Undara by Annie Seaton

Author:Annie Seaton
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins

CHAPTER

17

‘Sorry.’ Travis covered a yawn just after ten o’clock a week later. ‘It’s been a bloody long day.’ He was still in his work clothes, and Emlyn had ignored the smudge of red dust on his cheek.

She’d come over earlier the last two nights and the boys had cooked dinner as she and Travis put in extra hours to finalise the application. Travis had groaned as he’d gone through his files tonight, looking for the various documents that had to be scanned and sent off with the application. Emlyn had shaken her head; for someone as organised as she was, it was an eye-opener to see the various shoeboxes and crates where Travis stored his station records, with no obvious order or logic.

‘I might call it a night and head back,’ Emlyn said. ‘We’ve got an early start tomorrow, too. But, Travis, we’ve broken the back of it tonight. We’ll make the deadline. Y ou just look for that boundary document’—she flicked a glance at the boxes on the table and smiled—’and once we scan that and attach it, you’re pretty much done.’

There was an easiness between them now; a comfortable camaraderie that had developed since their talk the other night. At first, Emlyn had been embarrassed that she’d let her guard down in front of him, but Travis’s kindness had soon dispelled her discomfort.

She stared up at him now as he stretched. His hair was standing on end where he’d been running his fingers through it as they’d worked, and a puff of red dust lifted. She’d ignored the smell of cattle that had pervaded the air since she’d arrived.

‘How much more have we got to do?’ he asked.

‘There are only a few things to write up and slot in now, once you find that document. Once we establish for sure that we’ve discovered some new species in the first three weeks of our research, and I can write that into the application, it will strengthen our case even more. Lucy’s checking the international databases, and it’s looking good for at least three of the discoveries we’ve made.’

‘You’re really making a lot of progress over there, then?’ Travis stood at the table with his hands on the back of the chair.

‘Oh yes. I don’t know what’s been the best part of the days lately. When we find a likely specimen in the cave, or when we stand behind Lucy as she cross-matches the photos with the database every afternoon.’ Her smile was wide. ‘Or the thought of this project that we’ve put together.’

‘There’s a lot to smile about, then. It’s good to see you smiling.’ Travis shook his head. ‘I’ve never seen anyone get so excited over insects before.’

‘I love my work,’ she said simply. She stood and closed her laptop. ‘I’ll take this back and finalise the projected costs with John. You could come with me to Brisbane to the meeting if you wanted to.’

‘When is it?’

‘John’s just waiting to hear from the committee. It won’t be far off.

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