Page 19 of Between Two Shores

“Cassie, I’ve had boyfriends before. But I didn’t even kiss Lachlan, and oh, how he made me feel . . .” she shivered. “It’s a good thing he’s gone, or I wouldn’t be able to focus on anything.”

Cassie tilted her head. “If he feels the same way, maybe he’ll come back and visit again.”

“Lachlan’s with the Navy for another two years, at least. He didn’t make any commitments to me. We’re just friends.” Beth frowned. “He said he’d email, though.”

Cassie picked up the toy pony again that Jo Jo had thrown on the floor. “Maybe the distance will help with the crazy hormones, and you can get to know him better over time.”

“He hasn’t promised to wait for me. He might meet other girls at another port, and I didn’t realize it, but there are women in the Navy too.”

Cassie laughed. “Maybe not as feminine as you. And you kind of have similar interests. He’s a counsellor, isn’t he? Helps people. You do that.”

“Why are you trying to get my hopes up?”

She shrugged and dropped the toy in the playpen. “Just saying, don’t wipe the possibility away. Love doesn’t come around every day.”

“Who’s saying it’s love? It’s a crush. He’s absolutely gorgeous and charming. I’m acting like a teenager, not a mature rationale woman.”

“I looked him up on Facebook, he’s nice looking, but not drop-dead gorgeous. You’re probably super attracted to him for other reasons.”

Beth huffed. “Wait ’til you see the photos I have. She whipped out her cell from her back pocket and clicked on her favorites album. She’d transferred the zoomed-in images from her Nikon, and Lachlan had air-dropped their Quokka selfies on the ferry ride back to Fremantle.

Cassie came closer and peered over Beth’s shoulder. “Yeah. He’s okay. Built like a brick, I admit, but not unusually attractive.” Cassie touched the screen and enlarged a group photo. “Who’s this guy next to him? I’d say he’s better looking.”

“Ugh. Wally?” Reflux rose to her throat. “He’s so sleazy. Desperate.”

“See, I told you. It’s the way a man treats a woman, which makes them more attractive. Is Lachlan easy going? Kind and thoughtful?”

She nodded. “From the moment we met.”

“When Chris and I were teammates working together at Youth Connect, I didn’t notice his good looks. Then we started spending more time together, shared fun moments, and he showed how he cared about me. His kindness became personal. That’s when I fell for him.”

“We did have fun. And Lachlan helped me relax for once.”

“See, it’s personality too. You’re attracted to who he is, not just physical assets.”

“I see your point.” She slipped her phone away. “Anyway, the long-distance thing won’t work. I’ll get over him, soon enough.”

Cassie lifted her palms. “All right. If you say so.”

Beth shook her head. “I better get to class.” She turned and strode away, her heels thudding the floor. A quiet giggle from Cassie followed. She might find it amusing since Cassie had won her American’s heart and had him move to Australia. Or, perhaps Chris had decided that before they got together. She’d forgotten the details.

What if Chris could offer Lachlan a job to qualify for a working visa? Beth quickened her pace. The teens would be waiting. Despite his absence, Lachlan remained a big distraction. And when would he email her? Had it only been five days? She growled under her breath. How could she handle two years?

After teaching in her English class, Beth rushed across town to keep her appointment with the Police Investigator. Once she’d rattled off the conversations she’d had on the island and concluded with her suspicions, the uniformed man froze with his mouth agape.

“So, do you think we have a case?” Clutching the folder containing her so-called records and lab test results, she sat in anticipation for Sergeant Andrews to respond.

The stocky fifty-something-year-old closed his mouth for a moment. “We?”

Beth straightened. “The Navy officer who’d assisted in the investigation strongly suggested I hand the details over to you and avoid putting myself in any danger. Still, I respectfully request for exclusive rights to the story.”

Sergeant Andrews’ eyes widened. “Navy officer?”

“From the United States.” If he refused this last hook, she’d lost him.

The man’s peppered brows rose. “Why is the American Navy involved in this?”

“Lachlan Peters happened to be visiting the island off-duty and spoke to some of the locals. He agreed that the situation seemed suspicious.” She placed the blue folder on his mahogany desk. “His conversation with the ice cream server and others has been documented, and his email address is here if you’d like to contact him. His ship has left port.”

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