White Ginger

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 confused, indignant and unsure, all at the one time. Insufferable woman.

Amelie drove along the twisting road that led to her cabin. Indignation at Marita’s suggestive tone and attitude overcame her worry. Maybe she was reading too much into the casual remarks.

She pulled up in front of her cabin and climbed out of the car, stretching muscles tight after the long day of driving and the stress of last night’s discovery. She needed a couple of hours of calm rest to gather her thoughts to convince Arne to take her out on the Leilani with him.

Hauling the groceries out of the trunk, she barely paused to appreciate the vista of moonlight on water. A long, relaxing bubble bath beckoned as she climbed the topmost step and turned to open the screen door. It hung drunkenly off its hinges.

Silently, heart pounding, she bent to place her grocery bags on the wooden floor of the veranda, then crept forward to peer into the front room. Her hand shook as she gripped the door frame and she caught her breath at the devastation revealed by moonlight streaming through the large, south-facing windows.

The contents of cupboards had been upended onto the floor, over the table and sofa. Her paint supplies lay strewn across the rug. Streaks of vermilion and royal purple were mashed into the pile of the rug where a foot had crushed them and walked the color across the floor. Canvases lay in a heap in the far corner.

Amelie clamped a hand over her mouth to choke back a scream and backed away on shaky legs. Grimly, she told herself that whoever had perpetrated this outrage on her property had been too late. Certain they had been seeking Arne’s camcorder, now safely in police custody, fear morphed into anger and she became even more determined to accompany him to the reef.

A vague plan began to form, though she wasn’t sure if she was actress enough to carry it off. Arne was in danger and she might be the only person who could do anything to protect him, feeble though her protection might be. She’d never live with herself if she let him head into danger without doing all she could to keep him safe.

As she surveyed the destruction of her lounge studio, Arne’s jeep pulled up beside her new Subaru. Slowly, she walked out to the railing and placed her hands on it, her arms stiff and her body taut.

* * * *

“Glad to see you got home safely.” Arne pulled a bag of takeaway food from the back seat and grabbed his jacket. Turning back to Amelie, he took two steps and stopped abruptly at sight of her face.

Her pallor and wide eyes were lit by the moonlight and every line of her body was rigid. He sprinted up the three steps in a single bound, throwing the food and jacket to the floor in his haste to reach her.

“What is it? What’s happened?” He grabbed her upper arms, desperately checking that she was unharmed. Wordlessly, she half turned her head to indicate the room beyond them.

Reluctant to let her go, he glanced through the door and his gut tightened. Anger surged through him, then anxiety for Amelie, then, overriding all, his urgent need to protect her from the madness that seemed to have been loosened. This was his fault. Whatever was going on, it had to do with him.

She hadn’t spoken a word.

“Amelie? Are you hurt? Did you–was someone here?” Finally, she shook her head.

There was no way he was leaving her alone here tonight, vulnerable and unprotected. “We’ll pack a bag for you and go back to my place, okay?” She nodded without speaking.

Taking her firmly by the hand, he led her through to her bedroom. He grabbed an overnight bag from the cupboard and thrust it into her hands.

“Get a change of clothes and a toothbrush. I’ll call the police.”

He paced with the phone to his ear while Amelie moved automatically around her room, stuffing pajamas and fresh underwear into her bag. He watched her every move while trying to focus on the conversation with Sheriff Jessup. Amelie stopped and stared into her cupboard. Was she going to collapse in a heap? She straightened her shoulders, then reached in and added several more items.

“I’m ready.” Thank goodness she was speaking, though her voice was a tight mimicry of her usual tones.

“Let’s go.” He took her hand and held it tightly all the way home. Her skin was cool and he could feel her pulse beating faster than normal.

Shock did odd things to people. Usually so full of life and energy, Amelie had closed down. Arne led her into his lounge and sat her on his white leather sofa. Reluctant to leave her for even a moment, he raced out of the room to grab a bottle of whisky with two glasses.

“Here.” He held up one of the glasses of whisky to her lips. She took it in both hands and sipped, sniffed the contents with a tiny frown of concentration and then sipped again.

“Lagavulin,” she muttered. “I like the peaty whiskies best.”

Surprised yet again by her, Arne nodded. It was his favorite whiskey.

Finally she looked up, focusing on him, and breathing deeply. “I was pretty shaken when you arrived. Now I’m angry.”

“That’s healthy. That’s good.”

Thank God!

She’d regained a little color in her cheeks and her gaze brightened as she looked up at him.

Reaching over to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered across her temple before trailing down her cheek. His gaze followed the movement of his hand until his fingers feathered over her ripe pink lips. Slowly the tip of her tongue moistened her lower lip. Arne rubbed his thumb softly across following in its path and forgot everything else. Hunger for her replaced his anxiety. He leaned toward her, and her lips parted.

What are you doing? She’s had a nasty shock and you’re thinking with–

He savagely cut off the thought. That part of his anatomy was uncomfortable enough already.

Try thinking with your brain, you idiot.

Sighing, he pulled back slightly. Reluctantly. Sliding his hand down her arm he drew her to her feet, carefully maintaining some distance. He’d come so close to overstepping the mark. Surely she had accurately interpreted his intention to kiss her. It was there in her eyes still. But he had pulled away. Could he make things worse?

Smooth move, Keloki!

“So, how about I make up a bed in the guest room? You can’t go back into that mess, and the duty sheriff will need to organize an investigation before you can move back. Forensics will have to dust for prints,” he said stiffly.

She looked into her drink before answering. “Thanks.”

“Will you be all right here while I make up a bed?” He tried for an upbeat tone to mask the churning in his stomach.

A half smile and a nod reassured him. He walked out to the bedroom, determined to do a better job of looking after her. After all, if he hadn’t gone to visit her straight from his boat last night, she might not have been burgled. He’d keep a much better eye on her from now on.

* * * *

She would find a way to keep an eye on him. Somehow, she’d convince him to take her on Leilani with him. She shivered, and thrust away thoughts of what lived in the reef, concentrating on studying his home.

Simple, uncluttered, and excellent taste seemed to be the hallmark of the furnishings. Three large earth-toned pots housed mature dracaenas of varying heights in the far corner of the lounge room. The raked roofline angled to a line of south facing windows that ran the entire width of the room.

She moved to the window and looked across the water, silvered in the moonlight. The spill of light from the large picture window revealed a low cliff overlooking the ocean and jungle nestling close. Only half appreciating the view, she wondered–had she overplayed her reaction to the break-in?

She was shaken; her stomach somersaulted and her jaw tightened again as she thought of the break-in. Honest himself, he’d accepted her shock as a natural reaction. Had he linked her home invasion to his own break-in yet? She would suggest accompanying him on the trip to the reef, tell him she didn’t want to be alone–whatever it took.

Emotional blackmail it might be, but she would use fair means or foul to know he wasn’t going alone. If her presence on Leilani offered some measure of protection, then she would confront her fears so he would have someone at his back.

“All done.”

She spun around, hand to her throat, heart thumping madly. How could he walk so softly? Nerves jumping, this time her fright was genuine. Served her right.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” A worried frown puckered his forehead. He was really concerned for her. Maybe she had overplayed the scared role earlier. Guilt shot through her. He didn’t deserve this.

“Amelie?”

Stepping close, she rested her head on his broad chest. His heart beat loudly beneath her cheek. Making the most of his proximity, she snuggled closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist and shoulders, stroked her hair.

Reassured by his touch, she pulled back just far enough to look up into his dark eyes. “Arne?”

“Yes, darling?” The endearment slipped out, neither of them realizing it.

“I don’t think I can go back to the cabin yet.”

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be alone, at least until the police have caught the burglar.”

So far, so good.

“Can I come on the boat? I feel safe with you.” She snuggled back in to his chest, laying her head on his shoulder and hoping she’d never have to confess her guile.

* * * *

She felt so right snuggled in like this. For a few seconds, he closed his eyes and reveled in this stolen moment. The faint scent of her jasmine shampoo tantalized him. It was now his favorite perfume. Jasmine would always make him think of her. If he needed any reminder of this woman resting against his chest.

How to keep her safe?

He stroked her back, his mind racing through possibilities. He had to return to the reef early in the morning but he couldn’t leave her alone, here or, heaven forbid, in the wreckage of her place. For his peace of mind, it would be better if she was with him. Then he would know she was safe.

It sounded like a plan.

“Maybe that’s the best idea. I can keep an eye on you, and you’ve certainly proved that you have an eye for detail. You might notice something I’ve missed.”

“Really? You’ll take me with you?”

“Last night, I thought I might have my work cut out to persuade you to sail with me sometime, but yes. You can help.” He smiled at the light in her eyes. Funny, he’d have sworn she was reluctant last night when he’d offered a trip.

“Oh, yes, of course I can help. Thank you.” Lightly, she kissed him. He tightened his hold for the briefest moment before releasing her, sliding his hand down her arm until he held only her hand.

“Come. To bed with you. You look all in and I demand that my crew are up bright and early, ready to swab the deck and clean the galley.”

Dear heaven, having her on board was going to be sweet torture.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” She gave him a mock salute.

Leaving her at her door, he gently pulled it closed, the scent of jasmine lingering as he strolled to his bedroom. Surprisingly, after the strange and challenging events of the last two nights, he fell quickly into a dreamless sleep.