.
Cassie Taylor is a young woman who inherits a property in Far North Queensland. When she decides to capitalise on its beauty and build a tourist lodge in the rainforest on the property she has no idea that her plans to will provoke hidden animosity and opposition, culminating in theft, arson and the near destruction of the aboriginal heritage on Yallandoo.
Or that meeting Mark Pierce, an entrepreneurial neighbour, dashing and wealthy, will change her life.
Someone wants to stop her project. Someone who is willing to destroy all she holds dear. But who? And why?
Inheritance is classified as a Romance/Mystery, and it is that, but as well as romance and mystery it gives an insight into some of the beauties of the tropical north-east of Australia, home to the wondrous Great Barrier Reef.
It has love and passion in it too. And what could be a more exotic location for ardour than the rock pool on Yallandoo, a place of beauty and aboriginal legends.
Read the excerpt below to meet the two main characters at their special place, the rock pool.
One hot day Mark arrived with the news that he was wearing swimming gear under his shorts.
“It’s time you lived up to your promise to take me swimming in your rock pool,” he announced.
“What a wonderful idea,” Cassie agreed. “I’ll just change and we’ll go.”
They drove the buggy along the now level track, right through the rainforest, waving to Gary as they passed the building site. When they reached the creek they parked under the trees and started up the path to the pool. By the time they reached the large boulders they were hot and perspiring.
Mark mopped his face with his handkerchief. “This swim is going to be one of the best of my life.”
“Come on, then.” Cassie led the way down to the edge of the pool. It took them only seconds to strip down to their swimwear and then they were in the water.
It was deliciously cool after the hot walk. The water was deep and they dived beneath the surface and swam to the far side. Cassie came up shaking her hair back and laughing. Mark surfaced alongside her.
“I can’t believe how clear this water is, you can see every little pebble on the bottom.”
“I know. It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Come on, I’ll race you to the end of the pool.” She headed off downstream, a couple of lengths ahead of him.
The pool extended for about ten metres before it tumbled between rocks and fell down to form the creek.
Mark tried to overtake Cassie before they reached the end but she was a strong swimmer and beat him. “You had a head start,” he laughed. “I call that cheating. And your punishment is… this.” He grabbed her, taking her unawares, and ducked her beneath the water.
Cassie came up spluttering to find him laughing at her. “You rat. I’ll get you for that.” She splashed him with water and he retaliated. They splashed again and chased each other, laughing and acting as if they were children again. Finally he caught hold of her but she broke free, turned and swam back upstream.
“I give in,” she called out. “Come up this end.”
Mark swam up to join her, then rolled over and floated on his back, staring up at the blue sky above. Cassie turned over and floated alongside him while she caught her breath, enjoying the free and easy friendship between them.
“What a wonderful childhood you must have had, living in this incredible place.”
“I didn’t live here all the time,” she reminded him, “but I did have wonderful times here. Rosie and I used to come here all the time in the hot weather. “
“We should have been doing the same instead of roasting at home.”
“Mm, I guess so. We can come again. But for the moment I’m going to sit on my rock and rest.”
“No you’re not! Because I’m going to drown you as punishment for not bringing me here sooner!” Mark grabbed her before she could escape him and she went under the water laughing; she came up spluttering again and pushed him over.
“Pig!” She started pummelling him playfully, raining blows on his head and shoulders.
He put his hands up to defend himself. “Stop, stop! You win. Rest it is!”
Laughing like children, they climbed from the pool. They clambered up on to the big flat rock, secluded among the boulders and shaded by an overhanging tree. Mark spread the towels for them. Cassie lay back with her arms behind her head. Mark sat close beside her, his knees drawn up and his arms wrapped around them. She could feel him close beside her.
“You’re such fun to be with. You make me feel like a teenager again.” Stretching, Mark turned on his side towards her, leaning on one elbow and looking down at her. His wet thigh brushed hers.
Cassie was intensely aware of him so close to her. Her heart started to beat erratically.
“Cassie, you’re so beautiful”. He spoke slowly, not laughing now.
She lay perfectly still, suddenly breathless.
He reached out one finger and traced her eyebrow, slowly. Cassie felt a confusion of emotions, wanting him to continue, yet hesitant.
Bookmarks
Share
Print
Save
