by Paulette Rae
She didn’t notice Jamie standing on the hillside. He was further enough along the path so he could remain undetected. He had stopped walking as soon as she had come into view, waiting to be seen. He crouched on the damp ground and steadied his camera, zoomed in to catch her expression. The light glinted off the halo of red hair from under her cap. Her makeshift ponytail flowed in soft curls down over her neck as she bowed her head to look at the scenery.
Kirsten heard the shutter click and the camera whir and she looked up, startled to find she was not alone.
She clutched at her chest. “Jesus Jamie, don’t do that to me.”
Jamie stood, smiled and walked down the path to where she stood. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I didn’t think anyone else would be out here this early . . .,” she paused and pointed a finger at the camera. “You weren’t taking a photo of me were you?”
“Maybe.” Jamie grinned.
Kirsten put her hand up to her hair. “God, you’ll break the lens taking pictures of me in this state.”
Jamie chuckled. “Don’t be silly. You look absolutely fine.”
Kirsten blushed. Jamie was studying her closely, as if they had just met for the first time. Kirsten wondered if there were aliens living in the bush out here, and Jamie was constantly being inhabited by a different one. The Jamie before her was a creature she hadn’t met before. He was a red blooded male Jamie, watching her with an interest she had come to expect only from Tyler.
“Do you always lurk in the bushes early in the morning waiting for women to come walking past?” she teased.
Jamie laughed. “Hey, I wasn’t hiding. You just didn’t see me.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“And yes, I do walk down here often,” Jamie confirmed.
“Always this early?”
Jamie smiled. “Usually. I don’t sleep much, and it’s a great time to see birds.”
Kirsten surveyed him from the corner of her eye.
He grinned. “Not those kind of birds.”
“Are you heading out, or heading back?”
“Still heading out. You wanna join me?”
“Sure.” They walked in silence for a few moments, their feet crunching on the leaves covering the track. Kirsten had to walk double time to keep up with Jamie’s long stride. Being close to six foot he towered over her.
“Wait.” Jamie stopped short as they reached a dense part of the bush. He seemed to be listening for something. Kirsten could hear movement in the trees above them, and she followed Jamie’s gaze with interest. The heavy whir of a bird taking to flight, and the movement of a branch creaking in protest as the bird landed a few feet further away, helped her focus on what Jamie had stopped for. She watched him lift his camera and follow the dark green plumage. The bird was smaller than Kirsten expected for the noise it had made. It warbled noisily, a song that was shrill, then guttural, and absolutely exquisite. A second bird joined it; presumably of the opposite gender, and they communicated to each other, their calls sounding like a conversation, squeaking, whirring and whistling loudly.
“What is that?” Kirsten whispered.
“It’s a Bellbird.”
As quickly as they had arrived the pair flew off further down the hill, toward the bay, disappearing into the fog. Kirsten could still hear them, quieter now as they called out through the silent morning.
“Their song is so beautiful,” Kirsten remarked. “I’ve heard them before, but never this close.” She closed her eyes and listened.
“You hear those other two, further up the hill?” Jamie questioned. Kirsten focused her attention where Jamie had indicated. “Oh, yeah.”
“They’re Tuis.”
“How can you tell? They sound the same.” She looked at Jamie, trying to determine whether or not he was making fun of her.
But his face was serious; relaxed of all the tension he normally carried. She breathed him in, watched as he enjoyed the atmosphere of their surroundings. He smelled wonderful, reminding her of the first time she had seen him, standing on the patio. God that seemed like so long ago, she thought to herself. But it had only been a few weeks.
Jamie gazed down at her. She hadn’t noticed it before but his eyes were slightly different colours. Both were predominantly green, while the right eye had the tiniest amount of brown through the centre of the iris.
“If you listen carefully you can pick the differences.”
Kirsten had seen a Tui so she knew they were different in appearance. The Tui was a magnificent native bird, bold and black. In the sunlight its feathers shone green, and it had a small tuft of white feathers under the chin.
Kirsten laughed. “Nope, I can’t tell the difference.”
“Damn city girls,” Jamie teased as he nudged her shoulder with his arm, knocking her off balance.
“Hey.” She pushed him back and they both laughed.
It was another hour before they decided to head back to the house. The fog had cleared, leaving the bay shining under a blue sky and promising a temperature to top others the summer had already provided.
“Kirsten, can I ask you a huge favour?” Jamie asked as they passed the wharf. Tyler had already been out to the boat mooring, as the cruiser sat tied to the white posts of the jetty, water gently lapping around its hull.
“Yes, of course.” Kirsten stopped and looked up at Jamie, her forehead furrowing in curiosity.
“I’ve been asked to do some photos for a friend of mine. She’s getting married in a couple of weeks.”
Kirsten smiled. “That sounds nice.”
“Yeah, well, I’m normally home on the weekends for Sarah so I’m a little loathe to do it. Unless-,” Jamie paused.
“Unless?”
“Well, I was wondering, I know you normally don’t work the weekends, but if you would come with us, then I could take Sarah with me.”
Kirsten laughed. She was amused at how difficult Jamie found asking for this one favour. Obviously he wasn’t used to relying on others, which somehow seemed strange. He left Sarah during the week all the time, often with Beth and Tyler, or when they were busy, Craig. So why was this so different? Or was it because it was her?
“So this would be work?”
“Yes of course. I’ll pay you overtime-,”
“Jamie,” she interrupted, “I’m teasing.” She giggled and put her hand on his bare arm.
“If it was work, I’d have to say no.”
Jamie looked confused.
“I’d like to go into town anyway, so this will be a good excuse.”
“So you’ll do it?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Can I ask you one more thing?” His face grew sullen again.
“What?”
“Please don’t mention this to Beth or Tyler.”
Kirsten gazed at him questioningly.
“Don’t ask.” He smiled. “Just can you promise me? Don’t even tell Sarah what’s going on. I just want this to be as low key as possible.”
“Okay.”
Jamie saw the concern on her face and smiled reassuringly. “I know that sounds weird but,” he sighed. “You know what I said last night about Leigh?”
Kirsten nodded.
“Tyler has this thing about people being possessions, especially women. And I don’t think you would be an exception, regardless of whether you have set him straight or not.”
“Jamie, there’s nothing going on between us.”
“I know,” Jamie said quickly, “and you probably think you’ve got him all figured out on that score, but believe me there’s more to Tyler than what he chooses to show. If he knew I had taken you on this trip, he might make things uncomfortable for you. Just trust me on this.”
“Okay,” Kirsten said calmly.
“Really?” It was Jamie’s turn to look surprised.
“Yes, I won’t mention it. I’ve seen how the two of you are with each other, and if you don’t want to tell me anymore then that’s fine. I do
n’t need to know the history. The less I get caught up in this the better as far as I’m concerned.”
“Okay,” Jamie acknowledged. He sounded unsure about whether what she had said was good or bad.
They heard voices through the trees and turned to see Tyler with Leigh, walking down the track to the jetty. Tyler had something slung over one shoulder, and as they drew nearer Kirsten realised it was a gun.
“Morning,” Tyler said brightly.
“Hey.” Kirsten smiled. “You going to catch breakfast?”
Tyler laughed. “If you like shark.”
Jamie frowned. “You got shark problems again?”
Kirsten glanced from one man to the other.
“Yeah,” Tyler answered.
“At the Salmon Farm,” Leigh finished. Her arms were bent, fists planted neatly on her waist as she tried to look authoritative.
“Sharks?” Kirsten asked in alarm.
“Yeah Bronze Whalers,” Tyler confirmed. “Bastards have ripped a hole in one of the nets; had a nice little party last night.”
“Are they dangerous?” Kirsten asked.
“They can be.” Seeing her concern Jamie added, “But don’t worry, they don’t come this far down the sound. Sometimes they get lost up further, but it’s very rare to get them in here.”
“Oh, they have once or twice. Remember a couple of years ago Brian caught one in a net at the Heads?” Tyler smirked.
“Ahem.” Jamie nodded his head toward Kirsten and glared at Tyler. “The girls go swimming in the sea.” He was referring to Kirsten and Sarah. In the last few weeks, she had been encouraging Sarah to explore the bay, rather than forever swimming in the pool where there was little challenge. She looked at Jamie, surprised he had noticed this one change. What else had he been taking note of, pretending not to notice anything at all? Maybe she had misjudged his disinterest all along.
“Oh hey, I’m only kidding.” Tyler grinned. “Besides, they’ll be so full of my fantastic salmon now they won’t need to feed on anything for a while. I think you’re a bit pasty for a shark anyway Kirst.”
“Tyler!” Kirsten smacked him playfully on the arm.
Leigh giggled and the two of them wandered off to the jetty. Kirsten and Jamie continued back to the house.
“Would they really not come this far down the sound?” Kirsten’s voice rang with concern.
Jamie stopped, smiled and took her by the arm. “On this occasion I have to agree with Tyler. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
She shivered, thinking about the menacing creature with dead eyes she had only seen in books and on television. “That Jaws movie used to always freak me out.”
Jamie laughed. “Bronze Whalers have nothing on Great Whites Kirsty. Completely different species.”
“So, they’re not harmful?”
Jamie smiled. “God, why do you always put me on the spot? You want the truth?”
Kirsten laughed. “Of course.”
“They’ve been known to attack humans unprovoked, but not very often. There have only been two attacks in New Zealand recorded, and neither of them was fatal.”
“Gee, that’s comforting,” Kirsten said sarcastically. She smiled at Jamie and they walked up the path to the house.
“Well, I’m going to hit the showers,” Jamie said as they climbed the steps to the patio.
“You’re changing the subject,” Kirsten teased.
Jamie turned as Kirsten walked up the last step, her head down to see where she was going. She bumped into his chest and he grabbed her around the waist.
“And you’re being paranoid,” he muttered as he smiled. His face was inches from hers.
She peered up at him from under the peak of her cap. “Am I?” All she could think about was how his arm felt around her waist, strong and warm against her back. She could feel his breath on her face and her heart raced.
“Daddy.” Sarah bounded out of the house and across the concrete. Jamie dropped his arm and turned to his daughter as she slammed into this hip. She was still in her pajamas; pink cotton shorts decorated with pictures of animated pigs.
“Good morning Sarah,” he beamed as he swung his camera out of the way and picked her up with little effort.
“Hey, sunshine.” Kirsten smiled as Sarah wrapped her legs around her father’s waist.
“Did you go for a walk?” Sarah asked.
“We did.” Jamie smiled. “Sorry, it was too early for you.”
“Well I’m going to go and get changed,” Kirsten said quickly. Sarah waved. “See you later alligator.”
Kirsten smiled at Sarah, avoiding Jamie’s stare. “In a while crocodile.”
She could feel him watching her as she left, but she daren’t meet his gaze, for fear she would give away what was going through her mind.
How could this be happening? When Jamie touched her it felt like pins and needles up her spine. She tried to think about what he was like on the occasions when she detested him, but still she couldn’t push away the thoughts of his gleaming green eyes, boring into her soul as he cast the magic of his smile over her. When it came to the two men, Tyler had one up on looks and charm, yet she had felt nothing when he kissed her, except a mild form of flattery that he should think of her that way. But she couldn’t help wonder what Jamie’s mouth would feel like against her own.
Stop it! She shook her head to get the thought from her mind. Those kinds of things would just get her into trouble. Trouble she really didn’t need right now.
Chapter 9
“Honey, don’t fidget,” Beth scolded Sarah as she attempted to straighten her red pleated skirt.
Sarah couldn’t stand still. Her grandmother was taking her to visit the school. The expectation written clearly on the child’s face should have delighted Beth, but it seemed to only irritate her further.
Kirsten could see she hated the fact she had been maneuvered into letting Sarah go. She had tried to make light of it, but Kirsten could see the woman struggling with it.
“Beth, would you like me to take her?” She had asked already, but it seemed like it needed to be repeated.
Beth glared at her. “No, I gotta take a look at this for myself.”
Kirsten held both palms up in surrender. “Okay.”
“But make yourself useful while I’m gone won’t you?” Beth scowled. Kirsten had to bite her lip to stop herself laughing. She knew this was all bravado, and not the real woman behind the mask. Beth was simply losing her grip on her granddaughter, and she knew it.
“Beth, stop fussing.” Craig, who had been trying to look busy at the sink turned and spoke softly to their boss.
“You keep your trap shut,” Beth snapped, but the corners of her mouth shook and a smile threatened to break her rough demeanour. “Now, we’re only going for a few hours Sarah, okay?”
Sarah nodded and smiled, knowing better than to argue when her grandmother was like this.
“If,” Beth continued, “and I mean if I decide you can go to school, it will only be for one day a week to start with, and Kirsten will be taking you there and back, is that clear?”
Kirsten and Craig stood side by side and raised their arms in a perfectly synchronized salute. Then they grinned at each other.
Beth only fumed further, “God, you two are as bad as each other.” She took Sarah by the hand and led her out to the car.
When she had gone Kirsten collapsed against the counter in a fit of laughter.
“That was brilliant.”
Craig laughed, hearty and deep. “She’s going to whip us later.”
“Oh, you’ll like that,” Kirsten teased. Over the weeks she had grown to like Craig very much. He was a big, gentle man, who spoke his mind.
“Hey, you know it’s her birthday next week don’t you?”
Kirsten looked up, surprised. “No, I didn’t. I’m glad you told me. I can get her something when I go to town this weekend.”
“Yeah, well that’s why I mention it. I was hoping you’d b
e able to get me a few things while you’re there. I want to have a bit of a birthday dinner for her.”
Kirsten smiled. “What a great idea, Craig.”
Craig blushed. It was something she had never seen him do before.
“So, if I give you a list will you have time to do some shopping?”
“Yes of course. How old will she be?”
“Fifty-six, I think.”
“Okay, well I’ll have to think of something to get her then won’t I?”
* * * *
Luckily nobody had questioned why Kirsten was taking Sarah to town with her on Saturday. They all knew Jamie would not be home for the weekend, and probably assumed he was working. Beth seemed quite relieved that she would not have to look after Sarah herself. Tyler would also be away so it would be a good break for her. Occasionally she seemed quite distant and tired, and Kirsten wondered if maybe she worked herself too hard sometimes.
Kirsten was apprehensive about her trip to Blenheim. She had not seen Jamie much over the last two weeks. When he had returned home last weekend he had spent a lot of time painting. His work was bringing him up fast on the publishing deadline for the book he had been commissioned for, so when he had emerged from his cave, he had been as moody and villainess as ever. Kirsten now wondered if the nice Jamie had been a figment of her imagination. Either that or he had just shown her that side of him so she would do this one favour.