“Nice to meet you Mrs Hamilton.”
“Please, call me Madi. Would you like coffee?”
He could smell something good baking in the oven, but coffee sounded wonderful after their drive and he said as much.
“I’ll make it,” Jaena offered and he remembered that Jaena had said her mother made the most atrocious coffee ever.
“Where’s Uncle Marc?”
“He’ll be down soon. He worked last night and has only managed a few hours’ sleep. I woke him just before you pulled in.”
“Okay.”
Madi led him into the room adjacent to the kitchen and indicated that he pull out a chair as she did likewise. It was a pleasant room that was obviously used for informal meals. He glanced around and then back at Madi. It was like looking at a negative of Jaena. Madi was shorter and not as thin as Jaena, but that wasn’t obvious when she was sitting. What was obvious however was that they shared the same features: the same shaped eyes, the straight nose, high cheekbones, generous lips, and breath-taking smiles. But whereas Jaena was dark, Madi was fair. Her hair was blonde and thick and straight and unfashionably long, yet it suited her; her eyes were green and were examining him as openly as he was examining her. In contrast, Jaena had dark curly hair that just brushed her shoulders and dark eyes that could turn almost black when she was angry or upset. Two women, obviously related, both strikingly beautiful: although to his eyes Jaena’s beauty was the more compelling. But sitting looking at Madi he could understand how someone could be in love with her for years. It was no wonder her daughter had that same effect on men – on him anyway.
“Uncle Marc!”
He looked up at Jaena’s voice and in time to see a dark haired man bend down and kiss Jaena’s cheek. He heard a few murmured words, but they were indistinct to the two sitting at the table. Then Jaena was introducing them and he was looking into the face of the man who had never once made Jaena feel she was missing out by not knowing her biological father. As he rose to shake hands he was immediately struck by the man’s strength, but also his integrity and gentleness. No wonder Jaena held this man in such high esteem and no wonder she had such high expectations for the man she would eventually share her life with!
The afternoon passed pleasantly – the lasagne was delicious even without garlic for Jaena had told him laughingly that Marcus could not tolerate even the slightest hint of garlic – and before too long it was time to go. He rose regretfully.
He turned to Madi and Marcus. “Thank you for your hospitality. It’s been lovely. And it was nice to meet you both.”
“Have a good trip back.”
“Oh, he will,” Jaena laughed. “He’ll be driving this time.”
Marcus rolled his eyes and Jaena laughed even more.
“You’re staying, honey?” Madi asked the question of Jaena.
“I thought I would. I want to see Grandma and Grandpa before I go back. I don’t have classes Monday morning so I’ve got plenty of time to catch the bus back.” She turned to Mitchell. “I’ll just get my things out of the car.”
He nodded, and after once again taking his leave, went out to the car. Jaena followed him, but he noticed her parents stayed inside.
“I like them,” he said as he opened the boot and she dragged out her bags. Once again he had planned to play the part of a gentleman and get them for her, but she had reached in ahead of him.
“I thought you would. Next time you can meet my grandparents.”
“Does that mean there’ll be a next time?”
“If you like.”
She smiled mischievously and to his own astonishment he leaned forward and kissed her. He heard her sharp intake of breath, but she didn’t pull away.
“See you next week,” he called as he drove off. When he reached the corner he could still see Jaena through his revision mirror standing where he had left her, a stunned look on her face.
*********
Slowly Jaena walked back into the house. She felt confused by her emotions and would have liked to simply slip up to her room, but she knew her parents probably wanted to discuss the afternoon.
“He seemed a nice young man,” her mother commented as she stacked the dishwasher. “Nothing of the obnoxious and – what other word was it that you used? – odious – about him.”
“Yeah, he grows on you.” Jaena removed the salt and pepper grinders from the table and replaced them in the pantry.
“What is it, honey?”
“Huh?” Jaena realised she’d been standing in front of the open pantry doing nothing. “Oh, nothing.”
Marcus gave her a bemused look and she dropped her gaze. “I think I’ll go up to my room.”
Her parents exchanged a look and nodded. Once in her room she sat down in front of the mirror and examined her face closely, expecting to see some outward sign of her inner turmoil based on recent events. But her reflection gave nothing away.
What had just happened?
Well it was obvious. Mitch had kissed her.
Had she enjoyed it?
She wasn’t sure. It hadn’t lasted long enough for her to be certain how she felt and it had taken her by surprise. She didn’t even know why he’d done it and if he meant anything by it.
Well, he probably didn’t. Men could be so fickle. She’d heard that line in a book or movie somewhere.
But Mitch is different … isn’t he? She whispered the question to her reflection.
Did she want him to do it again?
Well, of course she did – but then she didn’t. She wanted to like him for himself and not for any other reason. If she was going to fall in love then it was going to be because he was a man she could respect and admire and not just because he set her heart racing when his lips brushed hers.
She lifted her hands to her cheeks and felt them burning.
Was that what was happening? Was she falling in love?
But that was ridiculous. This was Mitchell. She hadn’t liked him at first. His family had judged hers and she certainly didn’t want to be related to any bigots. No, siree!
Related! What was she talking about? Surely she wasn’t thinking about marrying Mitch?
Of course not.
It was ridiculous: silly to even be thinking such things. Besides she wasn’t ready for marriage yet. She had another year of study to complete.
And yet … if he asked for her hand she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t say ‘yes’.
*********
“Grandpa, I have a confession to make.”
Her grandfather looked up from threading bait onto his hook. So rarely did Jaena get to spend time with her grandparents now that she was away at university, that when she had suggested going fishing with her grandfather like old times, he had not hesitated for a moment. Neither cared whether they caught fish or not – in fact, Jaena didn’t even like fish – they just enjoyed the time spent together.
“Jaeney-honey, you know you can tell me anything.”
“And you promise not to get mad?”
Stephen Johnstone laughed. “When have I ever been mad with you?”
“Well, never,” Jaena admitted. “But then I’ve never had to tell you before that I’ve seen your friend Charles Gallagher.”
“Charles.” Her grandfather sat back on his heels, which for a man his age was quite an accomplishment. He had refused to bring the fold-up chair with them despite her grandmother’s admonitions. “Charles,” he said the name again as if tasting the memory of it on his tongue. “How is he?’
“He was recovering from a stroke, but he seemed okay. In fact, I liked him.”
“Yes, the ladies always did.”
“Grandpa! At least now I know where his grandson gets it from.”
“Your young man.”
“He’s not my ‘young man’. Not in the sense you mean.” She watched as her grandfather slowly rose to his feet and prepared to cast his line.
“He told me that he wants to ask your forgiveness.”
Not unt
il the line was in the water and he had wound in the slack did Stephen turn to look at his granddaughter.
“I forgave him years ago. I understand why he acted the way he did. I always have.”
“It seems he can’t forgive himself.” Jaena reeled her line in and reset the bait before she moved towards the edge of the riverbank and cast the fishing line. “He’s wanting to meet with you and ask you personally. And if not …” She reached into her pocket and held out an envelope. “He asked me to give you this.”
Her grandfather stared at the envelope for a few minutes before slowly reaching for it and placing it in his pocket.
“Aren’t you going to read it?”
“Later. This is our time together. Besides, I forgave him years ago as I said. I’m more interested in your young man.”
Jaena sighed. “Why does everyone keep referring to him as my ‘young man’?”
“Perhaps it’s the way your face lights up every time you mention him.”
“It does not!”
Her grandfather laughed. “I can’t wait to meet this young man. It seems he’s made quite an impression on you.”
Suddenly Jaena started reeling in her line. “I think I’ve got something.”
Stephen put his rod down and moved to her side. “Remember, not too fast. Here.” He placed his hands over hers and turned the reel. As the fish played with the line, the more excited her grandfather became. Resigned, Jaena eventually passed the rod to him and moved out of his way. It had always been like this when they went fishing. She didn’t really mind. Over the years she had learnt to bait her own line, but she didn’t really enjoy it or the act of fishing. She only did it because it gave her time with her adored grandfather and it was something he liked doing. She’d be happy just to sit and chat.
“Look at the size of him! Well done, Jaeney-honey.”
Jaena smiled. “I didn’t really have anything to do with it.”
“Bring the net over here. That’s it … scoop it up … yes, we’ve got him.”
The fish lay floundering in the net on the grassy bank. Carefully her grandfather removed the hook and threw the fish into the bucket they’d brought along for their catch.
“We’ll get a good feed out of him. That’s three good-sized ones we’ve caught today. Do you want to keep fishing or shall we go home now?”
“I don’t want any so I’m happy to go home now if you’ve had enough.”
“Still don’t eat fish?” he asked as he pulled his own rod in and removed the bait.
“Not if I can help it. Nor meat hardly ever either.”
“That’s why you’re so skinny. Need some fattening up.”
Jaena laughed. “I don’t think so. Here, give me the bucket and I’ll carry it.”
“Your young man doesn’t mind you skinny?”
“How can I convince you that he’s not my young man?”
Her grandfather picked up his rod and tucked it under his arm. “Can you honestly tell me that you don’t care for him?’
Jaena was about to reply when she remembered the feeling of his lips on hers. She could hardly tell her grandfather about that. But it seemed she didn’t need to say anything.
“I thought not,” her grandfather said and he was smiling as if he knew her secret.
*********
Jaena looked forward to getting back to university and seeing Mitch again, but he wasn’t at music practice on Monday. She was aware of a sense of disappointment all the next day, but it didn’t stop her from taking notes and endeavouring to understand what the lecturers were saying. They were only a few weeks away from exams and she still had assignments outstanding. She needed to make the most of this time and to work hard.
Wednesday, she failed to see him when she was working in the library and at lunchtime decided to walk down to the cafeteria to see if he was in their usual spot. He was, but there was also a girl with him, and, heads close together, they were looking at something on the table.
White-hot flames of jealousy spread through her body and she quickly walked away.
That night she failed to go to Bible Study in case he was there, and after ignoring several of his calls, she blocked his number on her cell phone. She had never imagined that she could hurt the way she was hurting right now and it gave her a renewed understanding of what her mother must have suffered when Damien had proved unfaithful.
Sunday, she considered not going to church, but as she was part of the music ministry she knew she would have to fulfil her obligations. Besides, Mitch had mentioned when she’d taken him to meet her parents that he could be going home this weekend to visit his grandfather and most likely wouldn’t be at church. At the time she’d been disappointed, but now she felt only relief.
*********
“Was that you I heard arguing with your mother not so long ago?”
Mitch was in his grandfather’s room with a chessboard between them. It was not a large room and there was barely enough space for the small card table and two chairs, but somehow they’d made it all fit. It was a game they’d enjoyed together ever since he had been six years old. But today he was finding it extremely difficult to keep his mind on the game and he suspected his Pop knew that.
He sighed. “Afraid so. Mum’s upset that I’m going back tonight and not staying over for the weekend.”
Pop was silent as he made his move. “Your mother’s been through a lot this past year: losing her friend in that car accident; your younger two brothers moving out at the same time; her own cancer scare; and your father travelling more than usual. It’s not been easy for her. And now she has an infirm father-in-law to care for as well. Be patient with her.”
“I try. But I do have to get back tonight. I don’t understand why she’s so upset. It’s only one night after all.”
“Yes, but your mother likes it when you can come to church with us. She doesn’t get to worship with her sons that often nowadays.” Pop waited while Mitch moved his Rook. “What is so urgent that you can’t stay another day?”
Mitch shrugged and tried to concentrate on the game.
“Does it have anything to do with a pretty brunette?”
Mitch glanced up and met his Pop’s eyes, then dropped his again. His words came slowly. “You told me once, Pop, that there are three rules a man must adhere to in order to prove himself worthy of winning a girl’s heart.”
His grandfather agreed. “That’s right. Never kiss her if you can’t say ‘I love you’, and never say ‘I love you’ if you can’t ask her to marry you.”
“Well, I’ve done the first one and now need to do the next two.” Mitch’s voice was regretful.
“Why did you stop at the first one?”
Mitch sighed and leaned his chin on his hand. All pretence at trying to concentrate on the game had fled. “Well, you see, I didn’t plan on kissing her. It just happened when she took me home to meet her parents last weekend. But don’t worry: I meant it all the same,” he hastened to reassure his grandfather. “I’ve wanted to do it for a long time, but I wasn’t sure how she felt. We didn’t exactly get off to the best of starts." He lifted his head to laugh ruefully. “Anyway, she didn’t come back to Uni until Monday afternoon – well, that’s when she said she was coming back. I don’t even know if she made it back. I haven’t seen her all week and she’s not answering my calls. Of course, it’s heading towards exam time and she could just be head down and studying, but I really don’t want to go another twenty-four hours without making it right. I have to tell Jaena how I feel and ask her to marry me.”
Pop knocked the board as he straightened the blanket covering his knees. Mitch wondered if it was deliberate – to spare his own feelings because he knew he didn’t stand a chance against his Pop. Not when he was in this mood.
“I understand. But can’t you tell your mother why you can’t stay?”
“Are you kidding? You know how she’d react. No, I have to do this first without her knowing. But as soon as I’m an engaged man –
and I’m sure it will only be another twenty-four hours until I am – I’ll be sure that she’s the first to know.”
*********
Immersed in playing the piano for the pre-service music practice at church on Sunday morning, Jaena wasn’t aware of Mitch entering and tuning his guitar. It wasn’t until she heard his baritone voice singing the songs that she glanced up and saw him. Her fingers stumbled on the keys and Mitch turned and grinned wickedly, but she put her head down and tried to find her place, mortified that she’d made a mistake even though it was only during the practice.
Somehow she managed to get through the practice and the worship service, but when she went to sit down just before the sermon the only available seat was next to Mitch. He smiled and moved over and she hesitated. Had she kept on walking she could have sat out in the foyer, but to do so now would be obvious. Clenching her fists, she sat down beside him. She opened her Bible to the passage and then almost gasped aloud when Mitch took her hand and held it firmly in his. She tried to extricate her hand, but he held on and used his free hand to turn the pages for her in her Bible when necessary.
She had no idea what the preacher was saying. All she could think of was Mitch’s hand holding hers, his thumb gently pressing into the back of her hand. She tried again to remove her hand, pretending that she wanted to write notes. To her relief he let her hand go, but the next moment his arm came around her shoulders. This was even worse! Not only could she not concentrate, but also others in the church would now jump to conclusions. But there was nothing she could do without making a scene.
As soon as church had finished she hurried over to another of the students and struck up a conversation. Out of the corner of her eye she observed Mitchell. If he seemed to be headed in her direction, she’d move on and find someone else to converse with. It was like a game. When it seemed as if she could no longer avoid him she went into the ladies bathroom and stayed there until she hoped that he would have given up and left.
Exiting the room she was greeted by one of the students. “Hey, Jaena, we’re going to go down to the river and have a picnic. Everyone’s going to bring some food. See you there?”
The Scent of Rain Page 17