Page 16 of The Cloud Catcher

More easy-going conversation flowed within the newly formed friendships, with laughter aplenty. And as Mark recounted adventures from the cockpit alongside his captain and flight pal, Zara looked on in admiration at the camaraderie between the two pilots who had been best of mates before they’d even left high school. It was clearly a bond forged by trust and mutual respect, and for her, that spoke volumes about the man Jay was. Good. Decent. Loyal. Moral. Dependable. And so worthy of being greatly loved. She was a very lucky woman to be the one falling deeply, impossibly, irrefutably in love with him. And she held this realisation close to her heart as they begrudgingly left a closing restaurant and caught a cab home, where they reluctantly parted, Zara to the bedroom and Jay to the couch.

* * *

The next morning greeted them with a clear blue sky and a gentle breeze that promised new chances. Zara and Jay decided to skip a trip up to the Daintree and instead lazed the hours away doing nothing much but eating, lounging and chatting, and time flew past until they found themselves at the beach, ready to welcome in a glorious sunset before heading home to cook dinner. Their fingers tangled together, they strolled along the edge of their world where lush green land met sparkling sapphire water, and the sun-dazzled horizon stretched out before them like an endless gleaming dream. Palm Cove was certainly putting on a glorious show, and Zara was grateful for Mother Nature’s strong heartbeat in her sultry corner of Australia.

Admiring the postcard-worthy scene, a sense of peace settled within her soul. Last night had gone even better than she’d hoped for, and the way-past-midnight bedtime hadn’t left her feeling tired in the slightest. How could she possibly be heavy-eyed when she was high as a kite on this marvellous man alongside her? Cuddling with him had been absolute bliss, and their lingering kisses had left her wanting more. Not that they’d let it go further. They both wanted the time to be right. Thankfully, his willpower was astounding, because hers was waning with each passing second. What a man, she thought, to not take advantage when she was barely clinging to self-restraint. And as they wandered towards the sweeping jetty dotted with eager fishermen, she stole more glances at him, admiring how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled into the sunshine and the way his dark hair caught the light just so. In him, she’d found a kindred spirit, someone who understood her in a way no one else, other than Suzanne, ever had.

‘Would you look at that,’ Jay murmured as they paused, gazing out at the horizon. ‘Even from the ground, a sunset always captivates me.’ He glanced down at her and smiled. ‘Much like you do, my gorgeous Zara.’

‘Oh stop it, Maverick, you’re making me blush,’ she replied, even though she adored his compliments.

‘Come here, you.’ He gently drew her nice and close.

Zara nestled into him as the sun continued its slow descent, painting the listless clouds in hues of coral and lavender. Squinting into the spectacle, she rested her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist as they took in the breathtaking view, feeling like time had slowed down for them to fully appreciate their deepening connection.

‘It’s absolutely gorgeous,’ she breathed, not only in awe of the natural beauty but also of this shared moment with him.

‘Moments like these …’ Jay’s voice trailed off, his arm tightening around her. ‘They’re what life is all about, don’t you think?’

She nodded, her eyes reflecting the sunset’s vibrant blushes and all the love she felt for him. She knew all too well about loss and the longing for deep connection, about how loved ones could slip through desperate fingers like grains of sand. But here, with Jay, she felt a pull towards something enduring and unbreakable, like a current that wouldn’t, couldn’t, be swayed. And as the last sliver of sunlight bid farewell to the ocean, they both remained silent, seemingly lost in their own thoughts and reflections. She contemplated that no matter how vast and unpredictable the sea may be, some currents were destined to converge, guided by an unseen hand of fate, just as she and Jay had been led to each other. As the stars emerged to claim their rightful place in the darkening sky, she made a silent promise to navigate whatever waters lay ahead, so that she and Jay could remain happily together, forever.

Time seemed to move at a leisurely pace as they decided to visit a local haunt of Zara’s for a coffee before they headed home. Leaving the sand behind, they strolled past quaint shops and charming eateries until they reached an unassuming door nestled between a florist and an antique bookshop. The sign above read Sea Whispers Café, each of the elegant letters curling like waves around a seashell emblem.

‘Sea Whispers, hey?’ Jay arched an intrigued eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

‘Cute name, huh.’ Sharing this piece of her world with him felt like weaving a part of her soul into the fabric of their growing bond. ‘Just wait until you taste their coffee, it’s like they brew it with a touch of magic.’

‘Magic hey, you’re setting the bar quite high, I have to say,’ Jay replied with a chuckle.

Jay held the door open, and Zara stepped into the comfy haven. The welcoming space was filled with mismatched cosy furniture and the shelves were lined with jars of homemade jams and relishes. A gentle melody played in the background, luring them further into the heart of it all. They chose a corner table by the window, where the streetlamps filtered through a cascade of hanging ferns, casting dappled shadows across their faces. When they were settled in their seats, a waitress approached, took their order, then glided back behind the counter.

‘So, tell me more about your life here in Cairns,’ Jay urged, leaning forward with eager eyes fixed upon her. ‘And don’t leave anything out, because I want to know everything.’

Zara wanted to tell him everything there was to know, but there were some things best kept undisclosed, for her sake and for his. Her past was exactly that, and that’s right where it was staying. So she spoke of the days filled with simple pleasures and contentment, of evenings spent watching the horizon swallow the sun in a burst of vibrant colours. She told him of happy times in her teenage years, despite flitting from one foster home to the next. She spoke about Suzanne, and how her friend’s parents used to love taking the two girls camping whenever the chance arose, which is where she felt her love for travel and adventure had initially stemmed from. As she applied each brushstroke onto the canvas of her life, carefully revealing poignant moments that had led her to this one, and avoiding anything that would taint it, she adored how Jay listened, absorbed, without asking any more from her. And all the while she hoped he would be keen to join her in completing her work of art, a painting of a life spent together.

‘It sounds like you’ve led a very interesting life, from one magnificent moment to the next,’ Jay mused.

‘Ha, yes, it’s a bit like that.’ Mentally shoving her horrific childhood aside, she smiled dreamily. ‘I’ve learnt I have to flow with the ups and downs, throw myself into the good, and take a big step back from the bad,’ she affirmed, her eyes mirroring the depth of her thoughts. ‘Kind of like how the ocean advances then recedes.’

‘Perhaps all of our lives are like oceans,’ Jay pondered, his voice a soft echo. ‘Seeking our shores, colliding and retreating.’

‘I really adore how you see life like I do.’ She reached across the table and rested her hand on his.

Sighing in a way that made her heart somersault, Jay linked his fingers into hers. ‘I adore all there is that makes you, you, Miss Monroe.’

Their steaming coffees and a huge slice of carrot cake with thick cream-cheese icing dotted with walnuts arrived, along with two forks, and their conversation continued with ease, unveiling more dreams and fears, until the café’s cuckoo clock chimed closing time, reminding them that hours had once again slipped past them.

Zara glanced at her watch — it was 8 pm. ‘Wowsers, we better head home and rustle up some dinner.’

‘Sounds like a plan.’ Jay grabbed a ten-dollar note from his wallet and placed it beneath the little vase of flowers, making Zara’s brows rise. ‘It’s my shout, and I don’t want to hear any objections.’ His tone was playfully gentle.

‘But you shouted last night, too, Jay, for all four of us, I might add.’ Zara rose alongside him.

‘Shhh.’ He kissed her square on the lips, his smile melting into hers. ‘I like to treat you.’

‘Well, thank you. I really appreciate it, and you.’ She accepted the crook of his arm as he strode forward and opened the door for her. ‘Ladies first.’

Would this man ever fail in making her feel special?