Unseen Messages(30)

I couldn’t stop staring at her. The make-up she’d been wearing last night had washed off in the storm and a rivulet of mascara smudged below her eye.

Without thinking, I ran my thumb along the soft skin of her cheekbone.

She turned frigid. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

Now, what was her problem? I couldn’t be nice? I couldn’t tend to her while she tended to me?

I shrugged, doing my best to downplay what’d happened. “You had dirt on your face.”

Conner snickered. “We’re all covered in dirt. I don’t think a speck on her face is gonna be a problem.”

I glared at him. I liked the kid, but he’d better not form a habit of making me look like an idiot. I did that fine all on my own.

Estelle ran her hand where my thumb had touched her. Her eyes softened just a little. “Well...thank you. But Conner’s right. I’m filthy. We all are.”

I wanted to bring up the fact she was hurt again but didn’t know how to do it without her slapping me or worse...leaving me with no way of chasing after her.

Pippa tugged Estelle's hair. “My Mummy never lets me get this messy. Can I have a shower so I don’t get into trouble?”

All of us collectively tensed. Poor girl. The simple necessities of showering and eating with utensils had been stripped for the foreseeable future.

You don’t know that for sure.

Estelle plastered a fake smile on her face. “I’ve got something even better than a shower.”

Pippa brightened. “Oh?”

“How about a bath in the ocean? It’s so blue and pretty and maybe a dolphin will come and swim with you.”

Conner sucked in a ragged breath—not because Estelle soothed his baby sister but because of the word ‘ocean.’

I latched onto it, too.

“You’ve been on the beach?” My voice was gruff and snappy.

Estelle narrowed her eyes. “I have.”

My patience stretched too thin. “And...”

“And what?”

“And what did you see? Are we close to another island? Do you recognise where we are?”

She smoothed Pippa’s hair with gentle fingers while her voice hardened. “How would I recognise it? I’ve never been to Fiji before.”

Conner said, “Did you find help?”

Estelle’s anger faded—it seemed only I deserved her wrath. “No, I’m afraid not.”

I butted in again. “Where did you end up? After the crash, I mean?”

Annoyance glowed in her gaze. “I was in the helicopter. I was the only one.”

I did my best to understand how I’d been thrown clear, along with the Evermores. Estelle had been in the middle of the cabin, protected on both sides. It would make sense that she would be the last to be flung free.

Conner took Pippa’s hand, looking at Estelle. “We walked back to the helicopter last night. Did you see the pilot?”

Pippa shivered. “He’s sleeping like Mummy and Daddy.”

Estelle swallowed hard. “You mean he’s—”

“Didn’t make it. Yes,” I snapped, worried about Pippa and how she’d react bringing it up again. Couldn’t she see things like that ought to be discussed when juvenile ears weren’t around to hear?

Estelle’s nostrils flared. “Will you stop? Just stop. Okay?”

“Stop what?” I drowned in her angry eyes. They turned more green than hazel when she was mad.

“You know what.”

I did know what, but I wasn’t sure how to stop it. She brought out the worst in me.

I hoisted myself higher. “Look, help me up, then if you want to leave, you can. I won’t bother you again.” Holding out my hand, I did my best not to piss her off. “Please. Just help me stand and I’ll be a lot less annoying. I promise.”

She didn’t warm to my peace offering. “For now, I think you should stay there. I’ve explored one side of the island. There’s nothing but beach and sea for miles.” Looking over her shoulder, she looked into the thicket in the opposite direction. “However, I haven’t explored that way yet. Perhaps, there are people. I’ll try and find help for your leg.”

My heart leapt but the niggle of doubt was too big to ignore. “And if there’s no one else on this island?”

“Then I guess we’d better make more of an effort to get along and remember how to survive better than what credit cards and home delivery has taught us.” Striding away, she left without another word.

Damn woman.

Damn gorgeous, opinionated, strong-as-hell woman.

Conner and Pippa gawked after her. Pointing at his sister, Conner ordered. “Stay with Galloway. I’m going with her.”

“But—” Pippa tried to grab her brother.

“No, Pip.” Conner pushed her. I managed to snag her wrist as she stumbled closer to me.

I wanted him to go with Estelle. Someone needed to be with her and, hopefully, keep her safe.

“Keep me company. I’d love that.” Winking at Conner, I added, “I’ve got her. Go ahead. Fingers crossed you find civilisation and this will all be over.”

Conner jogged after Estelle, still protecting his wrist.

Pippa sniffed, sliding unwillingly into a cross-legged pose beside me. Her brown eyes met mine, almost identical to the copper-brown on her head. She’d been well-dressed and excited when we’d boarded the helicopter last night. Now, she looked wild and unkempt.