by Lisa Ireland
‘Bea, I’ve been waiting to hear from you! I tried to call yesterday but it went straight to voicemail. Are you there? How is it? Are you loving it?’ Emma’s questions tumbled out one after the other, giving her no chance to answer before the next one came.
‘Yes, I’m here. We must have still been on the road when you called. The mobile signal is non-existent between towns. I was worried I wouldn’t get a signal here because I’m a few kilometres out of town, but so far, so good.’
‘Oh god, imagine if you had no signal. I can’t even …’
Bea laughed. Emma had a tendency to overdramatise even mundane situations. ‘Well, you don’t have to. Besides, I’ll get a landline put in soon. Don’t worry, we’ll still be able to talk as much as we ever have.’
‘How’s the unpacking going?’
‘Okay, I guess. I’ve got stuff everywhere. We didn’t arrive here until late afternoon. Thank goodness I only brought the bare essentials. We dragged the couch, the fridge and the washing machine in, set up my bedroom and a bed in one of the spare rooms so Joe had somewhere to sleep. I’ve only just started on the boxes today. I’ve got a lot of the kitchen stuff sorted but I’ve had a couple of interruptions.’
‘How could you have interruptions? You don’t know anyone there.’
‘I’ve been making friends.’
‘Already?’
‘Yes, indeedy. Remember I told you about Evelyn Mitchell, the lovely lady on the committee who leased me the house? Well, she has a son and he dropped a welcome gift from his mum this morning.’
‘Interesting. What was he like?’
‘We didn’t really get off to an auspicious start—he pulled my screen door off its hinges trying to get my attention. But he was bearing gifts so I forgave him. He’s actually a pretty friendly guy. I think the Mitchells will be good neighbours to have.’
Em sighed. ‘I mean what’s he like? You know, is he a hottie?’
Bea felt herself blushing even though she was alone. There was no doubt Mitch was an attractive man. ‘I don’t know. I guess he was nice-looking. You know I’m not here to pick up men, right? I’m perfectly happy on my own.’
‘I’m not suggesting you set up house with anyone, Bea, but it’s been over a year since you and Jason split. You don’t have to live like a nun.’
‘I’m not ready, okay? Besides, Mitch is my neighbour and his mum is on the committee. I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot in this town. Anyway, who are you to be doling out the relationship advice? It’s been a while between drinks for you too.’
‘At least I’m trying. Hey, if you’re not going to date Mr Hottie, maybe I can practice my flirting skills on him when I come up for the school hols, so try not to scare him off, okay?’
Bea laughed. ‘I don’t think he scares easily. You should see how I look today. I’ve got the daggiest overalls on you’ve ever seen in your life and my hair is still that god-awful shade of pink. I need to find myself a hairdresser and sort that out fast.’
‘So he stayed around for a while then?’
‘Not really, no, but he is coming back. My oven’s not working and he promised he’d come back later to take a look at it.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Em’s tone was teasing.
‘It’s not like that. He says neighbours help each other out here and I’ve offered to cook him dinner as payment.’
‘Hang on a minute. I thought you said you weren’t interested. Now you’re telling me you’ve set up a date with this guy?’
‘What? No. No, it’s not a date, it’s just my way of saying thank you. Oh my God. You don’t think he’ll think …’
Em laughed. ‘You really are clueless, Bea. I don’t know how a grown woman can know so little about the opposite sex.’
‘Give me a break, would you? I haven’t dated for about 100 years. I remind you I was a child bride.’
‘Hmmm,’ Em said in a noncommittal tone.
‘So, what do I do? I can’t cancel. He’ll think I’m a nut job.’ She groaned. ‘How on earth do I manage to get myself into these situations?’
‘I don’t know. I think’s your special superpower. Look, I guess you’ll just have to make it clear at the dinner that you just want to be friends. Guys don’t do well with subtle hints. You’re going to have to come right out and say it. Anyway, my love, I must run. I desperately need a coffee and I’m on playground duty in ten minutes. Let me know how it all goes, okay?’
‘Sure. It was great talking to you, Em.’
Bea put the phone down and picked up her tea. Less than twenty-four hours living in Dulili and she’d already landed herself in trouble. So much for the simple life.
Chapter 2
Bea had just poured her second cup of tea for the morning when she heard a car pull up beside the house. Her hand flew to her head in a desperate attempt to smooth the bed-hair look that she had happening. She pulled her woolly grey cardigan tight around her and hoped that her black pyjama pants might pass for tracksuit bottoms. Who the hell called in unannounced at nine-thirty on a Sunday morning? Please don’t let it be Mitch. She hadn’t psyched herself to deal with him yet. He’d popped in the afternoon before to look at the oven and declared that it just needed a fuse replaced. He’d promised to come back the next afternoon with a new fuse and the tools to fix it. Afterwards she’d make him dinner and they’d be square. She’d make it clear that she wasn’t available for romantic interludes and that would be that. She’d planned on being charm and sweetness personified as she let him down gently, but she wasn’t ready to deal with him in her pyjamas.
As Bea scurried to cover her hair with a pink bandana there was a light tap on the door, followed by Evelyn’s voice. ‘Yoohoo, Beatrice. It’s me, Evelyn.’
Evelyn. Crisis averted. ‘Coming,’ Bea called.
As she opened the back door the older woman took in her attire. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t wake you. I’m just back from church—Dulili had the early service today—and I thought I’d pop in to see how you were doing.’
‘You didn’t wake me. I’m just having a lazy Sunday morning, that’s all. Come on in.’
‘Oh no, I don’t want to disturb you.’ Evelyn smiled and made no move to leave.
‘Don’t be silly. I’ve got a fresh pot of tea on the table. Please, come in.’
‘If you’re sure?’
Bea nodded and beckoned for Evelyn to follow her. Evelyn took a seat at the kitchen table—no longer wonky thanks to a small chock of timber—while Bea pulled out a fine china teacup from the cupboard above the sink.
‘I can see you’ve been working hard. I can’t believe you’ve got everything looking so lovely in less than two days,’ Evelyn said.
‘I didn’t bring much furniture with me,’ Bea said, neglecting to mention that she didn’t actually have much furniture to bring. ‘When I’ve repainted and done the renovations I’m planning, I’ll work on fully furnishing the house. I’m thinking I might be able to pick up a few pre-loved pieces and restore them. I want the place to have a homey feel.’
‘That sounds just lovely. And, yes, you might be able to scrounge a few old pieces here and there. There’s a big op shop in Orange where you can pick up bargains sometimes.’
‘Ooh, that sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out.’
‘So tell me all about these renovations. I hope you’re not going to over-capitalise, my dear. Of course, you know it’s the committee’s fondest wish that you will restore the house and stay on in Dulili, but what will you do if you spend all that money and the B&B doesn’t work out?’
A prickle of alarm twisted in Bea’s chest. Was the committee having second thoughts about her? She’d signed a lease on the property, so surely they couldn’t kick her out now? ‘I’m very optimistic Honey Hill House Retreat will be a huge success. You’ve seen my business plan, so you know how much work I’ve put into it.’
‘Oh I know, love. I know you’ll do your best. I just don’t want you to over-commit. Buil
ding work can be expensive. You could save yourself a bit of money by doing a lot of the work yourself, and around here there’s plenty of people who’ll lend a hand.’ Evelyn smiled and sipped her tea. ‘I believe you’ve already met my Callum? He’s very handy around the house. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to help out.’
Bea bit back a smile. So that was what all this was about. It seemed Evelyn was playing matchmaker. ‘Yes, we’ve met. He’s very kindly offered to fix my oven for me.’
‘I did hear something about that. He tells me you’re cooking him dinner?’
So Evelyn knew, and by the look on her face she clearly thought the thank you dinner constituted a date. Had Mitch said as much? Was she going to be persona non grata around here once she made it clear to Mitch that romance wasn’t on the cards?
‘To say thank you,’ Bea said carefully. ‘I really appreciate him helping me out. Usually I’m quite independent but I’m afraid the electrical workings of an oven are beyond me. I thought it only fair that I compensate him in some way for his time and at the moment my cooking’s the only thing I have to offer.’
Evelyn nodded knowingly. ‘I’m sure you two will have a lovely time.’
Bea decided to change the subject. It seemed Evelyn was determined to see romance where there was none and nothing she could say on that topic would convince her otherwise. ‘Speaking of help, I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind?’
‘Of course I don’t. That’s what I’m here for. Fire away.’
‘I was in Dulili yesterday doing some grocery shopping and had a bit of a look around the main street. I didn’t notice a hairdresser of any type. As you may have noticed, my hair is in desperate need of a cut and a colour.’
‘I did notice you’d changed the colour of your hair since last time we met,’ Evelyn said. ‘It’s looking very … colourful.’
Bea laughed. ‘That’s very diplomatic of you. It’s not meant to be fairy-floss pink. I did the colour myself last week and was hoping for a nice shade of burgundy. Unfortunately, I’ve ended up with this fiasco.’ She touched her hair and rolled her eyes.
‘I did wonder, but you know many of the young ones these days like that sort of thing, so I thought it best to hold my tongue.’
‘Well, it’s not really my cup of tea. I’m wondering where the nearest hairdresser is?’
Evelyn creased her brow as if giving the question careful consideration. ‘Some ladies go to Orange for their hair, so that’s an option if you’re looking for something special, but I get young Caitlin Morley to do mine. She works from home since she’s had the twins and she’s very good. I’m sure she’d be able to sort your colour out in no time.’
Bea hesitated for a moment. A haircut in someone’s kitchen wasn’t really what she’d had in mind. But neither was traipsing all the way to Orange. She wanted to get this hair sorted as soon as possible. She’d seen the way the few locals she’d encountered the previous day had looked at her. It was going to be challenging enough to fit into this tiny community without the burden of looking like a walking, talking lollipop. ‘Caitlin sounds great. Do you have her number handy?’
Evelyn rummaged in her black patent leather handbag and pulled out a well-worn address book. ‘Have you got a pen?’
Bea pulled a notepad and pen from one of her kitchen drawers and dutifully copied down the number Evelyn read out. When she was finished Evelyn looked at her dainty marcasite wristwatch and clicked her tongue. ‘Goodness me, is that the time? I must be off. Can’t sit around yacking all day, I’ve got things to do. And I expect you’ll be wanting to get dressed.’
Bea felt her cheeks flush. ‘Yes, I suppose I should.’
* * *
Mitch dropped by the main house after lunch to let his dad know the sick cow was on the mend. He’d save the old man a trip out in the cold. The sun was shining but there was a chill in the air and Geoff still wasn’t over the bout of bronchitis he’d contracted over a month ago. Of course, he said he was fine, but Mitch noticed how it had slowed the old man down. It was a bit of a worry. With Jimmy off gallivanting around the globe there were only the three of them to run the farm. At the moment that was okay, but if Dad wasn’t well enough to help out, then it was essentially all up to him. Mum was a tough old bird and she did what she could, but at her age she should be thinking about taking things easy, knitting booties for the grandkids and that sort of thing. Not that she had any grandkids.
He pulled off his boots at the back door.
‘Callum, is that you?’ Evelyn’s voice called from the kitchen.
‘Yes, Mum.’
‘Are you here for lunch?’
He closed the back door behind him and made his way to the kitchen, tossing the keys to the ute on the hallstand as he went. ‘Something smells good.’
‘Corned beef and mashed potato. We’ve eaten already but there’s plenty more. I can make you up a plate.’
He kissed his mother on the cheek and winked at his father. ‘Thanks Effie, but I’ve already eaten. I had a sandwich.’
Normally his mother would protest that a sandwich was not a decent meal for a working man, but today she nodded and smiled. ‘I suppose that’s wise seeing as you’ll be eating a big meal tonight. I’ve been down to visit Beatrice this morning. I’m sure she’s planning something special. She seemed very grateful you’d agreed to fix her oven.’
‘That’s enough of that, Mum.’
She opened her eyes wide and feigned innocence. ‘What?’
‘You know what. Don’t go getting any ideas in your head about me and Bea. She seems like a nice lady, but I’m just being neighbourly, that’s all. I’m not interested in anything more.’
‘You’re calling her Bea, eh? That seems mighty chummy for someone you claim not to be interested in.’
‘I mean it, Effie, that’s enough. I hope you haven’t been down there badgering the poor woman.’
‘Of course not. I just popped in to see how she was doing. I’m part of the committee, remember? It’s my job to see she’s settling in.’
‘Look, Mum, I’m glad you’re looking after her. She seems like a perfectly nice person. I just don’t want you getting any ideas about the two of us, okay? She’s simply not my type.’
‘How can you say that? You barely even know her. What’s wrong with her?’
Mitch shrugged. ‘Nothing’s wrong with her, she’s just not for me. She seems … I don’t know … a bit airy-fairy, a bit flighty. Just not my type, that’s all.’
‘Is it the pink hair? Is it? Because that was an accident. She told me so herself. She asked me for Caitlin’s number so she can get it fixed.’
Mitch hated to think of himself as shallow, so he didn’t want to admit that the pink hair had played a part in him deciding that Bea was some sort of impulsive hippy type. The fact that her hair wasn’t pink on purpose surprised him, and not in a bad way. But he wasn’t going to give his mother the satisfaction of being right. ‘It’s not the hair, all right? Mum, you’ve got to stop trying to matchmake me.’
Geoff put down the newspaper he was reading. ‘That’ll do from the both of you. Can’t a man have a cup of tea in peace?’ His father’s voice was gruff, but Mitch knew he was only half serious.
Evelyn looked contrite. ‘Do you want a cuppa before you go, love?’ she asked.
Mitch shook his head. ‘Nah, thanks anyway. I better get on with fixing this oven. I just stopped by to let Dad know the cow’s doing better. No need to check on her this arvo, she’s doing fine. She’s eating well and trotting around. I’ll keep her down here until the morning, but tomorrow she can go back into the herd.’
Geoff nodded. ‘Righto. Looks like you’ve got me to yourself this afternoon, Mother.’ He winked at Mitch behind Evelyn’s back.
‘Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it then,’ Mitch said with a grin. ‘See you tomorrow.’
Chapter 3
Bea couldn’t believe her own stupidity. Not only had she accidentally organis
ed a date with her neighbour—unwise in the extreme—but worse than that, she’d bought a leg of lamb to serve for dinner. She’d had grand plans for a traditional Sunday roast and shopped accordingly, not stopping to think about the fact that the oven wasn’t working. Even if Mitch did manage to fix it, the oven would need another clean before she could use it and by the time she let the oven heat up, then put the meat on to cook, it would be hours before they could eat. Hours where she’d be stuck with a man who quite possibly thought she had romantic intentions towards him. Which she most definitely did not.
Not that Mitch wasn’t worthy of romantic intentions. He was certainly easy on the eye, she’d admit that much. It was impossible not to notice the startling combination of his blue-green eyes and dark brown hair, not to mention his boyish smile. Then there were those tanned, muscular arms. She might not be in the market for a man but she still had a pulse, and like it or not her well-built neighbour was managing to make it race.
Or maybe it was just nervous tension. All morning she’d been buzzing about, unable to settle properly at any task. It wasn’t only the meal dilemma, she couldn’t decide on an appropriate outfit for this evening’s social engagement either. She’d been fine until Em had started blathering on about ‘hotness’ and ‘dates’. Anyone listening to that conversation could have easily mistaken them for a pair of sixteen-year-olds. That stopped right now. She had no room in her life for juvenile crushes. Honey Hill House was her opportunity to be independent. To live her life her way without depending on anyone else. She’d make sure Mitch got that message loud and clear.
Of course there was the distinct possibility that he had no interest in anything other than a decent feed. Bea shook her head. Why was she even speculating about this? Mitch was being a Good Samaritan and she was repaying his good deed with a meal. That was all that was going on here. There was no need to worry about cooking the perfect meal or wearing the right outfit, because this was not a date. Full stop.
* * *
When Mitch drove up she was on the back verandah. He could see she had the screen door precariously balanced on one foot as she screwed the top hinge into place. She didn’t turn around as he got out of the car and walked the few metres along the overgrown gravel path that led to the back steps, his heeler Rosie scampering along behind him. ‘I told you I’d fix that,’ he said when he reached her.