Page 109 of Cold Stock

‘I was trying to save Bastion.’

She shuffled in her seat to face him.‘To me, that look saidgoodbye.And I’d never felt more scared for anyone in my life.’Her heart still hadn’t recovered.

‘I’m not the type of person who’d hurt myself intentionally.’

‘But you do crazy things.Look at what your day job is!You wrangle crocodiles and you chase bad guys.And you dove into a river to save one, stopping to look at me and say goodbye beforehand.’

‘The only reason I looked back at you from the bridge, was so you’d know I was fully aware of the risks.I didn’t want you to live with the guilt for my own actions.’He tapped at his chest.

‘Like the guilt you feel about Two-stroke.And Bastion?’

He sighed, picking at the label of his beer bottle.‘Bastion chose his own path.And no matter how hard I tried to save both Two-stroke and Bastion, I couldn’t.They made their own decisions.As much as I loved Two-stroke like a brother, he was the one who unclipped himself from the sling.He knew the risk he was taking—even though I’d already offered to give him the money to help pay for his wedding.But I can tell you this, I’ll think twice before I jump into a river like that again.’

‘But you did it.And what’s to say you won’t do it again?’

He shrugged.‘I help people, shortcake.It’s always been in my nature.It’s who I am.My father hated that I’d waste my time getting a coffee for this beggar who lived on our street corner, and got him into a rehab clinic, that I paid for.Or that I’d dump a stack of cash in the tip jar when I heard the café owner’s kid was sick.It’s what I do.’

‘That’s why you went back into that river to save those eggs.You know my ears are still ringing from Finn’s grenades.’She poked her finger in her ear while opening her jaw wide, hoping to clear them out.It was like waiting for her ears to pop when on a plane.

‘Finn wasn’t taking any risks with his team.’

‘Because you had to save those baby crocodiles.’She sighed, looking at the man who tried to save all creatures—the ugly ones, the small ones, even the guy who’d stolen them.

‘Before you think about leaving, I want to show you something.Wait there.’Stone disappeared inside the house.

She sat back in her chair.A soft breeze made the palm fronds slowly shift their reflection across the pool that was so peaceful.On the far side, the large shark fin shifted clumsily through the thick ferns, releasing an earthy fragrance mixed with jasmine, frangipani, and other divine aromas.‘Are you getting your jungle on, Finley?’

The shark fin stopped, then rubbed against the base of a palm tree, making the palm fronds shake.

It was exactly what she needed—the one perfect thing that managed to make her smile after the day she’d had.A miracle, really.

‘I could make you a superstar, Finley.My camera and the world would love someone like you.’

‘I think Finley is as shy of public attention as I am.’Stone strolled back outside.‘But Chook isn’t, which is why he’s agreed to being filmed.I’m planning on fixing up the side of his houseboat tomorrow, if you want to come.You can keep him out of my hair by filming him.Craig’s coming to help me, we’re using his new horse truck to cart the mesh.’

Romy hesitated.She was supposed to be moving out, to work on her own script for the future.‘I’ll come with, but first you have to tell me what your family company is.’

It was the first time she’d seen him hesitate.The confident, smiling crocodile wrangler paused to rub heavily over his eyes, with his face tight with tension.‘You didn’t google me?’

‘No.You can tell me.’

‘Do I have to?’Now it was his turn to whine like a child.

‘What is so wrong with it?Is it some mystery, or something against your beliefs, like do you have shares in a clothing factory that uses child labour?’

‘Aw, hell no.’His frown said it all.

‘So…’ She shrugged, tight-lipped, toe tapping and waited for a reply.

‘The family company runs an aviation and transport service—you know, private charters, bulk freight, remote airstrips, even fuel supply.’

That explained the truckloads of avgas to create a private fuel station to help refuel his helicopter, which he flew everywhere like a car.‘How big is this company?’

‘We own a few airports and refuelling hubs across the country, handling everything from medical evacuations to high-security cargo, and the odd VIP.I stayed on the board, because it’s the only thing I have left of my family.I’m it,’ he said with a sigh.‘But it’s more than that—’

‘There always is with you.’The man had so many layers.

‘I know how crucial aviation and transport services are for people in remote locations, especially out here.I make sure the company keeps things running efficiently to provide that service, but I leave the corporate crap to the suits.’

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