by Iris Blobel
“Excuse me. Year 8 girls’ shot-put. Any idea where that could be?”
“Who’re you after?” she asked, and for a moment all he did was stare. At her. Close up, she looked even better. Nicer. Sexier. Medium height. Her black hair cut short, and wow, those eyes! Dark blue and making his toes curl. And her smile was just to die for.
She studied him considerately, obviously expecting some sort of response.
“Right.” He scratched the back of his head. “Mia. Mia Levesque.”
Zach drew in his lips as he watched her studying him. And she did. Carefully, from top to as low as she could without being obvious. Bad attempt though and he looked down to disguise his smile.
Then he saw her hand appear in front of him. “Hi, I’m Natasha Peterson. Mia’s English teacher.”
Well, if that didn’t make his eyebrow twitch in surprise. “Ehrm, you don’t look like a dragon at all.”
She laughed. “I hope not.”
Shaking her hand he said, “Zach Taylor, Mia’s babysitter.”
With a clear frown and her chin tilted slightly higher, she studied him again. But then her gaze moved into the distance before turning back to him. “Babysitter, eh?” She shook her head. “I’d better not ask for any more details.” She pointed towards the north side of the oval. “Sophie’s told me about Mia spending the weekend with her babysitter, but honestly I had no idea—” She paused and then looked towards the other side of the sports ground. “Anyway, I’m about to head over to shot-put.”
He quickly followed step. “As in you had no idea a babysitter could be a me?”
She smiled. Fair dinkum, he liked her smile.
But halfway to shot-put she was stopped by a student and apologised as she directed him to a group of young girls.
He waved his hands in a gesture of thanks.
Shot-put wasn’t what he’d call one of Mia’s best events. She did well, but she enjoyed the company of her friends and the constant chatter much more — well, at least that was how it looked to him. Zach couldn’t help but let his eyes wander around the big sports oval to spot the dragon, or better known to him now as the beautiful Natasha. But to no avail. It seemed like she had disappeared, and disappointment settled over him. So sure he could have some fun with her, he didn’t give up. Fun? Well, nice night out. He knew how women ticked.
Quickly brought back from his thoughts of a nice dinner with Natasha, he turned to see Mia and her friends staring at him. He shrugged as if to say what, but Mia sported a big smile. If she’d only put that much effort into her shot-put, she’d probably get it shot putted to the other side of town.
Shaking his head, he walked off. “I’ll be over near the seats, getting some lunch,” he yelled over his shoulder, not waiting for Mia’s answer.
And it was just a short while after that she joined him.
“All the girls wanna come over this afternoon.”
“Why’s that?” Zach asked without actually looking at her.
“Lost something?”
“Huh?”
Mia took a bite of her hot dog and followed his stare. “Looking for something?”
“Your dragon.”
“Say what?”
Zach laughed and turned to look at her. “Your English teacher. What's her name again? Natasha—”
“Miss Peterson?” she asked hesitantly.
“That’s her.” He grinned. “She comes across more like a cute little kitten.”
Mia almost choked on her hot dog. Coughing, she grabbed her drink and then took a sip. Then she looked at him, frowning. “Kitten? Seriously?”
A big grin spread over his face, but before they were able to say anything else, Mia’s friends had joined them at the table, giggling, and chatting about boys and movies. Zach felt out of place and left. Sometimes enough was too much.
Chapter Three
“Hi, Mia.”
Mia turned only to stare right into Josh’s eyes. “Hey there,” she said, trying not to get flustered. Of course, all her friends went quiet and she saw their eyes focused on her.
“We’re still on for this afternoon?” he asked.
Drat. Zach hadn’t actually given her an answer. “Yes. Of course,” she lied.
With thumbs-up, he walked off and followed his friends. No more words. No nothing.
Mia stared after him, thinking. He was lean and somewhat taller than her. His sandy brown hair was cut according to the latest trend like the singer from the English boy band sensation. And he had the eyes to be in a boy band as well — really dark, chocolate brown eyes. Kind of hypnotising brown eyes. None of the other boys looked as good in the school uniform as Josh. Nearly perfect. Well, boy band perfect, Mia thought, and she noticed a little tingle inside at the thought that he would be coming over that afternoon.
“Crap!” She suddenly remembered one crucial fact.
“What?” chorused her friends.
Turning her head around to find Zach, she absent-mindedly said, “Not sure whether Zach was okay with it or not. I think we kind of got side-tracked with the bed sheets.”
“With the bed sheets?” Olivia piped in an octave too high.
Mia shot her a glare.
The two girls had been best friends from the very first day Mia had started school in Hobart. Although they had almost the same colour hair, Olivia’s was curly. She was barely able to contain her curls. Her eyes were blue, and her mouth was always in a smile; unfortunately, her skin was fighting a recent hormonal change. Being roughly the same height and weight, the girls often swopped their latest fashion for a day or two, quite to Sophie’s dismay, as she was often confused what and what not was actually her sister’s. But Mia’s friend was also the reserved one in their friendship, always thinking twice before making a decision and envying Mia for her babysitter.
They more or less did everything together. Their tastes were very much alike — music, movies, the best-looking pop star, clothes, and even food. Except seafood. Mia couldn’t understand how someone could enjoy eating rubbery little creatures.
“Soph put the old fairy bed sheets on. I simply asked Zach whether we could get new ones. Somehow I forgot to go back to my initial question of having Josh around.”
“Now what?” asked Alice.
Shrugging, Mia replied, “No idea.” She sighed. “Wonder whether I can simply pretend to have forgotten to tell Josh to not come around.”
Olivia laughed softly. “That might work with Mark’s parents, but not Zach. Remember, he’s the worldly one in your whole chaos of a family.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, for one, whose babysitter looks like a movie star?” Alice added to the conversation.
“Living with your sister and her husband and probably having to share your room with your niece.” Flo joined in.
“Not to mention the in-laws’ mother, who makes the best cakes in town.”
Mia looked around. She had no idea who had just said that, but whoever it was had been right. Mark’s mum Bev did make the best cakes. “You’re all just jealous,” she said as she stood. “It’ll turn out right. Zach won’t say no, once Josh stands in front of his door.”
Looking around the group, she asked, “What’s up next? I’m still pooped from the eight hundred metre run.”
The girls laughed as everyone agreed, but deep inside Mia didn’t feel like laughing at all. She really needed to talk to Zach. He had to say yes! This was important to her, and once he figured out how much, he’d have to agree.
****
Zach sipped on his coffee and watched Mia and her friends laughing. Sometimes he wondered how this little girl had crawled into his life and heart. It was obvious, though, he hadn’t been the only casualty to her charm. Her friends thought a lot of her, which meant Sophie had done well in raising her. He relished seeing her soaking up life and all it had to offer.
Times had turned bad for Sophie and Mia after their mother had broken her ankle in a bad fall. The healing
process had chewed up more than her sick leave entitlement and she ultimately lost her job with a small company. Only shortly afterwards, she'd found out about her pregnancy. Unemployable, with two young children and no support, she'd fallen into a depression. And Sophie had taken over caring for her younger sister, Mia. When their mother died a few years later, Sophie had just turned eighteen. A blessing in disguise as she'd been allowed to keep and look after her little sister. Though the two sisters didn’t share the same father, they were remarkably close and always had been.
“She’s come a long way.”
Brought back from his thoughts he turned to find his cute little dragon was standing right next to him.
“Mrs. Peterson.”
“Miss,” she corrected him, which made him smile.
“Miss,” he repeated slowly and he saw a little flush on her cheeks, which made him want to smile even more.
She blew out a ragged breath. “Anyway, Mia did confirm that you’re her babysitter.”
He said nothing but did raise a brow at her.
“Well, you have to admit that it does … you know–”
“Nope.”
“Good grief. It’s very rare to have a man your age being a babysitter for a teenage girl.”
Zach laughed. Even more so when she blushed.
“I should be offended,” he told her. “A man my age?”
She flustered. “That’s not what I meant. You know, I meant as in—”
To hold back another burst of laughter, he wiped his thumb across his lips. “I think I get what you mean. You owe me, though.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You offended me.”
Hands on hips, she replied, “I did no such thing.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“How did this conversation go so out of control?” she asked.
She turned and looked around, but he wasn’t quite sure why. Following her gaze, he spotted Mia on the sports oval, reminding him to catch up with her. Natasha’s sudden words startled him. “Hey there. I’m Miss Peterson. Nice meeting you. You must be Sophie’s neighbour, who’s looking after Mia this weekend.”
He could’ve kissed her then and there. Yes, no doubt about it. Eyeing her hand that she held towards him, he finally took it. “Nice meeting you, too, Miss Peterson.”
“My apologies, but I think I’m needed over at the… well, somewhere.”
And with that she left him standing.
One kiss. One small kiss to taste those lips. That was all could think of.
Chapter Four
“Are you all right?”
Mia turned to look at Zach. They were on their way to the shopping centre for some decent bed sheets. Yes, her legs still worked enough to walk around the shops. Tiredness had spread through her body since she’d hopped into the car, but she didn’t think it had been that obvious.
“Yeah, I’m alright. Why?”
“Really?” Zach asked. “Because you don’t seem like yourself.”
“Of course I’m myself. Who else would I be?”
Zach scratched the back of his head. “What’s on your mind, pumpkin?”
No idea where to start! So many things. Life was out of control. Actually no, it wasn’t. Her head was going into a slight overdrive. Sophie was having a baby. The house was getting too small, but Sophie wouldn’t even consider moving. Mia probably had to share a room with her niece. How was that for having something on your mind? Oh, right. And the cute guy from school.
“I told Josh he could come over this afternoon.” There. She said it. The other issue was on her mind, too, but at the very front sat Josh.
“What?”
“You asked.”
“For Pete’s sake, Mia. Did I agree to that?”
Mia sighed. “No, you were more interested in your coffee, and then in Mrs. Peterson.
“Miss,” he said.
“What?”
She was sure she saw a little grin on his face, but had no idea what that was about.
“Never mind,” he replied.
Mia slouched back into the seat and looked out the car window. He was going the back way again, and she had no idea where they were. She didn’t remember much of her life in Sydney, but certainly knew that getting around Hobart was a lot trickier, especially with Sophie, who got lost constantly. It was a real mystery to her, because Hobart wasn’t big or difficult in infrastructure, but she did it every time they had to go somewhere new. Mia could bet on it. She tried to read the street names to get a hint of an idea of their whereabouts, but to no avail.
“You said you’d think about it,” she said quietly without looking at Zach.
“Mi, that was before I had my coffee. Now I’m in charge of my faculties, and I say no way.” She didn’t have to turn, she knew he was looking at her. “Sophie would kill me.”
“Now what?”
“Now what, what?”
Biting her lip she held back the tears. “Please?”
There was a moment of silence and Mia knew better than to break it. He was thinking. Considering. Not a good thing to interrupt a man while he was thinking.
By the time they arrived at the shopping centre, neither of them had spoken a word. Apparently it took him a bit longer to think and consider. Yet again, the slamming of the car door made her wonder whether he wasn’t thinking, but just plain annoyed. Then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to her. She winced at the thought of having to call Josh and cancel.
“Okay. Let’s have him over. Put it on the list of secrets we have. No way, and I mean no way, is Soph to hear about that. Is that clear?”
Mia nodded, too scared her answer would come out in a big screech of joy.
“Clear?”
“Crystal clear.” She tried to sound as serious as possible. But she couldn’t help herself and stormed towards him for a big hug. “Thanks!”
“You owe me!”
“Add it to the tab.” She giggled.
****
Finding bed sheets for a teenager turned out harder than expected. Zach was close to a breakdown. Bed sheets, secrets with a teenager, boys coming over - he felt he was losing control of his life!
“What about these ones?”
Mia glared at him as to say Really? And he placed the sheets back into the shelf.
“For heaven’s sake, Mi, simple red, blue, white or black? I get it, no pink.”
“Boooring,” was all she said.
An hour later, and a few more bucks than he had planned on, they were back in the car on their way home.
“Okay, tell me again about your what’s-his-name.”
“For the hundredth time, it’s Josh.”
Zach felt a smile cross his face, as he listened to Mia. This friend of hers, Josh, must have been one ripper of a guy. Short of Superman, he assumed.
He grinned as he heard her saying, “So don’t do or say anything embarrassing.”
Shaking his head, he replied nonchalantly, “Thanks for making me feel about thirty years older.” He turned into the driveway, stopped, turned off the engine and then just sat there, both hands clenching the steering wheel. “You two will stay in the lounge room where I can see you.”
“Whaaat?”
But before Zach was able to answer, a man coming towards them from across the road caught his attention. Zach watched him. The man didn’t seem lost, but neither did he look like he was from around the neighbourhood. Zach couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about this man told him that he was from the main continent.
“D’you know him?” Mia asked suddenly.
Zach shook his head then got out of the car. He heard the slamming of the passenger door. A moment later Mia stood right beside him.
“Excuse me, sir,” the man said. “I’m looking for Sophie Levesque. Would you happen to know—”
Zach held Mia’s arm and gently moved her slightly behind him. “G’day, sir. Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor are the residents of the house across the house
.”
The strange man, now standing in front of them, nodded. “That’s right. She married Mark a few years back.”
Was there a hint of a smile on his face?
“Oh, I’m Darren Schuster. I’m–”
Zach felt like a hammer hit the back of his head. He didn’t give the guy a chance to complete the sentence. “They’ll be back on Monday. Why don’t you come back then?”
Darren Schuster grabbed Zach by the arm when he tried to turn and walk towards the house. Oh, Zach knew this man, all right, and he wasn’t happy seeing him. Zach had become part of Sophie and Mia’s life, and not only part of their life, he was heavily involved, more than just the babysitter. He stared at Darren’s hand on his arm and then glared at him, hoping that he would take the hint and let go.
“Pumpkin, how about you get inside already and put these sheets on.”
Mia looked at him, but when he nodded towards the house and raised his eyebrows to emphasise the request, she did as asked.
Darren slowly removed his hand. “Your daughter?”
Zach glowered at him. “What do you want?”
Darren seemed to be taken aback, and it took him a while to respond. “I told you, I was hoping to see Sophie Levesque or O’Connor as she is now called.”
“What for?”
There was a moment of silence, and Zach noticed that Darren studied him without batting an eyelid. But Zach held his ground and wasn’t intimidated.
“I don’t believe this is any of your business,” he finally responded, in a calm but serious tone.
Slowly raising an eyebrow, Zach stood still, equally taking in the man in front of him. He was older than he’d expected. Different from how Clara had described him. Or perhaps he was as she had described him, but with his own resentment towards Darren, Zach’s mental picture had turned out different. The Darren Schuster in front of him was about his height, the hair mostly grey, but still full. His green eyes were exactly as Clara had said, even in shape. The guy looked quite attractive for his, at a good guess, mid-fifties.
“Look, I know you’re Mia’s biological dad. But if you’re here to cause problems, you’d better prepare yourself for a big fight.”
