Melbourne Memories (Heart of Australia)

by Marion Ueckermann

  Time escaped as they played in the calm ocean—diving through the water like fish, jumping off the back of the yacht, swirling in the water in each other’s arms.

  When the tenderness on Justin’s shoulders beneath Ella’s touch warned that he’d been in the water for too long without protection, he started back toward the boat. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end…for a little while at least.

  Ella swam beside him.

  “Your offer still good for that sunscreen rub? Although I think the sun’s rays might’ve already singed the feathers of my tattoo.”

  She wagged her finger at him. “I warned you the sun would get the better of you. Maybe I should rub you with after-sun.”

  He laughed. “Probably a wiser choice.”

  Pressing his hands against the back step that lapped almost level with the water, Justin hoisted himself onto the yacht.

  Ella lingered in the water, swirling and diving—like a child, getting in her last swim.

  Hope she hurries.

  Justin grabbed the stainless steel handrail to pull himself inside, then turned for one last look. His knuckles whitened as horror punched him in the gut. Not one or two but three gray fins headed toward Ella.

  He opened his mouth to shout. No sound came out, fear robbing him of speech.

  He tried again. “Ella.” On the second try his voice broke through. He waved his hands frantically. “Ella, get out!” Oh Lord, help us! How many sharks were out there?

  Ella waved back and dove toward the long gray creatures, emerging dangerously close to the fins.

  No. Justin slid down the stairs, not taking one of them, his gaze fixed on Ella. As his feet touched the landing at the bottom, she smiled wide and reached for the fins as they swam past her.

  His hand gripped the steel rail.

  “Phoenix, look. Dolphins. Mummy, daddy, and baby. Aren’t they amazing?”

  Dolphins? The strength sapped from his body, and Justin sank to the last step. He began to laugh as the initial shock wore off.

  As if to mock Justin, the larger two—the parents—raised their heads out of the water and wiggled their long noses up and down as they squeaked their chortles to him.

  Ella swam back to the yacht and plopped her elbows on the edge. “Why were you screaming?”

  Justin shook his head. “I thought— Never mind.” He chuckled. “If only I could hit such high notes with my singing. Freddy Mercury the Second.”

  She reached out and wrapped her hands around his ankles. “I’d choose Phoenix the First any day. I prefer your smooth, low voice.”

  Ella and Justin spent the afternoon alternating between cooking and swimming. When the sun began to set, Ella weighed anchor and steered the boat back toward Melbourne, promising that the city lights would make an amazing view during dinner.

  Justin took far too long showering and getting ready. In the quiet of his stateroom, he spent time praying for Uncle Jim, still in a coma, and for strength to tell Ella his full story. Please, Lord, help her understand. Don’t let me lose her.

  By the time he emerged, Ella had the table set, complete with a Christmas wreath and candles. Carols played softly through the sound system.

  She strolled toward him, her long black dress hugging her shape. Dark strawberry-blond hair spilled over her shoulders, and a plait decorated each side above her ears. She smiled and his gaze was drawn to the soft skin-tone color that moistened her lips. Earthy shades on her eyes and cheeks defined her exquisite features. He hadn’t seen her look this beautiful. He was definitely underdressed in his jeans and white open-necked cotton shirt, but nothing he could do about that now.

  “Ella, you look…amazing. I didn’t know tuxedos were required otherwise I would’ve brought mine.”

  “I wanted to look beautiful for you.”

  She placed a hand on his chest. As the other circled his body to his back, her delicate perfume wrapped around him. Would his heart explode with the next beat?

  He took a long inhale to still his increasing heartbeat then exhaled slowly. “Mission accomplished.”

  Her lips parted with a smile. “Hoping I’ll get another serenade from you.”

  “Oh, you will. How about this for starters—perhaps for now it’ll put a song in your heart?” Justin drew her into a kiss, and her lips tasted as good as they looked. Strawberry, if he wasn’t mistaken. He loved strawberries. And cream.

  “For starters, that was amazing. Maybe we could try this for entrées?” Ella kissed him back.

  “Hmm, delicious.” He pinched the smile between his teeth. It still slipped out. “Dessert?”

  “Oh, yes,” Ella moaned between kisses. Finally she pulled away. “We should eat. Wouldn’t want the food to spoil and ruin our evening.”

  “Ella, there’s nothing can ruin this day.”

  With a demure smile, she stepped to the table, leaned over and rolled up the blind covering the window. “Like the view?”

  Did he ever.

  Justin moved closer to stand beside her. Leaning against the wraparound seating, he peeked through the glass. The blue-gray rectangles of Melbourne’s skyline had exploded into a rainbow of colored lights that reflected in the waters of the bay in shades of pink, blue, red, and orange. It was like Christmas outside. Oh, that’s right. It was Christmas.

  “Amazing. But there’s a view more beautiful than that.”

  Ella widened her eyes. “Really?”

  “The one I’ll have across the dinner table.”

  A soft laugh drifted from her lips. “Should we start?”

  He nodded, although aware that starting would set the clock in motion, ticking until their evening came to an end. The afternoon swimming had him famished.

  At Ella’s instruction, Justin took his seat while she fetched their starters. She placed a small platter of salmon roses between them.

  Justin eyed the delicate salmon-wrapped rice topped with mayonnaise and caviar. A thin slice of green avocado peeked out between the salmon and the mayo. “I love sushi.” He lifted one and dipped it in the bowl of soy sauce.

  “So do I, but I can’t take credit for making them. I ordered them from the sushi shop next door to Ella’s.”

  Justin chuckled. “Shouldn’t I be the one giving you roses?” He popped the sushi into his mouth.

  When all the roses were consumed, they moved on to the traditional dinner of turkey with cranberry sauce, stuffing, roast potatoes, and roasted asparagus with mushrooms. Between courses, they over-indulged in conversation and kisses. Mostly kisses.

  Dessert could be nothing other than homemade steamed Christmas pudding according to Ella. A British tradition since forever, she got no opposition from him. In fact, she got no opposition on anything to do with the menu, and by the time their bowls were empty, Justin wished he could loosen the top button of his jeans. Ella wasn’t only a beautiful woman who made the best coffee he’d ever tasted, she was an amazing cook—one who knew where to get the best sushi.

  “Coffee?”

  He shook his head. He couldn’t fit another thing in his stomach. “Maybe later.”

  Justin rose from the table and stretched. “Fancy some stargazing out on the deck? It’s what they did that first Christmas, except they did it from the backs of camels and in open fields, not from a beautiful yacht in the middle of the ocean.”

  Ella laughed. “We’re not in the middle of the ocean, Phoenix. We aren’t even in the middle of the bay. But stargazing sounds like fun.”

  Stretched out on their backs, Ella could point to Orion’s belt, the Pointers, the Southern Cross, Taurus the bull, and Pleiades. Why had he suggested this? His lack of knowledge of the night skies made him look stupid. His only brush with stargazing was having adoring fans gaze at him, the star, up on a stage, surrounded by flashing lights in changing colors.

  Ella reached for his hand and squeezed.

  “My dad taught me all I know about the heavens. We would come out onto the deck, lay here like we are, and he’d poin
t out the constellations—said they could save the seafarer’s life if they lost direction.” She propped herself up on her elbow. “Can you even see the stars in Britain with all that rain?”

  Justin’s laughter split the quiet. “Sometimes.”

  With a sigh, Ella rested her head on his chest. “I miss my dad.”

  He slid his arm around her and stroked her hair. “What happened to him? And your mother?”

  She drew a deep breath. “My dad was a brilliant businessman, often travelling on business in his private jet. He had to take a trip to New Zealand, and my mother went along—they’d planned a holiday in Fiji after he’d concluded his business. They wanted me to go with them but I’d only recently opened Ella’s and didn’t want to leave. I promised them the next time I’d go. Except—”

  Moisture seeped through Justin’s shirt onto his chest as Ella’s tears soaked the fabric. She wiped her cheeks then moved her arm to straddle his waist.

  Justin tightened his hold on her.

  “Except there was no next time. Their plane crashed into the South Pacific en route to Fiji, killing my mum and dad, the pilot and cabin crew.

  “I inherited it all—the house, the boat, the fancy cars, and the business which I sold because my interests lay in Ella’s. I couldn’t stay in the house. It was too big for only me. Everything has been covered and draped since I moved onto the yacht a few months after they died.” She drew in a deep, ragged sigh. “I feel closest to my parents here.”

  Ella raised her head and gazed at Justin. “Do you know how relieved I was that you talked me out of going to London last week? I haven’t been able to get on an airplane since their accident.”

  Justin planted a long kiss on her head, hoping she’d know that he felt for her and all she’d endured. What else could he do? What could he say? He’d already used those two insignificant words on her last week when she’d told him her parents were dead. There were no other words.

  “That was the moment that defined the rest of my life.” Propping her head against her hand, elbow on his chest, Ella stared at Justin. “What was yours?”

  He remained silent for a while, gazing into the heavens. Lord, what do I say? I don’t want to spoil Christmas for her. And telling her my story now would certainly do that. I know she needs to be told. Just not tonight.

  “My defining moment was the day I met my pastor—my mentor and friend. It was because of him that I turned my life around. He was my good Samaritan. And once he’d bound up my wounds and put me on the road to recovery, he showed me the way to Jesus.”

  “He sounds like an amazing man. I’d love to hear more about him.”

  “And you will. But not tonight.” Because once I tell you who my mentor is, our night could be over. And I’m not ready for it to end. “Have you had any further news on your uncle?”

  “Nothing more, other than he’s still in a coma. The doctors are optimistic that it’s temporary and he’ll come around any day now.”

  “God is good. We should pray and thank Him for the healing He’s brought, and for your Uncle Jim’s awakening.”

  Ella brought her hand to her eyes, shielding them from the spotlight pointed at her face. She opened one eye to white linen, and then faded jeans ending just above male toes propped against the aluminum railings of the deck.

  Shoot. She shot upright and hugged her knees to her chest. The last thing she remembered was lying in Phoenix’s arms, praying for Uncle Jim and Aunty Mary. They’d taken several turns pleading before the throne of God for her uncle’s full recovery.

  Phoenix stirred at her movement. Sitting up, he rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her arm. “What time is it?” he mumbled, his voice thick.

  “I don’t know. But I can tell you that it’s Christmas morning.”

  He gave a sleepy smile. “Hmm, Merry Christmas, Ella.” He puckered his lips.

  She planted a gentle kiss there which, even in his sleepy state, he managed to turn into something wow. “Merry Christmas, birdman.”

  She rose and Phoenix fell back onto the mat with a groan. “Where are you going?”

  “Coffee. And breakfast.”

  He rubbed his eyes then stretched them open. “I’ll help.”

  Inside the galley, Ella shoved a pod into her Nespresso machine and pushed the start button. Water began to drip through the machine and the smell of filtering coffee permeated the air. “I’m sorry we fell asleep on the deck last night. I wouldn’t want you to think that’s the kind of thing I do.”

  With the last of the dinner dishes stacked in the dishwasher, Phoenix pushed the door closed. A frown wrinkled his brow as he looked up at her. “Ella. We didn’t do anything wrong. We fell asleep, that’s all.”

  “Still…”

  Enfolding her hands in his, he brought them to his lips and gave them a soft kiss. “I would never think badly of you.”

  Ella offered a fragile smile and sucked in a breath. She pulled her hands away to attend to the filled coffee cup. She handed it to Phoenix then made a second cup for herself.

  “Let’s sit for a while before we make breakfast.” Phoenix took her hand and led her to the salon. On the coffee table in front of the white wrap-around couch sat a small four-inch square box, easy to spot with its red wrapping and silver ribbon and bow.

  Ella’s eyes darted from the box to Phoenix.

  He grinned. “Merry Christmas.”

  “You shouldn’t have.”

  “I wanted to. I hope you like it.”

  Setting her coffee cup on the table, Ella flopped onto the couch with the small box. She untied the dainty bow. The ribbon fell loosely in her lap. After unwrapping the gift, she lifted the lid then slid the silver cuff bracelet, with its diamante infinity symbol, onto her arm. “That’s beautiful.”

  “There was a time when I could afford white gold and diamonds. But I’m not that man anymore. I hope sterling silver and cubic zirconias will suffice.”

  Surely he didn’t think her so shallow as to put a monetary value to his gift. This could’ve been made from tin and glass, and it would still have been a precious gift, one she’d treasure. “I don’t need diamonds and gold from you, Phoenix. I only need you.”

  Phoenix grinned, and his eyes held a sparkle that made Ella suspect he felt the same way.

  She pushed to her feet. “I got you something, too. I’ll be back.” She hurried to the other side of the salon and took the steps down into her stateroom. Her heart swelled at the sight of the book-size gift box, neatly wrapped and sitting on her dresser. She couldn’t wait to give this gift to him. Hopefully it would be just what he needed. Wanted.

  Phoenix rose as Ella returned. He chuckled. “That’s a bigger box than mine.”

  “It has to be bigger—it’s filled with a whole lot more treasure.” She gazed at the bracelet sparkling on her arm as she handed her gift to him. Was there a reason he’d chosen the figure-of-eight infinity symbol?

  Without waiting to sit down, Phoenix tore at the paper wrapping. His eyes welled as he brushed his hand across the leather cover of the Bible she’d bought him.

  “I wasn’t sure if you needed a Bible, but I figured if the one you read in my coffee shop is all you own, then you definitely need this.”

  He wrapped his arms around Ella and hugged her tight. “You could not have given me anything better.”

  Sinking into the couch, he opened the Bible. “Genesis to Revelation! Old and New Testament.” He blew out a slow breath. “Wow…”

  Phoenix set the Bible down on the coffee table then patted the seat beside him. As Ella sat, he took her hands in his.

  “And that serious face?” Why had his demeanor changed so fast from the Bible high to this?

  “Ella, I can’t put this off any longer. You need to know my story, starting with my real name.”

  At last. What she’d been waiting for. But why did she suddenly feel like she no longer wanted to know?

  “I’m Justin Taylor, and your Uncle Jim was my mentor
, my friend.”

  “Uncle Jim was your good Samaritan? My Uncle Jim?”

  Phoenix was Justin, the man Aunty Mary had spoken of? Why hadn’t he told her he knew her uncle and aunt?

  Phoenix nodded then exhaled slow and heavy. “I’m the reason he’s lying in hospital fighting for his life.”

  The room spun. A tsunami had hit her yacht of life and thrown it off course. Numbness spread through Ella as she listened to Phoenix tell his story from the day he’d met Uncle Jim, and then a little further back.

  Phoenix blinked at the moisture in his eyes. “Ella, say something, please.”

  Ella continued to stare at him. Say something? Say what? She could lose her only blood relative because of his drug problem. She felt hurt. Confused. Betrayed. This was the last thing she’d expected to hear.

  She dropped her gaze, only then realizing that Phoenix still held her hands. Tight. She pulled them back and rose.

  “I’m going to weigh anchor. When we get back to the marina, I want you off this boat and out of my life.” She tried, unsuccessfully, to still the quiver in her voice. Like a fever, the shaking spread through the rest of her body. She forced her feet to move toward the steps leading to the cabin and then the flybridge. She needed to sail this ship back to shore. At the steps she stopped and turned. “If it wasn’t so far to land, I’d tell you to swim.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  AS THE YELLOW ‘Paint Spot’ building came into view, Justin rose from his seat and made his way down the long aisle, hanging onto the overhead handles, trying not to stumble into the person in front or behind him as the bus jerked to a stop. That was the longest ride he’d ever taken, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he’d gotten lost finding his way home from the marina.

  He unlocked the front door of ‘home’ and pushed it open.

  “Mrs. Gibbs,” he called as he stepped inside. “Hello.”

  Silence echoed his greeting. Perhaps she’d gone to church, or to see family for the day. Suddenly he wanted the strange old lady there to talk to. As the old saying went, misery loved company, and he wasn’t fussy.