They couldn’t leave. Riley would never be able to hang onto him if she was drowsy.
Raindrops began falling, large pregnant orbs of water. At first, Jack was surprised. Then a flash of lightening across the eastern sky made him jump. Riley awoke about the time he found his voice. She squealed, protecting her head from the rain.
‘Quick — put on your jacket and helmet.’ He tossed them to her, repacked the hamper, and grabbed his own gear.
Wrapping, rather than folding, the blanket, he stuffed their belongings onto the bike, strapped them down, and started the motor. With any luck, they could make it down the hill before they were pelted and driving became difficult.
Cursing in French, Jack manoeuvred down the now muddy path they’d climbed. Why hadn’t he bothered checking the weather? Their romantic ride had quickly turned into something sinister. Not that Riley need know, but the road home would be slippery. They’d be lucky not to crash, especially with lightening approaching.
Chapter Ten
Riley clung to Jack. She’d smelled the rain long before it hit. Why hadn’t she said something, encouraged him to find shelter earlier? Their situation was obviously serious if he was so quiet. On the way to their destination, he’d pointed out this landmark or that and had occasionally made comments to reassure her. Now he was silent as a grave.
She knew he took the brunt of the weather, shielding her, because they were riding into the storm, not away from it. Hadn’t they already passed a fork in the road where they should’ve been heading north, not south? Why were they going in the opposite direction?
Unfamiliar terrain, followed by equally new buildings appeared. Jack stopped at one stoplight near a big advertisement. Riley couldn’t see his face, so had no clue what he was thinking or doing.
Her jeans, shoulder bag, shoes — all were soaked.
‘Jack.’ Riley leaned toward his ear so he might hear her better. ‘I don’t think the Dolphin Cruise is on for this time of night.’
His response was to gun the motor and keep travelling.
Did he even know where they were?
Riley watched for signs that could point them toward a motel. Ah, familiar names she’d heard of. Tuncurry, Forster, pronounced Foster. Now she knew where she was. Two small towns almost joined together. There was One Mile Beach somewhere around here. But still no...oh, yes. Finally. A motel. And Jack passed it.
Resigned to thinking she’d spend the night being pelted by rain, Riley decided it best to simply trust him. He’d gotten them this far without killing her. Might as well hang on for the duration.
Signs soon alerted her they had entered Newcastle. She stared in surprise at two young men on segways. In the rain? They seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Names of streets whirred past her field of vision. Occasionally she caught one. Kahibah Road. Darby. Wickham. Finally they arrived at what looked to be a major hotel set amidst this sandy-beached slice of New South Wales. Jack coasted into a garage, and from there it was all Riley could do to walk with him to the front desk. She paid no attention to the transaction, heard very little of Jack’s brief chat with the night clerk. She was just thankful when they stepped off the elevator and into their room.
‘Don’t fall asleep yet.’ He ushered her into the bathroom. ‘We’re muddy — have to shower.’
Riley protested. All she wanted was to lie down, shoes or no shoes, clothes or no clothes. She was bone tired, cranky, and while she’d had a lovely time with Jack, now all she needed was rest.
‘Strip or I’ll undress you myself.’ Jack left her alone and closed the door behind him.
Seconds later, she heard the door open, and to her amazement, he shucked his clothing and stepped in after her. Before she could complain, he ordered her to face him. Riley placed an arm over her bare breasts and her free hand over her lower abdomen. But Jack wasn’t looking at her.
Raindrops began falling, large pregnant orbs of water. At first, Jack was surprised. Then a flash of lightening across the eastern sky made him jump. Riley awoke about the time he found his voice. She squealed, protecting her head from the rain.
‘Quick — put on your jacket and helmet.’ He tossed them to her, repacked the hamper, and grabbed his own gear.
Wrapping, rather than folding, the blanket, he stuffed their belongings onto the bike, strapped them down, and started the motor. With any luck, they could make it down the hill before they were pelted and driving became difficult.
Cursing in French, Jack manoeuvred down the now muddy path they’d climbed. Why hadn’t he bothered checking the weather? Their romantic ride had quickly turned into something sinister. Not that Riley need know, but the road home would be slippery. They’d be lucky not to crash, especially with lightening approaching.
Chapter Ten
Riley clung to Jack. She’d smelled the rain long before it hit. Why hadn’t she said something, encouraged him to find shelter earlier? Their situation was obviously serious if he was so quiet. On the way to their destination, he’d pointed out this landmark or that and had occasionally made comments to reassure her. Now he was silent as a grave.
She knew he took the brunt of the weather, shielding her, because they were riding into the storm, not away from it. Hadn’t they already passed a fork in the road where they should’ve been heading north, not south? Why were they going in the opposite direction?
Unfamiliar terrain, followed by equally new buildings appeared. Jack stopped at one stoplight near a big advertisement. Riley couldn’t see his face, so had no clue what he was thinking or doing.
Her jeans, shoulder bag, shoes — all were soaked.
‘Jack.’ Riley leaned toward his ear so he might hear her better. ‘I don’t think the Dolphin Cruise is on for this time of night.’
His response was to gun the motor and keep travelling.
Did he even know where they were?
Riley watched for signs that could point them toward a motel. Ah, familiar names she’d heard of. Tuncurry, Forster, pronounced Foster. Now she knew where she was. Two small towns almost joined together. There was One Mile Beach somewhere around here. But still no...oh, yes. Finally. A motel. And Jack passed it.
Resigned to thinking she’d spend the night being pelted by rain, Riley decided it best to simply trust him. He’d gotten them this far without killing her. Might as well hang on for the duration.
Signs soon alerted her they had entered Newcastle. She stared in surprise at two young men on segways. In the rain? They seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Names of streets whirred past her field of vision. Occasionally she caught one. Kahibah Road. Darby. Wickham. Finally they arrived at what looked to be a major hotel set amidst this sandy-beached slice of New South Wales. Jack coasted into a garage, and from there it was all Riley could do to walk with him to the front desk. She paid no attention to the transaction, heard very little of Jack’s brief chat with the night clerk. She was just thankful when they stepped off the elevator and into their room.
‘Don’t fall asleep yet.’ He ushered her into the bathroom. ‘We’re muddy — have to shower.’
Riley protested. All she wanted was to lie down, shoes or no shoes, clothes or no clothes. She was bone tired, cranky, and while she’d had a lovely time with Jack, now all she needed was rest.
‘Strip or I’ll undress you myself.’ Jack left her alone and closed the door behind him.
Seconds later, she heard the door open, and to her amazement, he shucked his clothing and stepped in after her. Before she could complain, he ordered her to face him. Riley placed an arm over her bare breasts and her free hand over her lower abdomen. But Jack wasn’t looking at her.
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