‘Not ominous. Concerned.’ Rohan shrugged. ‘My life’s changed a lot in the year since I met Abbey. I have you to thank for that when I agreed to locum for you. I’m returning the favour.’
‘Don’t mention it.’ Scott tried to divert his friend but Rohan was determined to say his piece.
‘I had no idea that marriage and a family could be like this.’ Rohan spread his arms to encompass the whole house. ‘Every day is a diamond.’ He shrugged, slightly embarrassed by his eloquence. ‘And I think you should take the time to smell the roses, too.’
‘Oh, I can smell them—’ Scott’s cynicism was clear ‘—but it’s a bit late for me. Besides, I don’t have time.’
Rohan shook his head. ‘There’s more to life than being on call for the town. I remember in med school, after that woman you married left, you were good fun and drove a car not unlike the one next door you seem to hate so much. I haven’t seen that side of you since I moved here. You need to raise expectations of your life goals to include family and marriage again. Start having fun. In the last year I can’t remember you socialising with anyone except us,’ Rohan said.
‘Can I go now?’ Scott stood up and his friend rose, too.
‘Yes, you can go.’ Rohan looked at his partner under his brows. ‘And stop picking on Bella.’
At that, Scott laughed. ‘Have you listened to Bella lately? I think she could chew me up and spit me out.’ He smiled at Rohan and held out his hand. ‘Sorry I was short. I appreciate your concern, you’re a good friend and I hear what you’re saying.’
Rohan clapped him on the back. ‘Lecture endeth.’
‘Glad to hear it. Now I’m out of here before Sophie comes and tells me I’m going bald or my ears need cleaning, or worse.’
Rohan grinned. ‘She must really like you. She never says that to me.’ He glanced out the door. ‘Too late anyway.’
Rohan turned towards the window and, sure enough, Bella and her aunt had almost reached the back door.
‘You’ll pay if she hassles me,’ Scott said in an undertone, but his eyes were really on Bella. He didn’t see Rohan bite his lip to hide his smile as he strode to the back door to open it for his aunt-in-law.
‘Welcome, Sophie. Abbey’s gone to dress Lachlan for your arrival,’ Rohan said.
‘Well, I haven’t dressed up for his arrival.’ Sophie glanced down at her lounge dress, the like of which she wore most days. Then she looked at Scott. ‘But Dr Rainford didn’t iron his shirt so I feel better now.’
Scott met Rohan’s laughing eyes and as if to say, What did I tell you? ‘Hello, Sophie, it’s always nice to see you,’ Scott said as he offered her his chair.
Sophie snorted. ‘I’ll bet.’ She waved him away. ‘I’m not sitting. I’ll go and find my great-nephew.’ She glanced at her niece who’d been silent beside her. ‘Are you coming or staying with them, Bella?’
‘I’ll follow in a minute.’ Bella shook her head and Scott couldn’t take his eyes off her hair as it floated in a crinkled cloud over her shoulders. It was so rare that he saw Bella’s red hair loose that she’d caught him unprepared. Suddenly what Rohan had said was all the more relevant. He was letting his life go by.
Bella was not some eighteen-year-old girl who hadn’t seen the world. She was a flesh-and-blood woman that he’d given up for her own good. Maybe it was time to start afresh and see where it led.
‘So, what are you fellows doing?’ Bella seemed oblivious to Scott’s scrutiny and Rohan clapped her on the shoulder.
‘I’m off to hear Sophie’s verdict on Lachlan and Scott’s been here to sample my cooking. I made pancakes for afternoon tea.’ Rohan preened.
‘What a model husband,’ Bella teased, and Scott watched her gaze follow Rohan out of the room. When she turned back to look at him her eyes widened.
‘What?’ she said, and brushed her nose. ‘Have I got a spot on my face or something?’
Scott shook his head. The idea he’d had last night didn’t seem so crazy today. ‘You look incredibly beautiful with your hair down. You should wear it like that more often.’ He met her eyes. ‘Do you have to stay here with your aunt or can you come and see something I’d like to show you?’
Bella tilted her head. ‘I’m sure Rohan can get Aunt Sophie safely across the yard. I’ll just let them know. Will it take long?’
‘Does it matter?’
He could tell she was puzzled by his persistence and not sure how to read the situation. There was nothing threatening in his suggestion. It was a little odd perhaps, but he could tell she was intrigued.
‘I suppose not. Won’t be a minute, then.’ She left the room to find her aunt, and Scott stared thoughtfully after her.
He’d had the idea last night but had shied away from offering Bella something so personal. He still couldn’t imagine Bella being a big part of his life. What had he to offer her that was different to twelve years ago? A twenty-year-old son? The bitterness twisted his stomach. She was vibrant and beautiful and full of life. The trouble was, when she looked as amazing as she did today he couldn’t help trying. Rohan was right. He needed to take a few chances with his life or he might just be left with more regrets.
When Bella came back, Scott was at his most inscrutable. Bella kept looking sideways at him as they crossed the lawn to his car. ‘Do you want me to take Blake’s car,’ she said, ‘so you don’t have to run me home?’
Scott gave her one of his ‘spare me’ looks. ‘I’d be happy if you never took Blake’s car again. In fact…’ He stopped. ‘Why are you driving that boy’s car?’
Bella shrugged. ‘Because mine died.’
Scott’s frown lightened. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I could get my garage to pick it up for you. I’m sure they’ll have it going in no time.’
‘No, you won’t.’ Bella stopped and turned to face him. ‘Did I miss something here? Why do you suddenly think you can run my life?’
Scott winced. He’d spoken without thinking. The fact was, he really hated the thought of Bella’s easy relationship with her new boarder. He didn’t even want to think about the fact that there was less of an age difference between Blake and Bella than there was between himself and Bella. The green-eyed monster was going to get him into big trouble if he wasn’t careful. ‘I meant, if you’d like, I could get them to come for your car.’
Bella narrowed her eyes, and he could see she was only slightly mollified.
‘There’s no need. Blake says he’ll have it fixed by the day after tomorrow.’
Scott swallowed the acid in his mouth at that statement and wisely held his peace. ‘Fine. I would still like to show you something, though, if you’ll come.’
Reluctantly Bella started towards his car again. ‘So, what is it that you want to show me and where is it?’
He opened her door for her and the conversation halted as he walked around and climbed into the driver’s seat. Scott didn’t answer as he started the engine and put the car into gear. He hoped she wouldn’t tell him to stop when she found out.
‘Just to my place,’ he said casually. ‘What I want to show you is on the side verandah.’ He’d felt her stiffen beside him when he’d mentioned his house but, as he’d hoped, the mention of the verandah drew Bella’s thoughts away from the fact that they’d be alone in his house for the first time in too many years.
He’d read her thoughts correctly because she looked out of the window to avoid his eyes and said, ‘Your house didn’t have a verandah, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.’
He couldn’t help the picture in his mind. All those years ago Bella had come and blushingly offered him her heart. He’d never forget the pain in her face when he’d said he didn’t return her feelings and never would. Luckily, she hadn’t seen the pain in his as she’d walked away that afternoon.
‘The house has changed,’ Scott said as he forced his thoughts back to the present. ‘I’ve had the verandahs added and the landscapers in. I think you’ll notice a difference
.’
It wasn’t so much a difference, Bella thought ten minutes later, as a complete transformation.
The older cottage had been expanded to include the huge four-sided verandahs and a spacious loft that took advantage of the rural views and those onto the river.
Downstairs, it was the individual pieces of woodwork that drew her attention. The television was housed in a lowboy-type cabinet with clubbed feet and different types of wood inlaid across the doors. She walked across and ran her hand down a panel.
‘I’ve never seen this type of pattern before.’ She glanced around and there were occasional tables and a desk in the same design. ‘It’s beautiful.’ She stroked the arm of a rocking chair obviously made by the same carpenter and then curled up in it to try it out. ‘I love the strength and adaptability of wood.’
‘I’m glad,’ was all he said, and he held his hand out to help her up. ‘Come and see outside.’ She didn’t want to touch him, was afraid to, but was trapped into taking his hand briefly until she’d found her feet. She disengaged her fingers quickly and Scott smiled at her strangely and followed her out onto the verandah.
The back yard had been converted to a miniature rain-forest hideaway with a tiny rock-lined swimming pool and spa reached by a Japanese-style curved bridge that led off the verandah.
‘Love the bridge.’ Bella couldn’t help herself as she ran her fingers along the wooden rail.
‘I’m pleased how it turned out.’ Scott stroked the curve in the wood. ‘I’d never done anything like it before.’
Bella turned slowly towards him. ‘Did you make the bridge? And the rest of the furniture?’
Scott nodded and shrugged. ‘Yes, I’ve been doing it for about twelve years, but that’s not what I wanted to show you.’
Bella couldn’t believe it. It was like she hadn’t known him at all. There was this secret side of him that nobody talked about—or at least nobody talked about to her. Bella shook her head and followed him along the verandah.
Scott led the way around the side of the house and then he stopped in front of the most beautiful piece of furniture Bella had ever seen.
It was polished rosewood, a magnificently carved chaise longue. ‘This was one of the first things I made. Do you like it?’ His voice lacked his usual assurance and Bella glanced at him and then back at his work.
The chaise stood on an ancient and slightly moth-eaten Persian carpet that glowed with colour and reflected the pinkish hue of the wood so that the seat seemed to float above the floor.
‘Like it? It’s one of the most glorious pieces of furniture I’ve ever seen. But why did you want me to see it now?’
‘Because I want you to have it.’ Bella shook her head instinctively and Scott stepped closer. ‘Because you said that Rohan took the one in your study. I don’t use it and I’d like you to have it. To tell the truth, it was actually inspired by Abbey’s old chaise a long time ago.’
His words shifted the mood in the room and Bella took one step backwards to distance herself.
Scott could see she was uncomfortable and he strove to lighten the mood. ‘Besides, I can’t stand the thought of sitting on that uncomfortable chair you have.’
‘Blake fixed it.’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them. Scott’s face hardened and he turned away. ‘Fine. It was just an idea.’
Bella felt terrible. ‘It’s not fine.’ She stepped up to him and rested her hand gently on her shoulder. He flinched under the light pressure and she couldn’t help the soothing stroke that followed. ‘I’m sorry, Scott.’ She was unaware that she stroked him again. ‘It’s just that you took me by surprise and it’s a gift of such magnitude I’d feel in your debt. And I don’t like that feeling. I don’t ever want to be in anyone’s power again.’
Finally she felt him loosen under her hand. He turned slowly to face her and his expression was, as usual, difficult to read.
‘I don’t want you in my power, Bella. I do care for you and it would give me pleasure for you to have the chaise, but I can understand your reluctance. Let’s forget I ever offered it. Come and see the garden while you’re here.’ He held out his hand.
She couldn’t turn down that offer, too, so tentatively Bella put her hand in his. His fingers held hers gently and the warmth from his touch made the swirling in her stomach start again.
Unconsciously, she paused in her stride at the implications of her reaction to him. If she didn’t care about him, why was she affected by the feel of her hand in his? Scott pulled on her arm gently and she flicked a glance up at his face. He was smiling and there was nothing but friendship for her to see. She kick-started her legs and walked down the steps with him onto the lawn below.
‘It looks like a magazine garden. You must have a green thumb to keep all this alive.’ Bella strove to keep her voice normal despite the tumultuous feelings just holding his hand was doing to her stomach and, further along, her legs.
Scott laughed with genuine amusement and Bella felt some of her tension seep away with the pleasant sound. ‘The gardener has a green thumb. Mine’s wood-coloured, but I do enjoy the way he can make it all flourish.’
Bella smiled back as they wandered down a winding path to a small fountain. ‘I know what you mean. Vivie has the most fabulous herb garden and every time I look after it something seems to die.’
They stopped at the fountain and Bella could see golden fish swimming through the underwater greenery. She turned back towards the house. ‘It’s magical here, Scott. You must be very proud.’
He shrugged. ‘The magic is in the person I’m showing it to.’ Bella shot him a look and he shrugged without explaining, but the awareness was there again between them. ‘Come on, I’ll take you home.’
That was what she wanted, Bella told herself as they turned back to the house but she was walking more slowly. Bella thought about all the hours Scott must have spent carving the design on the chaise longue and why he’d want to give such a labour-intensive piece to her. Then she wondered exactly how long ago he had made it if it was the first thing he’d made. ‘Can I see where you do all your carpentry before I go?’
Bella didn’t know where the words came from but they had the subconsciously desired effect.
CHAPTER FIVE
‘IF YOU wish,’ Scott said, and Bella nodded her head.
This was not a good idea, Scott thought, but he couldn’t resist the temptation to keep Bella with him for even a few minutes longer. Seeing her drift around his house, her fingers trailing across his possessions like he’d once dreamed about, was too powerful a drug.
He turned off the path underneath a huge leopard tree and towards a building set on the edge of the property and the tension built in his shoulders. There had been a lot of emotions in that shed. It was his sanctuary and no one had been in it for many years. He ran his hand along a high ledge and produced the key to open the door. Then stood back to allow Bella to enter. He watched her enter like a watchful gazelle, sniffing the air and eyes darting for hidden dangers but filled with curiosity now she’d decide to take the risk.
All Bella’s senses were on full alert as she entered the room.
The room was cool, soundproof and very tidy, but the smell of wood shavings and the lingering tang of varnish hung enticingly in the air.
She glanced around. ‘Do you work in here often?’
His face shuttered. ‘Nearly every day this week. When I need tranquillity. A problem that needs a solution, a sad birth.’ He shrugged. ‘The wood helps my thought processes.’
A cane basket sat in the corner on the floor almost overflowing with wood sweepings, and Bella walked across and picked up one particularly long and curly shaving. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of freshly cut timber and then hung it in her hair above her eyes. ‘“There was a girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead.”’
Scott leaned back against the door and completed the verse. ‘“And when she was good, she was very, ve
ry good, and when she was bad she was horrid.”’
‘So what am I, Scott?’ Bella couldn’t help the slip into danger. ‘Good or horrid?’
‘Definitely horrid.’ Scott crossed the room and stopped in front of her. He plucked the shaving from her hair. Their eyes met and time stopped for several seconds as they both thought of the kiss the other night. Scott said, ‘Horrid but infinitely kissable.’
Bella blinked but didn’t have much time for evasive action as Scott closed the distance between them and captured her lips with his. His arms came around her and he gathered her close into his warmth. Yet she knew his hold was loose enough for her to escape if she wanted to.
Bella planned to step back but somehow it never happened. The taste of Scott’s mouth against hers meshed with the smells and coolness of the workshop. When he pulled her more firmly against the hardness of his chest that feeling blended with the masculinity of the environment and filled her brain with wicked mind pictures of woodshavings and strong benches.
She couldn’t do anything but kiss him back and it was addictively delicious. Her fingers reached up and sank into his hair and his hands slid down and cupped her buttocks until she was on tiptoe, straining to stay attached to the floor. The kiss went on and on and suddenly the fire they’d ignited threatened to consume them both and Scott groaned as he lifted his mouth slowly and lingeringly from hers and set her down.
They stared at each other and both tried to steady their breathing. ‘I get very passionate about my woodwork,’ he said, and Bella nodded.
‘It’s passionate stuff.’ Her voice was higher-pitched than normal and she cleared her throat as they both stepped apart. ‘I think I should go home now.’
Scott nodded and gestured for her to precede him from the room. She waited while he locked the door and then headed for the house. She could feel his eyes on her neck the whole way and her face flamed as she remembered the way she’d ground herself against him—and how that had made her feel. Once they were inside the house, Scott still didn’t say anything as he picked his keys up from the hall table.
A Very Single Midwife Page 6
