She slipped into the dress and zipped it up, twirling a graceful pirouette in front of her bedroom mirror. Made of a matte white satin with a high halter neck, it fit like a glove. With no back, folds of soft white fabric hung loosely down her body. The long skirt was slim fitting without being too tight, split to mid-thigh on one side. Isabelle slipped her feet into the strappy silver sandals that had arrived the day earlier and sighed. She felt like a princess, even without a tiara.
Stepping out of the dress, she carefully hung it up on the back of her bedroom door. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Matt’s face when he picked her up later that night.
At ten thirty Isabelle went down the street to get her hair done and found the entire town buzzing with activity. Other than the weekend of the Peppercorn Project interviews, which felt like a lifetime ago, she’d never seen so many cars. As well as the usual dusty four-wheel drives, there were official vehicles of every shape and size, representing the various emergency services. Many of the emergency services personnel had arrived early to help set up.
An hour later when Isabelle left Kim Bailey’s lounge room, which had been converted into a bustling hair salon for the day, there were even more cars and people in the street. Kim had been booked solid since seven that morning, and her place was overflowing with champagne and women, all animated and excited about the ball. Kim had even brought in some hairdressing friends to help her out, and the atmosphere in the little house was electric – like a room full of nervous brides.
When Isabelle arrived home, she smiled as soon as she saw Matt’s car parked out the front. Her heart hammered in anticipation of seeing him again, even though he hadn’t left her place until very late the night before. They’d been inseparable since she’d arrived back in Stony Creek, but there was something about this day that had her stomach churning with expectation.
In the backyard, Mietta’s squeals of delight pierced the air as Matt encouraged her to bounce higher. He’d spoiled them all rotten for Christmas, giving Mietta a trampoline and Fletcher a new bike.
She’d returned from Geelong to find her entire front yard transformed. Her once weed-filled overgrown cottage garden had been given a complete makeover and was now a little oasis – the perfect place to sit and read. Matt had planted new plants, pruned the trees, and even painted the front fence. Red and white cushions, Leah’s Christmas present to her, sat on the new timber outdoor furniture setting Matt had given her. She’d felt so overcome by his unexpected thoughtfulness, and guilty she’d taken the easy way out and given him a gift voucher.
‘Don’t you look gorgeous?’ Matt greeted her when she walked around the side of the house.
‘Why, thank you.’ Isabelle fluffed the freshly made curls so they bounced around her face. She was glad Kim had insisted on using half a can of hairspray to hold them in place, but she could already feel them drooping in the intense heat. ‘I hope you’re going to be a little bit more dressed up tonight,’ she said, pointing to his shorts and T-shirt.
‘I thought you’d appreciate me wearing matching footwear to you,’ he said, wagging one thong-clad foot in her direction. She kept threatening to wear thongs, just to annoy Leah.
Isabelle laughed. ‘Uh uh, if I don’t wear heels, Leah will skin me alive. I have my killer heels ready to go.’
‘Watch me, Mummy,’ Mietta called.
Her high-pitched giggles danced across the backyard as she bounced and spun and twirled – happy to have an audience. She wore a pink tutu over her denim shorts – another gift from Matt which she refused to remove. She’d been upset when Isabelle said she wasn’t old enough to go the ball, but the tutu had made up for her disappointment. She was excited about joining the other kids at the school while the adults attended the ball. Isabelle watched Matt for a while, loving the way he enjoyed being around her kids. He appeared to be having as much fun as Mietta and any minute she expected to see him up on the trampoline, bouncing with her.
Mietta performed a wobbly handstand that ended with her knees splayed in an awkward position. Isabelle held her breath, but she was okay.
‘I didn’t expect to see you until tonight,’ she said to Matt. ‘Although I’m not complaining. What brings you over now?’
‘I wanted to see how Fletcher was going. Poor kid. The cast must be driving him nuts in this heat.’
‘Actually, he’s not complaining,’ Isabelle said. ‘He’s used to having restrictions on his screen time, but since the accident there’s not much else for him to do, so he’s in his element on the PlayStation. He got some new games for Christmas. Once the cast is off, he’ll be back outside and on that bike so fast you won’t be able to keep up with him. He’s already asked me when I’ll let him go back up Mount Remarkable.’
They stood side by side, watching Mietta bounce.
‘I also came over to give you this.’
The tone of Matt’s voice made her turn around. He pulled a small package from his pocket and handed it to her. At first the size and shape of it alarmed her, but when it didn’t look like he was about to drop to one knee and do anything crazy, her heart slowed down to a slightly more normal rhythm.
‘A little birdy told me it’s your birthday today.’
Isabelle looked down at the box in her hands and back up at him, raising her eyebrows. ‘Who? How?’ She hadn’t told a soul.
He smiled and her insides turned to mush. ‘Sorry, Issie, no secrets here. Fletcher told me ages ago. Are you going to open it?’
She carefully undid the wrapping paper and opened the small turquoise jewellery box. Inside were beautiful dangly earrings. She held one up and it sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. ‘They’ll look perfect with my dress tonight. Thank you, Matt.’ She stood on tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
‘Mietta wanted me to get you a tiara,’ Matt said with a laugh. ‘I thought this was the next best thing.’
‘I’m glad you didn’t go with a tiara. It would have been overkill, I think. Anyway, thank you for the earrings. I love them.’
The sun went behind a cloud and she glanced at the sky. ‘What’s the word on the storms?’ It was all everyone had talked about while Kim did Isabelle’s hair. The forecast for later that night was a massive electrical storm, which meant the risk of fires starting was very high.
‘It’s not an issue unless the wind picks up. If it does and we get lightning strikes as predicted, then we’re bound to get fires. We can control grass ones easily, but once it starts in the ranges it can burn for weeks. Don’t worry’ he added quickly, seeing her worried expression, ‘it’ll be fine.’
Isabelle shuddered. ‘What time is the cool change expected?’
‘Not until tomorrow. The weather bureau isn’t predicting much rain, just electrical storms.’’
Isabelle shuddered again. She needed to change the subject away from fires and storms. The last thing she needed to do was alarm Mietta, who was terrified of lightning.
‘I’m parched. Do you want a drink?’ she asked.
‘Thanks.’
‘I’ll be back in a minute.’
As Isabelle emptied ice cubes into the glasses, there was a faint metallic ting as her rings touched the glass. She still wore her rings – the rings Dan had given her when they were still teenagers. Two simple white gold bands, one adorned with a tiny solitaire diamond. Over the years, he’d bought her other rings with bigger diamonds, but she’d never removed the simple set on her left hand.
She put down the glass and slowly slipped them off her left hand and held them in her palm. A long ago memory came flooding back – the words of the minister at their wedding as Dan slipped on the ring, declaring it to be a symbol of his eternal love. “A simple band, a circle without beginning or end,” he’d said.
Isabelle placed the rings reverently on the window ledge above the sink. The small diamond shone, a tiny reminder of a love that no longer sparkled the way it once had. Yet as she glanced out the window at Matt and Mietta, she recalled Hilary’s advice and a g
limmer of hope flashed.
She rubbed the pale skin where the rings had been. It felt strange, but the pain she’d been expecting when she removed them wasn’t there. Perhaps this was something she needed to do to move on. Since visiting Hilary and then going back to Geelong, she’d thought of little else other than taking her relationship with Matt into the future. She knew he was just waiting for her.
Drinks forgotten, she stepped outside to tell Matt what she’d done. He turned around and grabbed her, surprising her, holding her in his arms briefly before slowly dipping her to the ground like a dancer performing an elaborate move.
She laughed with glee. ‘Are you getting into practice for tonight?’
‘I am,’ he replied, pulling her back into a standing position.
Isabelle stood perfectly still, breathing in his scent. He didn’t let go of her hands but gently rubbed her fingers with his thumbs, not taking his eyes off hers. He stopped when he noticed the missing rings. Neither of them said anything, but a small smile played at the corners of his lips. It made removing the rings worthwhile.
Behind her, Mietta bounced, cheering them on, urging them to dance again. Matt rested one hand on the warm skin at the back of her neck. As his other arm slipped around her waist, Isabelle waited for the kiss that was to come. She glanced sideways to check Mietta’s reaction, but her daughter was grinning from ear to ear.
Isabelle placed her hand on Matt’s chest and felt the steady beat of his heart drumming beneath her fingertips. Then something unexpectedly shifted inside her heart. She wanted him to kiss her.
‘Kiss, kiss, kiss!’ Mietta chanted in time with each bounce.
The springs on the trampoline squeaked in time with the voice in Isabelle’s head. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me. She felt fuzzy, like the earth was moving.
In slow motion, Matt lowered his head, drawing her closer, and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. It was the barest of touches, so feather-light she questioned if their lips had even connected. His fingers gently traced her jaw, causing tingles to chase each other up her neck.
He pulled away too soon and his eyes searched hers. She could see he was desperate to know he hadn’t overstepped any unspoken boundaries. She smiled at him, standing on her tiptoes, tilting her face back, and closing her eyes. Their lips met again and this time she responded, slowly at first, then with building passion. Her veins caught fire and her skin pricked beneath his delicate caress. When they finally broke apart, her mind raced faster than her beating heart. She’d never kissed another man except Dan.
‘Mietta.’ She whispered the name, fearful of seeing her daughter’s reaction. She needn’t have worried. Mietta clapped and cheered and Isabelle relaxed. If Mietta was okay seeing her kiss another man, maybe everything would work out.
*
Just after seven o’clock that night Isabelle opened her front door to Matt’s light knock. She’d been standing at her bedroom window, waiting for him. Fletcher and Mietta were already over at the primary school, and afterwards they were spending the night at the farm with Fran and Jim, which meant Isabelle, and Matt potentially, would have the house to themselves later that night. Maybe she was being presumptuous, but she had changed the linen, and scented candles stood ready to be lit on both bedside tables. The photo of Dan had been replaced by one Leah had snapped of Matt and the kids. Feeling strangely shy, she opened the door wide and her knees turned to jelly. He looked incredible in his suit, pale blue shirt, striped tie and silver tiepin.
‘Very nice!’ she said after taking a second and then a third look. She inhaled deeply. ‘And you smell amazing, too.’
He didn’t seem to hear her. His eyes darkened as he looked her over.
‘Oh wow, Belle. Wow. You look … incredible.’ His voice was husky and full of desire. ‘Wow,’ he repeated.
‘I thought I’d spoil myself.’ Isabelle took a step back and smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. ‘I hope it’s not too over the top for Stony Creek.’
Matt cleared his throat. ‘Oh no, it’s perfect,’ he stammered. ‘I mean you’re perfect. With you on my arm I’m going to be the most envied man at the ball.’
A rush of pleasure went through her and she blushed. ‘Do you know what Mietta said when she saw me dressed up?’
He shook his head and smiled. ‘I can only imagine.’
Isabelle fingered the beautiful new earrings dangling from her lobes. ‘She said I looked like Belle from Beauty and the Beast.’
‘When I first saw you, that’s exactly who you reminded me of. A beautiful, tiny Belle.’
He ran one finger gently down her bare arm and Isabelle’s skin tingled as goosebumps exploded over every inch of her flesh. She trembled, swallowing and searching for words. She found none.
‘If you’re Belle, I guess that makes me the Beast,’ he said.
Isabelle chuckled. ‘Mietta did make a comment to that effect.’
Matt leaned in and whispered in her ear, his warm breath sending shivers shooting down her spine. ‘I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour and I won’t growl at you.’ He held out his arm and Isabelle accepted it, tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow. ‘So, Isabelle Cassidy, will you be my guest?
‘I’d love to!’
Chapter 35
Fingers entwined, they walked slowly through the deserted streets from her house to the Institute. Storm clouds had gathered during the afternoon but the heat hadn’t left. If anything, it felt hotter.
Isabelle was grateful for the support of Matt’s hand as he helped her navigate in her high heels. She stumbled once and Matt put an arm around her waist.
‘Sorry, perhaps I should have driven you and dropped you at the entrance.’
‘It’s fine,’ she assured him, looking up into his eyes. ‘It’s not like we’ve got far to walk. I’m just not used to walking in such high heels.’
He looked down at her feet. ‘I must admit, I almost expected to see you wearing flat shoes just to annoy Leah.’
Isabelle opened her purse and pulled out a pair of thongs, holding held them up triumphantly. ‘I bought these for later.’
‘Smart girl. You’ll probably need them too.’
They entered the hall and Isabelle shouted over the din. ‘Am I getting old?’
The music could probably be heard on the other side of Mount Remarkable. The bass beat thumping through the soles of her feet and up her body was so loud. Once the initial shock of the volume of the music wore off, Isabelle looked around, getting her bearings. She spotted Leah making a beeline for them.
‘Whoa, chickie babe.’ Leah’s eyes were wide with surprise.
‘Look! No flat shoes,’ Isabelle said, sticking the toe of her heels out from under the fabric of her floor length gown.
‘You’d give Pippa Middleton a run for her money in that little number. Turn around,’ Leah commanded. Isabelle twirled and Leah whistled. ‘Matt have you checked out her—’
Matt coughed behind his hand. ‘Um, yes, Leah, I might have had a look or two.’
Rather than feeling embarrassed, Isabelle’s confidence was buoyed and she swept into the sea of people on a cloud, ready to enjoy herself.
Matt introduced her to other district police officers and to the St John’s Ambulance and CFS volunteers.
As they made their way around the marquee, smiling and nodding and chatting with people, it appeared to Isabelle every single person in Stony Creek had turned out for the ball. Like Leah had said, it was the biggest event of the social calendar and all of the locals were dressed up for the occasion.
Isabelle was pleased to see Joe and Jane, although they weren’t planning on staying long. Joe looked unusually tired, but he smiled warmly at Isabelle and the hug he gave her was strong.
Alison and Geoff were sitting with Fran and Jim and they smiled when Matt and Isabelle approached, hand in hand. Isabelle checked Fran and Jim were still good to take the kids back to the farm later that night. With a wink, Fran assured her it was all good.
All of the other Peppercorn Project families were there, and judging by the huge smile on Rachel’s face, it was clear she believed she was personally responsible for helping these families get back on their feet.
Kim and Andrew Bailey looked stunning – like they’d stepped off the social pages of a glossy magazine. Kim was pregnant, and rumour had it they were expecting twins again – boys this time. Her tiny bump was hidden beneath a flowing black gown. Still, no one knew their story and why they’d needed a Peppercorn lease, but the sadness that they’d carried when they first arrived now appeared to be gone. The town had been good for them and their family.
Kuda and Rumbi were there too – Kuda looking handsome in his tuxedo, Rumbi sensational in a traditional African-inspired outfit. Her headgear was drawing curious gazes, but it was clear by the number of people standing around chatting with them that they had been widely accepted by the entire community.
Even Neil and Karina had put in an appearance, although Karina’s huge baby bump meant she spent the whole night sitting down in a corner, fanning her flushed face and rubbing her swollen belly. Of all the families, they were the ones who hadn’t really fitted in and it was expected they wouldn’t stay in town at the end of their lease.
Dot Wettenhall, Pat Wallace and Edith Patterson were giving Queen Elizabeth a run for her money in the fashion stakes, going as far as wearing long gloves and hats. Isabelle smiled. They were such funny old ladies, but she’d fallen in love with them and their quirky behaviour. She sensed their eyes upon her and knew their tongues would be wagging in over-drive the next day. She was tempted to kiss Matt in front of them, just for the reaction it would bring. Since Hugo had been arrested and charged with dealing drugs, they’d talked of nothing else, so maybe it would be good to give them something new to gossip about.
Hilary had been desperate to attend, but she’d been having funny dizzy spells and in the end decided it was best to stay at home. When Isabelle had called her after Christmas, Hilary had made her promise to visit with photos.
The Peppercorn Project Page 26