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financials of it to me. I didn’t get it in the beginning, but archaeological digs take a bit of funding, and there are never enough funds to go around. As a second-year student, I was ridiculously pleased when my professor invited me to join the dig. I knew I’d just be free, unskilled labour, but I’d be part of something.’
    Her head was bent, her attention focussed on the tiny movement of the teacup, back and forth. ‘I had a great time. I got dirty, sunburnt, and my muscles ached. I came home absolutely determined to be an archaeologist. I told Dad.’ She took a deep breath and looked at Brodie. ‘He pointed out that my professor knew that I was his daughter and was undoubtedly looking for funding from Numbat.’
    ‘You don’t know that.’
    ‘I do. Oh, my prof never said anything, but I’ve been around archaeologists enough years now to know they’d sell their grandmothers for funding. Using a student’s personal connections would be instinctive.’
    ‘But your professor never did.’
    Her mouth twisted in an unhappy smile. ‘I made it clear that I wouldn’t be focusing on fieldwork and that Dad wasn’t interested in furthering my career.’
    ‘Was that true?’
    ‘Yeah,’ she said softly. ‘He made it clear that he wouldn’t buy a life for his daughter, and that I should have more self-respect than to consider it.’
    And all the time, the money had been hers. That had to eat at her.
    ‘Do you still agree with him?’ Brodie asked.
    The steward took away his tray and Jessica’s empty cup.
    She stared at him. ‘I haven’t considered it.’
    ‘Fair enough.’ It had only been six weeks since she’d lost her father.
    ‘I could, couldn’t I?’ She kicked off her sandals and curled her feet under her. The movement brought her shoulder fractionally closer to his. ‘That’s exactly why I need you.’
    ‘To point out the obvious?’
    She laughed. ‘No, to help me defend enough mental breathing space to think.’
    ‘I’ll make sure you get it,’ he vowed. Her laughter was a gift of happiness. It lifted his own sombre spirits, lit that dark place inside him that still bled from his mates’ betrayal.
    ‘Thank you.’ She touched his wrist.
    He turned his hand and caught hers. Their eyes met. ‘You’re not alone, Jessica. In this battle, you just got re-enforcements.’
    The skin around her eyes crinkled in the beginning of a smile. ‘A sergeant, no less.’
    ‘And what do you know about sergeants?’
    She truly smiled. ‘According to Sonia, sergeants are the rhinos of the army.’
    ‘Rhinos?’ He blinked.
    ‘Unstoppable, uninfluencable, and downright terrifying.’
    It surprised a laugh from him. It felt good to be holding hands with her. There was a sense of connection. Her perfume was subtle, spicy and warm. ‘I would have thought that described Lieutenant Dwyer.’
    ‘Sonia’s always been focussed.’
    ‘How do you know her?’
    ‘We went to boarding school together. No matter how different you are or the lives you build are, that bond remains.’
    He nodded. ‘I still catch up with friends from high school when I’m back in Jardin Bay.’ He was silent for a beat. ‘Is that why you came looking for me? Because Sonia said I was a rhinoceros? Would any sergeant have done?’
    She pulled her hand away. ‘I thought…you probably don’t want to hear this.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘I thought you’d understand my problem because you’d lived it. The tug of loyalty versus your principles. Belonging versus standing alone.’ She looked out the window and her chest moved in a deep, almost gasping breath.
    ‘I don’t know what my principles are. Maybe I’m being petty. Maybe I should let Derek control Numbat as Dad must have wanted. Maybe I should give Portia money. But I need to make these decisions myself and not be bullied into them, not trade my inheritance for a sense of finally belonging to the family.’
    Their eyes met and held.
    ‘You’re right. I do understand,’ he