A Reason To Stay

by Linda Charles

  He frowned. ‘Something she’ll treasure? A floor mat? A pendant?’

  She shook her head. ‘Hardly, that’s just the surface. They say the first five ideas are crap; dig deeper, much deeper.’

  An idea hit her. She jumped up and ran inside to the bedroom.

  ‘I’ll get my notebook and we’ll start to brainstorm.’

  When she came running back down the hall with her notebook, Mike was sitting on the main lounge with his bare feet resting on the coffee table alongside the bottle of wine and glasses.

  ‘Come on—’ he patted the space next to him, ‘—let’s get started.’

  A hot pang of desire spiralled straight to her pelvis. She hesitated. He held out his arms to take her notebook and wished she could take full advantage of him.

  She tossed him her notebook and flopped down beside him, bumping against his arm. Her nose twitched at his warm gingery scent with a mix of soap.

  He took the pen out of her hand and raised an eyebrow, and her heart gave a gentle thump.

  Mike murmured, ‘Something she’ll treasure. I like the idea of a floor mat with a picture of a rampaging elephant.’

  ‘She won’t want to walk over him.’

  He tapped his pen against the tip of his lips. ‘Good point. What about if we put the mat on the wall, and hung it up in front of her bed?’

  Snuggling closer, she revelled in his body’s heat.

  She nodded. ‘That’s hardly personal, but I like the idea of something on the wall.’

  ‘A painting?’

  She sat up, her eyes glossing over his lips as he sipped his wine.

  ‘You’re an architect; you should be able to draw one.’

  He slowly turned his head to face her, the glitter in his eyes illuminating his desire. Her pulse quickened. His open desire shook her. She was sorely tempted to pull him to her and kiss him. Instead she smiled up at him. Silly me. What woman smiles after such a come on? When was she ever any good at showing her true feelings?

  He shifted and her body shifted in line with his, bringing her closer to him.

  ‘I can draw. What about a colourful floor-to-ceiling mural?’

  I’m not thinking.

  She was getting horny and forced herself to focus on Mike’s doodle at the top of the page.

  He gave her a gentle nudge, making him impossible to ignore.

  ‘I’m thinking,’ she whispered.

  He laughed and she felt the vibrations filter out of his body and mingle with hers.

  ‘Is that what you call it?’

  ‘Okay, okay. I like it. I like the idea of a full-size painting, but not a mural. She’ll want to keep it and take it with her when she’s older.’

  Mike turned the page, and in a few strokes had drawn the shape of an elephant’s ears; in another few strokes she could see the animal come to life.

  Her heart started racing, her eyes fixed on the page. Mike paused. She glanced up; he was deep in thought.

  ‘What?’ she whispered.

  ‘The eyes, round or square?’

  Flummoxed, she shook her head. ‘There’s a difference?’

  ‘Huge. Round is friendly, warm, cosy, it’s what you come to expect, but I want one with attitude.’

  Mike tapped the page. In half a dozen beats he stopped tapping and drew two elongated oblongs on an angle.

  A sharp breath escaped from her lips. The elephant came alive: it was roaring, angry, rampaging and glorious. In short it was magnificent, and she couldn’t believe she’d seen someone create it so easily before her eyes.

  ‘Do you think …’ he started.

  Before he said another word she reached up and made a grab for his pen. She didn’t want him to touch it up. It was perfect. Mike pulled back, deliberately moving his arm out of reach.

  She gave a final lunge, but couldn’t reach it and ended up lying across his body, with her hands flailing above his shoulders. Now what? His body was hot, it moved and was powerful.

  He wriggled his hip which in turn gently rocked her. ‘You after my body?’ he whispered. The huskiness in his voice melted the last of her reserve.

  She dropped her head against his chest in an effort to gather her composure. She hoped like hell that the emotions coursing through her body didn’t show on her face. Placing both her hands on his chest she paused. His heart pounded beneath her hands.

  Her eyes slid from his chest, to his lips and continued up to his eyes.

  He gave her a rueful smile. ‘You weren’t after my body?’

  ‘I’m not saying,’ she whispered.

  His arms snaked around her back, keeping her in place. She stared across at him in wonder, aware of a delicious ache blossoming in her chest. That word ‘freedom’ loomed large in her mind. She wanted to do so much with Mike. How could he be so boyish and mischievous and at the same time so hot and utterly compelling?

  ‘Don’t touch that elephant.’

  At the fierceness of her words Mike lifted his eyebrows. ‘If you say so.’

  ‘It’s perfect. I can’t believe you drew that in the space of five minutes.’

  Her words broke the spell. It wasn’t what she intended but it reminded her that Caitlyn was in the room, so to speak, that Mike had a life and so had she.

  Why couldn’t she have simply reached up and kissed him?

  Caitlyn was important to him and she so wanted that picture to be special for her. The only thing she had from her parents was a few photos, and she treasured them.

  He leaned forward and gave her a peck on the forehead.

  ‘Drawing’s one of my many hidden talents. Come on, let’s go out and grab a pizza.’

  Damn, damn, damn!

  She slowly eased herself off Mike’s chest, already missing his warmth.

  Her eyes followed him about the room, as he put on his watch, picked up his keys and pocketed his wallet. It was all so normal, so domesticated and so very disappointing. She was angry with herself. For once in her life she should have asked for what she wanted.

  Chapter 14

  A few days later Rachael stared out at the carpark from Nancy’s hospital room. It was too early in the morning for a flood of visitors, and the carpark was only a quarter full. So where was Shar?

  ‘Any sign?’ asked Nancy.

  ‘Of course not. Have you ever known Shar to be on time? To do anything she promises on time?’

  Rachael swung around at the older woman’s light-hearted laugh. ‘You girls make me laugh. She means well.’

  ‘That’s all very well, but I have an appointment with the bank at ten and here it is twenty to ten now and where is she? She knows my meeting with the bank’s important.’

  Nancy chuckled as she folded her nightie.

  ‘Sam Anderson will wait for you. He’s retiring from the bank later this year. He won’t mind you being a little late.’

  ‘I know that, but it’s not right. It’s hardly the right thing to do.’

  She glanced out the window one more time before she lifted Nancy’s overnight bag onto the bed, grabbed the nightie and slippers and tossed them inside. She looked about the small hospital room and gave a cursory glance into the bathroom.

  ‘Anything else?’ she asked.

  Nancy shook her head. ‘That’s it, pet, nothing more. I can’t wait to get home and get back to normal.’

  The door burst open and Shar charged in with a wide grin and shiny eyes, carrying a small hold-all and a dressing gown draped over her arm.

  ‘Here we are,’ she announced as she went over to Nancy and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  Her face dropped when she spied the closed bag on the bed.

  ‘You’ve packed already?’ she asked.

  Rach folded her arms. ‘You never learn, do you? The party doesn’t start when you turn up. Nancy’s packed, she’s signed the hospital papers and we’re ready to go. We’ve been sitting here waiting for you so we can go.’

  Shar flopped onto the bed. ‘It’s not been one of my better morn
ings.’

  ‘It never is,’ said Rach.

  She glanced at her watch and recalculated her timing. It was so late now she’d be better off walking to the bank.

  Nancy laughed out loud. ‘Oh, I’ve missed you girls. You head off, pet. Shar and I will be fine.’

  Rachael stood up and straightened her suit. ‘Okay then, that’s my cue to go. I’m off.’

  The older woman shook her head. ‘You look beautiful, Rach. It’s not often I see you dressed for work.’

  She leaned down and kissed the older woman on the forehead. ‘Thanks, Nancy, you’re good for my ego.’

  Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out and started to scroll through the messages.

  ‘Hey look at these.’ She sat beside Shar on the bed and held up her phone to her sister. ‘They’re orders. Brown’s want two dozen of the chocolate fondue cake, the council office in Bourke also has an order—they’re asking for confirmation. Here’s one from Mrs Watson for a dozen lemon meringue minis for a baby shower, and another four.’

  ‘Oh my god. We’ve got a few orders, people actually liked the treats!’ shouted Shar.

  She stared at Nancy and Shar in amazement. Never in her wildest dreams did she think they’d be taking orders so soon after the taste tests. Her mind did somersaults as she thought of the logistics.

  Before she could finish the thought Shar gave her a bear hug and squealed into her ear. ‘We’re in business.’

  Shar ran across to Nancy and gave her a fierce bear hug that almost sent her sliding out of her chair. ‘The business is saved.’

  Rachael swallowed hard. ‘Shar, it’ll take more than a few small orders.’

  As if she were swatting flies, Shar waved her hands. ‘I know, I know, but it’s a start. Now what?’

  Shar’s excitement was infectious. Rachael was surprised at how quickly word was spreading. Some of those orders were from people who hadn’t yet tasted any cakes.

  ‘We get baking, that’s what. We’ll have to do it from home; the bakery’s not operational yet.’

  Shar frowned. ‘When do they want it by? Oh god, I’m feeling nervous now. You made them, Rach, you’d better teach me. Those chocolate fondues look tricky.’

  Rachael’s hands were trembling as she put the phone in her pocket.

  ‘The bakery will be ready next week for the orders in Bourke, so, we’re good there. Bob will have to deliver those, and Mrs Watson’s and the small orders are good for tomorrow afternoon. I’m not happy about it, but we’ll have to do them from home.’

  Shar’s eyes widened, her voice rising to the next octave. ‘We’ll have to deliver everything; they can’t pick up from the bakery yet.’

  ‘Girls,’ said Nancy, ‘first things first. You’ll have to scrub out the kitchen. It looks like you’ll be doing some cooking there for a few days. It has to be spotless.’

  Shar rolled her eyes at Rach. ‘Okay, I’ll get stuck into that this morning as soon as we get home.’

  Rachael’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the text from Gordon. Call me after the bank meeting. Switching off her phone she silently cursed him as she tried to get her mind focused on her bank meeting.

  She gave Nancy a kiss on the forehead. ‘Sorry to be a party pooper, but I have to go.’

  She had six minutes to get to the bank; if she started to run now she’d be on time. Walking past Shar, she gave her a quick nod but her sister surprised her by leaping up and hooking her arm inside Rach’s. Shar’s eyes were brimming with tears as she grinned at her. ‘I’ll walk you out. I’m so nervous and so happy all at once I feel sick. I’m just so glad you’re here, Rach.’

  Her sister’s simple words highlighted something she’d been ignoring since the first day of her return. She was glad to be back in Mindalby. Go figure.

  ‘Stop it, you’ll turn us both into blubbering messes.’

  ‘I know, but I don’t care. I couldn’t do this without you. I would never have taken the risk.’

  When they reached the hospital doors, Rachael gave Shar a long hard stare. ‘Yes, you would. You’d do it for your family.’

  With a spring in her step she almost floated all the way to the bank. Her head was busy compiling lists of new customers, possible customers and how to chart their big sellers. She tossed aside the thought of spending time teaching Shar how to create an Excel spreadsheet and wondered if Bob would be interested in doing a course.

  Ten minutes later she was ushered into Sam Anderson’s office. It was a glass cubicle at the end of a long corridor. She remembered Bert’s description of Sam’s office when he’d been the bank manager—the plush leather lounges and seats in the huge desk with the leather insert, the paintings on the wall and the solid wall of books. Nancy especially enjoyed the silver tea service. She wondered if the new manager’s office was still the same—its closed wooden door showing the nametag ‘Keira Glenning, Manager’.

  Times had changed—and not only because Sam was no longer the bank manager, staying on as loans officer before his retirement.

  Sam sat opposite her in an ergonomic chair which seemed too small for such an overweight man; he seemed to have problems balancing on it.

  His desk mirrored the bank of desks she’d walked past in their open plan office. The chair she sat in was wooden and uncomfortable. No doubt designed not to encourage clients to stay a moment longer than necessary.

  ‘It’s good to see you, Rach. I’ve organised some tea for us and I’m sorry I don’t have any of those nice little treats I hear you’ve been spoiling the locals with.’

  He laughed and her eyes were drawn to his exposed belly button which took regular hits on the edge of his desk.

  ‘Do you have the list so we can make a start?’

  He gripped the edge of his desk and wriggled in his seat. ‘I swear one day I’m going to fall out of this thing.’

  She started to laugh. ‘Mr Anderson, the list?’

  He grinned at her. ‘Call me “Sam”. Sure, Rach, I’m prepared for you. I know I’ve got to be when you city folk come up. Gone are the long pub lunches and trips to the race course. I miss all that.’

  ‘I’m sure you do.’

  He opened a folder and with a flourish he handed her a piece of paper.

  Thank god that’s all.

  Her hope was short-lived when he handed her another three sheets of paper. She gasped and glanced over the top of the list to Sam. The big man was trembling, his face pale and a light sheen of sweat was appearing on the top of his forehead.

  ‘I know every name on that list. I’ve had some sleepless nights over all of this,’ he announced.

  Putting the papers aside she drew her chair closer to him. ‘I’m sorry, Sam. I hate doing this as much as you do.’

  The door opened and a girl came in carrying two mugs of tea.

  Rach gave the pages a quick glance, glad to see Bob and Shar’s names weren’t on it.

  ‘Sam, I have to go. I wish I could think of a solution, but the mill’s closure hasn’t helped and neither has the drought. Maybe with the mill re-opening things will pick up?’

  He shook his head.

  ‘Funny thing, isn’t it? I’ve been through this before. Every couple of years the head office honchos in the big smoke decide to have a clean-out and draw a line and those below it go under. One year a guy came in who was on that list. He accused me of playing God handing out money, blaming me because he couldn’t pay it back. Mind you, Rach, this fellow was in a good position to pay it back when he took out the loan, I made sure of that.’

  She nodded.

  He shook his head. ‘My gut’s churning every day over this. What I wouldn’t give to rip up that bloody list.’

  Once she’d folded the list and put it in her bag, she grinned at Sam. ‘I’ll keep you posted. It’s all I can promise.’

  He shook her hand. ‘I know, Rach, I know.’

  With her gaze straight ahead, she walked through the bank’s offices aware of the many eyes on her.

  What a d
isaster.

  How many lives are going to be affected by this? She stared down Burton Park Road and saw some of the ladies go into the CWA hall, others parking their cars, some shopping, some rushing into council chambers, and others headed into the library.

  She strolled down to the bakery and stood out the front of it. Her despair was replaced by excitement. The freshly painted dark green front door with its shiny new gold-plated handle was stunning. The gold painted sign on the glass window had been Bob’s idea and she was glad they’d agreed to it.

  ‘Hiya, Rach, coming quilting next week?’ She turned and shook her head at Mrs Watson who stood overladen with bags across the street.

  A horn honked nearby and somebody called out ‘Bakery looks great, Rach.’

  Her plan of staying under the radar hadn’t worked. If the bakery had been doing well, nobody would be any the wiser that she’d been in town at all.

  ‘Daydreaming?’

  She swung around to see Mike strolling towards her.

  His eyes quite openly roamed over her body and her heart instantly kick-started a new beat. He did it every time. She looked away. It was no use getting worked up about him when she wasn’t planning on sticking around.

  ‘Where the hell are you going dressed like that?’ he asked.

  She couldn’t help herself, she gazed across at him. ‘I had a work appointment at the bank, with Mr Anderson.’

  An amused expression rippled across his face. ‘I bet Sam Anderson didn’t know quite what to make of you when you strolled into his office.’

  ‘I’ve known Mr Anderson—Sam—a long time.’

  Mike leaned closer and her heart beat that little bit faster. ‘Makes no odds when a gorgeous woman walks into a man’s office, his senses go out the door.’

  She’d never thought of herself that way. ‘Gorgeous woman?’ she whispered.

  His voice was feather light against her neck. ‘You heard me.’ Mike’s voice came out raw, edgy.

  Startled, she faced him and was swallowed up by the intensity in his eyes. Her breathing hiccupped. He was talking sex, pure and simple. What was he thinking? It was too early in the day, there were too many people about and she didn’t trust herself.