“No, I’m not. Aunt Persephone Theresa was a gifted one.”
“With a horrible name. No, baby number ten is not going to be called Persephone.”
“You want boring names!”
“Yes, names that don’t sound like diseases,” Zoe said. “Aunt Tessa said she wanted to walk you to work. And yes, it was my idea.”
“Hm.”
“Evy, I know we discussed this, but please, remember you are recovering from a brain injury and wear your back brace.”
“Yes. The last thing I want is to give people another reason to gossip about me.” Eva kissed Zoe before she rolled out of bed. “Enjoying the view?” she asked, not bothering to turn around. She knew Zoe had a smile on her face. It was the same every morning they had been together. Zoe loved to watch her. Scars or no scars, it didn’t matter to her.
“I’m enjoying the view a great deal, thank you. You have an incredible ass,” Zoe replied.
Eva swiveled around and went down on one knee in front of her. “Good morning, my darlings. Your mama thinks I have an incredible ass… Oops, naughty word.” She repeated the greeting in three different languages to Zoe’s belly.
“I don’t think they can hear you.” Zoe tangled her hand in Eva’s short dark tresses. “Your hair is getting longer.”
“Growing slower than molasses,” Eva muttered as she ran her hand through her hair. “At least it’s going to cover my incision.” She looked up and grinned. “I found that baby book, and it said they can hear what I’m saying to them.”
“Which baby book? It looks like you’ve created your own library. I think that bookstore loves you for buying so many books.” Zoe indicated the stack of books on the dresser and Eva’s current reading material on the bedside table on her side.
“I’m going to be teaching our babies how to speak in English, Italian, German, and Greek.”
“Uh-huh, does that mean you’ll be taking photos and speaking in tongues to my belly?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that fits with being a descendant of the PentaSense brigade.” Zoe shook her head.
Eva stood up and turned away to get dressed. She felt Zoe’s arms around her waist. She closed her eyes when Zoe rested against her back. “You’re worried about today, aren’t you?”
Eva shook her head. “A little. Everyone will be watching me. Watching the brain damaged one make an appearance. I’m going in to resign and just show my face. I’m hoping no one makes a big fuss about it. Get in, get out.”
“Yes, they will be watching you, but you knew that. Just try and stay out of Percy’s office.”
“I have to see him before I leave. I’ll probably run into Mrs. Wainright. Why wasn’t she fired?”
Zoe groaned. “She was given a warning. Debbie told me they can’t fire anyone unless they’re already been given three warnings, and this was Paula’s second one. That’s just pathetic. If I hadn’t been so worried about you, I would have raised holy hell to get her fired. Have I told you how much I think that woman really needs a good kick up the rear end?”
Eva nodded gravely. “Yes, love, you have.”
“Well, let me repeat it, the woman is a major boofhead,” Zoe grumbled, taking a hold of Eva’s shirt and beginning to dress her, much to Eva’s amusement. “So if the deranged woman is not on your mind, what is? You have a very pensive look on your face and I’m not sure what that’s about.”
“You’re going to think it’s silly.”
“Really?” Zoe asked. She looked up and gave Eva a cute smile. “Tell me, and if I think it’s silly, I’ll kiss you.”
“And if it’s not silly?”
“I’ll let you kiss me.” Zoe shrugged. “So spill it.”
Eva hesitated for a moment. She couldn’t figure out how Zoe always managed to know what to say or do to get her to reveal her feelings. No one else was that perceptive. More to the point, no one else cared enough to be that perceptive. “Um, it’s when you look at me when I’m getting out of bed. Even after all these years, you act as if it’s the first time you’ve seen me naked.”
“Uh-huh.” Zoe gazed up at her, a smile spreading across her face. “I act as if it’s the first time I’ve seen you naked?”
“Yes.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Um, no. It’s just we’ve been together for so long now Um...I like it. It makes me feel special,” Eva said shyly.
“Goodness, Evy, I love watching you. Don’t you know that?”
“Yeah, I know that, but it’s just, you know...you find me attractive and it makes me happy. You always have, scars and all.”
“Oh, I see.” Zoe nodded. “Do you know what I think of the scars?”
“Uh…yes, I think you see them as some sort of courageous thing.”
“Exactly. You survived despite what you went through; you are here because of your courage. So it’s sort of a badge.”
“I didn’t feel very courageous.”
“Of course you didn’t. No one who is truly courageous stops and thinks, ‘hey, this is a courageous thing to do,’ do they?” Zoe asked and tilted her head to the side.
“I guess not.”
“All the truly courageous people just get on with their lives.” Zoe cupped Eva’s face and smiled. “Your scars are a badge of courage. I didn’t find them disgusting before or now. I think of them as part of who you are. You are who you are because of the experiences that you’ve gone through. I love the inside package as well as the outside package.”
“I remember the first time you saw me naked…”
“Oh, yeah, I remember that. First time I didn’t avert my eyes when someone was naked,” Zoe replied and giggled. “I was so shy about seeing anyone naked.”
“I didn’t like anyone seeing me like that.”
“I know. Those were tough days but we got through them. Do you know how I feel when you lie in bed and watch me? I feel very special when that brilliant smile of yours reaches your eyes. They shine, Evy. It doesn’t happen with anyone else but me. I’m afraid to tell you that we are addicted to each other.”
“That’s one drug I would gladly take,” Eva quipped making Zoe shake her head. “That’s funny, Zo.”
“No, it’s not.” Zoe shook her head and laughed.
Eva sighed. “When did you become so wise?”
“I married you and you rubbed off on me,” Zoe quipped and then smiled. “Kiss me.”
Eva chuckled. She put her arms around Zoe’s expanding belly. “Yes, ma’am,” she said before leaning down and kissing her.
CHAPTER 43
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes, even though it’s not in the same building,” Eva replied. She hooked her arm around Tessa’s elbow and they walked quietly down the path leading to the cottage where Jana had her new offices. It was a dark, gloomy, gray day with a fine mist of rain that matched Eva’s mood. The last thing she wanted to do was go back to work, but it was necessary. Tessa held the umbrella above their heads as the rain fell around them.
“So nervous you had Vegemite,” she said. “That stuff makes me sneeze.”
“It does taste different.” Eva chuckled and Tessa joined her. She felt a twinge of apprehension when she spied the main doors to the External Affairs building. They walked past it quickly.
“So, Evy, you don’t want to go up and see how the redecorating is going? Debbie tells me—”
“Aunty!” Eva exclaimed and then laughed. They went further down the pathway to the cottage and rounded the bend. The cottage was on a slight hill overlooking the harbor. On one side were the botanical gardens with two large eucalyptus trees at the entrance. The mail cart stood alone near the main doors, waiting for its owner.
“Hm, Emily is here,” Eva said and walked around the cart.
She pushed the door in to find Emily engaged in an animated conversation with Debbie. They stopped talking when Eva and Tessa stepped into the office.
“Oh, Mrs. Lambros! You’re back. Hello, I
don’t think I’ve met you before.” Emily gushed enthusiastically.
“Emily, this is my aunt Theresa Lambros. This is Emily Brandy, our mail clerk.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Brandy.”
“Oh, hello, Mrs. Lambros!” Emily smiled up at Tessa. She turned to Eva and said, “I am so glad you’re back!” Eva was expecting the enthusiastic welcome and the hug that would eventuate. What she wasn’t expecting was Emily hugging her tightly around her waist and making her uncomfortable. Eva let Emily’s hug linger for longer than she liked. “I was just asking Debbie how you were and if it was too soon to return to work after your brain surgery.”
“Um...no, it’s fine,” Eva responded softly, straightening out her jacket and trying to take a step back.
“You are so brave, Mrs. Lambros,” Emily gushed. She rubbed Eva’s shoulder and put her arm around her waist in a far too intimate way. “Your beautiful hair!” She went to touch Eva’s head but Eva pulled away. Eva tried to step back from her, but her back hit the filing cabinet behind her. She looked over Emily’s head in shock at Debbie, who only shrugged and gave her a pained expression.
“I’m fine, Emily. Slowly getting better,” Eva replied and wiggled her fingers. “My hair is short at the moment because of the surgery, but I’m fine. Zoe tells me you came by the hospital?”
“Yes, I did several times. We were all so concerned about you. Those stupid painters. I was so worried about you. I ran into Mr. Lambros a few times and he was so worried.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know you were so concerned. I appreciate the chocolates and cards you sent to my home.”
Emily smiled as she reached out and touched Eva’s arm. “You’re welcome. I know you must feel very upset, what with the damage to your head. I’m happy to see you, but I think you should have stayed home a bit longer. I know my aunt Deidre had brain surgery and it took her years to recover. She wasn’t even as bad as you were. You are very brave.” She turned to Debbie and waved goodbye.
Eva stared at the closed door. “She’s nice,” she said. “I sure hope everyone else doesn’t want to hug me today.”
“Yes that would be a chore,” Tessa quipped. “Now I’m going back home and Zoe will come by later to take you home, alright?”
“Yes, I’ll be here,” Eva replied and watched as her aunt left her at the office.
Debbie came around her desk and stood in front of her. “Can I hug you, or does your brain damage prevent me?” She got a lopsided grin from Eva. She put her arms around Eva and gently squeezed.
“I like the cane.” Debbie indicated the cane with the ornate handle.
“Zoe picked it out a couple of years ago. I have a few,” Eva replied. She looked down at the silver handle that had a distinct leaf design.
“Zoe told me that I should behave as if you were recovering from the brain surgery and to be aware that people will notice. Not that I didn’t know that.”
“I’m wearing my back brace today as well. It feels quite tight and a little constrictive. I never noticed that before. Zoe wants me to wear it so I don’t make people think there’s something not quite right.”
“That’s a good idea. Is the cane Zoe’s idea as well?”
“Stella wants me to use it just in case I get dizzy. I’m sometimes a little unsteady on my feet, and it’s a good cover for my brain damage.”
“So, what does it feel like to be healed? I still can’t believe you talked to a real saint. When Zoe told me I thought she was joking,” Debbie said as she sat on the edge of the desk.
“Well, it’s not every day you talk to a saint, and I didn’t expect her to heal me—that was a surprise. The whole thing is just so surreal.”
“Your back is alright now? Zoe was saying that she healed that too?”
“My scars are still there but the pain is gone.”
“Wow. That’s some healing!”
“Yes, well…” Eva started to say when Debbie put her arms around her. She smiled at the enthusiastic hug she received and one she didn’t mind at all from a friend.
“I’m so happy for you. Zoe told me to make sure you took it easy and that you are not to do any work.”
“Well, I’m not sure about not doing any work, but we will see. I did have brain surgery and I’m recovering, so I’m going to take this very slowly. I’m sure Emily will tell the others how well I’m doing.”
“Well, everyone was sending cards and chocolates…”
Eva’s face creased into a smile. “Chocolates?” She looked around the office and was disappointed not to see anything lying around. “I don’t see any chocolates.”
“Zoe told me to hold them aside for when you were better.”
“As you can see, I’m better. Where are my chocolates?” Eva reached out to Debbie seeking the chocolates, much to Debbie’s amusement. “You can’t hide them, Deborah.”
Debbie laughed. “My goodness, you are acting like my Aaron. He loves his chocolates as much as you do.”
“You should bring Aaron over. We can dig into the chocolates together, although I’m not sure I’m getting my gifts because his mother is keeping them from me!”
“I have them safely stored away. Zoe told me you are craving sweets. Does she know that it’s not a pregnancy thing and that you are addicted to them?”
“Oh, she knows. She’s known about my sweets and chocolate addiction for years.” Eva chuckled and sat down at one of the seats in the office. “The pregnancy thing is making me throw up and giving me heartburn rather than making me eat sweets.”
“I had that for months; it’s horrible.”
“Very horrible. So as a reward for my suffering, give me the chocolates!”
“Sorry, boss, but I have them at home. I promise to bring them in,” Debbie replied and laughed at Eva, who was pouting. “So what are your plans for today?”
“My plans for today are to finish some paperwork and then I’m resigning. I’m walking out of here looking like a recovering brain injured woman.”
Debbie blinked. “Alright, well, I wasn’t expecting that. Honestly I didn’t think you were coming back, but then you said you were and I was surprised.”
Eva sat on the edge of the desk and smiled. What she was about to tell her friend was a stroke of genius. It was another Zoe-inspired ingenious plan. Eva was going to enjoy what came next. “The other reason I came in today was to ask you to come and work for me at Lambros Steel.” She leaned down and lightly tapped Debbie’s nose. She felt relaxed and playful despite the restless night. Debbie’s incredulous look was exactly what Eva was expecting. “I take it that you don’t like this idea? I know it’s not the right thing to do, to take you away from a dream job.”
“What? You want me to work for you? You want me to leave this very lucrative job here?” Debbie asked and moments later nodded profusely. “Of course I would love to!”
“Welcome aboard Lambros Steel, Mrs. Harrison.”
“So I’ll be working at the Haskell Estate?”
“It’s not going to be called the Haskell Estate. It’s going to be called Lambros Estate. Before I head-butted the paint drum, Theo was organizing the renovations. They are almost finished.”
“Wow. You do know the Haskell Estate is haunted, right?”
Eva gazed dubiously at Debbie. “Is that a no, you don’t want to work for Lambros Steel?”
“Oh, that’s a yes, but just wondered if you knew.”
“Yes, I’m aware of the history of the estate. Elena told Zoe about it and she’s excited to see if we meet any ghosts,” Eva replied and chuckled. “Zoe doesn’t believe in ghosts.”
“What do you call a saint that drops in and heals you?”
“Yes, that was my point to her as well, but Zoe is quite adamant that ghosts don’t exist. I’m not quite sure what she thinks ghosts are, but that’s her opinion.”
“So you’re asking me to work at the estate with ghosts running around?
“Yes. If we run into them, I’m sure we can
get a priest for an exorcism.”
“So are the offices ready to move in?”
“No, not yet. Theo is supervising the renovations to the offices because they are taking longer. We’re going to be working from my not too spacious living room and Journey room for now. If we need an office to meet clients, we have rented one in town. I don’t want people coming to the house for that.”
Debbie laughed. “I like that idea. Yes, Mrs. Lambros, I would love to come and work for you at Lambros Steel!”
***
Zoe tilted her head to the right as she sketched on her pad, which was braced against the seat armrest. She was sitting in Stella’s waiting room waiting for the last patient to be seen. The waiting area was a little small, but Zoe was content to sit and sketch until Stella could see her.
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Zoe looked up to see Tessa standing before her. Tessa angled her head to look at the artwork and smiled.
“That’s an interesting character study,” Tessa said as she sat down next to Zoe.
“Do you like it?”
“I do.” Tessa nodded.
Zoe looked down at the drawing of Eva sitting on their sofa in the back yard. She had her eyes open but unfocused, and there was a serene look on her face which had totally captivated Zoe. It was her eyes that had caught Zoe’s attention—they were completely white.
“She was having a vision,” Zoe explained. “I was watering the garden and I looked up to see her like that. I nearly fell over when I saw her eyes.”
“Hm. It used to scare Stella as well.”
“I’ve never seen her eyes go that color before, or no color, since they were completely white. They normally go green when she’s having a vision, so that was unusual.”
“Eva is a very gifted soul. You have to expect things like this to happen. The color change may stabilize and you will find her eye color will revert back to blue. My sister told me that her eyes changed color, but that stopped when she was older. Her eyes didn’t change color at all.”
“So you think it’s possible that Evy’s eyes will stop changing color the older she gets? That would be different from what happens to you.”
[Intertwined Souls 05.0] No Good Deed Page 33
