A Southern Star Read Online Free PDF Page A

forward to catching up with her friend, who had mentioned asking a few other hotel staff to join them.
    Smothering a yawn, Christie sank back into her chair, sipping her drink and checking her text messages while she waited. It’s no wonder I’m so tired, she thought. Each night she fell asleep instantly, each night she woke before dawn after a sleep often troubled by nightmares that had her stirring restlessly, echoes of Paul’s voice fading as she woke, calling out. Lisa had told her some of the casual staff shared accommodation and Christie was relieved there was no one sharing the crib to hear her nightmares. At least they’re not happening as often now, she thought to herself.
    As she flicked through the text messages, Christie acknowledged that, like her nightmares, her thoughts of Paul were fading as the friendliness of the island community and the remote beauty of the island allowed her emotions to recuperate. And Blake. She had spent the day looking up as each person walked into the reception area, each time hoping it would be Blake, replaying the scene in the office, analysing what he had said and the way he had said it. She had taken extra care with her makeup that morning, not acknowledging the real reason, telling herself it was for the group drinks this evening.
    Blake had not said when he would return to the island and her anticipation had heightened each time an influx of check-ins told her a ferry had docked. She closed her mobile, looking around for Lisa. “Looking for someone, Christie?” Blake said, looking down at her. He raised his eyebrows slightly, putting his hand on the chair opposite her, checking it was free. Christie smiled tentatively as he sat down.  
    “Lisa,” she managed to say. “There’s a group of us meeting for drinks.” To see him sitting opposite her, his dark eyes sparkling, fixed on her, made Christie catch her breath with sudden longing. Blake studied her, his eyes narrowing at her words, wondering who would be in the group as he noticed her flawless makeup, the way it emphasised her striking blue eyes. Christie blushed as she met his gaze, struggling for composure, torn between protecting her damaged emotions or acting on her feelings.
    “So have you made all your plans?” Blake asked, clearly making an effort to be conciliatory. “Ready to see the kiwis?”  
    Christie took a deep breath. “I thought when the ranger mentioned kiwis he meant something like the exhibit at Auckland Zoo.”  
    Blake’s gaze softened; he chuckled. “The bay’s an amazing place,” he said, smiling at her, recognising her peace offering. “No cell phone reception though. So you’ll have to keep that in mind if anyone starts a conversation.”
    He was back to his usual gentle teasing; Christie smiled back at him, determined not to let Paul’s shadow intrude on an opportunity to be with Blake. “Yes, you can tell I’m from the city, can’t you,” she said, holding up her mobile. “Can’t leave home without it.”  
    “Well at least there’ll be one less thing in your pack.” His eyes were warm as he looked at her, paying careful attention as she mentioned more details of her planned trip. “That must be my signal to leave,” Blake said, grinning as Christie’s mobile rang with an incoming call.
    Laughing, her eyes sparkling, Christie picked up the phone to turn it off, not wanting to answer it now. Her smile faded instantly as she realised the number was Amanda’s, her face bleak as she turned the phone off. She knew she had nothing to say to Amanda now, would not have answered the call anyway. Blake watched her reaction intently, his eyes narrowed. “Who was that?” he asked tersely. Christie bit her lip nervously; he leaned forward, picking up on her reluctance to talk to him, a stark contrast to the joking openness of only a few moments ago. She met Blake’s eyes, agonised, torn between confiding in him and her fear of again becoming the focus of gossip and