‘Yep.It’s giving shade to the tea house.It’s the town’s local arts and crafts museum.A good place to support the local artists if you’re a tourist.’He glanced back at Julian, the sulking tourist hogging the back seat.
‘Sounds good…’ Again, Romy hid behind her camera to see the world through the lens, like most tourists.
Stone landed his chopper in a large dusty paddock at the back of the pub.Only a couple of vehicles were parked nearby, typical for a Monday morning.He helped Romy unload her bulky cases that she cleverly built into one big case.‘That’s a lot of luggage for a day trip?’
‘I only landed in the Northern Territory at midnight, and I didn’t know what to expect, so I brought all my luggage.’
‘What did Julian tell you?’
The pompous twit was too busy preening himself on the other side of the chopper to notice anything.
‘Julian said we were filming a documentary about crocodiles.I even brought out my drones.’She patted her cases.‘I’d assumed we’d have more time.’
‘How many drones do you have?’
‘Two.’This time she patted the larger case.‘This one is for long range, tough enough to handle your torrential outback rains.It’s my latest gadget.’But the smile that came with it was even more impressive.
‘So you’re not carrying just the one camera?’
‘Five, if you count the drones and my phone camera.’
No wonder she had so much luggage.‘So, you really film documentaries?As your day job?’
‘Yeah.But this is my first chance at crocodiles.’She frowned at Julian.
‘You don’t know your director?’
She shook her head.‘Not personally.But I checked out his credentials, mostly by word of mouth.’
Stone narrowed his eyes at her.‘How far back did you check out this guy?’
‘Obviously not far enough.Are you sure I can’t come with you to the hatchery?I can talk to Julian about staying for a bit.’She tucked her sandy-blonde hair neatly behind one ear.It was barely long enough to brush her shoulders, but just long enough to tuck into the tiniest of ponytails.
Everything about her was neatly tucked away.Compact.Easy and fuss free.
Her cargo pants were tucked into her sturdy boots, an obvious sign of someone with trekking experience.Her backpack, worn.Her nails were clipped short, her small strong hands almost as dirty as his from digging around the swamp, and she wore no jewellery except for her sports watch.
Yet, her understated beauty was both practical and pretty, especially when her brown eyes lit up, like the first time he’d pointed out a crocodile to her.
She was passionate about nature.He’d spotted that pretty quickly.And how she’d noticed everything, carefully taking in the details that most people never saw, but she did.
‘Please?I’ll shout you a purely platonic dinner at the pub, where I’ll pick your brains about crocodiles.Or I could buy you a carton of beer to help you spill your secrets?’
‘Stop, you’ll make me blush.I’m not that easy.’Yeah, he was.
Although, she was talking his language…
‘As long as you leave your cameras and your phone in the car, you might convince me to take you.’
‘You’re not flying in?’
‘Those places are strict about their security.They won’t let just anyone inside.’
Now her eyes shone, as she curled her lips over to hide her smile, preparing to beg for a seat on his chariot.
She’d suck at poker.
‘How about I make it lunch and two cartons of beer?’
