9. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Lachlan
Lachlan sat hunched over on his bed, staring at the photo of Beth snuggled against his chest for the Quokka selfie. Her magnificent smile, magnetic eyes, and natural beauty caused a defeated sigh. She had him.
He studied his face in the picture too. He looked happy. That day on Rottnest Island was the best day he’d had in three years. Beth seemed uninhibited, free to speak her mind, funny, and although she wore modest clothing, the woman drove him crazy. How had he resisted kissing her with all the opportunity she’d given him? And to the point of Beth asking him to on their last day together. Gee. Talk about making it difficult for a guy.
Seven days had passed, and he’d willed himself not to contact her yet. He didn’t want to stir up feelings for either of them. If they communicated too much, it could make his stay on the ship unproductive. He’d be wanting another life—one he couldn’t have right now.
Lachlan switched off his phone, stood, and stretched side to side. The gym would help work off the extra energy that Beth Michaels had created. An hour of exercise, followed by a shower, would have him collapse into bed, and sound asleep in no time.
BETH
Fourteen days and no word from Lachlan. Should she simply email the guy? Maybe tell him about the investigation, keep it formal, and start a conversation.
Beth crossed her legs at the ankles with her feet propped on the ottoman. The laptop grew hot, and its fan whirled in protest. She opened her email app and drafted a message to Lachlan.
Hello from down under,
I’ve been waiting for your email. You must be busy.
Delete, delete, delete. She corrected her posture and raised her chin.
Hi Lachlan,
Just letting you know, I saw the police investigator last week. I gave him your email address in case he needed more information from you. Have they been in contact?
Hope you’re doing okay.
Beth.
Send.
Shuffled footsteps grew louder behind the sofa. Beth shut the laptop, placed it to the side, and looked over her shoulder.
“Hi, Melissa. You still up?”
Melissa scratched at her messy blonde hair and yawned. “I am now. Hannah wet the bed. She hasn’t done that in a year. I hope it’s a one-off.”
“Do you need a hand with the sheets?”
“No, I’ve sorted everything. They’re in the washing machine soaking.” Melissa walked to the adjacent sofa and plonked herself down. “Why are you still up? Midnight’s late, even for you.”
Beth rubbed the back of her neck. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Thinking about that Navy guy?” Melissa smirked.
She hesitated and glanced at the coffee table between them. “A little.” More like twenty-four-seven.
“I’m surprised you fell for a sailor.” Melissa tucked a leg under her knee. “You always seemed the sensible type. No-nonsense. And sailors have a bad reputation here. I remember my nightclubbing days and when they were in port. So sleazy.”
Melissa didn’t hold back. She always said what she thought, no filter.
“I’m surprised myself, Melissa.” She wrapped her dressing gown tighter. “I didn’t want to fall for an American sailor. But I’ll get over it soon and return to my serious self.”
“I’m glad I have a little girl to look after that keeps me out of trouble.” Melissa pushed some loose strands away from her eyes. “Not many men want to take on someone else’s kid. I’ll be single for the next decade.” She smiled wistfully. “I’m okay with that. Hannah is the best thing that’s happened to me.”
“You might meet a decent guy one day.”
“You have a better chance at that, Beth. Forget about the sailor. Look for someone available and ready to commit.”
Beth sat straighter. “Melissa, that’s the best advice I’ve heard about this situation. You’re absolutely right.” She placed her hands on the armrest and pushed herself up with determination. “I’ll forget about Lachlan, starting now. I’m going to bed and will not give him another thought. Good night.”
Melissa’s blue eyes widened, then creases formed at the corners.
Beth strode to her room with her mind made up. Too bad that she’d sent the email already.
LACHLAN
Lachlan’s phone beeped at five-thirty a.m. Time to get moving. He stretched to his bedside table and collected his cell. The bright light blinded him for a beat. Two more years of these early mornings. His regained focus on an email notification—Beth Michaels. He bolted upright and clicked on the screen. Two weeks and she’d finally emailed him.
As he devoured each sentence, his posture deflated. Where was the “I miss you” line? Just a business email. Did nothing else matter to her? Only making it big by getting this news story?
He tapped the screen with rapid punches.
Hi Beth,
No, I haven’t heard from them. I’ll let you know if I do.
Yes, I’m doing good, thanks. I hope you are too.
Lachlan.
Take that, Bethany Michaels. He fell back on his bed and let his phone slip from his hand. It thudded the floor. That would teach him to avoid overseas attachments. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
He needed coffee.
Lachlan rolled off his bed, changed into shorts and a t-shirt, and sprayed some deodorant under his arms. Room locked, he headed down the corridor.
Ten other guys were scattered throughout the gym. Lachlan gritted his teeth as he pushed hard against the chest press machine. Three years of vigorous workouts had packed on muscle. What would he look like in another two years? His folks wouldn’t recognize him.
Mike hopped on the exercise bike next to him. “Hey, Counselor. You’ve been here at least twice a day since we left Australia. Becomin’ a gym junkie like me?”
Lachlan grunted as he pushed the extra weights he stacked on the machine. “Gotta keep busy. I have more time on my hands than the rest of you. And I’m not going to sit in my room, stuck on Facebook, like some.” What had put him in such a foul mood?
“Wally told me about the pretty Aussie girl you met.” The ginger-headed twenty-one-year-old pressed the start button on his machine. “Said every time he turned around, she was in your arms. You finally succumbed to our ways, Counselor Peters?”
“Not likely.” Lachlan held back a bark. Wally spreading rumors about him—he’d have words with him soon. “Beth’s a sweet girl. She’s not like that. And neither am I.”
Mike shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it. So much self-control.”
“Working out helps. Lots of focus and determination. And treat women with respect, at all times.” Lachlan grunted as he pushed past a count of thirty. He let the weights smash back into place.
He got up and moved to the rowing machine, far away from Mike. He needed to snap out of his mood. A counselor shouldn’t act like this. When he’d been in a long-distance relationship with Laura, the first six months of phone calls and emails had only wasted his time. She met someone else back home. That’d probably happen with Beth. He’d continue to be polite and email her on occasion, but keep them strictly friends. No emotional talk, just surface conversation, and let Beth fade out of the picture.