by Suzy Shearer
His father laughed and followed Tobias into the kitchen.
“You having it here, or at one of the other’s places?”
“If you’re not going to be home we may as well have it here, doesn’t bother anyone that way.”
The Senior Squad was the nickname Tobias had given to his father’s four friends. They were all around his age, with the oldest being eighty-one, and the youngest a year younger than Tobias’s father at seventy-eight. Two were still married and all lived in the area. The poker game had become a regular thing with them playing for matches. So far Conall owed about two million to the other four.
Tobias spent half an hour walking the dogs, then went inside to talk with his father. He enjoyed having him around, they both seemed to get on and actually like each other. Tobias had a shower then cooked a barbecue for the two of them. He realised that he hadn’t talked about staying Saturday night at Laura’s so there was still a possibility he’d be home. Anyway, it wouldn’t interfere with the poker game. Knowing the old boys, they’d order pizza then talk about how they could run the world better. When he finished cooking the two of them sat down and ate.
“So tell me son—Laura.”
“What about her?”
“I’ve never seen you like this over a woman. Does this mean you’re finally going to get out from under my feet?”
Tobias roared with laughter at his father’s question.
“It’s a little too early to say that dad. I’ve only been going out with her for four weeks.”
“True but there’s something about you. This woman is special, isn’t she?”
“Yep, very special. I don’t want to ruin it dad, she’s one hell of a woman.”
“I’m very glad, son, it’s about time you settled down with someone you love rather than living with your old man. Peter told me how you tried to wrangle her address from him.”
Conall grinned over at his son and winked.
“Yeah, and I bet he told you he wouldn’t tell me a damn thing.”
“You know he couldn’t.”
“Okay yes, I know that but it was really frustrating at the time. I wanted to see her and thought I’d lost the chance.”
“Well, don’t waste it now.”
“I won’t.”
Tobias had a restless night’s sleep. He kept thinking about Laura and wished he’d asked her if he could stay the night. It was in the early hours before he finally sank into a deep sleep.
After showering and dressing, he went downstairs to the kitchen, whistling merrily. His father had already made himself a coffee and breakfast. He looked up when Tobias entered.
“I love seeing you this happy, Toby. I truly hope this works out the way you wish.”
“Thanks Dad, I hope so, too.”
He made a coffee, then went back upstairs. Sometime during his uneasy sleep he’d decided to pack an overnight bag. He’d leave it in the back of the car and then somehow ask Laura if he could stay the night.
When he said goodbye to Conall and drove to Laura, his stomach was in knots again. For some reason it felt as if they were entering a new phase of their relationship and he didn’t want to jeopardise it in any way.
Laura greeted him with what he was fast realising was her usual passion at the door, which left Tobias wishing he’d worn looser pants. He followed her down the hallway, admiring the way her butt filled the jeans she was wearing.
“How did the shelves turn out?”
“Come and see for yourself.”
Tobias followed Laura into the room and had to admit his boys had done an exceptional job.
“So when do the books go on?”
“I’ll leave it till after the weekend. I want to make sure all that varnish is dry first. Then it will be a big job so I’ll just take my time.”
“Let me know if you want a hand.”
“Be careful, I just might take you up on that,” Laura warned.
“I’d love to help.”
“I want to get a couple of cosy chairs and a lamp, too. Oh, and a small coffee-type table.”
“That would make this room very welcoming.”
They walked back into the kitchen and Laura opened the fridge door, pulling out two bottles of wine—the Moscato she liked to drink and a Chardonnay she knew Tobias preferred. After pouring them both a glass and returning the bottles to the fridge, they took their wine outside to sit and relax. When they’d settled on the lounge Tobias lifted Laura’s legs so they lay across his knees.
“I could get very used to this, a glass of cold wine and a beautiful woman across my knees in a lovely setting.”
“Toby?”
“Mm?”
“Will you stay tonight? I know I should have asked you earlier but…”
Tobias had the distinct feeling he was blushing as he answered Laura. “I’d love to. I…shit I know this sounds forward, but I threw some clothes in a bag.”
She nodded and smiled. “Then that’s perfect. I hate it when you go home.”
“So do I.”
They drank their wine in comfortable silence and Tobias lay his head back and closed his eyes. He realised he’d fallen asleep when he jolted himself awake.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Laura.”
She just laughed at him.
“Why? It’s very relaxing out here and you’ve worked all week. Does it matter?”
“I supposed not.”
“Come on, let’s have a swim to wake you up.”
“Great, but I didn’t bring my swimmers.”
“Who said anything about clothes?”
Chapter Twenty
Tobias’s friend from the tyre place turned up around ten and, with the help of a young guy, put the new tyres on the old car for Laura. After paying him Laura wondered what the hell she was going to do with the car. Tobias hadn’t mentioned buying her one since that first time, and now she wondered if she should just go out and purchase a car. The only trouble with that was if Tobias really had meant what he said he was likely to either turn up with one someday soon or get rather angry that she’d gone ahead and bought one.
When Andy came on Thursday to mow the grass and clean the pool he noticed the new tyres.
“Got your wheels all fixed, Laura.”
“Sure did.”
“That should make it easier for you now, you can be mobile again.”
“That’s for sure, it’s been hard without one living up here. Of course having a broken wrist didn’t help. Anyway, I’m going to trade it in and get something new.”
Andy gathered his equipment and set off working. Late in the afternoon he tapped on the back door and told Laura he was finished.
“I’ll see you in two weeks. I’ve trimmed back those shrubs where they put in the new fence between here, the guesthouse, and the boundary. Looks a lot neater now and they’ll grow up and around the fence quickly so you won’t even notice it.”
Laura had Tobias’s fencing contractor put fences between the house and the boundary fence earlier in the week.
“Thanks Andy. Did you have plenty of room to get your ute and the trailer in and out alongside the garage? I asked them to put in extra wide gates for you.”
“Yeah it was good, plenty of space.”
“Great, thanks.”
“Say Laura, you said you were going to trade in the old Holden, any chance you might sell it privately? My kid brother is looking for a car he can work on. He’s a motor mechanic apprentice and wants something he can drive to work but work on as well.”
“Oh gee, never thought of selling privately. To be honest I’m not sure how reliable it is.”
She explained how it had been sitting for months and what Tobias had done.
“That wouldn’t be a problem, like I said he’s studying, this is his last year so if anything was wrong with it he could easily fix it. Have a think about it and next time I’m here let me know.”
“Okay Andy I will. You enjoy your evening.”
Maybe it would so
lve her dilemma, Laura could sell the car to Andy’s brother then bring up the subject casually with Tobias before she went out and bought a new car. He was coming for dinner on Friday then staying the weekend so maybe she could mention it then.
Laura braved the chance the car would break down and drove into Kurrajong early Friday morning to go to the supermarket and the bakery. She had to admit she was on edge all the time wondering if it would break down but it behaved perfectly. Buying ingredients for the evening meal and fresh bread, Laura went home to prepare.
Around three o’clock there was a knock at the door, thinking Tobias had arrive early she was about to say something smart when she opened the door but thankfully didn’t. A stranger said hello.
“Miss Keell?”
“Yes I am.”
“Good afternoon, I’m Rob Myer, Tobias Duncan’s car dealer. He ordered a car and asked for it to be delivered to you here.”
“A car?”
Oh hell he’d done it, he’d bought her a car. Laura stepped onto the veranda and looked down the stairs. There was a gleaming shiny bright metallic light grey-green SUV with another behind it, a younger man behind the wheel. She followed Rob Myer down the stairs and caught her breath when she saw it was a Range Rover.
Oh, my God, he’s spent a fortune on another car!
Rob opened the driver’s side door and gestured for her to sit inside.
“This is an automatic Range Rover Vogue. Now, I’ll go over the controls for you.”
Laura’s head was in a spin as he showed her seat controls which included cooling, heating and of all things—massage, even the steering wheel could be heated! Rob adjusted the seat to suit her, telling her the car would always remember her settings. He then pointed out and demonstrated all the bells and whistles included. There was so much to remember that Laura thought it would take her months to figure out what button or dial did what, that is if she could figure out how to start the thing! There was park assist, rear cameras, lane assist, driver assist, the list went on and on. The wipers would come on automatically when it detected water, the lights were also automatic. Rob took his time and went through everything with her, he even got her to give him her garage door opener and set it somehow. Now the car would open the garage for her. At the same time he connected her mobile phone.
Her head was reeling!
After getting into the passenger seat, Rob showed her how to start the car. He directed her out onto the road and made her drive along Kurmond Road for a few kilometres then returned home, parking in front of the garage. Once she’d parked in front of the garage he handed her all the paperwork.
“Tobias has already put insurance on the vehicle with you as its nominated driver and this address. These are the manuals, warranty, and things like that. First service at one thousand kilometres. If you ring me a few days beforehand I can arrange to pick it up, leave you a car to use, and then bring it back later in the day. Any questions?”
“Not at the moment, but I’ll probably think of dozens when you’ve gone.”
He laughed.
“Toby will be able to answer them for you I’m sure. Anyway, I’m just a phone call away.”
They both got out of the car and he shook Laura’s hand.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, happy driving.”
“Um…yes, same here. Thank you.”
He nodded and walked down the drive to the other car. Laura watched as they sped off then turned back to the Range Rover.
“Oh, my God, Toby! What have you done?”
She was standing at the back of the car still staring at it when she heard a car behind her. Tobias parked on the side visitors’ area, got out and walked toward her grinning madly.
“Oh good, it arrived.”
Laura opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out, she gestured with both hands and knew she looked slightly demented. He grabbed her hands. She finally managed to squeak out, “Why?”
“Hush. I told you I was buying a car.”
“But…why? This…shit, Toby, it’s too much.”
“Nonsense. I only bought the cheap model.”
“Cheap model?” she spluttered. “Cheap?”
“Yes, it was only a tad over two hundred thou.”
Laura ripped one hand from his grip and pushed it over her heart, which was now trying desperately to leap through her rib cage. She forgot how to breathe and wondered if she was going to faint. Tobias held her close.
“Breathe my dearest.”
Laura dropped her head to his chest and let him hold her up until she finally felt her heart and lungs return to normal. She lifted her head and looked at him, at the man who had wormed his way so deep into her heart.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Sweetheart, it’s just a car.”
“For you maybe, but I’ve never driven anything so expensive. It scared me when Rob Myers made me drive up and down the road.”
“He did? Excellent. How did it go?”
Laura realised once she’d gotten over the initial shock, she’d actually loved the feeling of driving it.
“It was wonderful.”
“Then it’s all worthwhile.”
They walked to the car and Toby examined everything. He would nod and press buttons or turn a nob. Finally, he got out and asked her if she’d like him to put it into the garage.
“Yes, please.”
She smothered a grin when he backed down the drive then did a little spin along her roadway before coming back up and driving it into the garage. He then put his own car alongside it. Laura entered and shut the roller door behind her. Tobias got his overnight bag from the rear of his car, then they walked into the house. Tobias dropped the keys onto the kitchen bench and his bag on the floor. Laura came up behind him and put her arms around him, she felt him cover her hands with his as she turned her head to lean against his back.
“Thank you, Tobias, I’m still in shock. It’s all rather overwhelming.”
“Do you like the colour?”
“I love it.”
He twisted his body around so they were now facing each other.
“Laura, I told you I wanted to spoil you, it may sound corny but you mean a lot to me. I know it’s only been about a month since we finally met up, but I can’t help the way I feel.”
Laura took a breath.
“I think I know what you mean, Toby. I’ve never felt like this before, even when I was engaged to Colin. This is…” She shrugged trying to find the words to say what she felt. “Magical.”
“Yes, that’s the right word, magical.”
Laura could stand all night within Tobias’s arms, but knew sooner or later they’d have to move. Reluctantly, she broke away and smiled at him.
“Want a coffee?’
“Sounds like a plan.”
She made coffee for them both and they took their mugs outside and sat. Tobias sighed loudly and Laura looked at him, he had a contented look on his face.
When he caught her looking at him he smiled, then said, “It’s funny but when I start the drive up Bell’s Line all the stress seems to vanish as the wheels turn, by the time I pull into your drive I feel so relax.”
“I think I know what you mean. It’s like living in the country, that same slow pace yet being close enough to the city if you need it.”
Tobias looked across the yard.
“Your grass guy came, the lawn looks good.”
“Yes, he was here yesterday. Actually, he wants to buy my old car, for his brother who’s an apprentice motor mechanic.”
“Mm, that would be good. He’d know what to do if it ever broke down. Although with the new stuff in it, it should last for years.”
“What!” She almost screamed at him as she went to jump up. He grabbed her arm and made her sit.
“You…you told me it could break down at any time,” she sounded frustrated, and she was.
“Well. I guess it could, any car can, but I wanted to get you something new.”
“You sneaky man! Here I was thinking if I drove it, at the very least, I’d end up on the side of the road waiting for a tow. I took it to get bread this morning and the whole five minutes I kept thinking it was going to blow up or something.”
“Oops.”
“Oops is right, Tobias,” she replied angrily.
He gave her a silly grin, saying, “Still, now you have something new and very safe.”
“I can see I’ll have to be very careful what I say around you.”
He just winked at her and blithely took another sip of his coffee. Laura realised there was no use staying upset. She looked around the yard and remembered the new fences.
“Now that the fences are all in, do you think one weekend you could bring your dogs? Oh, and I really want to meet your dad.”
“I’m sure both can be easily arranged.”
The weekend flew by. Sunday Tobias took Laura and his father to lunch at the Harbord Beach Hotel. Laura was nervous to meet him, but within five minutes they were acting as if they’d know each other for years. When Tobias dropped him back to the house, he took Laura on a tour.
“Toby, this is lovely!”
“Yeah, it’s a nice house but I have no yard for the dogs and I’m sick of living in the city. I rarely go to the beach except in the winter. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great place to live and the house has more than enough room with the five bedrooms for people to stay, it’s just not me anymore.”
The house was built of sandstone, very modern inside and on three levels. When Tobias showed her outside she understood what he meant, there was a pool and a tiny paved area and that was it. His dogs went a little crazy when they met her, but Laura knelt down and played with them while Tobias told her about the house.
“On top of that I don’t like all the stairs—it’s hard for Dad, although he never complains. The bedrooms are all on the second and third floors so he has to climb stairs. I thought about getting one of the crews in and moving a bedroom downstairs, but then figured if I was buying another house it wouldn’t make sense.”
“Yes, I could see that would be a problem. Still it really is beautiful.”
“My real estate people said it’s worth at least five million, crazy really. Think I paid around three for it.”