5. Chapter Four
Chapter Four
BETH
The bus slowed at the next stop. A bronze-painted caravan converted into an ice cream truck had set up shop on the side of the road. “A local. I can ask questions while you and Wally visit the lookout.” She ducked her head as she pointed to massive binoculars at the cliff’s edge.
Lachlan called to his colleague, and they got off the bus.
The wind blew fierce at a higher point of the island, and the afternoon sun caused the temperature to rise. Beth lined up behind other tourists, two Japanese ladies, and a middle-aged couple. Lachlan’s faint scent drifted from behind. Her senses forever homed in on his presence or location.
“Can I buy you an ice cream?” he whispered into her ear.
Tingles ran over her. He made it hard to concentrate on her mission. Her body started to lean back into him. The word ‘yes’ sat on the tip of her tongue.
She straightened and focused ahead. “Let me buy you and Wally one, for helping me today.”
“We haven’t helped much. I should pay you for being our tour guide.” He squeezed in next to her, smiled down with those attractive lips, and playfully bumped her hip with his. “What flavor do you want?”
She twitched her mouth and took in a breath to steady her heart. Lachlan Peters, you’re slaying me with your charm and good looks.
“I haven’t tried pistachio before. I’ll have one scoop, please.”
“Great. Ice cream coming up. Wally and I can go to the lookout while you ask questions, then join us for snorkeling. It can’t be all work and no play.”
She wobbled her head. “I’ve barely worked.”
“You’re making progress. Patience.” He squeezed her in a side-hug. “Go have a seat and relax.” He stepped to the counter to order.
Wally had already received his waffle cone and strolled over to the binoculars positioned on a black stand.
Five minutes later, sitting under a striped umbrella at a picnic table, Beth bit into her green pistachio ice cream. “Mmm.” She licked her lips. “This may not look appealing, but it’s delicious.”
Lachlan remained silent for a moment and just stared at her mouth. “It looks delicious to me.” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “You missed a spot.”
Heat flushed through her cheeks, and she quickly offered her cone to take the attention away from herself. “Do you want a bite? It’s so good.”
“I’d love some.” He held out his cone to her too. “Try mine. Butterscotch.”
With their arms crossed, she first took a bite of his. Lachlan took a chunk of hers, but before he pulled away, Beth gave a small push and squashed some ice cream over his chin.
She laughed. “It’s juvenile, I know. But I couldn’t resist.”
He chuckled, grabbed a paper napkin from the dispenser on the wooden table, and proceeded to wipe his face. Next, he rubbed the paper onto her forearm. “Take that.”
“I deserve it.” She couldn’t hold back the bubbles of laughter. Lachlan had a way of releasing her to be free and have fun. She did slip into serious mode way too often. Beth needed today as a lesson on how to live again. Life wasn’t meant to be all work and giving out to others. This beautiful island is here for people to enjoy, and enjoy she would.
“I like you, Beth.” He leaned back, holding his ice cream. “I hope we can catch up again before I leave. Can I visit your community centre over the weekend?”
Her lashes fluttered in surprise, along with her stomach. What did he mean by like ?
“Sure. You’re more than welcome.” Now her dad would find out that she’d been hanging around sailors. Great. “It’s called Harbor of Hope. In Fremantle. Starts 8 a.m.” But to see that beaming smile of Lachlan’s would be worth the interrogation from Dad.
“Awesome. I’ll bring some buddies with me.”
She tucked some hair behind her ear. “How long are you in town?”
“We leave on Monday.”
Her heart sank. Why—she didn’t know.
He reached out and touched her hand. “Hey. We can keep in touch. Send emails.”
She mustn’t be good at hiding her disappointment. Beth pushed out a laugh and flittered her gaze to the napkin dispenser, reluctant to reveal any more of her thoughts to him. “That’d be nice. To remain friends.” She bravely connected with his eyes. “You’re like water to a thirsty soul, Lachlan. I could do with more friends like you.”
He squeezed her hand, then removed his. “I feel the same way.”
They finished their ice creams in comfortable silence. Her teeth crunched into the last piece of the cone. Would they stay friends via email? Would that be a good thing or not?
Lachlan arched his back and rubbed his belly. “That hit the spot.” Then he leaned forward and threaded his fingers, elbows on the table. “I took it upon myself to do my part of the investigating.” He grinned. “I asked the ice cream lady a few questions and if she remembered the name of the interested developers.”
She straightened. “And?”
“Pacific Master Builders. National company. They’re loaded with cash. The gossip is that someone offered a government representative a bribe but he refused. After that, the developers laid low to avoid potential infringements. The council member didn’t report it, just gave them the warning to back off.”
Beth widened her eyes. “Now that’s a reason for the developers to get nasty. It sounds like they’re the corrupt type to offer bribes in the first place.”
“We should find more answers back in town. But let’s go for that swim.” He stood and waved for her to join him.
Beth exited the change rooms at Little Salmon Bay. With snorkel around her neck, but no flippers, she easily made her way to the shore. She squinted across the glaring beach sand to Lachlan, waving her over from the water. He had no shirt. Fantastic. Just the torture she needed—to be close to Lachlan’s muscled torso.
She tugged at the ends of her bather shorts as she walked, making them longer, even though they were well beyond modest. Lachlan didn’t seem reserved. Guys could get away with showing extra skin. Her brothers didn’t wear surf shirts either. She simply needed to relax. With a shake, she stepped into the cool water. The wet sand crunched between her toes. The gentle waves lapped against her knees.
Disappointment plagued her mind. She didn’t know any married men who’d kept Lachlan’s fit physique. By the time she finally married, she’d be forty and never get to run her hands over— Bethany Michaels, stop it . She winced. Oh, if her father could see her now, she’d get thirty-one minutes of timeout. She laughed on the inside. But the wave of truth hit her. Her future Aussie hubby would have a beer belly. Or more appropriately, a food baby. Gee. So unfair that most women made a considerable effort to stay attractive for their man, but rarely the other way around.
“You’re frowning, Beth. Is it too cold for you?”
She shook her head.
Lachlan lifted his brows. “What are you thinking about then?”
She waved her hand in the air. “The travesties of life, but there’s no point worrying about things I can’t change.”
He crab-crawled over to her, staying low in the water. “On a small scale, we can make a difference.” He stood, and water cascaded over his sculpted body. “In our little worlds, we can do our part.” He circled his finger between them, stepping closer. Too close. “What’s something I can do to help change that travesty in your mind?” He pretended to drill her temple. “You worry too much.”
Where was Wally when she needed an interruption? The gulls and ocean filled her silence instead.
“You need to unwind. Have fun.” He took her hand in his. “Come spend time with me. I’m only here for a little while, and I want to enjoy this beautiful place with my new Australian friend.”
Friend. Right. Ignore the electric waves traveling up her arm by his simple hold. She sank into the water and let him lead her to the deeper part of the bay.
“There’s a cave over here. It’s amazing. Let me show you.” He pulled his mask over his eyes, and she did the same. He held her hand as they swam underwater together. The floating sensation helped loosen her tension. She didn’t need to worry. Lachlan wouldn’t struggle with the same attraction.
LACHLAN
Thankfully, Beth wore shorts and a swim shirt. Lachlan could relax, be comfortable around her, and enjoy the friendship forming between them.
He had considered keeping his shirt on and letting it dry later. Usually, he wouldn’t care, but he could tell Beth seemed the reserved type. Wally would make a big deal of it and ask why he let his shirt get wet. A whole slew of unwanted questions would follow. Better not to complicate matters.
They snorkeled, floating on the bay’s surface. A school of tiny, gray-silver fish scattered ahead. He looked over his shoulder, his arm connected to Beth’s, and both had air bubbles over their skin.
He pointed with his other hand, directing her to come down with him. He duck-dived, holding his breath. He gently led her as he powered his feet like a propeller. When he turned back again, her lengthy hair flowered about her. The highlights captured sun rays, creating a dreamy effect. So beautiful.
They arrived at the cave, and he pulled her upward, coming out of the water. They stood, both breathing heavily after removing their snorkel and mask.
The salty air had chilled from the cavity. Light shimmered off the crystal waters onto the cave wall. Beth’s skin reflected an angelic glow. In this open cave, he’d found a rare jewel. Unlike anyone he’d met before, Beth seemed free-spirited, transparent, and naturally beautiful. Their eyes locked as they gained their breath. The drum of his heart thumped against his rib cage. He couldn’t resist staring at her, droplets falling from her hair. She didn’t seem to mind the intimacy and the quiet lapping of waves swirling about their knees. Alone.
At that moment, he imagined Beth as his girlfriend, and how he might kiss her. Her gaze fluttered to his lips. Hang on. Was that desire in her eyes too? All common sense had left him now, and he stepped toward her. He would kiss Beth, capture this moment with her that he may not have again. He inched closer, and she leaned in. She wanted him. This was going to happen. He would let it happen. Nature drawing them together, it seemed so right.
A wave crashed against their waists, knocking them from their footing. Beth went under and came up laughing. Oh, he deserved that splash of cold water. To wake him up, slap him into reality.
“It’s slippery here.” She wobbled to her feet, then glanced around. “You’re right. It’s amazing. I should go snorkeling more often. This is fun.” But her eyes never met his. The moment lost. And so it should be. He swallowed back the disappointment. It would only cause trouble, anyway.
“I better check on Wally.” He needed some space. The third wheel came in handy. Wally didn’t know it, but he made a good distraction.
Two hours later, back in the main hub of the island, it came time for the ferry to leave. Lachlan glanced at his phone. Twenty minutes before departure. Where had Bethany gone? Wally sat at the bakery’s outdoor table, stuffing his face with a Quokka-shaped custard tart.
All three of them had asked questions of the locals willing to discuss the problem. Nothing. No further insight.
The conversational hum of groups and pairs of tourists blended with a raven’s cry in the trees above. Children climbed a central steel-roped playground surrounded by white beach sand. Lachlan stood and swung his bag over his shoulder. “Stay here a minute. I’ll see if I can find her.”
Wally’s cheeks bulged with pie, and he mumbled through the crumbs, “Okay.”
Lachlan strode around to the back of the main buildings to find Beth crouched next to a patch of shrubbery. She’d found another Quokka.
“Hello,” he called.
Beth flinched and turned. In her surgical gloved hand, she held some kind of medical device.
“What’re you doing?” He lowered his voice and sneaked across the sandy pathways.
She’d already turned back to the Quokka and didn’t answer him. He squatted next to her, careful not to scare the creature away.
“I’m taking a saliva swab,” she whispered.
“Are you allowed to do that?” He glanced around to find this back part clear of people.
Beth shuffled closer to the animal. “Probably not. As long as this little guy doesn’t mind, it should be fine. I’ll be gentle.”
“What if he bites you?” The concern in his voice matched the panic inside him.
She gave him a side glance. “I’m willing to take the risk. They’ve been clinically checked and cleared of diseases.”
“Every single one of them?”
“I doubt all ten thousand.”
“Beth!” he whisper-shouted.
Before he could stop her, she swiped the large cotton tip inside the Quokka’s mouth while it nibbled on its food. Treats probably from Beth. She slipped the swab back into its plastic tube. “Done.” She slipped off the disposable gloves, packed her things, and stood.
He joined her, releasing his breath. “Bethany Michaels.” He shook his head. He could scold her, but no point in trying to tame the Australian female specimen. They were in a class of their own. Feisty when they wanted to be.
Beth looked up at him with sadness in her expression. “I’ve got no more leads. I don’t have enough details for a solid story. I want to help the Quokkas, I really do. I also need this break to make something of myself in the industry.” She dropped her gaze to the ground and scuffed her shoe into the dirt. “I don’t have the time to keep coming back here. Today is my only chance. Someone else will probably work it out. Get the news-breaking story.”
He lifted her chin and looked into eyes that glazed with unshed tears. He cupped her cheek, her skin soft and supple. How long had it been since he’d held a woman? He blinked the distraction away and dropped his hand to his side.
“I’m concerned about your safety. If the developers are corrupt, it’s better to report your suspicions, and let a team of investigators take over from here. You can ask for exclusive rights to the story, once it’s safe to expose them.”
She gazed at him like a sad sea lion. His heart ached for her.
“The way you want to help these animals and serve your community and family shows your heart of gold. I have been to many places these last three years, and you, Bethany, are a rare treasure. Don’t sell yourself short.”
He didn’t know why, but the words kept spilling from his mouth. “You’re unique. Precious.”
He angled his neck and rested his forehead against hers, drilling the message home. “Do you know this?”
Her breath caressed his lips, and her gaze changed. Did she want him to kiss her? He inched his face slightly back. He would like to, but not when she was upset. Not a time to take advantage of her emotions. Plus, he wasn’t sticking around. The cave was a weak moment. He had his wits about him now, and he wouldn’t just kiss a woman and lead her on. A kiss should lead to a trusting relationship. One that could last. His career didn’t allow for that.
Beth whispered, “Have you been eating chocolate?”
“I have. Do you want me to share it with you?”
She nodded slowly, and her eyes drifted closed.
He pulled out a Snickers bar from his back pocket and stood back. “Have half.”
Her eyes flashed open, and pink flushed her cheeks. “Thanks.” But she didn’t take it, instead dived into his arms for a bear hug. “Thank you for your kind words, Lachlan. I needed that.” Her words muffled against his chest. “You’re a true friend.”
“Guys! What’s going on here?” Wally’s words echoed over the sandy pavement.
Beth jumped, and her head knocked into Lachlan.
He rubbed his chin. “Ouch. You’ve got a hard skull, missy.”
She turned and pointed at Wally, “You again.”
Wally held up his palms in surrender, grinning. “Hey, I’m not the guilty one this time.”
“Lachlan is built with strong arms, perfect for comforting a lady in distress. I feel safe with him. He can be trusted, unlike some sailors I know.”
“Whatever.” Wally scoffed. “Sorry to interrupt, but the ferry is boarding. We need to go.”