shirt and ran her fingers down his back. She tasted like beer, but there was sweetness too as the soft moans escaped her lips. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip and her mouth opened wider beneath his.
But despite how much he wanted her, he was unsure of her intent. Maybe it was the beers talking. He pulled back and stared at her, at pale blue eyes shining in the moonlight.
Her lips tilted in a trembling smile. ‘Problem?’
‘Just checking we’re on the same page.’
*
Kane’s lips had taken Ellie to a place she hadn’t expected. The feelings racing through her were like the rush when she dipped her bird down in a low swoop. All she knew was that she had a need that had to be taken care of, and soon. Kane’s muscles were hard beneath her fingers. She slid her hands down to his waist, struggling to get across what she was feeling.
Am I crazy? I swore I’d never do this.
She pushed Heather out of her mind. It had just been silly girl talk; she wasn’t stepping on anyone’s territory here. Hell, Heather should be pleased that she had finally let her defences down and given in to the moment.
And what a moment.
Her rock solid ‘no colleague’ policy had dissipated like the low evening mist hovering over the river beside them.
‘Oh yes, we’re on the same page.’
His mouth claimed hers again and their ragged breathing blended in with the sounds of the night. Finally, Ellie lifted her head and buried her face against his chest, barely able to breathe let alone think . . . or speak. If they didn’t get back to one of their rooms soon, she wouldn’t be responsible for what happened out here.
‘How about we go back to my place?’ he murmured and a pleasurable shiver skittered down her back and settled between her thighs.
The two hundred metre walk back through the lodge grounds seemed to take forever. Kane held her hand tightly and pulled her along, and Ellie hurried to keep up, unused to the high heels she was wearing. He was as nervous as she was, fumbling for his key, dropping it twice before he got it into the lock. But then the door opened suddenly and she fell into the room, laughing as Kane grabbed her and pushed her up against the wall. He lifted her dress from the bottom and pulled it over her head, tossing it aside. A shaft of pure feminine gratitude filled her as he took in her lacy white underwear.
‘Much nicer than the khaki work gear.’ His mouth settled on the spot between her neck and her shoulder. Ellie closed her eyes, giving into the heat that had pooled between her thighs. She arched into him and sighed as his hands lowered and cupped her bottom. Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his hips and he held her against the wall, letting the pleasure build as his hardness pressed against her.
‘You’ve got too many clothes on,’ Ellie murmured against the lips that had once again reclaimed hers. Kane lowered his head and unbuttoned his shirt with one hand, still holding her up with the other, and the strength of his biceps flexing beneath her fingers sent another bolt of desire heading south.
Once again she remembered Heather, but this time it was barely a passing thought. Kane had breached her defences. In the cold light of day, she might castigate herself for what had happened, but for tonight, she was going to make the most it.
Thirst woke Ellie in the middle of the night. Her mouth was dry and she rolled over, only half awake. She froze and drew a breath when she realised where she was. Kane lay beside her, on his back, his arms stretched out above his head. His breathing was deep and even, and she allowed herself to look at him. In sleep, his face was soft and less . . . less angry. The wariness that he wore as a protective shell was gone. In the dim light, his long lashes feathered his cheeks and his lips were soft and slightly parted. The shadows beneath angular cheekbones were accentuated by the darkness of his stubble. The same stubble that had left her lips – and other places – tender after a couple of very thorough sessions of lovemaking.
Lovemaking?
A cold feeling began in her stomach and worked its way up into her chest. What the hell had she done? Her emotional self-sufficiency had been compromised and she’d broken her cardinal rule of not getting involved with someone at work. One tiny crack in her firm resolve, and here she was in bed with her fellow pilot – or engineer, whatever he wanted to say he was. Someone she was going to have to work closely with over the upcoming season . . . or for as long as he stayed.
And someone whom her best friend had made no secret of her interest in. How would she face Heather after this?
Ellie stifled a groan as she slowly swung her legs over the bed. In the dark, she tiptoed around finding her clothes, shoes and bag. She pulled her dress over her head. She held her shoes in one hand, and shoved her lacy underwear into her bag as she crept to the door, trying not to make a sound. Closing the door gently behind her, she padded barefoot down the timber verandah to her own room. The night was still, broken only by the occasional splash from the river and the soft breathy call of a tawny frogmouth.
Putting her shoes down outside, Ellie leaned on the door of her apartment, digging into the bag for her key. She had to fight for her balance as the door opened beneath her weight and she fell into her room with a small squeal.
Regaining her balance, she straightened and turned quickly, her heart thudding as a strange flickering illuminated the ceiling and the walls of the living room. She held her hand against her chest as her eyes became accustomed to the half-light.
Pictures of Dru, Emma and Mum smiled out at her as the screensaver on her laptop rolled through the recent photos she’d taken over in the Daintree. Her breath rasped in her throat and her whole body tensed. She hadn’t unpacked her computer since she’d been home. So why was it plugged in and open on the small bench between the kitchenette and the living room? Her pulse raced as she stood there, looking around. The door to her bedroom was slightly ajar and she was sure she’d left it wide open when she’d gone out to the bar. Someone had been in her room, and for all she knew they were still in there.
For a moment, she considered running back out onto the verandah and calling for Kane.
No. Holding her hands together to stop them shaking, Ellie took a deep breath and pressed herself against the wall, inching slowly towards her bedroom. When she reached the door, she paused and listened. There was no sound. Her heart seemed to be stuck in her throat as she leaned forward and pushed the door open, ready to take flight if she had to.
The bedroom was empty. And so was the small ensuite bathroom next to it. Her eyes scanned the room; everything seemed to be in place, not that she had anything valuable apart from her laptop. She returned to the kitchen and hit the space bar. The screensaver closed and the screen switched to her email program. What the hell?
Maybe someone had been after her car keys, trying to steal her car. That was why the lodge vehicles were always locked in the compound at night. But no, the keys were where she’d left them. And why would they have turned the laptop on? And why would they have been looking at her emails?
She ran her shaking hands through her hair and then sat on the bed until the trembling subsided.
As soon as she was calm, she locked the door and headed for the bathroom. She needed a shower.
To dispel the fragrance of Kane’s aftershave that lingered on her skin. To remove every trace of the stupid mistake she’d made.
As she stood beneath the water, her fear disappeared and self-recrimination flooded in.