Nyree picked up a plate and grabbed fresh salad, ham, and bread to make a sandwich.She focused on the food, not letting her mind dart into the pain she was experiencing at the thought of Tawera’s departure.
All too soon, it was time to go.
“We’ll let you say your goodbyes in private,” Manu said.
He, Hone, and Kahurangi packed up their food and trash and carried their inflatable boat down the beach, past a hovering group of curious king penguins, to the water.
“My cousins will look after you,” Nyree said.“Ask questions if anything confuses you or if you require advice.All of them are decent men.Hone’s father, George, is also an excellent person to approach.Manu will introduce you to our families and friends.You will fit in with the others.You learn fast.”To her horror, tears dampened her eyes.She blinked hard to barricade them in position.
Tawera pursed his lips.“You are sad.”
“I’ll miss you,” Nyree blinked several times.
“We will email,” Tawera promised.“I will tell you all that I am doing.”
Nyree stepped forward to embrace him, but Tawera had other ideas.Yes, he drew her close, but he kissed her on the lips, taking his time and making it a kiss to remember.When Tawera stepped back, her tears were under control, and her pulse was racing.She sensed her cousins’ interest, but she ignored them and smiled.
“Behave,” she said lightly.“Have fun.”
“I will see you soon, Nyree.”Tawera beamed at her, then stalked away to join the other men.They pulled the inflatable into deeper water and clambered inside.The last thing she saw of Tawera was his hand raised in farewell as they scrambled up an iron ladder to board the fishing boat.
Nyree stayed until the ship motored out of the bay, and it rounded the corner and disappeared.The thickness in her throat stirred again, and tears blurred her vision.Longing flooded her, yet she remained still and silent.
Her heart went with Tawera.
18
Home Again
NyreearrivedbackatGrytviken almost two hours later with dusk about to fall.She’d taken her camera with her and snapped photos of craggy mountain peaks and hidden bays to show Carolyn and Keith if they asked questions.
They’d expressed concern after her ordeal and pondered the wiseness of exploring tonight.She’d assured them she was well but needed time alone to recover and regain her serenity.Photography always calmed her.Although she was back on time, she’d prepared if either of them interrogated her.
“There you are,” Carolyn said, concern and relief shimmering in her voice.She brushed a dark brown curl away from her eyes as she studied Nyree.What she saw must’ve reassured her.“I wondered if you and your scientist would like to come for dinner tomorrow night.”
Nyree grimaced and sought a credible lie.“We argued.It turns out he has a wife back in New Zealand he didn’t tell me about.”
Renewed concern filled Carolyn’s face.“Nyree, I’m so sorry.After everything that happened today with your ex-boyfriend too.”
“I don’t seem to have much luck with men.”
“Come to dinner anyway.The captain of the cruise ship sent us three bottles of wine.We might open one to have with dinner.”
Nyree hesitated before deciding to agree to the suggestion.At least Carolyn and Keith would stop her moping.“Thanks.That sounds lovely.Do you want me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself,” Carolyn said, patting her hand.“I thought we’d change the museum displays tomorrow morning since we don’t have a ship in port until one in the afternoon.Are you up for that?”
“I prefer to keep busy.”
“See you bright and early in the morning.We’ll start at eight.Good night.Oh, before I forget.Keith said the Falklands police want to talk to you about Ari.Keith will organize the call for tomorrow.”
Nyree shuddered.“What did they do with his body?”
“They took him to the morgue on board the cruise ship.They’ll drop him at the Falkland Islands en route to South America.”
Nyree nodded.“See you in the morning.”
She wandered to her quarters and unlocked the door.Inside, the place seemed empty without Tawera, but his presence remained.His clothes still hung in the wardrobe.The books he’d been reading sat in a haphazard pile beside his favorite chair.He’d find New Zealand very different from his memories.He’d meet people.
