Page 11 of Between Two Shores

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?”

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