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Regaining her balance, she straightened and turned quickly, her heart thudding as a strange flickering illuminated the ceiling and the walls of the living room. She held her hand against her chest as her eyes became accustomed to the half-light.

Pictures of Dru, Emma and Mum smiled out at her as the screensaver on her laptop rolled through the recent photos she’d taken over in the Daintree. Her breath rasped in her throat and her whole body tensed. She hadn’t unpacked her computer since she’d been home. So why was it plugged in and open on the small bench between the kitchenette and the living room? Her pulse raced as she stood there, looking around. The door to her bedroom was slightly ajar and she was sure she’d left it wide open when she’d gone out to the bar. Someone had been in her room, and for all she knew they were still in there.

For a moment, she considered running back out onto the verandah and calling for Kane.

No. Holding her hands together to stop them shaking, Ellie took a deep breath and pressed herself against the wall, inching slowly towards her bedroom. When she reached the door, she paused and listened. There was no sound. Her heart seemed to be stuck in her throat as she leaned forward and pushed the door open, ready to take flight if she had to.

The bedroom was empty. And so was the small ensuite bathroom next to it. Her eyes scanned the room; everything seemed to be in place, not that she had anything valuable apart from her laptop. She returned to the kitchen and hit the space bar. The screensaver closed and the screen switched to her email program. What the hell?

Maybe someone had been after her car keys, trying to steal her car. That was why the lodge vehicles were always locked in the compound at night. But no, the keys were where she’d left them. And why would they have turned the laptop on? And why would they have been looking at her emails?

She ran her shaking hands through her hair and then sat on the bed until the trembling subsided.

As soon as she was calm, she locked the door and headed for the bathroom. She needed a shower.

To dispel the fragrance of Kane’s aftershave that lingered on her skin. To remove every trace of the stupid mistake she’d made.

As she stood beneath the water, her fear disappeared and self-recrimination flooded in.

Chapter 10

Monday

Makowa Lodge

Ellie was in the hangar office, trying to concentrate on the computer screen in front of her. Kane hadn’t shown up yet and she wasn’t sure what she’d say to him when he did. She hadn’t had much experience lately with the morning after scene. She’d never had much experience full stop – especially with a work colleague.

There’d been no sign of him as she rushed from her apartment to let Jock know about the break-in. She’d also hoped to be able to sort out the issue of being the only pilot in the lodge. But Jock was in a meeting, so Jan had promised he would call as soon as he was free.

A groan escaped her lips as she tried to focus on the flight schedule. Bookings for scenic flights were coming in faster than she could schedule them. But at least the frustrating work situation had replaced the self-recrimination that had dogged her since she had left Kane’s bed. It had even overtaken the nerves stirred up by her apartment being broken into. Nothing appeared to have been taken, and the only thing that had been touched was her laptop. She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.

Everything combined to add to her cranky mood.

She’d passed Heather on the way to the office, and her friend had cut her dead before she’d had a chance to talk to her. Heather could be a bit precious sometimes but Ellie certainly wasn’t going to let one stupid mistake ruin their friendship.

Okay, so Heather’s suggestion that she get dressed up had backfired. And she’d obviously made a mistake going off with Kane and having sex with him. But they were adults and this wasn’t a silly teenage game. Nevertheless, a frisson of guilt ran through her.

There was no point being angry with Kane either. She’d been a willing participant. It was her own rules she’d broken.

Now they had to work together and she’d do her best to pretend it had never happened. He could do his job, and she’d do hers. Awkward but she’d get over it.

If Kane had half the regret that she did about last night, he wouldn’t want to spend any more time than necessary in her company either. And the more she thought about his connection to Panos, the more it bothered her. Bill’s reaction to her questions and his unwillingness to talk yesterday had her antennae quivering. Something was going on and she was going to find out what it was. He hadn’t showed up in the bar last night and she guessed he was going to avoid her, which made her all the more certain.

With a sigh she clicked the mouse and printed off the latest bookings spreadsheet. Flights were heavily booked from this afternoon and they were back-to-back every morning for the rest of the week. She picked up the phone and called the office. ‘Jan? Is Jock free yet? I really need to talk to him.’

‘Come on over and wait. He won’t be much longer.’ Jan must have picked up on her mood as her tone was placatory.

Ellie locked the door to the hangar and headed over to the office, keeping an eye out for Gina and the children as she walked past the playground. That was something else she mustn’t forget. She’d promised David to keep an eye out for them.

Heather, Gina, Bill . . . and Kane. A trip to the farm, and bloody flights all week. Ellie pushed away her rising temper as she pushed open the door of the administration block.

Jock was waiting for her in the front office. Although they’d spoken on Thursday, she hadn’t seen him since she’d returned from her break, and when he enfolded her in a bear hug she let her temper go and hugged him back. He’d been her mentor since she had done work experience here at Makowa Lodge during her final year of school and it was he who’d encouraged her to do her pilot training. She’d always suspected he’d been instrumental in getting her the job here, and she’d worked hard to show her appreciation.

‘We missed you, Ellie. Sorry I didn’t catch up with you before the weekend.’ His Scottish burr washed over her and Ellie’s nose twitched at the smell of sweet pipe tobacco in his work shirt. ‘And thanks for going up at such short notice the day you got back too. Appreciate it, love.’

She followed him into his office and dropped into the chair opposite his desk. ‘It’s good to be back. But we have a bit of a problem.’

‘I know.’ He held his hand up. ‘It looks like the tourist season has started earlier than usual. The place is full and flights are steady for the rest of the week.’