He waited on the verandah while she threw her things back in her bag then he loaded his vehicle with her belongings and drove to one of the colourful cabins she’d noticed from the camp kitchen. He pulled up in front of one painted a vibrant shade of purple.

“You’ll like it here. Bit more comfortable than your other room.”

Natalie stepped inside and felt instantly at home in the neat little cabin. Gabe brought in her case while she carried her assorted bags.

“I’ll clear the remains of my food from the camp kitchen,” she said.

Once again Gabe offered to help. By the time they were done Natalie was hot and sweaty.

“I can’t offer you much to drink,” she said as she put the last of her perishables in the fridge. She waved a bottle of mineral water. “It’s cold at least.”

“Suits me.” Gabe took two glasses from the cupboard.

She poured and they took their drinks outside where they settled into the outdoor chairs and sipped the cool fizzing water in silence. Across from the verandah was a small garden plot containing assorted shrubs and beyond that was patchy lawn, coconut palms and much larger broad-leafed trees. The sun had slipped below the giant sandhills creating a golden glow across the sky.

“Thanks for bringing me here,” Natalie said. “I can understand why you’d want to come back. It’s beautiful.”

He turned, his look searching. Natalie felt he could see right inside her.

“I like to visit. This is home but there’s not much to do here.”

“That sounds good to me.” Natalie broke away from his gaze and watched a small bird flitting in and out of a leafy shrub.

“Are you running away from something?”

His question took her by surprise. She glanced back. He was still studying her, his look solemn. They’d only just met. She felt comfortable with him, as if they’d known each other for years instead of days, and yet she wasn’t about to confide in an acquaintance, least of all a male one.

“No, I just needed a holiday. Some downtime.”

“You’ll get that here.” He watched her a moment longer then stood suddenly and drained his glass. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks for your help.” Natalie waved him off. There was something about Gabe that she found – how could she describe it – attractive? That she even thought it surprised her. Not that there hadn’t been other men she’d found attractive over the years but none of them had compared to Milt or made her even think of straying. She shook herself. Her husband had crossed that line but the idea had never entered her head before. She rolled her shoulders, stretched languidly in the warm air and pushed thoughts of men from her mind.