could help convince Arne to take her with him.
“So Arne’s positive the break in happened because he made that unscheduled visit to the reef.”
Jimi tapped his fingers along the top of his steering wheel. “And with your discovery on the footage of unauthorized equipment, someone is going to be getting twitchy about their illegal activities. Hmm, how about making copies of the footage and leaving them with a lawyer for extra security?”
“That’s a good idea too. But, Jimi, I don’t want Arne to be alone on the reef. Someone is getting desperate. Arne should have another pair of eyes out there. I’ll go–if he won’t take anyone else.”
Jimi turned in to the garages behind the airport arrivals lounge and drove through the security gates with a lazy wave of his hand to the guard on duty. They stopped beside an open industrial door through which Amelie could see numerous vehicles. Jimi opened her door and offered his hand. “You really care for him, don’t you?”
“I–” She pressed her lips together then nodded. It was pointless denying it to Jimi. “Yes, I care for him.”
“And I will suggest the common sense in taking someone on the trip to the reef. Now, I’ve selected a new Subaru Outback with GPS that will be more suitable to the driving you’re likely to be doing. Please tell me if you don’t like the look of this one.” He gestured for her to precede him inside and then led her to a deep blue station wagon. Metallic blue paint glinted where the corner of sunlight touched the bonnet, and there was a cargo barrier in the rear. Jimi was not just replacing a faulty car; he was offering her the use of a top-of-the-line brand new vehicle.
“It looks fabulous, Jimi. This is very kind of you. It’s a much better car than the one I booked though. Are you sure?”
His hand stopped her flow of thanks and he shook his head.
“This is the car for you, Amelie. Trust me. Now, you and Arne have to come and have dinner with Lucy and me soon. I’d love for her to meet you. The two of you will get on famously.”
“I’d love to. I’ll check when it’s okay with Arne. And, Jimi?” Resting her hand on his shoulder, she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”
Chapter 5
Golden, late-afternoon light shimmered over the landscape unrolling before her. Color intensified and shadows fell sharp and deep across the road. Amelie loved this time of day best for the richness and depth of color, and the warmth of life it held.
Jimi had looked after her so well with this new car. It handled the hills and winding curves with ease.
The sun was low when she pulled into a parking bay in front of the mini-mart. Time to restock her sparse pantry. She pushed her trolley toward the checkout and heard a vaguely familiar voice.
“So, how’s our Aussie visitor?” Marita’s mouth curved up but the smile failed to reach her eyes. “How are enjoying your…holiday?” The briefest pause between her final words and Amelie remembered why she disliked the woman. She struggled to keep a neutral tone in her voice. No point alienating her by being rude, even if the woman deserved it. “This is a beautiful spot to relax in. And I hope to be able to get out to see more of it now that I’ve got a reliable vehicle,” Amelie replied.
“Yes,” drawled Marita. “We heard about your difficulties. It’s a small town.” She raised a knowing brow in reply to the unasked question. “Everyone knows everything–about everyone.”
Amelie drew in a shallow breath. Could this woman be suggesting she knew what had passed in Amelie’s home the evening before? Surely not.
“Of course, you were very lucky that someone happened to come along when you broke down. That’s an out of the way place you’ve chosen to stay at. Well, see you around. Maybe you can find someone to bring you to the luau.” With a negligent wave of her heavily ringed fingers, she glided away, leaving Amelie
“So Arne’s positive the break in happened because he made that unscheduled visit to the reef.”
Jimi tapped his fingers along the top of his steering wheel. “And with your discovery on the footage of unauthorized equipment, someone is going to be getting twitchy about their illegal activities. Hmm, how about making copies of the footage and leaving them with a lawyer for extra security?”
“That’s a good idea too. But, Jimi, I don’t want Arne to be alone on the reef. Someone is getting desperate. Arne should have another pair of eyes out there. I’ll go–if he won’t take anyone else.”
Jimi turned in to the garages behind the airport arrivals lounge and drove through the security gates with a lazy wave of his hand to the guard on duty. They stopped beside an open industrial door through which Amelie could see numerous vehicles. Jimi opened her door and offered his hand. “You really care for him, don’t you?”
“I–” She pressed her lips together then nodded. It was pointless denying it to Jimi. “Yes, I care for him.”
“And I will suggest the common sense in taking someone on the trip to the reef. Now, I’ve selected a new Subaru Outback with GPS that will be more suitable to the driving you’re likely to be doing. Please tell me if you don’t like the look of this one.” He gestured for her to precede him inside and then led her to a deep blue station wagon. Metallic blue paint glinted where the corner of sunlight touched the bonnet, and there was a cargo barrier in the rear. Jimi was not just replacing a faulty car; he was offering her the use of a top-of-the-line brand new vehicle.
“It looks fabulous, Jimi. This is very kind of you. It’s a much better car than the one I booked though. Are you sure?”
His hand stopped her flow of thanks and he shook his head.
“This is the car for you, Amelie. Trust me. Now, you and Arne have to come and have dinner with Lucy and me soon. I’d love for her to meet you. The two of you will get on famously.”
“I’d love to. I’ll check when it’s okay with Arne. And, Jimi?” Resting her hand on his shoulder, she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”
Chapter 5
Golden, late-afternoon light shimmered over the landscape unrolling before her. Color intensified and shadows fell sharp and deep across the road. Amelie loved this time of day best for the richness and depth of color, and the warmth of life it held.
Jimi had looked after her so well with this new car. It handled the hills and winding curves with ease.
The sun was low when she pulled into a parking bay in front of the mini-mart. Time to restock her sparse pantry. She pushed her trolley toward the checkout and heard a vaguely familiar voice.
“So, how’s our Aussie visitor?” Marita’s mouth curved up but the smile failed to reach her eyes. “How are enjoying your…holiday?” The briefest pause between her final words and Amelie remembered why she disliked the woman. She struggled to keep a neutral tone in her voice. No point alienating her by being rude, even if the woman deserved it. “This is a beautiful spot to relax in. And I hope to be able to get out to see more of it now that I’ve got a reliable vehicle,” Amelie replied.
“Yes,” drawled Marita. “We heard about your difficulties. It’s a small town.” She raised a knowing brow in reply to the unasked question. “Everyone knows everything–about everyone.”
Amelie drew in a shallow breath. Could this woman be suggesting she knew what had passed in Amelie’s home the evening before? Surely not.
“Of course, you were very lucky that someone happened to come along when you broke down. That’s an out of the way place you’ve chosen to stay at. Well, see you around. Maybe you can find someone to bring you to the luau.” With a negligent wave of her heavily ringed fingers, she glided away, leaving Amelie
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