On a Starlit Ocean

by Charlotte Nash

  “There you are,” Erin exclaimed, as Alex appeared at the edge of the crowd, his sleeves rolled up. “I wondered where you’d escaped to.”

  “Glass in a foot, and another kid who burned himself on a lighter.”

  “I thought it would be duty calling.”

  Alex kissed her. “How about your duties?”

  “Almost, done, I think. Nothing else to do but everyone to have a good time, but not so good the mainland cops have anything to do. I want them to come back next year.”

  Alex laughed. “I saw the police in the queue for the suckling pig earlier. People were whispering jokes, and Skye gave them all stern looks.”

  “I think she still has the local member bailed up now. She might retire at the next election, and I think Skye’s trying to encourage her to stay on.”

  Erin scanned the crowed and pointed out Skye, in one of the corners away from the speakers, animated as she talked to an older woman. “Well, if she’s relaxed enough to be shoring up future support, our work here must be done. Good. I’ll get us some food and we can head down the beach.”

  They ate at the crest of the dunes, under the star-filled sky. Erin savoured the idea of a sleep-in tomorrow. Then it would be back to the project office, still under Ivan’s guidance but increasingly being given independence.

  Erin had been so busy in the last year she’d almost missed when the media first began reporting Tristan’s business troubles – creditors accusing Drummond Enterprises of failing to pay accounts, then the company being placed in administration. At first, Tristan fronted the cameras himself, denying everything. He only stopped when the first of two harassment and intimidation claims surfaced from former employees. That was when rumours also started up about incriminating footage. These were too circumstantial for the mainstream media, but the online sailing community buzzed with it for a while, though the footage itself never did come to light. Travers wouldn’t be drawn about it, but he toasted the news anytime the a Drummond Enterprises story of woe was reported. Erin watched the empire crumbling, and couldn’t help feel justice had come around to Tristan, too.

  Ivan’s style was very different to Tristan’s – his business was vast, and he delegated to his trusted people. He insisted on doing things right the first time and never raised his voice. The resort plans had taken a long while to remodel, making it energy efficient and automated enough to bring costs way down, and including a resort-owned launch boat to strip the supply costs. Ivan’s shipping business had been perfect to take that on, and they’d then included black-water processing and a water use strategy to minimise any damage to the local marine environment. It had taken time and money, which Ivan had rigorously taught Erin to take into account. All the effort had been worth it. The village was optimistic and the resort would be as good as they could make it. Now, they just needed it finished ... and for people to come.

  “I’m really proud of you,” Alex said. “Everyone said it couldn’t be done, but you found a way. And you and Skye made these races a success.”

  “With a lot of help.”

  He shook his head. “We all do things with a lot of help. But leadership doesn’t come around so often. That part was all you. And tomorrow, you get to be an actual star.”

  Erin groaned. “Don’t remind me.” A director was coming out to the island in the afternoon, keen to discuss a movie concept about the island, maybe about Bella, maybe about Erin and the village. Maybe about both.

  “He doesn’t even know what he wants,” Erin said. “I’d be happier if it was never made. They won’t get the story right anyway.”

  “Maybe not, but we’ll know.”

  Erin leaned against him, solid and reassuring. They had begun to talk about what had happened that day in the storm, carefully, but both of them admitted there were parts of what happened they would never be sure of. When Erin looked up towards Bella’s Leap, she did so without a trace of the story from her childhood. She saw Bella now as a survivor, a symbol of vigilant hope. Because Erin and Alex had both survived and found love. The island would go on, and they would call it home wherever the winds took them.

  Thank You

  I am immensely proud and grateful to have such a community of loyal readers, many of whom have been with me since my first novel was published in 2013. My career exists because of you all, and your support has allowed me to keep writing as publishing has changed around us.

  Reviews help us writers immensely, so please do leave yours on your preferred platform if you can. It makes a huge difference in helping other readers discover books, and in making our careers viable. A recommendation is the highest form of praise.

  You can find my other books through your local library and through ebook borrowing platforms, at online book retailers, or through my website, charlottenash.net. My social media links are at the end of this book, and I’m always happy to receive messages. Happy reading!

  Charlotte

  April 2020

  Saving You

  Three escaped pensioners

  One single mother

  A road trip across the USA

  In their tiny green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry’s father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.

  During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other – and themselves.

  An uplifting drama leavened by gentle humour, blossoming friendships and a good, old-fashioned romance — The Courier-Mail

  Fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will enjoy this tale of friendship, family and the road

  — The New Daily

  The Horseman

  Escape to the High Country in this passionate love story of a young doctor and a legendary horseman whose lives become inextricably linked.

  It’s been eleven years since Dr Peta Woodward, born into a horse-breeding dynasty, fled the family stud in the wake of a deadly tragedy that split her family apart. Carrying wounds that have never truly healed, Peta has focused on helping others. But when an injury during a solo trip through the Australian High Country leaves her stranded, the man who comes to her rescue is Craig Munroe, a born and bred high-country horseman, and the kind of man legends are written about.

  Stuck in the tiny town of Yarraman Falls while she recovers, Peta is surrounded by prying eyes and heartbreaking reminders of all she has lost. But while she resolves to leave as soon as she can, fate has other ideas . . .

  ... features the kind of country town we all want to settle down in and the kind of man we’d pick to fall in love with — iBooks review

  The Paris Wedding

  Ten years ago, Rachael gave up the love of her life. Now, he’s marrying someone else. In Paris. Would you go?

  It’s been ages since Rachael West has seen Mathew, the man she once believed she couldn’t live without. Receiving his wedding invitation is bittersweet—while oddly touched he’s asked her, she knows that facing him will be the hardest thing she’s ever done. Because Rachael has never gotten over Matthew.

  But her friends and family convince her to attend. After all, it’s an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris! Surely she can get through that one day, and discover all the delights of that magical city.

  So Rachael leaves her small town, setting off for the City of Lights with her best friend, two feuding neighbours, and a suitcase full of home-sewn couture in tow. She’s determined to let Paris work its magic—and it does by way of a handsome photojournalist. And before her adventure is over, Rachael will be faced with yet another choice.
But this time, hers isn’t the only happiness at risk …

  A tale of loss, self-discovery and the depth of friendship ... Nash’s spellbinding descriptions of Paris, the City of Love are a treat, as is that bittersweet idea of “the one that got away” — iBooks review

  The Walker-Bell Saga

  The bestselling, intertwined romance stories of the brothers in two families, and the women they love. The books can be read as stand-alones or as a series for a richer reading experience.

  Ryders Ridge (Book 1)

  Daniella Bell comes to town with an unspeakable secret … then she meets Mark Walker. Will she be strong enough to face the past?

  Iron Junction (Book 2)

  Beth Harding runs away to a remote town at the same time Will Walker is running from his home. Can they love each other despite all that stands in their way?

  Crystal Creek (Book 3)

  Christina Price vowed to never go home, but when fate lands her back in the military town, she falls in love with Captain Aiden Bell, and nothing can be the same again.

  A spirited heroine, a sexy farmer and a secret. Nash has created a dynamic debut novel that grabs you from the first page — Fleur McDonald

  A skilful mix of rural charm and gripping medical drama

  — West Weekend Magazine

  Charlotte Nash began stealing her mother’s Jilly Cooper novels at thirteen, and has been enthusiastic for romance ever since. She started writing after medical school, and her enduring stories of courage and love are now published around the world. She writes from a cottage on the east coast of Australia. On A Starlit Ocean is her seventh novel.

  Visit charlottenash.net for all the books. She loves to hear from readers through:

  @CharlotteNash79

  AuthorCharlotteNash

  @charlottenashauthor