Beautiful Illusion

by Jacquie Underdown

  “Have you ever seen cheese making before?” asked Kerri as we strode towards the shed.

  “Um. No.”

  “Well, there’s a first time for everything,” she said, grinning.

  My stomach pulled pleasurably as her words triggered a memory of my first time with Brennan in the rock pool. I dismissed the thought quickly, remembering whose company I was in.

  “What types of cheeses do you make? Brennan mentioned you’ve won awards for them.” I asked.

  “We’ve won quite a few. It’s good fun. We make a few varieties—cheddar, camembert, brie. We do a soft goats’ cheese as well.”

  I gaped when I saw inside the shed. The sterile room, fitted out with large metal vats, stoves and big glass-door fridges, looked imposing and complicated.

  Kerri took in my open-mouth expression and smiled. “Leah, it’s very simple. We’ll walk through this together.”

  And she did walk me through it—the entire process. By the end of the day, I had heated milk, separated curds from whey, stacked metal containers full of luscious, soft curds and even salted stinky, already-maturing cheese. Finally, we cleaned the entire shed from the ceiling to the floor, and our job was complete.

  It was four o’clock by the time we arrived back at the house. I was tired. I hadn’t worked like that since, well, ever. And now we had to prepare an entire baked dinner. I couldn’t even imagine the type of work that Brennan and Jack were out doing.

  As Kerri retrieved all the ingredients we needed for the dinner, I asked, “What exactly are Brennan and Jack doing?”

  “We have a new load of cattle that needs to be branded and dipped. Also, we have a few calves that need dehorning.”

  “Dehorning,” I repeated softly and left it at that. I did not want to take my imagination much further, especially as we were about to roast a leg of lamb, probably fresh from their farm.

  Kerri plonked an enormous leg of lamb on the stone bench-top. “Have you ever boned a leg of lamb, Leah?”

  I shook my head, eyes wide. “Um. No.”

  “I’ll show you how.” She handed me a butcher’s knife. “Alright now, flip it over, fat side down.”

  She instructed me on where to slice, how to cut the bone out and trim all the sinew and excess fat. I laughed loudly when I looked at my final product, lying bloody and butchered on the bench-top. “That looks an absolute bloody mess.”

  Kerri laughed with me. “Oh, darling, that is…” she stumbled for the right words. “Yes, that’s a mess, I can’t lie.”

  “Have I ruined dinner?”

  This made her laugh even harder, and she held her stomach as her body shook. “Of course not. We’re going to roll it up anyway, so no one will be the wiser.”

  We made a stuffing of breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, dill, mint and parsley, which I layered on the inside of the lamb before rolling it, tying it with cooking string and placing it on a tray and into the oven. We prepped all the vegetables, fresh from their garden, and I was allowed free reign on dessert—lemon meringue pie.

  I was utterly exhausted by the time we had finished.

  “Good job, Leah. It was a pleasure to have your company this afternoon,” said Kerri.

  “Yeah, it was fun.”

  What a day. I had now learnt today how to ride a quad bike, make cheese, and bone a leg of lamb from scratch. Three things I would never have dreamed of doing.

  “Why don’t you go up and have a nice, relaxing bath? The men won’t be back for about an hour.”

  “That sounds so good.”

  This made her smile. “There are fresh towels and bath products in your en suite for you.”

  ***

  In the en suite was a gorgeously deep bath, facing a floor-to-ceiling window offering views that rolled into forever. I ran the water while I undressed. When the water was high enough I climbed in, soaking my weary body. Closing my eyes, I relaxed back and let my thoughts drift towards Brennan.

  ***

  “Leah,” called Brennan softly. I stirred, opened my eyes. The room was dim, almost dark, and the water caressing my body was on the verge of freezing. But why was I not cold, or wrinkled by the water?

  “You’re tired, hey?” he asked, a small smile touching his lips.

  I sat up quickly and rubbed my eyes. “I must’ve been.”

  “I came to let you know that dinner is just about ready if you want to come downstairs.”

  “Oh shit! Dinner. What’s the time?”

  “It’s only six-thirty. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Can you pass me a towel, please?”

  He smiled again and stood from his crouched position beside the bath. He grabbed me a towel and I quickly wrapped it around my torso. My muscles felt stiff as I stepped out of the bath, but my body was warm. It shouldn’t be warm.

  “You’ve obviously already had a shower and cleaned up,” I said, noticing his wet hair and clean clothes.

  “I was pretty filthy, with dirt and cows’ blood and grease everywhere.”

  The cows’ blood caught my attention, but I didn’t pursue it. I assumed it would have something to do with the dehorning.

  He followed me through to the bedroom. “Mum said you had a busy afternoon with her?”

  I nodded, took a seat on the end of the bed and pulled my bag onto my lap so I could grab out my clothes. “Huge. I haven’t learnt so much in one day since school. I’m quite proud of myself.”

  “She said you did well.”

  “Did she tell you about the lamb?”

  “No,” he said, taking a seat beside me.

  “Good. I won’t tell you either.”

  “If you say so.” He looked at me and smiled. “Mum really likes you.”

  I arched one eyebrow. “She does?”

  “Yeah, she said you’re a sweetheart.”

  “Sweetheart. I don’t think I’ve been called that before.”

  He stood and smiled down at me. “I’ll let you dress and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  ***

  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. Kerri and Jack entertained us with cute stories about a younger Brennan. Eventually, my eyes grew weary, and the conversation faded. The dishes were cleaned and packed away, the lights were extinguished, and Brennan and I retired to his bedroom. It was a room similar to the one I was staying in, but decorated in masculine hues of brown and beige. Brennan took my hand and led me to his bed, where he lay down and patted the space beside him. I obliged, welcoming his arm around my waist and his tender kiss on my lips.

  “I feel guilty about leaving you this afternoon, especially after we…”

  “You don’t need to feel guilty, Brennan. I knew before we came here that your dad wanted you to help him out.”

  “You don’t feel like I abandoned you or anything?”

  I smiled. He was always so conscious about how I felt. “Of course not.”

  He kissed me again, trailing his fingers up and down my back. “We got everything done this afternoon, so you and I will be able spend the whole day together tomorrow.”

  “That sounds very appealing.”

  I shuffled closer to him, wrapped my arms around his broad body, and kissed him.

  “I couldn’t stop thinking about you this afternoon. Dad very nearly smacked me over the head, trying to make me concentrate,” he said.

  I giggled. “I didn’t have much time to think about you. But I still managed a few thoughts.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Your mum said earlier today, ‘there is a first time for everything’, and I thought about you and me this morning at the waterfall. I was certain she could see me blushing.”

  Brennan laughed. “That one popped into my head quite a few times as well.” He brushed his lips against mine, his warmth dizzying me. “If you weren’t so sexy.”

  “I know what you mean.” I lifted his shirt over his waist, exposing his tattooed torso, and trailed my hand over the scales of the dragon, over the inclines of his muscles. “You�
��re pretty handsome yourself, Brennan.”

  “Do you want to sleep in here with me tonight?” he asked, smoothing his finger along my lower lip.

  “As long as I’m not breaking any house rules.”

  “No rules,” he said.

  “Then yes, I would love to spend the night with you.”

  Brennan rolled off the bed, jogged to the door, and shut it quietly. He sprang back onto the bed and lay down beside me again.

  “Mmmm, Leah,” he whispered, as though he were about to eat something delicious. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulled me closer. He kissed me on the lips, igniting an immediate desire in the pit of my belly.

  I couldn’t believe the powerful sexual appeal I found in him, as though my body was operating distinct from my mind and heart. My body seemed to crave him—almost ache for him—when he aroused me.

  Our lovemaking this time was so much different to this morning. Gone was the gluttonous need to have him. Instead, we were filled with the desire to unhurriedly and intimately discover every inch of each other’s flesh.

  Chapter 10

  Brennan’s bedroom door flew open and two sets of footsteps raced into the room. Lying completely naked next to Brennan, I jerked the sheets up to my neck and tried to get my bearings.

  Two young boys galloped towards the bed. “Uncle Bren, get up, get up, get up!” Brennan barely had time to lift his arms up to protect himself as they leaped onto the bed.

  They were twin boys, mini versions of Alex and Brennan, jumping up and down on their knees, shaking Brennan who now had a wide smile on his face.

  One of the boys eyed me, his face wrinkling. “Who’s she, Uncle Bren?”

  “Come on, boys,” Brennan said. “Hop off please.”

  Both boys bounced off the bed and stood beside it, staring at me, faces twisted with curiosity.

  “This is Leah, she’s my girlfriend,” Brennan explained.

  I gave them both a weak smile.

  “You have a girlfriend. Uuggghhh,” said the taller of the two.

  “Uncle Bren has a giiirrrrllllfriend,” said the other, as though he was tasting something nasty.

  Brennan rolled his eyes. “What’re you guys doing here already?”

  “Dad brought us early.”

  “Did he tell you to come and wake me up?”

  The shorter of the two identical boys laughed hysterically. “Yes!”

  “He’s very funny your dad, isn’t he?” said Brennan.

  They both nodded, flashing toothy grins.

  “Clear out for a bit. I need to get some clothes on and then I’ll come down and see you guys, okay?”

  “Uugghhh, you don’t have any clothes on!” they screamed, running out of the room and slamming the door behind them. Brennan rolled over and shook his head.

  I smiled. “They’re your nephews I presume?”

  He nodded.

  “Very lively, aren’t they?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, just a little. Bloody Alex, sending them to wake me up.”

  “It’s a pretty good trick.”

  “He’ll keep.”

  I stretched my arms high above my head and yawned. Brennan pulled the sheet off my body and smoothed his hand over my stomach, pulses of pleasure tingling in my core.. He pressed the heat of his body against mine, and kissed me. “Good morning, beautiful. I haven’t said that yet have I?”

  I smiled, absolutely contented. “Good morning to you.”

  “How did you sleep?” he asked, propping his head up on his elbow, eyes molten as he gazed into mine.

  “So well,” I replied. “Must have been the company.”

  “I’m sure that would have been the reason.” Brennan nuzzled his face at my neck and kissed me at my ear. “We might need to make a habit of sleeping together.”

  Goose bumps spread over my neck and arms, and I squirmed and giggled as I felt his warm breath in my ear. “I think I could definitely take you up on that offer.”

  He fell over onto his back and sighed. “I would have had a fantastic sleep too if I hadn’t got a bloody headache during the middle of the night.”

  My stomach tightened. Headaches after a head injury couldn’t be a good thing.

  “Maybe you should see a doctor about that,” I said.

  “Ah, it’s no big deal. I was fine once I took a few Panadol.”

  Brennan rolled out of bed, walked to my side of the bed with his arms outstretched and helped me to my feet.

  “Come have a shower with me?” he said with a cheeky smile. I could refuse him nothing.

  ***

  Brennan’s parents were sitting on the back veranda with Alex, Joanne, and the twins. My stomach lurched when I saw Joanne, her thin lips curling at the corners as she sat next to Kerri.

  “Good morning,” said Kerri as we joined them.

  I forced a smile while Brennan said his good mornings to everyone.

  He shook Alex’s hand. “Good to see you mate. Just know that I’m keeping track of these little wake-up calls and, old man, you may not appreciate it so much when my kids do the same to you.”

  Alex laughed heartily. “Are you calling me an old man?”

  “That I am.”

  We took a seat next to each other at the table.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Leah,” said Alex.

  “Yeah. You too.”

  Joanne didn’t say a word, nor did she acknowledge my existence, which I was grateful for—and offended about. Brennan glared at Joanne, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.

  “Please help yourself, Leah, there’s plenty to go around,” said Kerri.

  The table, once again, was filled, but with cold meats, cereals, toast and yogurt this morning.

  “I didn’t realise, Leah, that you had already met Alex and Joanne?” asked Jack.

  I nodded. “I met Alex when I was still in hospital and Joanne at the football match on Friday night.”

  “And a forceful introduction to the twins this morning, I heard?”

  I laughed. “That was quite a surprise.”

  Jordan, the shorter of the twins piped loudly, “Uncle Bren didn’t have any clothes on.”

  I looked at Brennan, eyes widening and eyebrows arching high. He grimaced at me, though his eyes twinkled.

  “I’m glad that’s all he was,” said Alex.

  I curled my hands around my middle and slid further down my chair.

  “Perhaps then, you should think carefully before you send Jordan and Jeremy in to jump all over me,” said Brennan.

  “You never said you were bringing Leah this weekend. I wasn’t to know. And besides, Bren.” He paused and grinned. “You’re never usually fortunate enough to have a beautiful woman sharing your bed.”

  My neck and ears were impossibly hot. I silently pleaded to Brennan to save me from further embarrassment.

  He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “That’s enough talk about me and Leah,” he said. “I thought you weren’t able to arrive here until tomorrow?”

  Alex shrugged. “Plans changed and the kids wanted to come out, so we decided to come today.”

  “You want to play football with us later, Uncle Bren?” said Jeremy.

  “Sure, mate.”

  “Leah can play too if she wants,” said Jordan. He really was the spitting image of his father.

  “I’d like that, Jordan, although I’m not very good at it.”

  “That’s okay. Uncle Bren can you show you. He’s super good at football. Even better than Dad.”

  Brennan shot Alex a smug grin. “Did I ever tell you how smart your boys were, Alex?”

  Alex laughed and shook his head.

  We ate breakfast. Soon Joanne’s silence, where I was concerned, became apparent to others at the table.

  “Joanne, have you not met Leah before?” Kerri asked..

  “We met at the Lions match the other night,” Joanne said in the same sickly-sweet voice I remember from the game.

  Kerri nodded, regar
ded Joanne for a moment longer than necessary. Eventually she said, “Well, that’s good, we all know each other.”

  Brennan scoffed and shook his head.

  Kerri narrowed her eyes. “What’s up, Bren?”

  “Oh, nothing,” he said with a sharp wave of his hand.

  “Doesn’t look like nothing.” She nodded at Joanne. “Did something happen between you two?”

  “I told Leah a few home truths on Friday night and she took incredible offense to them. She made me leave the game before it even started,” said Joanne.

  Alex breathed out heavily, his jaw tightening.

  “Bullshit, Jo,” said Brennan, standing. “Don’t you dare paint the picture that way.”

  “That’s exactly what had happened, Brennan. How else should I paint it?”

  “How dare you say that Leah is not good enough for me, or that she is not my type, or that I am using her for a fling. And then you have the nerve to come here this morning and completely ignore her. Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  Alex stood and fixed his hand on Brennan’s shoulder while I sank back further into my chair.

  “Bren, mate, calm down.”

  “Oh, get fucked, Alex. Your missus has something seriously wrong with her head.”

  “Bren, settle down,” said Jack, standing up. “You don’t need to talk like that. The twins are here.”

  Brennan drew a deep breath in before he sat back down, Alex and Jack following suit. He glared at Joanne. “I want to know why you’ve suddenly taken a dislike to Leah and why you’re treating her like this. God, even Mum noticed your cold shoulder.”

  Joanne swallowed hard, her eyes flitting from one person to the next. “I don’t dislike Leah.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “There’s no problem. I think she’s a lovely girl.”

  Brennan closed his eyes and exhaled. When he looked at her again he said, “Keep away from me and Leah this weekend.”

  “Fine by me,” she agreed, crossing her arms across her chest.

  Kerri frowned at her husband. “I don’t know what is happening here, but I will not sit down at this table again until it’s sorted out.” She rose from her chair and stood behind Jack, arm on his shoulder. “I don’t deserve to have my breakfast interrupted by this ridiculous…” She shook her head and, without another word, marched regally into the house.