Page 25 of Lost In Kakadu

A tiny smile curled at the corners of his lips as he indicated toward the luggage. “Let’s look at what we have, so we both understand.”

He transferred his suitcase contents into Rodney’s bag and then placed the sugar, coffee, flour and the last two water bottles into the empty case. “Hopefully we’ll find water tomorrow in the other half of the plane.”

“Hopefully.”

“I’ll put this box of beans by the fire, save you from sitting on your case.”

“Oh. . . thank you.” His kindness had tears pooling in her eyes, and she flicked them away. Spencer never handled a disagreement like that. . . he preferred either the silent treatment, or blatant seething.

Arguments were never talked through calmly.

Mackenzie carried the case with ease and Abigail admired his stride. His shoulders were a smooth rhythm as they rocked from side to side with each step. He looked strong and nimble, like a race-ready athlete.

On his return, he ran his fingers through his thick, black hair and it tumbled back into position. “Are you okay?” His intense gaze indicated a genuine interest in her response.

She nodded. Abigail couldn’t remember the last time Spencer had asked about her wellbeing.

“Would you mind taking the first watch?” Mackenzie rolled his head side to side, as if trying to work out a knot in his neck. “I’m going to try to sleep, get this night over with.”

“Sure.” She didn’t think she could sleep anyway.

They resumed their places by the fire and when Mackenzie finally drifted off to sleep, she took the opportunity to change from the clothes she’d worn for two days.

She removed her high heels, massaged her throbbing toes, and slipped on a pair of Taryn Rose loafers. The soft suede was instant relief and she felt stupid for not changing into the flat shoes earlier. She’d always needed to wear high heels next to Spencer’s six-foot-seven frame and felt undressed without them.

Despite the pitch-black surroundings, she still patrolled the tree line before dashing into the bushes to relieve herself. She returned to the fire and tried to get comfortable on the box.

Her life usually consisted of entertaining people or being entertained, and she found the isolation confronting.

The silence screamed in her ears.

Yet the slightest noise from either the fire or the broken body of the plane seemed louder than it really was, almost amplified somehow.

The surrounding bush was an eerie silence.

“So, do youhave any kids?”

She jumped at Mackenzie’s voice. “Oh Jeez, I forgot about her.”

Mackenzie gasped. “You have a daughter? How could you forget about her?”

She sighed. “Krystal and I don’t get on. In fact, she hates me. She’s going to be devastated by Spencer’s death.”

“I’m sure she doesn’t hate you.”

“She does. She only cares about her father, even though he’s rarely home.”

“How old is she?

“Fifteen.”

“Why didn’t she come with you?”

Abigail agonised over her answer.

Because I’m a manipulative bitch who was determined to stop Spencer’s secret rendezvous and I didn’t want my daughter intruding on my plans.

She lied instead. “Because Spencer wouldn’t let her come. Krystal and I fight so much I guess he wanted a break.”

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