Page 7 of Between Two Shores

He cleared his throat. “After I finished school, I trained in hospitality and worked in the industry for a few years. In my twenties, I decided I wanted to help people instead. Mentally, not just get fat from decadent foods. I wasn’t sure where to start, so studied counseling. After I graduated, my lecturer told me about the counselor position he saw advertised in the navy.” He smiled as he lifted his palm. “Three years later, I’m still here.”

She returned his smile. “How long will you continue?”

“I signed a new contract not long ago and have two years left.”

Beth’s posture slumped. “Right. You must love it. That’s a long time.”

“There are many challenges, and it’s often lonely. But I’ve played a role in preventing some of the men from dipping into depression. Makes a big difference to catch the signs early.”

The bus rounded a corner and their shoulders brushed.

“That’s amazing, Lachlan. Good for you. I know I couldn’t do something like that. Certainly not on a ship.”

He laughed softly. “I can’t see you on that ship either. Land suits you much better.”

The bus came to a slow stop. Outside, a few tourists with bikes gathered around, taking photos of something to the side of the road.

“Quokka!” Wally called out. Then a whack sounded from the ceiling.

Lachlan turned. Wally rubbed his head as he ambled down the aisle. “Let’s get off here.”

Beth had already collected her things and joined the line. They followed and got off the bus after her.

Outside, a stocky lady wearing a bike helmet squealed with delight as a large, rat-like-creature hobbled around her red bicycle. Then there were two more. Wally and Beth crept up slowly. Beth kneeled and retrieved a container from her bag and offered the Quokkas a snack.

The large woman with wind-blown tufts poking from her helmet scolded Beth with a tsk. “You’re not allowed to feed them, dear,” she said in a robust Irish accent.

“I won’t. Just tricking this one so I can get a close-up.” Beth slowly angled her camera with the other hand, and with the skill of a pro, circled her lens and took the shots.

The Quokka fussed around Beth, sniffing the ground.

“Aww. Isn’t it adorable, Lachlan?” She rubbed her thumb to her forefinger, clicking her tongue, enticing the creature to approach. “Come here, you cutie.” Her voice changed like a mother cooing for a baby.

Beth became the adorable one. She must love animals. He pulled out his cell and took a few photos of her with the Quokka.

Wally moved to the other two animals a few feet away, taking several shots too. One straightened on its hind legs, and wiped its front paws several times. The Quokka smiled at the camera. Lachlan blinked and looked again. It was smiling or that was how its mouth appeared. Amazing little critters. No wonder people came from all over the world to see them.

Beth angled her head and squinted up at Lachlan. “Come down here. Get a selfie with a Quokka.”

He hitched up his shorts and squatted next to Beth. Holding out his phone, he tried to angle it so he could get her and the Quokka in the frame with him. Beth adjusted and slapped on a big smile and snuggled next to him. Where had the Quokka disappeared to? There. He angled again, but it just wouldn’t work.

“Beth, can you move your head under my chin. Then I can fit all of us.”

Without hesitation, she placed her head on his chest. He half laid on the asphalt, leaning on his forearm with one knee bent. The Quokka popped its head up in the background, raising its nose in the air as if to say, “What the heck are these people doing, and where’s the food the lady promised?”

“Cheese!” Beth gritted out a smile.

Lachlan laughed, his chest making her head bounce.

“Stay still, you.” She patted his chest. “Take another one. I blinked that time.”

Beth’s hair smelled like coconut and sunshine. His arm went limp, totally distracted by her closeness.

She grabbed his phone. “Let me.” The screen whirled in her hand until she found the perfect frame. At a forty-five-degree angle, she snapped away, changing her expression with each shot. He kept on grinning. Nothing could rub the smile off his face. Except—

“Don’t you two look cute together.” Wally towered over them, blocking the sun. “Nice and cozy, Counselor Peters. Good thing you’re out of uniform.”

Beth scrambled upright and placed her hand on her hip. “Waldo, you dork.” She glanced over her shoulder. “You scared the Quokka away.”

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