by Iris Blobel
Heat crept up her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
He laughed. “By the way, my name is Zach. I live across the road from you and your little girl.”
“You’re the neighbour with the fancy red car, making that awful noise every time you shift gears?” she blurted out before realising what she had said.
The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile. “That’s me all right.”
“My apologies, I didn’t mean—” She sighed, but then remembered he hadn’t answered her question yet. “So? Did you know Ms. Bellinger?”
With a nod, he glanced sideways at her. “I had no idea she knew such beautiful girls.”
She blushed. Again.
They walked the last few meters in silence before they reached the gate of Forty-Six. Sophie pushed it open and reached for the shopping bag in his hand. But before she could react, he took her hand in his and walked past her into the yard. Still holding her hand. Sophie’s heart pounded in her chest, not sure whether to enjoy the moment or pull out of his hold. It was ridiculous and surreal. Here she was holding the hand of a stranger all the while her heart thumped near her throat like she was a teenager. Instead of concentrating on making the best of this chance of a new life, she had heart palpitations every time she saw a man smiling at her. Something had to be done.
They stopped in front of the door, and she retrieved her keys from her jeans pocket. Before she opened up, she turned her head towards him and sighed. “I appreciate your help, but my mum always told me not to let strangers in the house.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Stranger? The stranger in this situation is clearly you. You still haven’t told me your name. And…” he went on ignoring her attempt to butt in. “And you owe me a cup of coffee for helping out.”
There was no way she was able to ignore this smirk on his face. “It’s Sophie. My name is Sophie.”
“Nice meeting you, Sophie,” he said, with a sexy smirk plastered all over his face.
Chapter Eleven
Sophie heard Mia’s giggles all the way from the front door to the study and couldn’t help but smile. Zach had left only a few minutes earlier. She had enjoyed his company, and it was nice to finally have talked to a neighbour, although he wasn’t much help when it came to gossip or details. Which could be a good thing she thought, but not necessarily, when she was interested in what was going on. She would have loved to know more about Mrs. Number Forty.
It frustrated her to be treated so badly and not know why. She loved the area they lived in. It was close to the school, but also close to the small shops and the café where she helped out. Visiting neighbours with homemade cake had once been her mother’s idea of getting to know the people living in the same street, but she already had enough on her plate to make cakes as well.
Mia’s voice brought her back to the present. “I’m home, and you left the door open again, Soph.”
A smile tugged her lips upwards at the thought of her younger sister telling her off. About to reply to her Mia’s reprimand, she froze when she heard a second voice. She placed her studies on the table, stood, and walked down the hall towards the door. Mia almost tumbled her over as she ran right into her arms for a hug.
“Mark brought me home.”
Sophie’s heart ached as she tried to smile when their eyes met.
“Brought some afternoon tea as well.” He held a box of doughnuts towards her. “How’s the headache?”
It took her a second or two to figure out what he was talking about before the penny dropped, and she remembered her excuse from the other day.
“Um… yes, good… how… I don’t understand,” she mumbled.
“Kristen is at a seminar today, and Thomas is stuck in traffic, so I offered to get the boys and drop them off at their grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Howard are my old neighbours.”
When she didn’t take the box, he walked over and placed the doughnuts on the bench.
“I saw your sister and asked whether she’d be happy for me to give her a lift.”
“That is so much better than walking,” the little girl piped up.
Still confused, Sophie looked from one to the other. “You should’ve called me first.”
“You’re not answering my phone calls,” he replied sheepishly.
She shot him a glare. “I’ve been very busy with my first assignment.”
“Ahh, the certificate in—”
“Cut it out, Mark,” she interrupted him, her irritation obvious. Then she turned to Mia. “Would you like one of Mark’s doughnuts?”
“Can I?” The little girl’s face beamed.
“Of course you can.” With a sigh, she faced Mark again.
“Cup of coffee?”
His dark eyebrows arched mischievously. “You’re not going to put anything nasty in there, are you?”
Sophie opened her mouth, changed her mind, swallowed, and said, “Why on earth would I do that?”
He gave her a shrug that said, Don’t look at me, I have no idea.
Although playful by nature, she was irked by his accusation. She went over to place a doughnut on a plate for Mia and then prepared a cup of coffee for Mark, as well as a cup of tea for herself.
“Can I watch some telly?” her sister asked.
Handing her the plate, Sophie nodded. “No crumbs please, though.”
Mia hopped off and silence spread across the kitchen.
“I’ve got more news for you.”
Sophie almost dropped the cup at his words. A hint of frustration crept in. Why was he doing that? Glancing over her shoulder, she said with as much calm as possible, “I’m listening.”
“Mr. Schuster.”
“Good grief, Mark. Why don’t you just tell me everything?”
She handed him his cup.
“He’s Mr. Darren Schuster, owner of a small chocolate factory in Sydney.”
Chocolate factory? Something clicked in the back of her mind. Eyes wide, she left the kitchen and with hasty little steps walked down the hall towards the bedroom she shared with Mia.
“Hey.”
“I’ll be right back,” she called over her shoulder.
But the whisper of his footsteps on the carpet told her he was following her into her room. The old box was on the top cupboard shelf, and she needed to stretch far to touch it. As she struggled, she felt him behind her, grabbing the box and handing it to her. She closed her eyes for a moment to let go of the sensation of his nearness. This was more important. When she opened her eyes again, she gazed right into his.
“Care to tell me what this is all about?”
Walking over to the bed, she emptied the box with a thousand thoughts going through her head. Getting sidetracked by Mark wasn’t an option. This was too important for her. He sat next to the pile of paper, photos, folders, newspaper cut-outs, and other little items, watching her intently as she skimmed through the contents. With his right leg over the left knee, he sat there with a quizzical look on his face.
“I’m sure it’s here somewhere,” she said impatiently.
After a long few minutes, she finally found what she was after. Carefully, she retrieved a piece of paper, unfolded it, and warily read it. Then she read it again.
Sophie turned to him. “What was the name again?”
“Darren Schuster.”
She stared at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yup.”
“But why?”
“Sweetheart,” he sighed. “How about giving me a quick rundown of the paper you’re holding in your hands?”
She gave Mark the old document. “Mum’s boss at her last job was a Mr. Darren Schuster. Why on earth didn’t the name ring a bell the first time you told me? It could’ve saved me—”
“Saved you what?” he asked while scanning the information on the paper.
Irritated, her lips tightened. “Days!”
His eyebrows slashed into a frown.
&nb
sp; “Days. Days of thinking and wondering about any connections to Mrs. Bellinger. Days of worrying it could’ve been a mistake. You know. Days.”
He hooked a finger under her chin and moved her head tenderly so she had no choice but to make eye contact. “I know,” he replied with staid calmness. “Sophie. I told you before it’s no mistake. It’s yours. Yours and Mia’s.”
She studied him for a minute or two and took in every little detail of his face. And when he pulled her in close, she laid her head on his chest. For one blissful moment, she sank into him and let him hold her.
****
“Why on earth would Mr. Schuster’s ex-wife leave us her house?”
Mark helped Mia with her homework and reading again as he watched Sophie cleaning up the dishes. She seemed in her own little world, still frustrated by the lack of answers and questions piling up.
He shrugged. He didn’t know either.
“Are you sure he’s happy with us keeping the house?”
He gestured a yes, although he knew she didn’t see him as she still stared out into the garden, out into the distance.
“You need to call him,” she said suddenly turning towards him.
He raised his eyes to find her watching him, with pleading eyes full of misery. For a brief moment he asked himself if it would’ve been better to just leave it be. With the help from Kristen, he’d found out about the chocolate factory. For days, he’d been torn between telling and not telling her, preferring the latter option. Not to tell her and to let her settle.
But it was the wrong option, because he knew going there would be trouble in a very selfish way. Being so close and not able to touch her almost killed him.
“Call who?” Mia piped up unexpectedly.
Ruffling her hair playfully, he replied, “Just someone your sister knows in Sydney.”
“Father Mahoney?”
He cocked a brow.
“He’s our friend, and Sophie calls him quite often.” Then she leaned closer to him and whispered into his ear. “Especially when she’s sad.”
“He must be a good friend then,” he whispered back, but loud enough for Sophie to hear.
The little head bopped up and down, and his mouth curved into a smile.
“How about I tuck you into bed?” Sophie said.
Mia’s facial expression changed instantly to gloom. “Do I have to?”
“C’mon, little princess. I’ll read you a story,” Mark said as he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. As Sophie rushed her into the bathroom to get her into her PJs, he looked around to find a book to read. The mess in the room hadn’t improved, and he assumed that they still weren’t using any of the other rooms. He made a mental note to ask Sophie about it. It couldn’t have been the reason that she was worried about it all being a mistake. There had to be a way to convince her that the house was indeed her.
In the far corner on the top of a chest of drawer, he located a small pile of books and rummaged through them. Enid Blyton’s Famous Five would do the trick. He picked up the book and sat down on the bed, his long legs stretched out before him. The door opened, and the little girl literally flew into bed.
“What are we reading?” she asked as she hopped underneath the blankets.
“Famous Five — Five go off in a caravan.”
He started reading, but didn’t even get to page two when the little girl was already fast asleep. He chuckled and didn’t even bother placing a bookmark into the book.
As he walked down the hall, his mobile rang. The ID told him it was his mother. He leaned against the doorframe and raked through his hair as he listened to her. Sophie lounged on the couch and watched telly, looking gorgeous in a tight tank top and track pants, which were just hanging on her hips. With an effortless push of a button, he closed disconnected the call and walked over closer to the couch.
“She’s asleep.” He sat opposite her across from the coffee table. “I’ve gotta go. Mum and Dad locked themselves out again.”
Sophie snorted. “Again?”
He laughed, wishing he didn’t have to leave. “Long story, but yes, again.”
She stood. “Thanks for giving Mia a lift.”
Mark reached out and touched her face, but Sophie turned away from him and walked towards the front door.
“Still got the headache?”
Her cheeks reddened. “I’m sorry about that,” she explained and added, “You’d better go and rescue your parents.”
He stepped closer and touched her cheek with his hand, surprised by the reaction he felt in every nerve. Slowly, he let his hand slide down her neck, then her shoulder and along her arms, enjoying the softness of her skin
“There was no headache, right?” he asked just above a whisper, his face so close she was able to feel his breath on her skin. “I deserve to know what it is I did wrong.”
She met his gaze, her beautiful brown eyes shadowed under long lashes, still clouded with worry. “Yes, you do,” she replied. “But your parents don’t deserve to have to wait in the dark for much longer.”
Choking back a chuckle, he gave a slow nod, touched her lips with his, and left.
Chapter Twelve
“Hello? Anybody home?”
Sophie walked down the hall and a smile spread across her face when she saw Zach.
“You do know that just because we live here at the end of the world doesn’t mean you can just leave the doors unlocked.”
She shrugged. “I like it. It gives me a kind of freedom I never had in Sydney.”
Zach shook his head. “You’re one very weird cookie.”
Sophie noticed he was looking for something.
“So, what are you up to? Where’s the little one?”
“Mia’s at school, and I’m trying to catch up on my studies.”
Not sure what was happening when he just stood there, moving back and forwards on his heels, she asked, “Would you like to join me for lunch?”
Scratching his head he replied, “I don’t really want to interrupt your studies.”
“I need a break anyway. It’s slow going.” She waved him to follow as she walked into the kitchen.
As she quickly retrieved a few things out of the pantry and the fridge, she noticed his stare.
“So… um… what are you studying?”
“Childhood Education,” she replied as she held the ham towards him to ask whether he would like some on his sandwich.
He gave the thumps up to both, the reply and the ham. “So kids are your thing?”
Not quite understanding what he meant she turned. “My thing?”
“As in, you know, like your little one. You like kids?”
Again, she wasn’t sure where he was going with this, especially as she noticed out of the corner of her eye how he scratched the side of his neck.
Was he nervous? “I do like kids. And I think I’d be good at working with them.” With a sandwich on a plate, she stepped closer to him and handed it to him. “Anything wrong with kids?”
Looking up, he shook his hand. “No. No, not at all.” He took the plate and placed it in front of him. “Are those your photos?”
Surprised by the change of the subject, she raised her eyebrows. “Photos?”
“The ones near the front door.”
Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. What was it with the men and their interest in her photos? She knew they were good, but they had never been such a talking point like here. It reminded her of the argument she’d had with Mark about the photos, and she gazed at Zach, taking in his very handsome face. A twinge went through her as she realised she found him very attractive indeed.
“Yes,” she finally replied.
“They’re terrific. This is what you should do.”
A bit of sadness swelled in her, because he was right. And so had Mark been right. “It doesn’t get me money, though. I need to look after Mia, and I need a steady job to do that.”
/> “Right. Looking after kids won’t fill the piggy bank either. Life’s short enough. Do what you enjoy, I reckon.”
Again the issue of her life being too short to be wasted. She turned away, and for a little while, they ate their lunch in silence. There was a bit of a mental taking stock going on in her head.
Mark. Tick. She knew him for a few weeks. Liked him, but he was a two-timer.
Tick gone.
Zach. Tick. Good grief, she’d only known him for a couple of days, and he was coming and going as if he belonged to the household. Questionable tick.
The fact that he actually had known Ms. Bellinger suddenly formed a completely different thought in her mind.
“Zach?”
“Hmm?”
“Tell me about Ms. Bellinger.”
Looking up, he shrugged. “What do you need to know?”
“All you know, really.”
With his sandwich still in his hand, he studied her.
“Probably know as much as you do.”
Sophie took a tissue from the box and gently wiped her mouth. She considered what to say next. “I didn’t know her at all. In fact, I had never heard of her, and I haven’t figured out yet why she left us the house.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re kiddin’, right?”
She shook her head with some sadness. “No, I’m not.”
“I remember her mentioning you once or twice, but it sounded like she knew you.”
It was Sophie’s turn to raise her brows in surprise. “She did?” She stood, walked to the kitchen bench, and turned on the kettle. She needed a nice cup of tea. As she leaned against the bench, she looked back at him. Not knowing more details was driving her insane. It stirred in her, and her usual self-control crumbled beneath her.
“But she didn’t know us!” The words came out close to a scream, and she immediately placed her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry.” With tears stinging behind her eyelids, she took two cups out of the cupboard, when his hand on her shoulder startled her. He gently turned her to face him and took her into his arms.
“Hey, cupcake, how about we start at the beginning?”