Little Beginnings

by Iris Blobel

  And there were many sales. People loved Sophie’s work, but other artists were just as successful. The idea to use the small room which had flooded as a room for new artists to exhibit their work was greatly appreciated and popular as well. In hindsight Jeri thought it must’ve been fate that had the room flooding, because with having the floor re-done, it looked so much better and too good for a storage room. The lesser-known artists appreciated the late notice to have their work displayed during that special day.

  The financial side of it afterwards wasn’t Jeri’s favourite part, yet without knowing how she did it, she balanced the books and was able to send a donation to an organisation for orphaned children via cheque. It’d been Sophie’s wish.

  Sophie had only been in her early twenties when she and her sister Mia lost their mother. With Sophie’s father having left them when she was a child and not knowing Mia’s father, Sophie was left to raise eight-year-old Mia on her own. It’d been only a few years after they’d moved to Hobart that Mia met her father.

  Father Mahoney in Sydney was overseeing the organisation to help orphaned children. It’d given Jeri a lot of pleasure to be part of this generous donation.

  Following the success of the exhibition came a lot of phone calls from interested artists who wanted to do something similar. It’d been a constant of negotiations most of the last two weeks. As much as it was a big boost to Jeri’s ego, she was well aware of the work involved. She’d made notes, did some research, and would possibly consider a few ideas. She’d have to have a meeting with Sophie first to get some input.

  Then there was Scott, the plumber. Unlike the first impression, he was a delight to have around. He’d given her a quote to fix and repair some of the plumbing in the back of the building. Following the quote, he gave her a call to explain the pipe-situation and his opinion on why certain repairs needed to be done. Jeri appreciated his input and honesty. She obviously had acquired another two quotes, with both agreeing on the necessity of the job, but neither of them were able to come near Scott’s quote.

  She enjoyed having him around. They shared a couple of lunches together and talks while having a cup of tea, talking about travelling, a little bit of politics, the exhibits, a little chit-chat about nothing.

  Life was good.

  On Friday afternoon, Jeri went over to Olivia’s house to leave some food trays for her birthday party. Her niece had given her a key when she moved in, so she helped herself into the house, left the trays in the kitchen before heading out again. When she was about to slide behind the steering wheel a familiar voice caught her attention.

  “Looking for Libby?”

  Everything inside her stirred and was on full alert. Only one person had been able to cause that kind of reaction in her body lately— jinx-man in person. She took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself before she turned and met his gaze. Her heart pounded in her chest when she saw his mega smile. She studied him in his non-work wear and he looked sexy in his casual jeans and white T-shirt. Sure she was about to faint, she leaned against her car.

  “Well, if it isn’t jinx-man himself.”

  Heat pooled low in her body hearing his low laugh.

  “How are you?”

  Not sure whether her voice would betray her, she nodded and croaked, “Good.”

  Thank goodness he didn’t give up on the conversation. “How did the exhibition go?”

  Perfect subject. With a big smile, she answered, “A great success, thank you. But quietly, we expected it. Sophie is such a talent. And all the new artists were appreciated as well.”

  An awkward silence hung between them as he gave a slow nod. Jeri forced herself to think of something. Anything she could ask. When she was about to ask about Olivia’s party on the weekend, he beat her to it.

  “Scott tells me he’s working on the pipes.”

  Of course, they were friends. “He’s doing such a marvellous job. I really appreciate you ringing him that day. No one around was able to give me a better quote. Who would’ve thought?”

  With a grin on his face, he asked, “Did you just say thanks to me?”

  Rolling her eyes, she replied, “I suppose I did. Don’t get used to it.”

  Another one of these deep rumbling laughs. “So what makes you surprised at Scott’s ability as a plumber?”

  Jeri lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “His first impression wasn’t all that convincing.”

  Ely scratched the back of his head as he said, “Aww, relationship problems. He’s only broke up with his girl a few months back.”

  “Oh, I hope he’ll get over her soon.”

  Nodding towards Olivia’s apartment, he replied with a grin, “I have a feeling you’re not the only one.”

  “Oh, and how’s that?”

  He winked. “Just ask her.”

  As much as she enjoyed the conversation, that little bit annoyed her. Why wasn’t he telling her what he was on about? She studied his face, trying to read any expression that might be on it, but it was blank like white paper. Going through the last few conversations she’d had with her niece, she wasn’t able to remember anything spoken about Scott. Apart from her occasional gratitude for his work. Thinking back, Olivia had always side-tracked the subject. Jeri had simply thought that her niece hadn’t been interested in the world of plumbing.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  His voice hauled her back from her thoughts. “Pardon?”

  “There’s smoke coming out of your hair, you’re thinking so hard.”

  She sighed. “I’d better get going. It’s been a long day. Nice seeing you again.”

  When Jeri turned to get into her car, he placed his hand on top of hers, which was still on the car door. She was so surprised by his action that she never saw the next move coming.

  * * *

  Ely leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Meeting her gaze, a smile tugged at his lips. Surprised, she stared at him, eyes wide open. He wasn't sure what had made him do it, but he was surprised she hadn’t hit him in the face.

  They stood there for a long moment, looking at each other, no one saying a word. Her expression was still close to shock, whereas he was close to melting into a puddle. That small touch of her lips with his had quickened his pulses and started a fire within him. It’d been a while since something like that had caused his body to go haywire, and he needed a moment to recover.

  With a smile he said, “I hope to see you again at Olivia’s party.”

  She nodded, purposely removed his hand from hers, and slid behind the wheel. Inside, he screamed like a teenager, because he interpreted her lack of words and her lack of punches in his body as a good sign.

  As he watched her drive off into the distance, he wondered whether she’d enjoyed his small gesture as much as he had. Had she been as surprised by the effect it had on them as much as he had?

  Even though it bothered him big time, he thought of Tina. The first time he’d kissed her. He’d met her at a football game in Launceston when she’d occupied the seat next to him, teasing Ely about his team losing. And, like in the movies, had handed him a napkin with her number on it when she’d left.

  A couple of days later he’d rung, like a nervous teenager. They’d chatted for hours and only found at the end that she lived in Hobart as well. They’d met and after a couple of nights out, started dating.

  But he couldn’t remember fireworks within him like he’d just experienced when he’d touched Jeri’s lips with his.

  Ely rubbed his hands over his face. All he’d wanted to do was marry Tina and spend the rest of his life with her. Should he now be grateful she’d said no? It could’ve been a big mistake.

  He turned and walked into his house, not able to forget about the kiss.

  When Saturday finally arrived, Ely was out of sorts all day. He took his nephew to swim in the morning, welcoming the distraction. It was something he tried to do as often as possible, giving Cara and her husband a bit of time to themselves. />
  Olivia came by a couple of times in the afternoon asking for a few favours—another distraction.

  “What are you actually celebrating, Libby?”

  She shrugged. “Just my annual party. Remember, I did it last year as well?”

  Trying to, he vaguely recalled a washed-out fête the previous year.

  “Annual party?”

  Another shrug. “I wanted to impress this guy a few years ago and to get his attention I threw a party. Apparently people liked it and begged me for a repeat. Now it’s an annual event.”

  He laughed. “That sounds like you’re in your fifties.”

  Olivia slapped him on his arm.

  “Anything else you need me to do?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “I think that’s all. Thank you so much for your help.”

  “No worries. By the way, remember Scott’s coming as well.”

  A frown appeared on her forehead, and he wasn’t sure how to take it.

  “Haven’t forgotten about him,” she replied without looking at him.

  Ely placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her towards him. “Sweetheart, if you don’t want him to come—” He stopped, raising an eyebrow. “Are you blushing on me?”

  She moved his hand away and walked off, but he was quicker holding her by her arm. “Libby? Spill it.”

  “Can’t.”

  “Can so.”

  Olivia took a long, deep breath before she whispered, “I was kind of hoping for him to come as well.”

  So he was right after all. Olivia’s interest in Scott had been more than neighbour curiosity. He smiled, but pretended not to understand. After all, she owed him. In his mind anyway, because if she hadn’t set him up with Jeri, he’d never stood her up and his meeting with her in the gallery would’ve turned out perfectly.

  “Goodness gracious me, Ely, do I have to spell it out for you?”

  Letting go of her, he said, trying to hold back on his smile. “I’d appreciate that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You have a way of making a woman feel utterly ridiculous.” Biting her lower lip, she stared at him. “Ely, please make an effort here.”

  He put on a frown.

  “Okay, you’re officially uninvited, because I’ll never be able to look at you again without feeling utterly stupid. I have a crush on your friend Scott. There you go. I said it.”

  Then she held up her hand as if to say Don’t say a word and left.

  He laughed, although not out loud because he didn’t want her to hear him, but silently he was pleased and had an idea these two would hit it off nicely. If given the chance. Which, as nice a person he was, he’d happily help with.

  He would work some sort of magic wand, all right.

  After a long shower, he dressed, grabbed a six pack, and headed next door. He’d seen a couple of guests arriving already, but no Jeri. His heart sunk a bit. She was the one he wanted to see the most. Mingling with the crowd, he said hello to a few people he knew when he saw Scott arriving. They said their hellos and Ely introduced his friend to a couple of people before they caught up with the hostess.

  “Olivia,” Ely said. “I believe you’ve met Scott before.”

  A smile spread across his neighbour’s face as she shook hands with Scott. “Nice seeing you again. You’re the plumber who helped out Jeri, aren’t you?”

  Scott nodded awkwardly, and a smile tugged at Ely’s lips as he watched his friend. Was his friend really that taken with Olivia already that he wasn’t able to speak? It was so unexpected because Scott had always been a charmer and very likable.

  Olivia must’ve noticed as well, he thought. The grin she seemed to hold back so hard was a dead giveaway.

  “I see you already have a drink,” she said, pointing to his beer. “How about I show you the choice of food while Ely can make himself useful and welcome Jeri.”

  Without hesitation, Ely shot around and searched for Olivia’s auntie. When he wasn’t able to spot her, he turned back…but Olivia and Scott were making their way through the crowd to the food tables. And with some relief he noticed Scott was talking.

  “Well, look who it is.”

  Ely didn’t have to turn and eye the sexy woman to have his body on full alert. Her voice was enough.

  She stepped next to him, her eyes mischievous. Her soft perfume floated around him, and his heart skipped a beat in response to her scent.

  Crossing her arms over her chest, as if to consider her words, she simply stared at him.

  “Good seeing you, too,” he finally said with a grin.

  “You’re not going to ruin this evening for me with your presence, are you?”

  He dragged his hand through his hair. “Here for a blind date?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Scott’s here in case of any floods.”

  She raised one of her nicely shaped eyebrows.

  “And,” he said as he leaned closer. “No door between us either.” He winked. “We should be safe.”

  She gave a soft laugh.

  “I’m too scared to ask to get you a drink.”

  “Why?”

  “Will you run?”

  Shaking her head, she replied, “How about I come with you?”

  He loved that idea. Very much.

  Jeri slipped her arm into his and the warmth of her skin seeped right through his shirt. The sensation was so unexpected after protecting himself from women since he’d left Tina. Each of Jeri’s touches made him yearn even more for her. He expelled a hissing breath.

  “So…how are things?” he asked, not taking his eyes off her.

  She nodded slowly. “Thanks, I’m doing fine.”

  He stared at her, his gaze falling to her lips, remembering when he touched hers with his — he wasn’t fine. All he had been able to do was think of her.

  “I need a favour,” he finally said after a long pause. Rubbing his forehead with his fingers, he added, “I need you to go out for a dinner with me, so I can form my own opinion and get you out of my head.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Out of your head?”

  He shrugged. “You’re all I can think of—you in tears because your blind date didn’t show up.”

  Tilting her head slightly, she countered, “That was you.”

  “I know that. That’s why the stab of guilt comes into the story. Massive stab.”

  She let out another one of her soft laughs.

  “Then there’s you, standing amidst your flooded room.”

  Jeri rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

  “You—” He took her hand into his, “—looking after my finger telling me we’re not right. Let’s make it right. I wanna waste some time on you. I don’t wanna waste any more time on wondering how old you really are. Who knows? You might still be able to have kids.”

  “I might not like children,” she responded.

  His brow shot up. “Don’t you? Did I just put my foot in my mouth?”

  She smiled “I do like children, but—”

  They reached the bar, and Ely poured her a glass of wine.

  “What if I wanted a red?”

  He reached for the bottle, checked the label, and held it up. “Chardonnay?”

  “Touché.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Scott and Olivia were still chatting along and laughing. Things seemed to be going well.

  “Okay,” he said hesitantly. “How about a dinner of a different kind?”

  Jeri leaned back a bit. “I’m not that kind of girl.”

  He laughed. “Me neither.”

  “Pardon?”

  “I’m not that kind of girl either.”

  She glared and it made him smile at how easy it was for him to push her buttons. “You’re not taking me seriously.”

  “Oh, I am. Believe me. I’m too scared not to.” He grinned. “Look, Jeri. I know you like me. I like you, too.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  “I do a little. And I’m pleased you didn
’t deny the first part.” Another grin. “Here’s the deal. Let’s move on from my very immature behaviour. I have to babysit my little nephew on Saturday night. Why don’t you join us for spaghetti and movies?”

  She hesitated, laughed, but then grew serious. Ely wasn’t sure what to think of it and deep inside, worried he’d blown another chance. She was right when she’d said he didn’t know her. Yet, there was something in his gut that told him there was more to her than she let people see. The wall she’d built to put people off, the wall that he was trying to break brick by brick, was hiding a little gem behind it. And he was determined to get hold of the little gem.

  Jeri took a sip of her wine, let her gaze wander over the gathered crowd, before she finally met his gaze and said, “I’ve had many dates, but this one sounds about the most enticing so far, I have to admit.”

  “You hesitated to make me even more anxious, didn’t you?”

  A slow smile spread across her face, a smile mischievous and tender. “Of course. I had to. After all—”

  “Oh, here you are, Jeri.”

  Ely shot around to see Georgia. He’d give anything to make her go away. To turn back time, just that tiny one minute to find out after all what.

  “Georgia. I had to do some catching up with Mr. Too-young-for-me.”

  “Ouch.”

  She smiled as she placed her hand on his arm. “Can’t wait to meet your little nephew.” Then lifted her glass towards him and disappeared into the crowds with her cousin.

  Chapter 6

  Making it through the week was like torture to Jeri. Thankful for the many visitors to her gallery, she was busy most days, but at night at home her mind was all over the place. In two places, in fact. Part of her was looking forward to spending an evening with Ely and getting to know him better. There was something about him that told her to trust him. Olivia and Georgia liked him, but being a good neighbour didn’t make one a good partner.

  The realisation that she liked him so much scared her a little. She had started to date men to find someone to be with. Although casual sounded cheap, it was more to have company. The idea of being alone for the rest of her life scared her, but she’d made sure not to become attached to anybody.