by C. Fonseca
Cool fingers wrapped around her wrist, shocking Eleanor out of the moment, and Eleanor snatched her hand back in a panic. Had she gone too far?
Alexa blinked several times. “I guess in this downpour, very slowly.”
Eleanor pulled the raincoat tightly around herself, jumped out of the car, and untangled the flapping tarpaulin, trying to calm her racing heart. She shook the tarpaulin before stowing it in the back seat with her raincoat and jumped back in the car. Even though she was now soaking wet, at least she’d had an opportunity to compose herself after nearly kissing Alexa.
Alexa grinned mischievously at her. “Look at you.”
Eleanor lifted her shirt and attempted to mop her face and hair. “I’m dripping all over your car.”
“The seat will be fine,” Alexa said, staring wide-eyed at Eleanor’s naked midriff. “The sooner you get out of those clothes, the better. You might catch a cold.”
Eleanor hastily pulled down her shirt and turned to Alexa with a bright smile. “Didn’t you tell me you make a wicked hot chocolate?”
“I did,” Alexa said. “There’s a towel somewhere on the back seat. Why don’t you use it, then I’ll wrap it around the wiper spindle?”
“That’s a smart idea.” Eleanor reached for the towel that was tucked behind a blue Esky cool box, dabbed at her face, and handed it to Alexa.
Alexa secured the rolled-up towel along the dashboard. She started the engine, checked her rear vision mirror, and pulled out onto the road. “You are a good sport, Eleanor. I am so sorry our day has been ruined. Honestly, I had no idea it was going to rain like this.”
The weather app Alexa consulted must have given a rosier forecast than the one Eleanor and her father had checked this morning. What did it matter? Eleanor didn’t mind. The day had already turned into quite an adventure, and it wasn’t over yet.
By the time they drove under an ironwork archway, the sky was hung with a dark blanket of clouds and rain continued to bucket down. Rivulets of water lined the gently winding driveway, and the earth had turned a deep mahogany. The car headlights bounced off the wet stone walls of the cottage and swept across garden shrubs and a paved courtyard, finally reflecting off the rear corrugated iron wall of the carport into Eleanor’s eyes.
Alexa switched off the engine and doused the headlights.
They sat there in the semi-darkness, for several seconds. Alexa was strangely quiet. Did she regret having to bring Eleanor to her hideaway? Or was she still worried about her car? “The towel trick seems to have worked.” Eleanor checked for water along the interior lining of the dashboard. “It’s still dry.”
“Good. I’m just glad we’re here,” Alexa said with a sigh, dispelling Eleanor’s fears.
Eleanor peered out of the windscreen. The wind had picked up and cast flickering shadows around them. She jumped at the sudden weight of Alexa’s palm on her knee.
“You must be freezing,” Alexa said in a concerned tone.
“Just a bit. It’s a little eerie. Is that the wind whistling or something else?” Eleanor closed her eyes. The pressure of Alexa’s hand had her nerves twitching.
“We’re at the edge of the woodland, and the wind can howl through the box ironbark trees. It took me ages to get used to the noises of the forest when I first came here.” Alexa briefly squeezed Eleanor’s leg, opened the glove compartment, and extracted the set of old brass keys. “The path to the cottage is a little precarious, especially in this shadowy light,” Alexa warned. “Please, watch your step.”
“Thanks. I will.” Eleanor helped gather some of their things from the back seat. She pushed the door open and almost on cue, the rain hit the garage’s tin roof with a loud roar. She fell back into her seat. “Crikey.”
“I know.” Alexa exhaled loudly before managing a half-smile. “I’m afraid when it rains like this, it could be hours before it eases.” Her tone was earnest, and a deep frown creased her usually smooth forehead.
“Okay.” Eleanor raised her voice. “It definitely doesn’t sound like it’s easing up. What should we do?”
“We might have to stay the night,” Alexa said tentatively before dropping her gaze to meet Eleanor’s.
Eleanor rubbed the back of her neck. Normally, a change of plans wouldn’t faze her, so why was she experiencing a bout of nerves at the thought of being alone in the cottage with Alexa, overnight?
“Will that cause a problem?” Alexa asked. “If you have to get home today, I can ring my friends Kelly and Louise. They could drive you to Castlemaine Station. If you made the 14.47 train, you’d could be home by half six.”
“I have nowhere I’d rather be,” Eleanor replied a little too quickly. Despite her nerves, it was the truth. “I have no plans for tonight, just lunch with the folks tomorrow. I’ll ring Mum later and explain. Anyway, we can’t expect your friends to come out in this weather.”
“Kelly and Louise are really good sports,” Alexa assured her. “They’d do it in a heartbeat.”
As if giving her an excuse to decline the offer, there was a flash of lightening, a rumbling of thunder, and the rain pounded even louder. Still, she didn’t want to leave.
“Honestly, I’d like to stay,” Eleanor shouted. “As long as you don’t mind the company?”
“Hey, the more the merrier,” Alexa said brightly. “I’d like it if you stayed.”
Alexa sounded genuine. Sitting alone in a train, during a storm, all the way back to Melbourne would be lonely, and Eleanor would only spend the whole time wondering what Alexa was doing anyway. She was itching to know more about Alexa and her cottage. The little internal buzz of excitement was a pretty good indication she wasn’t ready to end their time together.
“It’s lucky we picked up a few goodies in Castlemaine. At least we won’t go hungry tonight.” Alexa scrambled in the back for her jacket and the cool box. “Let’s get this stuff inside. I’ll start a fire while you change out of those wet clothes.” She slid out of the car with the cool box in one hand and held her jacket over her head. “We’ll have to make a run for it. Follow me,” she squealed. “And watch your step.”
“Hey, let me find the umbrella for you,” Eleanor called, but Alexa had taken off up the garden path.
The umbrella would be useless in the gusty wind anyway. It would turn inside out and fly into the forest.
Eleanor patted the rucksack with a satisfied smile before hoisting it onto her back. She had travelled enough to know—always be prepared. Camera. Book. Her toothbrush, a change of underwear, and a few other essential items.
She made a dash after Alexa, startled as the cold rain splashed her face. A second later, a tug at her leather boot almost tripped her, and she stumbled on a bump in the path. “Damn it! God, I’m so clumsy. That was close,” she murmured, hoping Alexa hadn’t seen her.
“Are you okay?” Alexa shouted. “Hang on, I’ll come back and show you the way.”
“Don’t worry, Alexa. I’m fine.” Eleanor felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She blinked as another flash of lightening lit the sky. “Just a goanna crossing my path,” she yelled.
“Sorry, I didn’t warn you about them. It’s only a little further,” Alexa said, with a chuckle. “I’m up here.”
Eleanor took the two steps up onto the covered verandah just as Alexa stopped suddenly, and she ploughed into Alexa’s back. “I’m sorry,” she squeaked, stepping backwards, almost falling off the verandah.
“My fault. I should have given you some warning,” Alexa said, her voice tinkling over the heavy thrumming of rain. “Can you hold this, please?” She turned around, handed over the cool box, and reached into the bib pocket of her dungarees.
Eleanor shivered as the rain soaked through her clothes. It seemed to take forever for Alexa to insert the brass key into the lock. She was relieved to hear a metallic scraping sound and a loud click, before Alexa opened the
door.
Alexa smoothly flicked a switch, bathing them in a soft pool of light. “Thank goodness we have electricity. Welcome to Gold-Dust Cottage,” she said. “Let me turn on more lights so you don’t trip over the hall rug.”
Eleanor glanced at her feet. “Good idea, because that’s a definite chance around you,” she blurted. Eleanor looked up to meet Alexa’s amused smile. In fact, Eleanor had stumbled over her own tongue.
Eleanor yanked the screen door closed behind her. She pushed against the wooden door and heard the latch close, shutting out the wailing wind. Leaning against the door, she watched water droplets fall from her coat, pooling on the tiled floor. There’d been so much going on with the storm and the leaky car, it only now dawned on Eleanor she’d agreed to spend the night with Alexa. A shiver travelled down her spine, and it had nothing to do with the cold.
“Sorry. The cottage is a bit chilly.” Alexa bent over, untied her shoelaces, and pulled off her shoes.
Eleanor stood rooted to the spot as Alexa walked about, switching on a couple of rustic-looking wall lanterns and an overhead branched brass lamp. Everything glowed invitingly in warm, mellow light, including Alexa.
“Give me a minute. I’ll be right back,” Alexa said, heading down the narrow hallway.
“No worries.” Eleanor laughed to herself. She needed to lighten up a bit.
A moment later, Alexa returned with a folded towel and placed it on the entrance table. “This might help. Get out of your wet gear. There are a couple more things I have to do.”
Eleanor undid the buckles, kicked off her boots, and toed them into a neat row beside Alexa’s. Easing the pack off her back, she placed it on the tiled floor and hung her raincoat on the coat rack. With a relieved sigh, she grabbed the towel and wrapped it around herself. “That’s better,” she said, stepping off the tiled entrance and into a timber-floored sitting room decorated with a large Persian rug.
Even without heating, the sitting room was welcoming with its duck-white lath and plaster walls and eclectic but comfortable furnishings. Visible through wood-framed glass sliding doors was a kitchen with sage green, painted brickwork. Someone had lovingly renovated the old miner’s cottage, adding modern touches without diminishing its charm. Beyond the kitchen, at the back of the house, was a dining nook with an oblong table. A couple of wicker chairs sat in front of shuttered French doors.
Taking it all in, Eleanor sighed. It was cosy. A perfect place to wind down. She could imagine sitting here with Alexa, drinking a morning coffee in the sunshine. That is, if the rain ever stopped.
Would Alexa be bright and cheerful in the morning or slow to wake and not very talkative until she’d had breakfast? Most likely, Alexa would be cheerful and chatty. Ready to get going. She might even accompany Eleanor on a morning run, when the country air was crisp and clear.
“There you are.”
Startled, Eleanor turned around to see Alexa walking towards her, carrying a rusted pail full of kindling. She was stunning, her cheeks brushed with pink, and her eyes sparkled playfully.
“Here, take this towel from around my neck and dry your hair,” Alexa said.
Eleanor carefully lifted Alexa’s damp, tousled hair and removed the towel. Tossing her head forward, vigorously rubbing the towel over her own hair, she tried not to dwell on Alexa’s silky waves and how they’d moved sensuously through her fingers.
“You’ve had a haircut since I last saw you.” Alexa’s voice was soft.
Eleanor flicked back her shaggy strands, aware of the way Alexa’s gaze roamed over her. “Yes, thank goodness I found a good hairdresser.”
“Nice.” Alexa placed the box down on the hearth, crouched down beside the free-standing wood burner, and reached for an old newspaper and box of matches. “So, what do you think of the cottage?”
“I love it. You’re so lucky to have a getaway in the country,” Eleanor said. “We have a cosy haven out of the storm.”
“And I haven’t even got the fire going yet.” Alexa pushed up her sleeves and opened the steel firebox door. “I’ve turned on the gas bottles and put a change of clothes for you in the bathroom. Why don’t you take a hot shower, then you can relax in front of the fire with that promised hot chocolate?” Alexa scrunched up the newspaper.
“You must have read my mind. I do need the bathroom. I presume it’s inside?”
“Yes, it is. You’ll just need to pump water up from the well. The pail’s outside the back door.”
“But it’s raining.” Eleanor deadpanned, looking up at the ceiling. “Pretty hard, actually. I hope you have spare gumboots.”
Still crouched in front of the hearth, Alexa turned around, brandishing a length of kindling. She quirked an eyebrow and waved the stick in Eleanor’s direction with an amused stare.
“You’re winding me up.” Eleanor chuckled.
“Lucky you brought a raincoat and umbrella.” The corners of Alexa’s mouth lifted in a teasing smile, and she tilted her head to one side. “We have all the mod cons here, Eleanor. Gas hot water, electric lights. The bathroom is down the corridor, past the two bedrooms. And the loo is the last door before the back door.”
“Thank goodness.” Eleanor shuddered. “I’d hate the thought of finding a redback on the toilet seat.”
“Call me if you need help,” Alexa said, almost keeping a straight face. “I was just in there, and I didn’t see any spiders. I’ll have the fire going in a few moments. It’ll be toasty warm by the time you come back.” Her smile was innocent, sweet.
Eleanor pulled the towel even tighter around her shoulders. Her clothes clung to her body like a second skin. “Thanks, that would be great, but what about you?”
“Oh, there’s only room for one.” Alexa grinned, tugging at the bib of her dungarees. “I’ll grab a shower after you.” She gestured towards the hallway with the stick of kindling. “Off you go.”
Chapter 11
Four blessings hovering over the door
Alexa stood beneath the metal shower head, savouring the steamy spray cascading over her. The water coursed over her body, swirled about her feet, and drained away in the base of the claw-footed cast-iron bath. In her wildest dreams, she hadn’t expected to be spending tonight at the cottage with Eleanor. But here they were together, sheltering in the eye of the storm, and she was determined to make the most of it. I didn’t engineer this. Alexa rinsed her hair quickly and turned off the taps. No point wasting time in the bathroom, alone.
She leaned across to grab a fresh bath sheet and smiled when she eyed Eleanor’s wet, straight-cut jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt hanging on the rail. She’d looked good in those clothes, especially when they were wet, clinging to her body. Alexa shivered at the image.
Eleanor’s reaction to their change of plans had been positive, and she’d traded suggestive looks with Alexa during the day. Just because they’d got physically close at times, though, Alexa shouldn’t assume Eleanor wanted to sleep with her. Alexa didn’t want to sleep with Eleanor either, but she wanted her in her bed.
Alexa pulled on her comfortable pale blue flannel pants and her Save the Bees sweatshirt. Not exactly sexy nightwear. Oh well; that wasn’t her goal anyway. Was it? She ran a brush through her tangled hair and let it fall over her shoulders. On her way out, she gathered up the towels and their clothes to place on the rack by the wood stove.
Eleanor sat cross-legged on the handwoven Persian rug in front of the fire with her long fingers wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate. She was alluring in the soft glow of the flames, her face unguarded and just a little pensive. Alexa was curious to know what had Eleanor so deep in thought.
“I hope you had a nice shower.” Eleanor looked up and smiled at Alexa over her shoulder. “This is one of the best hot chocolates I’ve had. So creamy and rich.” She licked her lips. “What is that subtle flavour…I can’t quite pick it?”
“Ahh…my secret,” Alexa said. “Actually, it’s Mum’s recipe. A bouquet of native herbs including lily pilly and strawberry gum.”
“No wonder it tastes so good.”
Alexa was mesmerised by the way Eleanor’s tongue once again brushed over her lips in a slow, savouring motion. “Good thing to chase away the rainy-day chills,” she said. Unwilling to dwell on Eleanor’s lips for a moment longer, Alexa busied herself arranging the damp items on the clothes rack in the corner of the room. Then she opened the firebox and put another log into the already well-stoked fire. “Are you comfortable?”
“Super snug.” Eleanor placed the mug down on the blanket box beside her and rubbed her hands over the well-worn T-shirt. “Thanks for the loan of this T-shirt and your pyjama pants.”
“No problem. You look right at home. Though the trousers are a bit long.”
“A tiny bit.” Eleanor uncrossed and crossed her legs again to show off the neatly rolled-up checked flannel drawstring pants. “Just perfect.”
Alexa’s breath hitched. Eleanor’s movements were languid and graceful, and all she could do was stare. The sweep of Eleanor’s lashes, her fine straight nose, and the fullness of her mouth. Her drying hair shimmered in the firelight. The curve of her breasts was visible under the T-shirt. It was impossible not to linger over Eleanor’s enticing attributes.
“Apart from the steady rain on the roof, it’s peaceful here,” Eleanor said, as though she was oblivious to Alexa’s blatant appraisal. “I guess it would have been very different in the gold-rush days when the streets were teeming with horse-driven coaches and hundreds of people.”
Alexa half closed the damper on the firebox and took a couple of steps to the leather armchair, where she sat, tucking her bare feet up underneath her. “In 1851, gold was found on a sheep run not far away, and within months, thousands of prospectors from around the world arrived here.” She gazed into the dancing flames. The history of the goldfields was safe territory, keeping Alexa’s mind and hands off her undeniably attractive houseguest.