Free Black Mountain by Kate Loveday Page A

I—’ Mitchell cleared his throat, ‘—I guess I just acted on impulse. The main thing was to get them off you.’
    Elly suddenly realised that he was embarrassed and, remembering he had seen her naked from the waist up, she felt a faint flush tinge her cheeks, and averted her eyes. Not that he’d seen a lot more than could be seen on any beach on most days, but this seemed different somehow. She bit down the awkwardness rising inside her.
    â€˜Mum washed your jacket,’ she said quickly. ‘I’ll get it for you.’
    â€˜No hurry,’ he replied, his composure obviously restored. Raising his hand he ran his fingers gently over the spots on her cheek, a whisper light caress that set her blood tingling.
    â€˜They’re looking much better,’ he told her, his voice soft.
    The intensity in his molten brown eyes belied the ordinariness of his words, and as he took a step closer Elly felt a catch in her breath. A shiver ran through her as her eyes searched his face. What was he thinking?
    At that moment Beth’s voice came from the kitchen.
    â€˜Elly,’ she called, ‘is that Mitchell?’
    Mitchell dropped his hand and stepped back, and the moment was gone.
    Elly swallowed, inwardly lamenting her mother’s timing—Mitchell had looked as if he was about to kiss her—and she had wanted him to.
    â€˜Yes, Mum,’ she called, and turned and headed down the hall with Mitchell following.
    Over coffee Mitchell told them the latest news in the search for Jackson Lee.
    â€˜Because the police believe he may be in the country illegally they made some enquiries in Cairns, and finally found he’d been living in a studio apartment in Abbott Street for two months, but he left there suddenly the day before you returned from Brisbane, without giving notice and leaving no forwarding address. No-one has seen anything of him since, so he’s been reported as missing, and his photo’s been circulated. A report came in of a sighting in Brisbane, but it came to nothing, and another from Sydney, which is being followed up.’
    â€˜Sydney,’ Elly exclaimed. ‘I wonder what would take him there.’
    Mitchell shrugged. ‘It may not be him. It’s not unusual to receive reports of sightings once a photo’s made public. But it gives us a lot more chance of finding him, and a friend in the force will let me know if they have something definite.’
    â€˜Well, that’s all good,’ Elly mused, ‘but in the meantime we need to get on with our search. We need to try and find Della.’
    â€˜I’m ready whenever you are,’ Mitchell told her. ‘I’ve covered more ground while you’ve been recovering, but with no luck, obviously.’
    Elly nodded. ‘I’m ready now. Let’s go to Wujal Wujal tomorrow.’
    â€˜Okay.’ Mitchell pushed his chair back and rose. ‘I’ll get going now, and I’ll be here at seven-thirty to pick you up.’
    Elly saw him to the door, and as he was leaving she saw Gai’s car pull up outside and her friend get out. The two met on the path and Mitchell stood aside to let her pass with a nod and a smile.
    â€˜Who was that?’ Gai asked with raised eyebrows after she’d greeted Elly.
    â€˜Mitchell Beaumont. He’s helping us try and track down Jackson Lee.’
    â€˜Wow, he’s gorgeous. He could help me with anything he likes.’ She gave a sly smile. ‘Why worry about Jackson when he’s around?’
    â€˜Don’t talk rubbish,’ Elly spoke dismissively, flicking her hair back, but she felt a wash of heat come over her as she remembered the look in Mitchell’s eyes before her mother had interrupted them, and how it had made her feel.
    â€˜Aha.’ Gai grinned. ‘You fancy him, don’t you?’
    â€˜No, of course not. It’s strictly business between us.’
    â€˜Then why have you turned