He hesitated a moment before his lips twitched. “It is. I got the day right this time.”
Hannah chuckled, glad he took her light-hearted dig the right way as she’d tried to dispel any awkwardness he might feel about his rapid exit from the group session at the hospital. “What can I help you with?”
“Could I use your bathroom please?”
“Sure, no problem. Down the hall and to the left.” Hannah stepped aside, sucking in her breath as he brushed past her. His steel-capped boots clomped on the hardwood floors and she was left standing in the lingering wake of his earthy scent. She inhaled deeply and smiled. She’d forgotten what a man’s scent could do to her.
Returning to her desk, she shook away her silliness and tried to keep busy with reading new case studies on cognitive therapies. A few moments later, Brad’s footsteps echoed up the hall.
“Thanks.” With a nod of his head, he adjusted his cap and stepped outside. Hannah stared after his broad back as he made his way across the lawn. So, he was a man of few words. Sophie had mentioned something of the sort. Fair enough. It’s not like they were friends. Their interactions had been unique, and any likelihood of initiating a friendship was probably hindered by the fact he was dealing with some heavy issues. Thing was, she wasn’t in counselling mode at the moment. Sure, she was at work. But when it came to Brad, she was just Hannah. Not Hannah the psychologist. Simply plain ol’ Hannah who, deep down, was curious about the guy who made her heart race a little faster. Since Josh’s passing, she’d been closed off to the possibility of any future relationships, and it surprised her the way her heart fluttered whenever Brad was around.
Mid-morning, she boiled the kettle and carried two cups of coffee, some sugar sachets and a packet of biscuits outside.
“I wasn’t sure how you take your coffee. Or if you even drink it,” she called, walking down the driveway. Brad turned from the rear of the ute. “Oh, what was I thinking? You probably don’t even feel like a cuppa, given that you’ve been working outside in this heat. I’ll get you some cold water.” She turned to go back inside, but he stopped her.
“I’d love a coffee. And a dash of milk is fine.”
“The same as me.” Hannah smiled, handing him the cup before placing the unopened packet of biscuits on the tray of the ute. “And some biscuits if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks.” The flicker of a smile passed over his lips as he lifted the cup to his mouth, and Hannah wished he’d remove his sunglasses so she could see his eyes instead of her own reflection.
“Are you by yourself today? No helpers?”
“No, just me,” Brad replied.
“Seems an awful lot of work for one person.” She eyed the work he’d already done. The soil had been tilled ready for the new grass to be laid. White paint marked out the area for the pond.
“It’s cheaper.” He settled his cup on the ute. “I should get back to it.”
Right. Point taken. He definitely wasn’t one for talking. “It looks great so far. Anyway, I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything.”
Brad dismissed her with a nod as she gathered the cups and unopened packet of biscuits. She returned to the office feeling deflated. She wasn’t sure what she expected. Something friendlier than a few grunts and short answers, perhaps.
His curtness didn’t diminish her curiosity, though. For some reason, his quiet nature drew her in. Was she psychoanalysing again? Or was she genuinely interested in finding out who the real Brad was behind the brooding facade? They were questions she needed to pray hard over to discern the right answers.
Chapter 12
By mid-afternoon, the ground was ready for the laying of new turf, and Brad had begun work on the new garden bed and digging the ground for the pond. As he worked, he couldn’t help but think of Hannah and how easily he’d dismissed her. He felt awful and hadn’t missed the falter in her smile as he’d brushed her off. But what was there to talk about? It was awkward, knowing that she’d seen him at the hospital grief session. And even more so, that he’d run out. He didn’t know if he should apologise, or even bring it up. Had she forgotten already?
In his usual way of coping, he’d erected a wall, making it clear that he wasn’t interested in conversation, even though he wouldn’t mind spending more time in her presence when she wasn’t in shrink-mode.
He’d noticed Hannah’s friendliness when he’d given her a lift to her house on her first night in town. It wasn’t the first thing he’d noticed about her, but he was trying to put a halt to those thoughts. She was warm and oozed a genuine concern for people that didn’t contain a hidden agenda. It was unusual in a woman, and he didn’t know how to handle it. Still, he had no right to be a jerk.
With the ute loaded up, he wiped his hands on a rag and tossed it in the back. He glanced across at Liberty House. Something about its simplicity called to him. Even the exterior had a calming effect. How could a building induce calm? He’d obviously been in the sun too long and was now delirious.
With a sigh, he tossed his cap through the open window and swiped a hand through his damp hair. His legs ate the driveway up in several strides, and he knocked on the front door of Liberty House.
“You don’t need to knock,” Hannah called. The sun shining behind him cast the interior into darkness, and he could just make out her shadow behind a desk. “Come in.”
“I don’t want to track dirt through.” He glanced down at the clumps of dirt clinging to his boots and the track he’d made up the driveway.
A scent of lemon wafted out as Hannah opened the door and stepped outside. Brad inhaled deeply. The delicious scent was in stark contrast to the dirt and earthen smells that had filled his nose all day.
“I’m just letting you know that I’ve finished for the day.”
“It looks great. I’m sure Barbara will be pleased. I can’t wait to see the finished results.”
Brad turned and peered at the mess. “I wouldn’t say it looks great at the moment, but I’m hoping the end result will be much better.”
“I have no doubt that it will be.” The gentle lilt of her voice rose on the air and feathered over his skin. He rubbed his chest and stepped back to increase the distance between them. She was doing things to him that didn’t make sense. Things like making him feel something that bordered on happiness.
“I’ll see you later, then.”
“I’ll be here.” She smiled, and he felt the rush right to his toes.
Brad slammed the palm of his hand against the steering wheel as he drove away. He’d gone to apologise to Hannah, but instead, had acted like a tongue-tied adolescent stumped for words. Surely he could man up this time. Slamming the brakes, he checked the mirrors before swinging the ute around and driving back to Liberty House. He veered onto the opposite side of the road and pulled to a stop. A few moments later, he found himself knocking on the door again.
The door opened and Hannah appeared before him. “Did you forget something?”
His pulse thrummed in his ears as he took in her bright eyes and the loose strands of hair floating around her flawless face. “I …” He rubbed a hand over his face. He should’ve checked the mirror first to see if he was covered in dirt. “I wanted to apologise.”
Her head cocked to the side, and he wanted to smooth over the small frown line that appeared on her brow. “For what?”
Brad lowered his gaze. This was harder than he thought. “For running out on the grief session at the hospital the other night,” he blurted.
“No apology needed. Those group sessions aren’t for everyone.”
He scanned her face, looking for signs of mockery, contempt, or disappointment. There was nothing but warm acceptance and kindness.
“I just didn’t want you to think I was rude.”
A soft smile touched her lips, and her eyes filled with understanding. “Not at all. I’m not chaining anyone to the chairs. I get that the sessions can be difficult, but I certainly don’t want people feeling uncomfortable and like the
y’re forced to stay.”
Tension gushed out of him as he released his breath. He turned and placed both hands on the railing, eyeing his handiwork from the morning. “It’s the first time I’ve been to something like that. My sister coerced me.” He shot a wry grin over his shoulder.
Hannah stepped closer. Folding her arms, she leaned against the upright, maintaining a professional distance between them. “Sophie, right?”
He nodded.
“I’ve seen her in the ER. But I only met her that night.”
He quirked an eyebrow, wondering what on earth Sophie had said. He trusted her, but Hannah had the type of personality that made a person want to pour out their life story without a second thought. Had Sophie done that? Had she told him what a disaster his life was? How he failed to live up to his family’s expectations? That he spent most weekends drinking his sorrows away?
“She didn’t tell me much, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Hannah said, as though reading his thoughts.
“Good.” He lowered his head, scuffing his boot along the ground. Even though he should have his life together by now, he didn’t want Hannah to think he was a failure.
“I told her we have one-on-one sessions here if you were interested. Barbara is great.”
Barbara? His gaze flicked to hers. Her expression was neutral, and apart from the slight tic in her jaw, unmoving. Why was she referring him to the other clinician? Did that mean …? His heart raced. Surely, not. He was misreading things. Misinterpreting her words. Looking for something that couldn’t possibly be there. He’d never played this game before, wondering if he should or shouldn’t step out of his comfort zone and make a move. His relationships with women had been easy. Superficial. Yet, Hannah was different, and for some reason, he wanted to approach this the right way and not be impulsive simply because he was attracted to her.
He cleared his throat and rubbed a hand behind his neck, feeling the sweat and grime of a day’s work beneath his fingertips. Nice. He must look a sight.
“Forgive me if I’m out of line,” he said as a bead of sweat trickled down his hairline. “It’s probably completely inappropriate of me, but I was wondering if you’d like to meet up sometime, for coffee, or something. Away from here. There are some nice cafes down by the beach. Only if you want to, though. I don’t want to be overstepping any professional boundary. I know it’s kind of weird after I ran out the other night …”
He stilled as her hand touched his forearm. Her fingers were pale in comparison to his tanned skin. Clean to his filth.
“Brad, I’d really like that.” Her smile sparked an explosion in his chest. He was glad to be holding onto the railing, otherwise the unexpected emotion would’ve sent him stumbling backwards. “I’m suggesting Barbara because I don’t think it’s right for me to counsel you, if you so decide, because …” She shrugged. “Because I’d like to get coffee with you, too.”
He held her gaze, as refreshing as a walk through the rainforest with shards of sunlight breaking through. He knew his smile was goofy, but he didn’t care. He hadn’t misread the signals. There was something between them. Something he hadn’t experienced in forever.
A little piece of his heart began to thaw with the warmth of Hannah’s smile.
Chapter 13
“Where did you work before here?” Brad glanced at Hannah as she lobbed a tennis ball for Louie. The dog ran off, kicking up sand behind him as he chased after the ball. Strands of hair escaped from her ponytail and blew across her face as they walked along the water’s edge.
“I worked at a clinic in Brisbane with a broader client base, and we addressed a wider variety of issues,” she replied, her gaze tracking Louie as he scampered along the sand. “I also worked at one of the hospitals running grief and bereavement sessions, similar to what I’m doing here.”
Louie bounded back and dropped the ball at her feet. Without flinching at the drool on the ball, she picked it up and tossed it again.
“That must’ve kept you busy,” he remarked as they strolled along the firm sand. Water lapped at the shore leaving sea foam and fragments of seaweed in its wake. A few surfers bobbed up and down on the shimmering water, waiting for the perfect wave to carve. Further up the beach, lifeguards were packing up the flags and their equipment for the day.
“It did. I was quite busy,” Hannah said, tucking her hands into her pockets. “It’s nice having some space to breathe and not be swamped by work.” Louie ran back and dropped the ball at Brad’s feet. “He likes you.” She chuckled as he bent down and scooped up the ball.
“I’m likeable.” He winked before lobbing the ball. It splashed into the shallows, which elicited a bark from Louie as he chased it down.
Hannah brushed his shoulder. “Just getting the tickets off you.” She laughed before glancing up at him. “What about you? How long have you been landscaping?”
“It’s all I’ve known. I’ve been running my own business for a number of years. However, it could be doing better.” Not wanting to ruin the moment by sharing his concerns about his business, he turned his attention to a surfer preparing to ride a wave. He wanted to enjoy the evening and the beautiful woman by his side, and not have it marred by thoughts of whether his business was going to sink or swim. He spent enough time worrying about that in the dead of night when sleep wouldn’t come.
“I think it’s great that you’ve gone out on your own. Running a business must be hard.”
Brad nodded. Especially at the moment. “I enjoy being outdoors and working with my hands. Not so much the paperwork. What about you? Would you ever run your own clinic?”
“I’m not sure. It’s something I consider from time to time, but I’m not ready yet.”
They paused as Louie splashed about in the water, chasing after the ball as it bobbed on the waves. Water lapped at their ankles, and his toes curled into the shifting sand beneath his feet. The clouds were streaked with glorious shades of pink and orange as the sun dipped behind the dunes.
Brad had suggested going for coffee, but Hannah suggested the beach walk instead, and for that he was grateful. The beachside cafes were nice, but being outdoors at sunset was perfect. Especially the way Hannah’s skin glowed and her eyes sparkled with delight as Louie ran back with the ball. There was something wildly romantic about the beach at sundown.
“Why don’t you think you’re ready?” Brad asked.
Dragging a toe through the sand, Hannah folded her arms. “I’d like to settle in a little more first. See if this is where I’m meant to be. It’s too soon to be thinking about my own practice.”
Did that mean she would be moving on elsewhere? Brad sensed she was holding something back, but he wouldn’t probe. They didn’t know each other well enough to be talking about dreams and future plans. But he hoped to find out, if he was lucky enough to spend more time with the captivating shrink who’d sparked something inside.
Brad worked on some small jobs the following week while Mitchell and Justin completed the work at Liberty House. He’d met up with Hannah every evening after work. Sometimes they walked Louie, the energetic retriever who never tired of playing fetch. Other times they met for a light meal at one of the beachside cafes.
Dating sober was a new thing for him. Most of his previous relationships had involved alcohol, and he’d rarely taken the time to really get to know a woman. There was something different about Hannah, more than just her external beauty, and he was enjoying their casual outings and getting to know her better. She exuded a calming, peaceful presence, and for the first time in years, the tight knot of anxiety in his chest had loosened. Even the mounting pile of bills on his office desk weren’t enough to diminish the excitement that flickered through his veins in anticipation of seeing her each day.
Late Friday afternoon, he pulled to a stop outside Liberty House. Stepping out of the ute, he eyed the completed landscaping. Mitchell and Justin had followed the plans and Barbara’s vision perfectly. A light mist from the new irrigat
ion system sprayed over the fresh green lawn. Lily pads floated on the pond to the side of the path leading to the clinic. Bright-coloured pansies and peonies bloomed from the garden beds along the front of the building. And with the addition of a cobblestone path, the completed design enhanced the calming ambience of the practice.
He opened the door to the clinic just as Barbara walked out of one of the nearby rooms.
“Brad! It looks wonderful out there. Thank you so much,” she gushed, placing a stack of folders on a nearby desk.
“I’m glad you like it. The guys did a great job.”
“They did indeed. Hannah told me about the little hiccup with the dates, but I’m glad you could sort it out. I’m going to recommend you to anyone who asks.”
“Please do.” He chuckled, really hoping she would. Word-of-mouth advertising would be most welcome. It was probably the most impactful form of advertising, and he only wished more people would help spread the word about Summit Landscaping.
“Would you like a brownie?” Barbara held out a plastic box.
Shaking his head, he held up a hand. “No, thanks. I won’t have any room for dinner.”
“Since when does a man turn down a brownie?” Barbara laughed. “These are really good. Hannah made them.”
In that case … He grabbed one and took a bite. Delicious, chocolatey goodness oozed onto his tongue. Chocolate fudge. His favourite.
“Mmm. This is good,” he mumbled in between mouthfuls.
“What did I say? Apparently, they’re healthy, too.”
“Really?” Brad inspected the brownie in his hand as though it were a specimen of some kind. How could something healthy taste so good?
“You’ll have to ask her to make you some.” Barbara winked.
That wasn’t such a bad idea. Perhaps she could teach him how to make them. He imagined them spending an afternoon in his kitchen …
“Make what?” Hannah’s voice swept into the room dispelling his thoughts of flour fights and brownie tasting.
Remnants of the Heart (Winds of Change Book 3) Page 6
