Whitsunday Dawn

by Annie Seaton

  ANNIE SEATON lives near the beach on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Her career and studies have spanned the education sector for most of her working life, including completing a Masters Degree in Education, and working as an academic research librarian, a high school principal and a university tutor until she took early retirement and fulfilled a lifelong dream of a full time writing career. From 2014 to 2017 Annie has been voted Author of the Year (2014 and 2017) and Best Established Author (2015) in the AusRom Today.com Readers Choice Awards. Each winter, Annie and her husband leave the beach to roam the remote areas of Australia for story ideas and research. One of her favourite destinations is the Whitsunday region where emerald green islands sparkle in a sapphire ocean. Secluded beaches, coral reefs and towering hoop pines are all part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. It is a stunning and pristine landscape threatened by human activity.

  Readers can contact Annie through her website annieseaton.net or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

  Whitsunday Dawn

  Annie Seaton

  www.harlequinbooks.com.au

  As always to Ian, the love of my life.

  You are always there for me.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Author’s Note

  Acknowledgements

  CHAPTER

  1

  April 27, 2018

  The Front Street shopping precinct adjacent to the marina was abuzz with activity and noise. Electric-powered buggies whizzed along the wide street as tourists jostled past Liv Sheridan. She stepped to the side to let a group of young men in brightly coloured board shorts and T-shirts pass as they headed towards the bar.

  ‘Livi!’

  The shrill cry drifted across the street, rising above the noise of the crowd and the squawking birds. Liv glanced over her shoulder with a frown but couldn’t see anyone trying to catch her attention. The busy thoroughfare was crowded with tourists and they all seemed intent on their own pursuits. She looked across at the people sitting outside the coffee shop on the corner, but they too were engrossed in their own conversations. She shrugged; she must have misheard.

  The sun appeared briefly through the scurrying clouds, reflecting off the windows of the big inter-island ferry moving slowly across the channel. Liv lifted her free hand and pulled her Gucci sunglasses down from the top of her head. She knew no one here, and she’d told no one from Sheridan Corp that she was spending the weekend at Hamilton Island before catching the ferry across to Airlie Beach on Monday. And anyway, the only people who used the diminutive of her name were her family, and they were thousands of kilometres away.

  She hitched the strap of her blue Boss briefcase over her shoulder and continued along the footpath that fronted the busy coffee shop, a couple of high end boutiques, and a bar already overflowing with noisy patrons, despite the early hour. A couple of groups of young guys she recognised from her flight were already swilling schooners of beer; it hadn’t taken them long to get into holiday mode.

  If only I could too. Be in holiday mode, relaxing and enjoying myself.

  Liv’s suitcase had been one of the last to be offloaded from the Virgin flight and by the time she’d found a trolley and walked out of the terminal, all the electric buggies that transported the new arrivals and their luggage to the hotels had left. After waiting for a minute, she’d gone back inside and organised for her bag to be delivered to the Reef Resort Hotel.

  ‘Are you sure you want to walk, Ms Sheridan?’ The young woman glanced down at Liv’s Christian Louboutin shoes as she tagged her suitcase. ‘The buggies will be back shortly.’

  Liv nodded, smiling as she picked up a map of the island from the counter. ‘I’m more than happy to get some exercise. And I’m looking forward to seeing the island. I’ve already spent most of my day sitting in a taxi and a plane.’

  ‘It’s a fair way across to the hotel, it’s on the other side of the island.’

  ‘A kilometre at most? I’ll enjoy the walk.’

  The young woman pointed to the street at the end of the terminal parking bay. ‘Go along there and when you get to Mango Tree Corner, turn right and that’ll take you over to Catseye Beach to your hotel. You can’t miss it.’

  ‘Thank you.’ With another smile, Liv had picked up her handbag and briefcase—that wasn’t leaving her sight—and headed out of the terminal.

  Now, as she walked, she surveyed the crowded street that ran along the marina. Hamilton Island was nothing like she’d imagined from the promises of the glossy tourist brochures. The only blue Whitsundays water she’d seen so far was a brief glimpse from the plane window. The jet had broken through the heavy cloud as it approached the landing strip. The airport terminal could have been anywhere in the world, teeming with people and noisy with constant announcements over the speakers, with most of the tourists dressed more casually than she was. Liv looked down at her navy-blue pencil skirt and jacket with the discreet red Sheridan Corp logo pin on the breast pocket. She’d spent the morning at the office in Sydney, meeting with her father and then, on his instruction, updating the presentation for Monday’s meeting, so there’d been no time to change before she left for the airport. Her swimmers and sarong were packed, and she was looking forward to an afternoon around the pool, although she would probably have to take her laptop and go over the presentation at least one more time.

  ‘There’s a lot riding on this community meeting, Olivia. Don’t stuff it up.’ Her father’s words had stayed with her the whole flight. A niggle of worry lodged in Liv’s throat and she pushed the nerves away. She would not let Dad—or the company—down.

  As Liv walked past Mango Tree Corner, the clouds cleared and the sun came out. It would have been nice to have time to sit out here and watch the crowds go by for a while. As soon as she got this damn presentation out of the way, she would be able to relax. Maybe it was time to think about taking a holiday. The walk was slow and it took longer to negotiate the crowded street than Liv had anticipated. She was already regretting not waiting for the buggy to return. Time was short, and she wanted to make the most of it before she stood in front of a hostile community to convince them of the benefits of the Sheridan Corp development. She shook her head and dug deep for confidence; she’d done this so many times before. There was no need to be nervous.

  Beneath her braid, perspiration trickled down her neck. Despite being late autumn, it was still hot and humid up here in the tropics. She stepped to the side of the street and put her briefcase down before shrugging out of her jacket, folding it neatly over her arm.

  ‘Liv!’

  Again. Someone was calling her name.

  This time she turned around, taking more time to peruse the crowd. Her eyes settled on a plump elderly woman with perfectly styled silver hair hurrying towards her from the outdoor garden of the co
ffee shop. She almost ran along the footpath, heading to Liv, both hands outstretched.

  ‘Oh my goodness,’ the woman said, her voice quavering. Her face was wreathed in a huge smile as gnarled old fingers, loaded with diamond rings, took Liv’s free hand, holding her fingers in a crushing grip. ‘Oh my darling.’

  Liv looked down as her jacket slipped from her arm to the gutter, the cuff of one sleeve settling in the only puddle in sight. The woman’s hand was shaking and her smile disappeared as she tried to speak but her words caught on a sob. Liv’s throat closed in sympathy as the woman held her gaze with sad, faded blue eyes. Tears welled and rolled slowly down the wrinkled cheeks as she shook her head from side to side. Even though she didn’t have a clue who she was, Liv felt sorry for the woman.

  ‘Oh, Liliana,’ the woman said, her voice unsteady. ‘You came back. It’s been such a long, long time. Where did you go? Why didn’t you come home?’

  ‘I’m sorry. You must have me confused with someone else,’ Liv said gently as she tried to remove her hand, but the elderly woman held on tightly. Her long, manicured fingernails pressed into the skin of Liv’s palm. ‘I’m Olivia Sheridan, not Liliana. My family calls me “Liv”. That’s why I stopped. I thought you were calling out to me.’ She tried to ease her hand out but the woman’s grip was surprisingly strong.

  The woman shook her head and her voice rose, her mouth set in a petulant pout. She let go with one hand and touched Liv’s braid. ‘Look at you! You didn’t even get your hair cut off, Lil! And you don’t look old like me.’

  Liv frowned, unsure of how to deal with the situation but a deep voice came from behind her. ‘Come on, Aunty Tat.’

  Liv looked away from the sad eyes and determined lips. Two men had caught up to them, and the man closest to the woman reached down and gently unfurled the tight fingers wrapped around Liv’s hand. His voice was soft, yet firm as he placed his arm around the elderly woman’s shoulders. His lips curved into a tender smile.

  ‘Come and have your tea, Aunty. It’s getting cold. And you know how much you hate your tea cold. I’ve ordered your scones too.’

  Liv rubbed her hand against her hip to ease the stinging. The woman nodded and smiled, seeming to forget that Liv was there as soon as she looked away from her.

  ‘Yes, I’m thirsty. I hope you ordered Earl Grey, and I want strawberry jam today.’

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ The man holding the woman shot Liv an apologetic smile and lowered his voice. ‘She’s not having a good day.’ With a nod to the man beside him, he pointed in the other direction with his free hand.

  Before Liv could move, her elbow was being held as she was steered away from the coffee shop. ‘Wait. What are you doing?’

  ‘Come on,’ the man holding her arm said. ‘I have to get you out of her sight.’

  Liv wrinkled her nose as an awful smell surrounded her. ‘Wait! My jacket’s still in the gutter back there.’

  ‘Okay. But keep your back to her while I get it. Aunty Tat will go happily with Byron, but if she sees you, she’ll take off again.’ He let go of her arm and walked back the few steps to retrieve Liv’s jacket from the gutter. Before she could take it from him, he took her arm again in an attempt to steer her further away from the coffee shop. Liv felt uncomfortable with this stranger holding her arm, and her temper was building. ‘Excuse me. Do you mind?’

  ‘Come on, then.’ He let go of her arm but stayed close to her. ‘Where are you staying? Knowing Byron, he’ll want to apologise to you later. Poor Aunty Tat’s not been good lately, but this is the first time she’s actually grabbed someone.’

  ‘There’s no need for anyone to apologise. I’m fine. My jacket, please.’ Liv valued her personal space and this stranger was invading it. ‘You don’t need to lead me anywhere. Just give me my jacket and I’ll be on my way.’

  ‘I’m sure Byron will want to get it dry cleaned for you. It’s wet.’

  Liv shook her head. ‘No, don’t worry about it. I’ll sort it at my hotel.’ She held her hand out.

  As the man held the jacket out, he looked down at the company pin on the pocket. His eyes widened for an instant, but the fleeting look of surprise was quickly replaced by a sardonic grin. He folded the jacket carefully over one arm, and even though his touch was now light, he took her elbow again.

  ‘I’ll take you there and I’ll arrange for dry cleaning.’

  God, he’s so persistent.

  ‘There is absolutely no need. I’ll walk around the corner so I’m out of her sight.’ Her patience was wearing thinner, and the closer he stood to her, the stronger the unpleasant smell became. ‘I can walk unaided.’

  ‘Perhaps not in those shoes.’

  Liv raised an eyebrow as her temper finally fired. This situation was becoming ridiculous. It was as though this guy was going out of his way to annoy her, and his rudeness pushed her into a curt response that was totally out of character for her. ‘My shoes are none of your business. Nor is my jacket.’ Her voice was as glacial as the look she threw at him. She wrinkled her nose with distaste as the stench continued to pervade the air around them. His singlet T-shirt was stained—the red marks looked like blood—and his ragged-edged denim shorts had splotches of something solid— possibly fish— stuck to them. Beneath his shorts, his legs were muscular and tanned, and his feet bare. If he held onto her jacket much longer, it would absorb that awful smell.

  If it hasn’t already.

  ‘Fish! Dead fish! And fish blood! Ugh. That’s what I can smell.’ She held her breath and lifted her chin as he finally passed her jacket over.

  ‘Not dead fish. Fresh fish. Poisson frais.’ His French accent was appalling and she frowned.

  ‘Nothing beats it, darlin’,’ he said with a wide grin. The chiselled jaw and a nose that had obviously been broken at some time were surrounded by unkempt, long, blond curls. His eyes were full of mirth as she stared at him.

  ‘Well, fresh or dead, whatever it is, it smells terrible.’ She clutched her jacket to her chest and heat rushed to her cheeks as his gaze lingered below her neck.

  ‘So how about a drink later tonight? An apology for Aunty Tat grabbing you.’

  Liv couldn’t believe his words or his audacity when he winked at her.

  Is he for real?

  ‘No, that’s totally unnecessary. And please tell—Byron—there is no need at all to apologise. I’m sorry for the lady’s distress but no harm has been done.’

  Apart from a damp jacket, and a guy who was making her feel more uncomfortable by the minute.

  ‘Whatever you say, darlin’.’ With a casual flick of his hand and a waft of more fishy smells, he turned away. Liv stared after him as he sauntered back to the coffee shop.

  As she watched, the woman appeared at the door, Byron close behind her.

  ‘Lil, I’ll come and see you later! I’ll tell Mama and Daddy you’ve come home.’ A gleeful smile crossed her face as she looked up at the tall man. ‘See, I told you, Billy. I always knew Liliana would come home. I just knew it!’

  Liv turned the corner and headed out of sight as she’d promised, but the woman’s voice followed her.

  ‘Billy, hurry up and take me home so I can tell them.’

  Billy? Byron? What a strange start to her visit.

  As she crested the small rise and entered an avenue of lush tropical trees, Liv felt unsettled and just a little bit sad.

  CHAPTER

  2

  The Reef Resort Hotel was stunning. The reception foyer floor was laid with cream marble, the air was perfumed by tropical white lilies in tall vases. To the right was the entry to the dining room, and to the left, a sunken area opened out to an expanse of lush green grass with a hint of blue in the distance. Casual cane chairs and hammocks beckoned invitingly in the now sunny afternoon.

  After checking in at reception, Liv entered her room, threw the security card on the marble table by the door, and carefully put her briefcase on a chair. She crossed the large living area, heels clicking
on the shiny white tiles, and looked into the bedroom; her suitcase was already on the luggage rack opposite the bed.

  Her eyes widened as an incredible view opened up in front of her. The whole northern wall of the bedroom was glass. Stepping across the room, Liv kicked off her shoes, slid open the door set in the glass panel, and stepped out onto the balcony. A sun lounge and a small table with two white chairs covered with brightly coloured cushions sat on either side of the door. A small hammock of cream macramé hung from the ceiling at the other end of the balcony, tucked out of the wind. Sapphire-blue water glinted as the sunshine played on the small waves whipped up by the wind. Pure white sand edged the water below, and palm trees swayed in the brisk breeze. The grey clouds had cleared, and the brilliant blue sky was rimmed by towering white clouds hanging over the small islands dotting the horizon. Liv drew in a deep breath of salty, fresh air and the tension that had filled her since this morning’s meeting with her father began to ease.

  Specks of white dotted the blue water as sailing boats made their way slowly up the channel between Hamilton Island and an island to the north. Hidden bays broke the shoreline of an island across the water, and a ragged volcanic peak a few kilometres to the north, rose from the centre of the island. As she stared at the beautiful blues and greens, an unfamiliar serenity filled Liv, chasing away the last tendrils of tension and the sadness that had tugged at her since she had encountered the elderly woman.

  Happy cries drifted up to her seventh-floor balcony. Children splashed in a netted enclosure in the water on the narrow strip of beach below as parents supervised from a row of sun lounges set along the sand. More hammocks swung from the trees and as she watched, a waiter with a tray in hand made his way from the resort down to the beach. A flock of rainbow lorikeets swooped low as they flew past her balcony and she smiled. This was one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen. Not the hotel and the facilities, although that made for a welcoming environment, but the colour of the water and the sky and the lush verdant green of the islands in front of her were sheer perfection.