Divine Mortals

by Allison, J

  “Stop looking so worried.” I chided him, “It’s okay, it’s done, I’m safe, you’re here, the horses are okay, the only person that should be worried is me, when I tell Pop his stables have burnt to the ground.”

  He did grin at that.

  “I’ll tell him,” he said, “I’m in charge tonight so it’s my problem,” he contemplated this for a minute before looking serious once more,

  “Although after tonight I don’t know how quickly he’ll leave me in charge again?”

  “Well we can’t do much about it right now can we,” I spoke quickly, trying to distract him, as he moved towards the phone,

  “Just stay here and talk to me.” I asked, trying not to sound as desperate for his company as I felt.

  “Is your leg okay?” he asked, sitting once more, suitably side tracked from the phone.

  “I think so,” I poked at my thigh gingerly, “I think it’s just bruised, I don’t think I’ve broken any more bones.” I announced, as if this was some major achievement. I could almost hear Joel berating me already.

  “You’re incredibly upbeat for someone who was just pulled from a fire,” Robert ventured cautiously, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I answered, trying not to sound frustrated by his constant asking. I looked down at myself properly, I really was okay.

  Wow!

  I didn’t think this was going to be the outcome, I had expected to be little more than coals by now. I was filthy though, my clothes were greasy and sticking to me everywhere with sweat and soot.

  “Ah, do you mind if I take a shower?” I murmured,

  “No problem,” he smiled, “I’ll head home for a bit and clean up too.”

  “No,” I almost shouted, instantly embarrassed at my outburst, it took Robert by surprise as well but he started to chuckle, looking pleased.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you’re even out the shower, I’ll just go and clean up and come straight back.”

  “Okay.” I hated sounding so needy, could I really demand his presence, I was the one that owed him.

  Robert gathered both my hands in his, I looked down at the way they disappeared in his warm grasp, I liked it.

  “I promise.” he said gravely followed by a quick wink, and before I could blink he was gone.

  I looked slowly around my grandparents small lounge room, I was truly alone for a moment and I put my head back against the arm rest and let out a long loud groan, I felt as if I had been run over by a steam roller, no make that a tank!

  “Ava?”

  My head flew up in fright as I opened my eyes, Robert was leaning over me,

  “Are you okay, Should I go and get Claire?” The fear in his eyes had returned.

  “You know you can stop listening to me for a few minutes now if you like.” I grinned at him.

  He shrugged,

  “I can’t seem to stop at the moment, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not going to burn the house down Robert, go and get cleaned up. I’m fine, really, I just ache all over.”

  “You’re sure?” he narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

  “Yes.” I answered, standing slowly to illustrate my point. He frowned at the way I moved but kept his silence, he couldn’t very well follow me into the shower.

  “Now go.” I commanded, putting on a strong façade.

  Robert leaned in, so close that his cheek brushed mine and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my ear as he spoke.

  “I’ll be right back,” he breathed, I thought perhaps this time I would faint and I reached for the arm of the sofa to steady myself. There was a whoosh of air and then he was gone.

  I was going to have to try and get used to his quick exits and sudden appearances.

  Waddling slowly down the hallway to my bedroom, I didn’t even glance in my mirror, after this disaster I didn’t want to know how I looked, I could see for myself the ash smeared over my clothing. I was guessing my face would be even blacker then Roberts had been, his blonde hair almost completely dark with soot. I turned only the cold lever on, I had had quite enough of heat for one night. I let out a long breath as the cold water washed over me, cooling the new bruises I had across my leg and the old bruises across my ribs. I reached for my shampoo and gently massaged it into my hair, the familiar smell of mint and oranges was soothing, chasing the last remnants of smoke from my nostrils. I covered myself in shower gel, relishing the fact that I had started to shiver from the cold, only because it meant I was still here, that I hadn’t in fact died in the stables.

  Stepping out from the shower and walking dripping wet into my bedroom, I finally took a look at myself. I was shocked by my reflection, not because of any obvious injury, because I looked just like me. I still had bruises over my torso and now across the top of my thigh but otherwise I looked as I always had. I felt as if I should be different somehow after coming so close to my own cremation. But my hair still fell in wet waves just past my shoulders, my face looked the same as it always did, I was a bit more tan now than when I had arrived from Chicago but otherwise I was still me. The green eyes of my reflection stared back at me and I smiled, nothing had changed, I was okay and I had Robert here with me tonight.

  Finally I dried myself off and pulled on some clothes, brushing my hair out and then leaving it to dry naturally I made my way, slowly, back towards the kitchen.

  14.

  Robert was true to his word, not only was he already back, he had been back a while and was banging around in Nans kitchen, a plate full of grilled cheese on toast and two glasses of orange juice sat on the table.

  He turned as I appeared, his hair was still a little damp and he had changed into white a polo and some clean jeans.

  “Snap.” he laughed, seeing me in my white blouse and jeans.

  “Great minds think alike.” I smiled and he flew around the table in a blink, pulling out the chair nearest me.

  “Your seat Madam,” he said with a sweeping bow, I grinned back, glad he was back to his normal self. I sat down and he pushed the chair in for me.

  “I hope you don’t mind…” he asked, sounding a little disappointed, “Its only grilled cheese but it’s something.”

  “Thank you.” I smiled, and meant it, I could not even remember the potato I had eaten earlier and I was ravenous all over again, apparently near death experiences were hungry work.

  Robert sat opposite me and we ate in silence, it wasn’t awkward as silence so often could be, it was comfortable and I felt safe. When I finished Robert picked up my plate and empty glass and took them to the sink. I stood to help him wash up, drying our plates and putting them away. We finished and stood looking at each other for a moment, for the first time I felt slightly uncomfortable, now what?

  “Do you want to sit down?” I gestured towards the lounge, keeping my eyes on his face and trying to gauge what he was thinking. He looked completely at ease.

  “Sure,” he said enthusiastically and before I knew what was happening he scooped me up, and carried me into the next room.

  I gladly put my arms around his neck.

  “What are you doing?” I grinned, I could feel him shaking slightly with his own laugher.

  “If I have to watch you waddle any further tonight I swear I’ll go insane,” he chuckled, “Seriously you need to rest, especially if walking is that painful, you should see the face you pull.”

  “What?” I demanded as he deposited me on the couch just as gently as he had done earlier, “I don’t pull faces.”

  Robert looked at me for a moment before pulling his face into a look of intense concentration edged with a little pain, biting his bottom lip.

  “I do not look like that!” I was trying hard not to laugh, it hurt too much to. Roberts face smoothed out again,

  “That’s what you think.” he chuckled.

  I was pleased when he sat at the other end of the couch facing me, lifting my legs carefully across his lap.

  “I have a question,�
� I said when he was settled,

  “I bet you do,” he teased,

  “Why did you not ask Sally to the Ranchers Ball, You must have ‘heard’ how much she wants to go with you.”

  “Whoa,” Robert looked genuinely shocked, “That’s a new one.”

  I smiled, I liked to be able to surprise him sometimes, it felt like he had the unfair advantage when it came to surprises.

  “Well,” he said, looking at me earnestly, “I couldn’t ask Sally for one very good reason,” he kept his eyes focused on mine, like he was trying to see my thoughts, it made me uneasy, reminding me momentarily of the intense looks Will gave me, could he honestly not read minds?

  “I couldn’t ask her because I didn’t want to go with her,” He continued,

  “That’s a pretty obvious reason.” I interrupted, a little annoyed with his answer.

  “Give me a chance to finish,”

  “Oh sorry,” I smiled giving him a ‘go right ahead’ gesture,

  “As I was saying,” he grinned up at my shyly, “I didn’t want to go with her because if I was going to go I would want to ask someone else…that’s if she doesn’t manage to kill herself first.” He paused looking through his long dark lashes at me, the side of his mouth pulled back in an uneven grin.

  My heart raced, I was barely breathing, silently urging him to finish,

  “I would want to go with you.” he finally completed his sentence, smiling boldly.

  I couldn’t help myself my face broke into a huge grin, my lips screaming in protest.

  “I can’t go,” I smiled, “I’m grounded.”

  “I know.”

  “Of course you do,” I smirked at him, “Just how much have you listened to?”

  “You thought that Sally should ask me to the Ranchers Ball, you sure know how to crush a guy.” he teased, although I was sure there was a serious undertone to his words.

  “You were listening to us at the river!”

  “Not the whole time,” Robert tried to defend himself, ducking his head and not meeting my eyes.

  “I got a bit far away, I was heading into town.”

  “Hmmm,” I shook my head at him, only half angry.

  “Ava,” he spoke quietly, I looked up again, meeting his gaze. I couldn’t look away, actually I could barely breathe.

  “I really enjoy spending time with you, you’re the only person I’ve been this… honest with.” he swallowed nervously, I could see his jaw working, his hand sweeping quickly through his hair as he tried to put his thoughts into words.

  “I don’t know what I would have done tonight, if it had ended badly, I mean, I feel like your mine to protect, you’re the only one that knows my secret so I want to keep you safe. I don’t know how to explain it, what I feel, do you know what I mean?”

  I was stunned, a warmth spread through my entire body, I was completely speechless, a stupid grin spread across my face once more. Robert smiled softly back, I found myself getting lost in his beautiful dark eyes, slowly he raised his hand to my face, his long fingers cupping my cheek. The warmth that radiated from them was incredible.

  “You don’t know how terrified I was tonight Ava,” his voice was a whisper, his eyes searching mine, waiting for my reaction, any reaction.

  “When I heard you scream… it tore my heart out, I was terrified that I wouldn’t get to you in time.”

  I still didn’t have the words to express how I felt, I had known for weeks now that I was falling for him, and finally I knew he felt the same.

  Robert leant forward hesitantly, more questions than answers in his eyes and then I closed my own.

  His lips were light and unbelievably warm. I kissed him back softly relishing the moment, moving my hands behind his neck I pulled him gently towards me, he came willingly, his hands slowly trailing across my shoulders and down my sides. His touch as gentle as a feather as his fingers skimmed over my ribs, coming to rest around to the base of my back, he held me tight against him, my heart was racing, I could have kissed him all night.

  I felt him pull back all too soon, breaking our embrace, I couldn’t help but be disappointed when he moved away and my cheeks burned. I was as speechless now as I had been before our kiss.

  “Ah…” Robert grinned at me sheepishly, “I guess I should have asked if that would be okay before I did it.”

  I was still riding a cloud, my heart hadn’t yet returned to its normal rhythm and it took a moment to gather my thoughts enough to speak, to say something.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you to do that.” I murmured quietly, I was smiling but I was also feeling strangely shy about what had just happened. He looked ecstatic at my words, raising his hand once more to cup my face, I closed my eyes at his touch.

  The phone rang, shattering the silence.

  I grimaced at the sound, it would be Nan ringing to check on me and her timing couldn’t have been worse.

  “Now or never.” Robert announced with a forced smile, getting to the phone and answering it before I could blink.

  “Hi Norma,” he sounded cheerful, how did he know which it would be?

  “Yeah I know I’m here late, I ah, something’s happened,” Robert gave me a wink and I was reduced to an attack of butterflies all over again,

  “No no she’s fine,” he continued, “We’re all okay… Is Fred there?”

  I stood up as fast as my bruised body would allow and walked quickly from the room, I didn’t want to be around to hear Robert explain the fire. I just wanted it to be over with.

  I wandered down the hallway, my ribs pounding again. Sitting heavily on the bed I took out a couple of Tylenol, boy were they getting a thrashing since I arrived. I was looking forward to dulling the pain, I was more exhausted then I thought, the high from our kiss had receded and my body was begging me for rest. I lay back, purposely seeking out any thought that wasn’t about the fire.

  My eyes opened to darkness, the stars twinkling through the open curtains.

  “Ava,”

  My heart stopped instantly, I could see the silhouette of someone sitting at the foot of my bed, I took a deep breath, ready to scream the house down.

  “Don’t,” he spoke quickly and was at my side in an instant, I could barely see his face in the dark, it was his voice that calmed me.

  He had stayed; my smile would have lit the room if that had been possible, he seemed to see it however; I could detect the change in his face as he beamed back at me.

  “What happened?”

  “You fell asleep while I was speaking with Fred.” he answered softly, his hand finding mine on the covers. I turned towards my bedside clock, it was almost five am.

  I was a little afraid to ask, but I had to know.

  “What did he say?”

  “Well he’s not exactly jumping for joy about it,” Roberts tone was resigned, I guessed that this was an extremely watered down version of Pops reaction. I searched the dark to try and see his expression, anything that might tell me what Grandpop had truly said, it was useless, there wasn’t enough light in the room.

  “But,” Robert continued, “he understands it’s nothing that we caused, and he was happy to hear both humans and horses had survived.”

  “Humans?” I raised my eyebrows,

  “You know what I mean.” his chuckle filled the dark room.

  “Jed?”

  “He’s okay, he’s in a bad way but he’ll pull through, both legs are shattered, they’re going operate on him in the morning.”

  “Oh.” It didn’t sound like great news.

  “Your Nan said to tell you they would be staying tomorrow night as well, to take care of Jed after his op, they won’t be back until Friday morning.”

  “Ah huh…”

  “What?” Robert was beginning to sound amused by my single syllable answers, I could hear his smile.

  “Sorry,” I explained slowly, “I’m still so tired.” “Well you should be,” his laugh was gentle, “Its five o’clock
in the morning, go back to sleep.” Robert rose quickly from his knees and lay down on top of the covers next to me. I rolled over slowly until I could lay my head in the hollow of his shoulder, playing my fingers gently up and down his chest, the muscles were firm under my touch, he shuddered beneath my hands and I smiled. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was, I couldn’t believe that Robert had chosen me.

  I woke again after what seemed like only a few minutes. This time the sun was streaming through my open windows, the crows were calling outside, probably having a feast in Nans garden, making the most of her absence.

  He wasn’t here and that was both a disappointment and a relief, I wanted him to be here, but I also knew I was not the most attractive morning person so I was happy to have the chance to straighten myself out before he saw me, I didn’t want to terrify him with my bad bed hair.

  Stretching gently, I tested all my aches and pains as each muscle tightened. I didn’t feel too bad, considering. Rolling over I sat up, it was a good thing Robert wasn’t here, my hair was even more chaotic then normal this morning and no doubt I would also have the dreaded morning breath. There was a note stuck to my mirror,

  Good Morning Sleeping Beauty,

  See you at breakfast.

  “Yes you will.” I said out loud, hoping he was listening.

  I showered quickly and brushed my teeth, paying particular attention this morning. I had a whole day with Robert ahead of me and I wanted to make the most of it.

  Putting my bathers on under my clothes I hoped we would get a chance to go to the river today, we would need to cool off at some stage since we were probably going to spend most of the day cleaning up the burnt remnants of the stable. I wasn’t look forward to that, it was going to be hot work.

  I opened my bedroom door right into Roberts smiling face, and leapt in fright.

  “I wish you wouldn’t do that.” I grumped before I could stop myself.

  “What?” his smile died a little and I immediately regretted it,

  “Scare me, you’re so quiet, I need to know you’re there, give me a little warning.”

  “Sorry,” his grin returned again, he looked extremely happy with himself, “It’s just I don’t have to hide anything when I’m around you, it’s too easy to do what comes naturally.”