More Beginnings

by Iris Blobel

  More Beginnings

  By Iris Blobel

  Published by Astraea Press

  www.astraeapress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  MORE BEGINNINGS

  Copyright © 2014 IRIS BLOBEL

  ISBN 978-1-62135-246-4

  Cover Art Designed by FOR THE MUSE DESIGNS

  Also by Iris Blobel from Astraea Press

  Journey to Her Dreams

  Innocent Tears

  New Beginnings

  Thanks to the city of Hobart for having inspired me to write this story.

  Thanks to RWAus for welcoming me with open and helpful arms.

  Thanks to Astraea Press, Stephanie and the team for their continued support.

  And to my readers – THANK YOU!

  Chapter One

  Mia let out a mighty sigh. She had joined Zach at the front porch and sat next to him on the swing. Enjoying a cool drink, he asked her to grab a soft drink from the fridge as well. It was a warm summer day, and the air showed no sign of cooling down. A lot of people in Hobart were tired and weary of the unusual hot spell for the very southern Australian city.

  With another hefty sigh, Mia raked through her long, blond hair and focused into the distance.

  “Honestly, Zach, she’s a dragon. I’m sure she does that on purpose. She doesn’t like me. She thinks I’m spoilt.”

  The dragon was Miss Peterson, Mia’s high school English teacher. Mia liked school and enjoyed her classes. English wasn’t her worst subject, but it certainly was the toughest, with Miss Peterson piling on homework one after the other.

  Zach sipped on his drink. “Hey, pumpkin, settle down. What is that supposed to mean ‘you’re spoilt’?”

  She shrugged. “You know!”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Actually I don’t know! Isn’t she Sophie’s good friend?”

  Another shrug. “Kinda, I s’pose. They used to do the boxing stuff together, and since Soph’s carrying a baby, they go and enjoy cake instead.”

  Ignoring his laugh and the subject, she went inside and helped herself to cold lemonade. She opened the can with a simple click and took a long sip. “Man, it’s hot.”

  Zach seemed to ponder on that thought just like Mia, when she suddenly said, “You need to cut the grass, Zach.”

  He almost spilled the drink. “Good grief, thanks, honey.” There wasn’t much yard in front of Zach’s house. A flagstone path crossed the patch of lawn, and he’d kept the rest of the garden as low maintenance as possible. But he loved sitting on the front porch, watching the world go by.

  He placed his arm around her and drew her in a bit closer. “Have you talked to Soph about your teacher?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Her reply was that for most fourteen-year-old girls all the teachers seem like dragons. She remembers her science teacher who gave her a hard time. She blames it on my hormones because she thinks,” Mia snorted and then continued, “Miss Peterson is a really nice person.”

  He chuckled, which earned him a momentary glare from Mia.

  Zach shrugged his left shoulder. “I s’pose she has a point.”

  Rolling her eyes, she moved away from him again. “Too hot for sentiments like that.”

  He laughed. She had come a long way from when he had first met her. That was six years earlier, and she had been only eight. Eight years old with already enough character for three teenagers combined. But he’d liked her from more or less their first meeting on. He had been helping the girls find some stuff in their attic when he had mistaken her for Sophie’s daughter. With hands on hips she’d said to him, “Do I look like her daughter? I mean, seriously.” She had the genes to become a pretty girl and she was heading that way in big steps. The stylish haircut, a slight touch of make-up to emphasise her grey-green eyes, and always dressed in the latest fashion to compliment her slim figure. And she did have her heart in the right place.

  “You’ll meet her tomorrow when you drop me off at the school sports.”

  Eyes wide open, he turned to look at her. “I will?”

  “Oh man, didn’t Sophie tell you?”

  “Apparently not. Or she might have.” He scratched the back of his head. “I guess she probably left a note on my calendar.”

  “You’ll take me, won’t you?”

  He gave a small nod. “Yup.”

  Zach lived across the road from Sophie and Mia Levesque. The sisters had moved into Sixty-Four Chestnut Avenue six years earlier. He had shared a hot kiss with Sophie, but in the end it was Mark she’d fallen in love with.

  “Will what’s-his-name be there?”

  Mia rolled her eyes. “Josh. Yes he will. Remember he’s in my class.”

  He chuckled. “Pumpkin, just because what’s-his-name is in your class ain’t mean he’s participating in a sports day.”

  “Doesn’t mean.”

  “Beg yours?”

  She took a deep breath. “It’s doesn’t mean and not ain’t. You know it drives Soph mad when you use the American lingo.”

  He turned to look at her. “I honestly have no idea how I’ve survived the last few years with you guys across the road.”

  Checking the time, she stood. “Thanks for the drink.” She leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Eight o’clock tomorrow morning?”

  Zach nodded. “Does your dragon spit fire?”

  With her hands on her hips, she replied, “You’re not taking me seriously, are you?”

  “I am!”

  She tilted her head slightly. “Let me see,” she paused for effect. “With your green eyes, athletic body, husky voice, blond hair, which, by the way, is in serious need of a trim, ... hmm... she might like you. But then again, your job as an escort might disturb her.”

  Shaking his head, he stood and took her empty can of lemonade. “Instead of giving me a hard time with my lingo, Sophie should keep an eye on the books you read. All that romance stuff is making you silly in the head. Husky voice.” He laughed and went into the house.

  “At eight?” she screamed after him.

  “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

  ****

  Mia walked across the street and entered the front yard of Number Forty-Six. Even though she had only been eight years old at the time, she still remembered the day they had moved in. Number Forty-Six was an old brick-built, English cottage with a small path leading from the gate to two worn-out steps and up to the arched entrance. Although Sophie initially had loved the multi-pane windows with shutters, she had quickly found out how hard it’d been to clean them. Yet, she’d treasured and cared for the flowerboxes in front. Sophie, her older sister, had cried because it had been all too much. Or had it been because she had been scared? Mia didn’t know, but was grateful for every single moment that had followed that particular day. And for Mark and Zach. Mark, who had moved in, and Zach, who lived across the road. There was a lot of love for both of them. As well as a lot of appreciation. She was very lucky to have both men in her life. Not just because it made her popular with the other girls in her grade, but that was an advantage nonetheless.

  “Hi, Mia,” Mark greeted her as she entered the house.

  Looking up to him, she could see why her friends ooh’d about him. He wasn’t a bad-looker with his blond hair that was a stark contrast to his suntanned
face, his compelling icy blue eyes, which could actually be icy and make her clean up her room to the last little bit of dust, a general inherent strength on his face which conveyed his self-confidence, and his long and sturdy legs. He was tall, all right. And he made sure he stayed fit. Well, Zach made sure of that, by dragging him to the gym at least once a week or for a run along the beach. But there was also Jared, Mark’s friend from way back, with whom he caught up during their weekly game of squash.

  On the tips of her toes, she leaned forward and gave him a kiss on his cheek. “All set for the weekend?”

  With a wink Mark replied, “I am. Not sure about your sister, though.”

  Mia rolled her eyes. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She walked past him and into the kitchen. “What’s for dinner?”

  “Pizza.”

  “She burnt dinner again?” she asked as she turned to look at him.

  “I heard that,” came a voice from down the hall.

  Mark and Mia chuckled as they watched Sophie waddle down the hall. The pregnancy had been easy on her. At least as easy as it could be. Mia watched her come closer, and a quick thought popped into her mind She hoped the baby would inherit some of her blond hair and dark brown eyes. With all of Mark’s pampering over the previous few years, her sister looked great in her late twenties.

  “Baby’s giving you problems again?” Mia asked with as much concern as she could come up with.

  “I swear young lady, one day you’ll have a tummy like this—” Sophie clutched her hands over her pregnant stomach. “—and I will make fun of you.”

  Mia stepped towards her sister and gave her a hug, though with great difficulty. The nine-month-pregnant tummy was quite pronounced.

  “You’re late.”

  “For what?” Mia asked her sister.

  Sophie managed to reply through stiff lips. “From school!”

  Hands on hips, the young girl stood in front of her sister. “You’re getting way too hormonal, Soph.” She sighed. “I went over to see Zach. I wasn’t sure whether you might have forgotten to tell him about sports day.”

  Mark laughed behind them, and they both turned to glare at him.

  “What?” he asked with his arms up defensively.

  “I swear—”

  But Mark interrupted her. “You’re doing that a lot, sweetheart.” As he came closer he added, “I swear, I’ll be glad when this baby is born.”

  Mia chuckled and patted him on his chest. “Olivia’s mum said tiredness can be worse than hormones.”

  “And just for the record, yes, I did write it on his calendar,” Sophie added. “I even made the bed for you, left the hotel details in Launceston, and left a voucher for a DVD.”

  Mark placed his arm around Sophie’s shoulder. “No wonder you’re exhausted. You better take a good nap during the drive north, otherwise the anniversary weekend may end with one very grumpy husband.”

  “Eww. Get a room you two.” Disgusted, Mia went back into the kitchen and retrieved plates from the cupboard before serving the pizza.

  Mia wiped the chewy cheese from her lips. “By the way, Zach’s saying Happy Anniversary as well. He’s got a pressie. You will get it when you return on Sunday night.”

  “Another dinner for him and Sophie like we got last year for our third anniversary?” Mark grunted

  The girls laughed. “I had a good time,” Sophie admitted and ignored Mark’s griping.

  “I honestly still don’t understand why you have to push this anniversary trip before the baby is born.” Mia shrugged.

  She didn’t mind spending a weekend with Zach. Quite the opposite. She liked the stay-overs across the road. He let her stay up longer watching a movie, or he talked about Sydney. But this time she had something different in mind.

  Sophie placed a piece of pizza on her plate. “Because the voucher is only valid for three more months. And I’ll be fine. I was born late, you were born late, and I don’t believe Zach would look after you and a baby.”

  Mark sniggered. “Would love to see that.”

  But the women ignored him.

  “So you’ll be back Sunday night?” Mia asked.

  “Yes,” Mark replied. “I’ll need to be back in the office on Monday morning.”

  Mia stood. “I’d better get my gear organised for tomorrow and pack for the weekend.”

  “Mia?” Sophie called after her.

  “Yup?”

  “How are you going with Miss Peterson?”

  “Why? Has she mentioned anything?”

  Sophie shook her head. “No! You know we don’t talk about you as a student when we meet.”

  Mia nodded and then added, “Yeah, she’s all right,” she lied. No need to worry a pregnant sister who was about to go away for a weekend to celebrate an anniversary. And after all, she didn’t know what to say anyway. She wasn’t that sure what it was about her that annoyed Miss Peterson. She just didn’t like her. Especially since the day she had asked Josh to sit next to Brad. What had that been about? “All good now.”

  Chapter Two

  Just before eight o’clock the next day, Mia crossed the road and went to Zach’s. There was a swing in her step as she walked over, the swing that could’ve told neighbours she was pleased about something if they had known her well. Sophie and Mark had liked their anniversary gift — two small custom comic figurines made from their wedding photo — and she was glad she had put so much effort into finding it.

  “Zach?”

  Silence.

  “Zach?” she called out even louder.

  Still nothing. Mia’s frustration grew. Not that she couldn’t rely on him, but she was eager to get going and not be late. So she tried again.

  “Zach, I swear if you’re still in bed—“

  “Then what?” he asked, looking out of his bedroom.

  She rolled her eyes. “I hope you’re ready.”

  With quick long steps he came towards her. “I’m a bit offended here, Missy. In all these years, I’ve never been late. Not ready, okay, but never late.”

  Taking a deep breath, she then apologised.

  “The good fairy’s made your bed already. Throw your bag into your room, and then let’s go.”

  And she did just that. As she placed her bag into the spare room in the back of the house, she cursed her sister for putting on her old fairy bed sheets. All her intentions of asking Zach to have Josh around just faded away. Fairy bed sheets? Good grief. Sophie couldn’t have been more inconsiderate.

  “Pumpkin? You ready?” She heard Zach calling for her.

  “Yes, I’m ready,” she replied disappointedly. And as Mia caught up with Zach at the front door she asked, “Do you think we can—” She hesitated and sighed. “Well, do you think we could get rid of the old bed sheets one day?”

  He laughed. It was a hearty laugh, which made her smile as well. She loved it when he laughed. Not that he didn’t do it often, but it was something about that laugh which was irresistible.

  “The fairies, eh?”

  She just nodded.

  “If you’re still capable of walking this arvo, I’m happy to go and get some new ones for you after your sporting efforts.”

  “Really?” she asked and even she noticed her voice high-pitched with excitement.

  Ruffling her hair he replied. “Yup, really. I want to see a few medals though today, and your help with dinner tonight.”

  Mia quickly hand combed her hair while cursing at him.

  And only a few minutes later they were on the road.

  “So, refresh my memory.”

  Not looking at him, she asked, “About what?”

  Even though she stared out of the window, watching the black clouds in the sky, she knew he looked at her. “Well, for one, about Josh. But—” He stopped to concentrate on the traffic as he changed lanes. “But also about Miss Dragon.”

  Tugging a strand of hair behind her ear, she turned to look at Zach. And as they drove through Hobart to the Sports Oval she tol
d him about Josh.

  “He’s so cute. Honestly. I mean, like all the girls like him, but he asked me whether he could walk me home. That’s so cool.”

  “Totally,” she heard Zach saying quietly, which earned him a slap on the arm. “Ouch!”

  “You’re such a... never mind. It obviously shows how old you are.” To emphasise the point, she raised her eyebrows and stared at him.

  With a frown, he slowly rubbed his arm. “Let’s just move on. I get the point. He’s cool.”

  “No! The fact he—”

  Holding his hand up to signal her to stop, he said, “Don’t bother. Tell me about the dragon.”

  But she was sick of talking about her English teacher. And she had no idea why he was so interested in her. Best tactic was to ignore the question.

  “Could he come over after school tomorrow?” she asked quietly.

  “Who?”

  “Josh.”

  Zach’s head shot around. “What?”

  Focusing on her hands in her lap, she added, “Please?”

  “I need a cup of coffee.” And as he directed his attention back to the traffic, he stressed “As in now.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “That’s an I need a coffee and then we’ll talk about it. Does Soph know about this?”

  Mia shook her head.

  “For Pete’s sake, Mi. Soph’s gonna kill me.”

  “Please?”

  “Coffee first!”

  ****

  Zach was still irritated about the whole Josh-coming-over request, but the coffee did its best to awaken his sleepy brain cells. He knew he’d be in trouble with Soph, if he said yes. He cursed, threw the disposable cup into the trash bin, and pulled out the information sheet about the day’s events. With long steps, he strode towards the oval and tried to find Mia amongst the hundreds of kids. He shook his head. How was he supposed to find her when she wore the same outfit as everyone else? He glanced around and found a non-uniformed, good-looking woman.