A Winter Sabbatical (Books We Love holiday romance)

by Cheryl Wright

  Marissa stuck her head around the door. “What do you mean, while I get ready? I’m not going anywhere.”

  Travis continued making the coffee. “I’m taking you to see Porcupine Village – one of our tourist attractions.” No discussion.

  Marissa shrugged and went off to change into her jeans. She needed a break, anyway.

  The sun was shining, it was a cloudless day, and Travis was where he wanted to be – with Marissa.

  He held her hand – she hadn’t complained, and he certainly wasn’t complaining.

  She seemed to enjoy the stroll through the pioneer village and Travis felt she was even beginning to relax. He sensed her change of attitude – letting down her guard in his company – and when they entered a miner’s cottage, complete with furniture of the period, Travis caught her to him. He held her by the shoulders, and towering over her, looked deep into her hypnotizing brown eyes. He stared down into them momentarily, but her secrets were not revealed.

  Travis lifted his hands to cup her face, and leaned closer to her, his lips lightly brushing against hers. He pulled slightly back to gauge her reaction, and when she didn’t baulk at his approach, leaned into her once more. His lips gently covered hers, and when Marissa opened her lips to him, he deepened the kiss. Her arms slid first around his waist, then slowly up to his neck.

  Heaven, pure heaven, Travis thought. Here I stand with an angel. To his annoyance, heaven was not to last.

  A couple with two young children wandered in, and on hearing their voices close by, Marissa pushed against Travis’ chest in an effort to disengage herself from his embrace.

  Travis reluctantly removed his hands, and leaned forward to whisper: “Later, Marissa. Later.”

  She glanced up at him, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. Marissa ran her hands down her body, straightening her clothes, then turned and walked out. Travis followed close behind, a huge grin on his face.

  ***

  “A movie and dinner?” Marissa sounded apprehensive. “Well… ”

  “Just give me one good reason why not.” Travis was losing patience. She was hot, and then she was cold. Today, she was cold. “You’ve got to eat, so why not with me?”

  “Well...”

  “That’s settled then. See you at six.” Satisfied, he hung up the phone.

  Marissa was ready when he pulled into the drive, but still seemed a little uneasy when she opened the door.

  A low whistle escaped him as Travis stood appraising her appearance. Marissa wore a short grey skirt with a white button-through blouse. She carried a pale pink mohair cardigan – for later, he guessed, when the air would be fresh.

  “Whoa! The lady’s got legs after all,” Travis mocked.

  “If you don’t like it, I could go and change,” she teased.

  He pulled Marissa into the circle of his arms, his head bent to kiss the side of her neck, nibbling at her ears, kissing her jaw and eventually finding her lips.

  When finally Travis lifted his head to look into her eyes, he couldn’t help but stare. He just loved her eyes, the way they glistened, the way they told him so much about her, while at the same time, so little. Other times, they told him of her sadness, of something unresolved. Of love, of hatred, but most of all, they told him of her anguish. The anguish she wouldn’t share.

  As they stood entwined, Travis breathed in the perfume that he had come to know so well – the fragrance of Marissa. He couldn’t put a name to it, but it was hers alone. He’d recognize it anywhere, under any circumstance. It was a fragrance he’d never forget. And never wanted to do without.

  “I don’t know how I’ve survived these last few days without you,” he whispered, and before Marissa could respond he scooped her into his arms and headed toward the sofa.

  Momentarily taken by surprise, Marissa just stared at him, and then began to admonish him. “You put me down this minute, Travis Johnston!”

  Travis's lips curled as he continued without pausing, toward his destination. Marissa wasn’t deterred and spoke again, this time as determined as Travis. “You’re nothing but a big bully! If you don’t put me down, I’m not going with you tonight, or ever again for that matter.”

  Travis stopped in his tracks, looked into her face, and realizing this wonderful, caring, haunted woman meant every word she said, gently set her back on her feet.

  “That’s much better. Don’t you go thinking that because you’re bigger than me, you can bully me. I won’t have it.”

  Not sure whether to laugh, to frown, or what in the heck he should do, Travis stood looking down at her with a tentative smile on his face.

  Marissa looked directly into Travis’ eyes. “Now, are you going to behave yourself for the rest of the night, or should I send you home?” Marissa suddenly burst into laughter, and Travis joined her.

  When they had recovered, and without another word, Marissa headed for the front door, turned out lights as she went, with Travis following sheepishly behind.

  ***

  The following Saturday couldn’t come quick enough for Travis, as he made plans to spend the day with Marissa, unbeknownst to her. He arrived mid-morning bearing chocolates and flowers, and drove into Maldon showing Marissa the town and helping her explore the shops.

  They started at the ‘Gnome Factory’ where all types of garden gnomes and statues were hand-made. Travis bought a statue of a cat for Marissa to put in her garden, then they moved on to the gallery where handcrafted gifts and baby clothes were sold direct to the public.

  Marissa would have stayed forever, but Travis was practically dragging her out the door to continue her exploration of the town. Next stop was a store that sold handmade lace, Manchester, and other hand-embroidered linen.

  There were several antique shops, and it took great effort for Travis to keep Marissa out of them. They went into ‘Cherry’s Ice creamery’ and sat on a bench seat in the street eating their ice-creams, as they watched the many tourists exploring the town.

  Then they went next door to the ‘Maldon Sweet Shop’. It was an old-fashioned sweet shop, with jars of chocolates, and sweets, most of the chocolates being made by the owner.

  There were mints, jellies and lollipops, rocky road and sherbet bombs, black cats and liquorice, peanut clusters and Castlemaine Rock, just to mention a few. Marissa took forever to decide what she wanted, and after about twenty minutes, they walked out with a huge bag of assorted sweets.

  From there they went for a ride in a cart pulled by two beautiful Clydesdale horses, where they did a circuit of the town. By this time Marissa was so animated, Travis wondered if she’d ever come back to earth.

  Marissa was looking tired, and Travis decided she needed a break. They headed out to a local picnic area at a disused mine site not far out of town.

  Flicking the picnic rug over the ground, Marissa reflected on the day’s outing. “Thanks for today Travis, I really had a wonderful time.”

  Travis smiled. “I’m glad, and next week, I promise it will be a quieter day. We’ll ride the old railway, and then maybe go somewhere for a drive.” Travis' smile widened as Marissa agreed.

  ***

  It was a difficult week for Marissa; Travis was away on business, and her heart just wasn’t in her work.

  As much as she tried to deny it, Marissa was becoming very attached, and attracted, to Travis. This short separation proved what she’d already guessed; the more she saw of him, the more she wanted to see him.

  Trouble was, Jeremy was still in her heart, and her mind. And he was in her dreams. Marissa tried in vain to settle into her newly proclaimed life-style. Living in the country for the cold winter months was supposed to help vanquish all thoughts and memories – good and bad – of Jeremy forever, but he just wouldn’t go away.

  Sleep was virtually a thing of the past, and living in a strange house wasn’t helping. Marissa lay awake at night listening to the hoot-hoot of the owls, or the branches of trees scraping against the windowpane. Sometimes it was simply the breeze
sweeping leaves along the driveway, or heavy rain pounding the roof and windows.

  As she stood looking out through the window into darkness, Marissa turned her thoughts to Travis once more.

  Who ever said love was meant to be easy?

  ***

  Maldon Railway Station was the original station, and over the years, had been painstakingly restored by volunteers.

  Walking onto the platform was like stepping back in time; the stationmaster in his pristine uniform, posters from a by-gone era, right down to the fire buckets full of sand.

  The National Trust listed the station, and looking around her, Marissa could understand why.

  Travis grabbed her hand and dragged Marissa along the platform, wanting her to watch the vintage engine being coupled up to the carriages. When the train was in readiness, the passengers were given the all clear to board, and Travis quickly chose their window seats. The engine driver sounded the whistle to signal their departure.

  Travis pointed out places of interest along the way, including the remains of the gold diggings at Fentimans Reef. Looking around the carriage, Marissa was in awe of the detail. She held her hand to her heart as Travis stuck his head out the window, the wind blowing his hair every which way.

  Travis egged her to do the same, until finally she relented. As Marissa gingerly stuck her head out the window, the breeze caught her long silky locks and sent them sailing across his face. She watched in silence, as Travis ran his fingers slowly through her hair, and then breathed in its perfume.

  After leaving the station, they drove to Hepburn Springs. The short drive gave Marissa a chance to take in the picturesque countryside. She was totally in his hands, she realized, relying on his knowledge of the area. She totally trusted him, and was becoming more and more relaxed in his presence.

  They followed a paved walking track that wound around the park, and crossed a tiny bridge over a rocky creek. At this time of the year there was a heavy flow through it, but during the summer months the flow declined, Travis told her.

  When they finally arrived at the end of the path, it came to an abrupt end.

  “Time to go back.” Travis pointed to some dense foliage, and Marissa had to take a second look to see that it was a tunnel of bushes.

  “You’re not serious?” she asked, as he dragged her along behind him into the overgrown mass.

  “Deadly.”

  It was cool and dark, and Marissa shivered as they entered. They’d only walked a short distance, when she stopped momentarily to let her eyes adjust to the semi-darkness.

  “Marissa.” His voice was low, barely audible, and Marissa turned to look at him. Travis caught her to him, as he began to run his fingers through her hair.

  Marissa slid her arms up around his neck; she kissed his eager mouth, and then ran her fingers through his wavy black hair. His hands were cupping her face, his fingers tracing the path of her jaw, his warmth breath touching her cheek.

  Marissa heard giggling behind her, and looked down to see two small children looking up at them wide-eyed and laughing.

  Travis swore under his breath at this unexpected and unwanted interruption. He watched in amusement as the color flooded Marissa's face, which was visible even in the faded light.

  Finally, they were alone once more. Marissa was no longer responsive, and Travis silently cursed at the intrusion to his carefully planned tryst.

  ***

  Once again, Travis had to leave on business, this time only for a few days. He would be back by Saturday, he said, and would pick Marissa up in time for lunch. As she hung up the phone, Marissa was already feeling downhearted and depressed.

  She embarked on a week of non-stop work to keep her mind off him. Instead she found herself daydreaming of Travis, and at night, the same old memories and nightmares persisting.

  She longed for the bliss of being in Travis’ embrace, and the passion sparked by his kiss. She dreaded the painful evenings alone and the dark, terror filled nights.

  Saturday came slowly and Marissa looked forward to the moment Travis would lean casually at her door. She could picture him now; his head would be cocked to the side, his lips in a half-smirk, and his eyes would sparkle in the sunlight. He would be wearing his most comfortable faded jeans, and his crumpled shirt would hang over them seductively.

  She was sipping coffee, waiting anxiously for him to arrive, when there was a knock at the door.

  Marissa stood holding the door open, frozen to the spot; unable to move. She stared at him, drank in his features, her eyes gliding over him, as though this was their first meeting.

  Travis reached out and took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her fingers one by one. He gently pulled her close, and Marissa drowned in the pleasure of being held once more in his arms. She rested her head against his chest, and listened to his steady heartbeat. They held each other as though this was to be their last moment together.

  When finally they broke their embrace, Travis greedily covered Marissa’s mouth as though he was starved of her; the taste of her, the feel of her.

  Suddenly, Marissa pulled back from his kiss, his touch. He stood staring into her tear-filled eyes. Once more, her eyes were clouded with anguish. An anguish she wouldn’t let him defeat.

  Chapter Three

  “Are we there yet?”

  “This, Marissa, is the foot of the hill. Didn’t I say we were going to Mount Franklin?” He smiled that smile she loved so much. “Mount – mountain – top of hill.” Marissa couldn’t help but laugh.

  He changed to low gear, and began the steep climb up. Marissa stared out the window and across the valley through the gaps in the trees. The mountain was thickly covered with pine and gum trees. So thick in fact, in some places there were no gaps at all.

  They eventually reached the top, and Marissa tumbled out of the car, when it finally came to a standstill. “There’s no view.”

  “All the better to get you alone, my dear,” he joked as he made a leap toward her.

  Marissa's heart almost skipped a beat. After all it was very secluded here, and she was letting him get to her much more than she wanted. Wasn’t she?

  As Marissa stood contemplating her relationship with Travis, two strong hands grabbed her by the arms, startling her back to the present.

  “Are you all right?” Travis asked in that deep husky voice of his that had no right to be so devastatingly sexy.

  Marissa looked up at him. “Yeah, sure. Just daydreaming.” She shuddered, and Travis pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. Marissa felt protected.

  Marissa wanted to be alone, needed to be alone. This war going on in her head, in her heart, was slowly killing her.

  Her eyes filled with tears, and as they soaked though his shirt, Travis lifted her face to him, and brushed away her tears.

  She couldn’t think. First it was Jeremy, now Travis. Her heart was empty, then it was filled, hot then cold, cold then hot. Have to get away – have to think.

  She wrenched herself out of his grip and ran toward the nearby trees.

  Travis' strides equaled two of Marissa's, and he quickly caught up to her. Reaching out, he caught her around the waist, stopping her escape.

  “Talk to me please, Marissa? Don’t block me out.” His fingers followed the path of her tears.

  Marissa looked up at him, but fearing his pity, shrugged out of his grip and fled again, now angry with him.

  “For God’s sake, talk to me!”

  She heard his anger, felt his anger – the atmosphere like an iceberg between them.

  Marissa stumbled on a low bush, and Travis caught her, stopping her fall. He pulled her protectively against him, but his expression was black.

  “It’s him again, isn’t it? How long is he going to come between us? Forget him. I beg of you – forget him.” His hands came up her back, and Travis began to gently massage in little circles.

  Her eyes again welled with tears, for Jeremy, for herself, but mostly for Travis. She could
see the pain in his eyes, the hurt she had caused. What was she to do, what could she do? She couldn’t change the way things were.

  She was getting too close. Way too close. It would be better for them both to make the break now.

  “You’re really not with it today, are you?”

  She looked up to see Travis closely studying her, and felt his gentle hands massaging her back. She realized then and there, she couldn’t leave him – she loved him too much already.

  “I’m sorry. I guess I’m a bit depressed”

  His warm breath brushed her cheek, and Marissa rested her head against his shoulder.

  “Let’s start again.” He took a deep breath. “We’ve just arrived and need to find a picnic spot.”

  ***

  And so the courtship of Marissa continued over the next four weeks, with Travis taking her out to dinner midweek, then sight-seeing every Saturday after they did her shopping. But still she quickly ushered him out of the house, and refused to go to his, not trusting herself alone with Travis. She simply wouldn’t allow him to totally penetrate her heart.

  She didn’t realize it was already too late.

  The fax sprung into life. “Jonah misses you.” The paper rolled further up the machine. “And so do I! Can I come over now?”

  Marissa stared at it momentarily, then picked up the phone and dialed.

  Travis’ voice came over the line. “Well? Can I?”

  “Travis Johnston! How did you know it would be me? And no, you can’t, I’m working.”

  “Hell! Who cares? I should be too, but I miss you too damned much.” She heard him sigh down the line. “Pretty please?”

  Marissa let out a long sigh. “Well, maybe later. I’m in the middle of a news item right now, and if I don’t get it finished soon, someone else will beat me to the punch. Must go. Call you later.” She hung up the receiver.

  It was pushing noon by the time Marissa put the final touches on her article. She’d emailed it to the Perth Daily Mail, then sat back in her thinking chair and smiled.