"Make the most of it my girl, word around has it that it won't be there much longer."
"What do you mean?"
"Mines have put in an application and I hear it's been approved. Falls are smack bang on the edge of the lease from what I hear. Only part they haven't earmarked is my old lease." He slurped at his tea. "Once those bastards get going there will be contaminated water everywhere and you won't want to go anywhere near it."
"Oh for gods sake, will it ever end?" Stacey put her cup down and slid to her feet. She leaned over the railing and Morgan watched the tears fill her eyes.
Stay out of it Morgan, you fool.
"Surely the environmental people wouldn't let that happen?" Idiot, shut your mouth and get her out of here before you blow your identity and get shot for it because sure as hell the old guy will have something to protect his gold.
"Half the bloody government is corrupt and with the money the mining company has, well - stands to reason they will let it slide if the reward is good enough." Sid swallowed the rest of his tea and slammed his cup down on the old rickety table beside him. "Don't let it worry you girl. Go and enjoy your day and make the most of it. Progress is what it's called. Bloody progress."
Chapter 4
"Sorry about that, the tears and tantrum I mean." Stacey was sitting in the passenger seat pulling at the loose threads on her shorts while Morgan drove from Sid's place the short distance to the waterfall.
"Don't worry about it. It is nice to see someone passionate about something."
"Yeah but I shouldn't lay it on your shoulders. You're just a tourist passing through looking for a few quiet days, not my drama."
"Let's just enjoy the rest of the day. I have to leave early in the morning I'm afraid."
She nodded her head, not willing to look him in the face. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to Morgan. Apart from the great sex he was fun to be with. If he stayed longer they might be able to make some sort of commitment. But that probably wouldn't work either unless she moved back to the city which was not an option just yet.
"Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to let it get to me. We will have a relaxing few hours and then I have to get back into work. There is so much to do and you can pack up in peace."
Stacey looked out the window and held her tongue until they pulled into the make shift car park. Jumping out as soon as the car stopped she walked to the back and opened the door. Taking the picnic hamper she left the chairs for Morgan to carry and started walking to the falls.
The car door slammed behind her and she heard the crunch of gravel under his feet as he caught up. Walking side by side she let the anger dissipate from her shoulders and concentrated on the time ahead. It would go all too soon and then it would be back to the normal dull grind of her daily life. Without Morgan by her side. Reaching out her hand, she grabbed hold of his arm feeling the strength that radiated from him.
When they turned the corner she stopped and gazed at the scene before them. There was a mystical aura about the falls and it never ceased to amaze her. The beauty was for them alone because there was nobody else for miles.
They set up their chairs and basket and Stacey debated about going for a swim now. She dipped her toes in the water and then started to pull her t-shirt off. Morgan was watching her with a predatory look in his eyes and she waited for him to pounce.
"Naked." He stepped closer.
"What?"
"You, me. Naked. Now."
Stacey pulled her shirt over her head and waited for him to do the same. When his shirt hit the ground beside hers she eased the zip down on her shorts and let them drop to the ground stepping out of them, flicking them backwards with her foot.
"Panties? I thought you were a commando kind of girl."
"Only in jeans and tight dresses." She slid her panties down and reached behind to unhook her bra while he watched on.
She stood naked in front of him feeling desirable and sexy. When he made no move to reach out to her, Stacey flicked him a look and turned toward the water. Diving in she pushed to the centre of the dam.
Her head broke the surface and she looked around. Morgan was nowhere in sight. Bugger, another opportunity for a fondle gone up in a puff of smoke.
Something clutched around her ankle and pulled her under the surface. Her scream was cut short by the water filling her mouth and panic set in. Stacey struggled with the hands gripping her, knowing it was probably Morgan but her terror took over and she fought like a wild cat.
She was pushed up to the surface and held tight while she coughed up the water. "Shhh, it's okay. It's only me. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that. Shhhh."
* * *
Morgan held her tight against him while stroking her head as they tread water. He continued to whisper into her ear until she calmed down and her breathing settled back to normal.
"You idiot, what did you d-do that for?" Stacey sniffled into his neck, the heat of her breath against his cold skin. Her body still trembled against him.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't think you would take it that way." He kissed the top of her wet hair and pushed her head back so he could look into her eyes. "Do
