Free I'Ve Got You by Louise Forster Page A

home.’ He dipped his chin and gave her a that’s-not-happening stare.
    â€˜Don’t worry, I can’t imagine you being in one of those.’ Belle took his hand and stroked the tanned leathery skin with her thumb. ‘You’d soon look like a pale washed-out corpse.’ She giggled.
    â€˜Ooh!’ he shuddered, ‘We can’t have that.’ He patted her knee then took her hand in a firm grip. ‘Do something for me. I know you, okay?’ His sharp dark eyes studied hers. ‘What happened to you would’ve felt like the end of the world for you, broke your heart. But you were good at keeping your family out of the suffering you carried. There was nothin’ to be ashamed of darlin’, but still you shut them out. They did try to break through.’ He shrugged. ‘Now I’m asking you to share your grief with Kabe. I see the way he looks at you, the way he held you close even though you’d found your feet back there on the beach. These old eyes don’t miss much. He’s burning for you in the best way, my girl, the best. Let him in, Belle.’
    Her mouth trembled, and her eyes welled. She blinked away her tears, but her grandfather was still a blur. ‘Oh Pop, it’s all true, I did that.’
    He said nothing, just nodded, his pain for her evident on his gnarly old face. He pulled her in and gave her a tight hug. ‘Promise me you’ll think about it?’ he mumbled in her ear.
    A sob wracked her body. She composed herself and nodded against his shoulder.
    â€˜Stay put,’ Mario warned, and hurried down the hall. Seconds later, he came back and handed her a handkerchief.
    Belle slid her thumb over the embroidered A. ‘Nan’s,’ she murmured, and used it to wipe her face. ‘Thanks, Pop. We’d better get going otherwise we’ll miss high tide.’
    Mario kissed her cheek then headed to his kitchen to pack a few staples in a backpack. Coming back he took Belle’s hand, and led her down the stairs to the beach where Kabe sat on the dry sand, watching their approach.
    â€˜My radio frequency’s on a piece of paper, let me know what’s goin’ on.’ Mario handed the backpack to Kabe. ‘Just in case you get hungry.’ He grinned. ‘And look after me girl.’
    â€˜I will. As soon as we’ve located The Pocket , we’ll head back to the mainland.’
    Belle wrapped her arms around her grandfather, and whispered, ‘Love you. I’ll be back soon.’
    They headed down the beach. Belle turned once to wave at Mario, his solitary figure waving back.
    â€˜Have a nice chat with Mario?’ Kabe asked
    â€˜Yes, it was good.’ Eye opening.
    â€˜Uh-huh.’ He pulled her up and she found herself pressed to his side, her hand on his chest. ‘I heard you cry … I hope you’ll share with me … when you’re ready.’ He kissed her on the mouth; it was brief but tender.
    â€˜Thanks for giving us privacy,’ she whispered. Heart hammering, she leaned against him pretending she was grateful, but in reality using his strength to keep from collapsing at his feet.
    His eyes warmed, and his hand came up to curl around the back of her neck, holding firm. Hands resting on his chest she could feel his heart race, much like her own. Then his deep voice rumbled under her fingers, ‘You’re welcome.’ Kabe’s mouth met hers for another kiss and as it deepened, Belle couldn’t help but melt into him. A thrill settled deep inside her, then Kabe hesitated and pulled back, his breath rapid, much like her own.
    Knees weak, Belle mumbled, ‘Um … let’s go before we miss the tide.’
    â€˜Yeah … wouldn’t want that, would we?’ Kabe, eyes intense, moved his hand down to take hers.
    * * *
    They crashed through thick undergrowth for what seemed like forever. Finally they emerged sweaty from the steamy