Cloud Riders(95)

They gave a vivid description, stopping suddenly as they reached the Oxley Lookout. The view making them all catch their breath, Cassie seeing firsthand the most stunning view ever. Below was the junction of four gorges: the Red, Aeano, Joffre and Hancock. She greatly admired the tremendous forces of nature that must have torn the earth apart, leaving such beauty in its wake.

Further into the ranges, they pulled up in the car park of FortesqueFalls. Here they had to walk down a steep trail leading to the waterfall. Down the path, the foliage increased in density. The tropical plant life was a lovely contrast against the iron ore-rich walls, in shades of deep purple to earth reds. Finally the pathway opened up to a breathtaking sight of spring-fed pools beneath the stunning FortesqueFalls.

It looked so inviting that Cassie kicked off her shoes and tossing her dress aside, dove into the cool, clean water. She enjoyed the fresh feel against her skin and the taste of spring water on her lips. On coming up for air, waves of water exploded all around her as the boys bombarded her. Boys will be boys, she thought, giggling.

After the dip, they walked up another path and turned right to the fern pools about ten minutes away. Here they could only admire the perfect bush setting: so green and lush around sparkling pools. They all sat and soaked in the beauty of nature at its most healthy, relaxing in the sun, deep within their own thoughts.

Woody was the first to speak. ‘What was it like spending time with your dad? Is he as wicked as they say?’

She nudged him. ‘How did you know that was who I was thinking about?’

‘Just a guess,’ he said, looking out at the kids playing under the waterfall. He too would have been thinking of Ella. They both had a lot to work through; maybe they could help each other.

She turned to him, crossing her legs. ‘In so many ways he was just a dad and nothing more, a parent who showed his daughter what it would have been like to have had a real father. I felt special and loved.’

‘So, then the princess felt sad to leave even though she knew he was really just a mean old tyrant who was to be her enemy.’

Cassie looked up at Kayden who was sitting on a rock near them and frowned. ‘It was so hard. I’ve never had a parent love me before and it really tugged at my heartstrings to have to leave,’ she sighed and dropped her shoulders, feeling the real worry.

Kayden stood up and pulled her to her feet. ‘Cassie I’m so proud of you for what you did for us but seeing your father again will make you confused. Know that I have to take that decision out of your hands. As your boss I have to insist that for the time being you should steer clear of Aldebaran. You need time to get over him. You have to get your head back into the game. There’s a major war going on up there and we need you to be thinking clearly. Okay?’

She knew he was right but she hated him for saying it. ‘Dad said you’d keep me away from him and believe it or not, he does understand why. That being said, I do need time to sort out my feelings for him. He really threw me a curveball, being so sweet and kind when I was expecting an angry wizard to cast a spell on me or something along those lines. To fight against him is going to be tough if I soften too much towards him.’

Kayden hugged her for her bravery. She was obviously having a hard time with it, more than he had thought. The guy must have really done a number on her because she was usually good at picking up on bad karma and Kayden knew he was one of the worst.

Cassie suddenly felt overwhelmed with the heartbreak of losing another parent. She started to shake and cried for a very long time. She cried for a father who could have been her saviour as a child and for a life that would never be because he could not be the father she now needed him to be. She had let him love her and she had returned it without question. Now home, reality hit and she to let it go as nothing good would ever come of their strong bond while they fought on opposite sides.

When she finally calmed down she felt better, as if all the sadness had finally run out with her tears. Cheering up, she realised that she had brought everyone down and decided to cheer the team back up. All of a sudden, she put a big grin on her face and giggling, she wriggled from Kayden’s arms and ran full pelt into the spring.

Woody reached her first. ‘You’re crazy, girl. You had us all worried sick,’ he chuckled.

‘I’m better now. As if I’m going to let my personal life totally spoil our trip! I want to remember it as being fun.’

He shook his head, grinning. ‘You asked for it then.’ With that, he lifted her up, tossing her high into the air. The others had joined them and she caused some frenzy as they all fought to catch her.