“Dot?”The quiet question jolted Dot into wakefulness.She swiped at her eyes and looked into Oliver’s blue, watchful gaze.
His skin was flushed with colour, and the intensity of his gaze warmed her.
Her heart galloped.She sat and stretched, wincing at the ache in her back.“Sorry.I didn’t mean to disturb you.”Her cheeks heated.
He smiled, looking bemused.“You didn’t.”
She examined him.Aside from the IV in his arm, and a slight darkness under his eyes, he looked the same as he had yesterday.She almost wouldn’t know he’d had a spear sticking out of him not so long ago.“How are you?”
“Groggy.Tired.Hungry.”He glanced at the tray table.“I don’t suppose the pastry is for me?”
She smiled, passing it to him.“As long as you’re allowed to eat.”
He broke the pastry in two, offering her half.She took it with a smile.“Any pain?”
“Some throbbing, but it’s manageable.What did I miss?”
Dot shook her head.He was lucky to be alive and he acted as if he’d stubbed his toe.“Kristy and her husband, Steven, are heading to Carnarvon gaol; Martin’s and Andrew’s bodies have been taken to the morgue; and Rodney is taking all the credit.”
Oliver scowled.“Are you in trouble for shooting Martin?”
She hesitated before shaking her head.“There will be an investigation, but Martin died from Rodney’s shot, not mine.”
“And Lucas?”
She hesitated before admitting, “We can’t find him.”
“I called him earlier, but he didn’t say where he was, though he knew theOceanidwas at the marina.He said he’d let me know if he was coming to identify Andrew’s body.”
They’d catch him.A billionaire shipping magnate couldn’t hide for long.
Oliver finished his food and clutched Dot’s hand.“Thanks for the rescue.”
She ran a thumb over the back of his hand, liking that his grip was firm.“I’m sorry I didn’t get there earlier.Why did Kristy shoot you?”
He laughed and then winced.“It was an accident.She was waving the spear gun around and it went off.”
Stupid.She’d almost killed him.If the spear had gone a few millimetres in either direction, Oliver might be dead.
Her throat closed over.The thought of him no longer in her life made her sick.No, he wasn’t dead.He was here sitting in front of her, looking very much alive.She swallowed, trying to keep the fear from her voice.“How long are you in here for?”
“At least overnight.”He shrugged.“I might discharge myself tomorrow.I need to check on my team and finish the expedition.”
He had to be kidding.“You can’t go diving with your injury!”
He raised an eyebrow at her tone but said, “We’ll see.My team might finish the rest.”
She shook her head.“No.Nowe’ll see.The doctor can’t possibly clear you for diving yet.It’s too dangerous.You were seriously injured—”
“Calm down, Dot.”He squeezed her hand.
Her heart beat erratically as the fear fought its way to the surface.“You could have died.”She choked the words out.
“It’s OK.I’m OK,” he soothed.
She inhaled a ragged breath and exhaled again, willing her pulse to slow.“Oliver, I…” What did she say?The thought of opening her heart again still scared her, but the thought of losing him altogether was truly terrifying.Before she could find the words, Oliver spoke.
“After this, I’ll need to return to Perth, but university is over for the year, and the museum will give me some time off.I want to come back to Retribution Bay if you’ll have me.”
