5.00 pm Sunday
Makowa Lodge
Ellie stood on the verandah outside her apartment, letting the late afternoon sun warm her bare limbs. The only after-effects from the events of yesterday morning were a dull headache and a greater fear of crocodiles. The medical centre had checked her over – luckily she’d needed no stitches – and told Kane to keep an eye on her.
She picked up the small trowel she’d brought out from beneath the kitchen sink. Her black gardening gloves were stiff and she flexed her fingers, watching as the dried soil fell to the wooden floorboards. Her herb seedlings had been ignored for the past few days and she leaned over the small pots, digging her gloved hand into the seed raising mix. The soft green shoots had withered and were now stiff and brown.
Ellie wasn’t aware she was crying until the first tear plopped with a splat onto the verandah beside the pots. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes and gave way to the tears that rolled down her cheeks as the grief welled into her throat. She cried silently for her father and the sad loneliness of his death. Her tears fell for Kane’s mother who had spent her last weeks alone and neglected.
Ellie cried because she knew Kane would leave and she would be alone again; there was no reason for him to stay here now. Her prickly shell would go up and protect her heart again; this time it would be twice as thick.
Maybe it was time for her to consider moving on. As much as she loved Kakadu, all it held were sad memories for her.
‘Is your head bothering you?’ As usual Kane’s movements were silent and she hadn’t heard his door close. He’d insisted on spending last night in her apartment in case she had concussion, and had kept a vigil by the bed as she’d slept. He’d left her only briefly to go and have a shower.
Ellie shook her head and sniffed as her nose began to run with the tears. She wiped her face with the back of her gloved hand. ‘My head’s fine. It’s just been a rough couple of days.’ She moved along to make room for Kane as he lowered himself next to her and he leaned back against the railing, his head close to hers.
‘It has.’ His arm went around her shoulders and she leaned into him, marvelling at the comfort that she drew from his presence. ‘But there’s some good news. Jock called just as I was getting in the shower. David called the lodge and asked him to get a message to us. They have a new little girl. She didn’t make an appearance till lunchtime today.’
Ellie closed her eyes again as his thumb brushed her cheek. ‘They’re both okay?’
‘Jock said Gina and the baby are doing well. They’ve called her Ellie. Nice name, hey?’ Kane’s deep voice was soft and Ellie let it wash over her. She could stay here forever; the afternoon sun warming her skin, Kane’s leg pressed against hers. Somewhere in the background the birdlife on the river created the usual cacophony of sound as the sun headed for the horizon.
‘Beautiful sky tonight.’ Kane’s breath brushed against her face. ‘Are you going to open your eyes and enjoy it with me?’
Ellie opened her eyes slowly. Kane’s cheek was close to hers. The sky behind him was brilliant orange and the narrow, horizontal clouds above the horizon were tinged with silver.
‘Kakadu sunsets are always beautiful.’ She looked at him from beneath her lashes. ‘Even more so in the other seasons. Banggerreng is my favourite.’
‘Banggerreng?’
‘Knock ’em down season. One of the six traditional seasons we have up here. It’s not the wet and it’s not the dry but we can get the most amazing thunderheads.’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
Ellie lifted her head and looked at him as hope unfurled in her chest. ‘You’ll be around then?’ She kept her voice casual.
‘I will. I’ve been thinking. There’s a lot about this place that I like.’ Ellie smiled as he pointed to the sky. ‘Sunsets are pretty good.’ Kane lifted his arm and put it around her and she leaned into his shoulder as he rested his chin on the top of her head. ‘Not hurting you, am I?’
‘No, I’m good.’
‘And I hear the lodge could do with another pilot.’
Ellie smiled. His healing had begun. ‘You’ll be working with a pretty cranky female pilot.’
‘Not a problem.’ Warmth feathered through Ellie’s skin as Kane dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. ‘I don’t believe that prickly exterior she puts up. She’s as soft as butter inside.’
‘I’m the senior pilot.’ The stubble on his cheek was rough against her face as she grinned.
‘I’m the best pilot.’ Kane squeezed her arm.
‘Maybe. It’ll be fun finding out, anyway,’ she said bumping him playfully with her shoulder. Knowing that Kane was going to be around for a while lightened her heart. The tears were gone.
‘I’ve got another question for you.’
Ellie moved back a little and looked up at him. Kane’s eyes were dark and his expression serious as he held her gaze.
‘You love mucking around with this stuff, don’t you?’ He gestured to the pots along the railing. ‘Now that Mum and Panos have gone . . . the farm will be mine. Panos had no family. I’ve always had a yen to grow something. How would you feel about trying to resurrect a mango plantation?’ He rushed on as Ellie felt her mouth drop open. The lightness in her chest was replaced with joy that spread through her entire body as she looked at this man. This man she knew she’d fallen in love with.
‘We could knock down the old house, build a new one . . . and the shed. Get rid of all our bad memories. Plant some new trees maybe?’ Kane’s hand cupped her face. ‘Maybe it’s too soon but we’ll see. One thing I am sure of is that I’d really love you to share it with me.’
‘Are you sure?’ Ellie whispered.
‘I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.’
Ellie lifted her head and pressed her lips against his.
‘I take it that’s a yes.’