by Maggie Mundy
She was eating her lunch when a message came through from Brett.
Brett: Having a few issues with my family and may be late tonight.
Autumn: That’s okay. Let me know if I can help.
Brett: Thanks. Worst case, I’ll have to go home again. I have a bag packed in the car. Would much rather spend the night with you.
Autumn: The feeling is mutual. Keep me updated.
When she pulled up outside the cottage, Brett’s pickup was not there. But that would give her more time to get ready. Autumn unloaded the car and noticed a car revving across the street. The cottages were on a no-through road so they didn’t get much traffic. Dorothy would be out in a minute telling whoever it was to shut up. Autumn peered at the vehicle but couldn’t make out a face, and then they drove off. It was probably just some young idiot driver. After losing her foot, she knew there were a lot of them around.
An hour later, she had showered and the kiev was cooking. There was a nice bottle of wine chilling in the fridge, and the fire alarm had not gone off, so she had managed to wing it and make a half-decent meal. We all have our skills. Brett was good with wood and she helped make people better—she didn’t have to be a great cook.
She checked her phone and there were no messages. It was six-thirty and Brett had said he would be back by now. She sent him a text.
Autumn: Hey, gorgeous. The food is cooking. Hope to see you soon. You know how good I am at burning things. Hope everything is okay.
She checked her emails while waiting for an answer.
Ten minutes later and there was still nothing, so she called him. The call went to message bank.
“Hi, Brett. I was just wondering how you’re going? Give me a call when you are free.”
She fidgeted and paced back and forth in the small cottage. She’d gotten herself all ready for the big reveal and had a picture in her head of how it would go.
Now he was late, things felt different.
Her phone rang. It was Brett.
“Autumn. I’m so sorry. I’m on my way to Melbourne. I was going through an area with bad reception. I tried calling and sent texts. I thought you knew.”
Her heart sunk that little bit but his family was more important. Well, at least she would convince herself that was true. Darn it, but she wanted to be the most important person in his life. She realized she had never been that to anyone. Not even her parents. Now she was just being selfish.
“That’s fine, Brett. Do what you have to do. Let me know how it goes and when you will be back.”
“This is the last time. Things have come to a head, and my brother and I are going to sort it once and for all. I’ll explain when I get back. I just didn’t want to burden you with my family issues. Some bad stuff went down when we were kids.”
“That’s what friends are for. By the way, I wanted to let you know I bought some new lingerie. It can be a surprise for when you get back.” She couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“That gives me the motivation to get this done even faster.”
“Let me know when you get there safe.”
Then he was gone and she flopped down in the chair.
She would not cry. Stuff it.
Her eyes watered, though.
She loved this guy and needed to tell him. There was no way she was going to do it over the phone. Autumn wanted to see his reaction when she said those words. His eyes would tell her straight away if an ‘I like you a lot but’ was coming.
Autumn dragged herself off the chair and put out the meal. Without Brett to share it with, she didn’t have an appetite anymore. The wine and ice cream could wait until he got back. She had work to do on her research project, so she would get stuck into that.
She was setting out questions to ask patients about their asthma plans when the revving started outside again. If Dorothy didn’t call the police, she would. It was a pity Brett had taken Bluey with him. She would have used him to scare the idiots away. Bluey would have probably licked them to death though.
It occurred to her for the first time the street was a bit isolated. The cottages were set on the outside of town in a cul-de-sac with fields behind them. There was one streetlight but it didn’t cover the whole area. With Brett around, it hadn’t bothered her but this car constantly revving was unsettling.
Eventually, the car drove off and she went to bed. She would check on Dorothy in the morning to make sure she was okay.
Autumn came awake with a start. There had been a loud bang—or had she imagined it? She lay there for minute, waiting to see if there would be another one.
Nothing.
She reached for the clock on the bedside table. It was three in the morning. Maybe it was a tree branch. It had been dry and she had heard gum trees could drop big limbs like the one that had blocked their path months ago.
Autumn got out of bed and grabbed her crutches. She went to the back of the house and turned on the outside light. There was nothing obvious amiss but she would get a better look in the morning. After heading to the front of the house, she stopped when there was a thud against the door. She was shaking and her blood pounded in her ears.
What the hell?
Was someone trying to scare her?
Well, it was working.
Autumn moved to the front bay window to peek outside. There was no way in hell she was going out there. She couldn’t see anyone so, for now, she would go back to bed. If it happened again, she would call the police.
It took ages for her to get to sleep again but finally exhaustion overtook her.
In the morning, she had a good look at the back of the property and across into Brett’s house. A branch had come down in his garden from a gum tree. It wasn’t that big and still didn’t account for the noises that came from the front of the cottage. She would check the front garden and then pop over to see Dorothy before she went to work.
There were two big rocks by the front door and a mark on the wood where they had hit. What person got their kicks from throwing rocks at people’s houses? Autumn’s hands trembled as she picked up one of the rocks and went back inside. If she had been standing by the door, she would have been seriously injured by it. She grabbed her cell phone and tried to call Brett. Autumn wanted to let him know what was happening, but there was no answer.
Instead, she would Skype Simon. Luckily, he was there and answered. Seeing his face immediately reassured her.
“Hi, Simon. Thought I would catch up and see how you are going back in the US.” She didn’t want to dump the business with the rock straight on him.
“It’s busy, but good. The girls are a handful but I love them. I’m guessing this isn’t a random call. What’s wrong? Brett hasn’t broken your heart, has he? We swapped numbers, so I can call him and let him know he’s an idiot.”
“No, he’s fine. He just had to pop home and see family. I wanted to let you know Jonathan turned up and said you told him where I lived. I didn’t believe him, of course.”
“You know I’d never do that. What a prick. Are you okay?”
“I know you wouldn’t, but I think he may have followed you from Sydney. I’m fine, and hopefully, he took the hint.” She took a deep breath before she went on. “I didn’t get much sleep last night though, as I had some fool driving like mad up the street and throwing rocks.
“If they do it again, call the cops.”
“I will. It was probably kids being silly.” She took a big breath wanting to change the subject. “I’ve been thinking of telling Brett I care about him.”
“Autumn. That sounds dangerously close to you using the L-word.”
“I know. I never thought I would again. If it all goes horribly wrong then I will turn up on your doorstep.”
“You know you will always be welcome.”
“I’ll call you on the weekend and let you know how it goes.”
“Take care and be positive. I’m sure the guy adores you.”
“I hope so. Bye.”
Chatt
ing with Simon had lifted her spirits and she was no longer shaking. She would go and see Dorothy and make sure the car driver had not done the same there.
Dorothy answered the door and she followed her inside.
“What a pest that person was last night, revving up their car. I was about to call the police when it stopped,” Dorothy said.
“They threw rocks at my place.”
“Oh, you poor thing. It’s more than likely stupid young men with too much time on their hands. They get a thrill out of annoying people.”
“If it happens again, I’m calling the police,” Autumn said.
“I agree. I noticed Brett’s pickup isn’t there. Has he gone away?”
It wasn’t Autumn’s business to share things, but it seemed Dorothy knew some things about Brett’s past anyway. “He’s gone to Melbourne. Said there was a family situation.”
“It will be his mother. She’s had a sad life from the little I know. Been sick recently, but a lot of mental issues, too.”
Autumn would do what she could to help when he got back. He was going to talk to her about it anyway so it would not be snooping. If there was a physical problem, she could explain it to him and if it was a psychiatric issue, she could look into what counseling facilities were near his mother. He might tell her to mind her own business, though. She would respect that if it was the case. “Well, I need to get off to work now. Let me know if you want anything or if those car hoons come back again.”
The morning flew by with appointments and she hadn’t had time to check her phone. When she did, there was a message from Brett.
Brett: Got to Melbourne safe. Seen my brother and we are sorting out where Mum can live. Will call you tonight and let you know how it’s going. Miss you.
Autumn missed him too. She would tell him tonight about the rocks and the branch. There was no point in worrying him when he had enough on his plate with his family. She sent a message.
Autumn: Crazy busy at work but should be home by six. Look forward to it. Miss you too.
The afternoon went as fast as the morning and she was exhausted by the time she arrived home. Her broken sleep from the night before didn’t help. She would have tea, chat to Brett, and hit the sack. Then she had a naughty idea. Just because they were away from each other did not mean they couldn’t still have some fun. Maybe they could have phone sex. She had never done it before but being in Australia was all about trying new things.
Two hours later, he still hadn’t called. He had to be busy and she didn’t want to bother him. At least there were no more rocks on the front doorstep or crazy driving on the street. She watched a documentary on television but then her eyes were closing. She would even be too tired for phone sex at this rate. She popped her phone on charge beside the bed.
Autumn was just about to change into her pajamas when a loud bang made her jump. She made her way to the bedroom window. What the hell was going on? More noises came from the back of the house as if someone was throwing the garden furniture around. Had she locked the door? She couldn’t remember.
Autumn rushed to the back of the house but the door swung in before she could get there. It hit her forearm and she lost her balance and fell on the floor with a thud. Her hand went into spasm as a jolt went up her good leg.
Autumn shook her head to try and focus. She could see the shape of a man standing in the doorway. It was dark outside and he hadn’t entered the light enough for her to make out his features.
“Hello, Autumn. I’ve missed you.”
She’d know that voice anywhere. It had been over a year since she had taken out the restraining order, but she still had nightmares about him. How did he find her here? She needed her phone and to call the police but it was beside her bed. Kevin could be erratic at the best of times but had not physically hurt her in the past, even if he had smashed up the apartment. She would play on that until she managed to call the cops.
“Why are you here, Kevin?” She grabbed the side of the sofa to pull herself up. He rushed in to help her. At his touch, she couldn’t help it but her whole body stiffened. Autumn had witnessed his strange sense of caring for her before, from the accident, through to him stalking her. She sat on the couch as the dizziness wore off. Kevin went back and slammed the door then came over to tower above her.
Kevin was a large man, at least six foot, and well-built. Even when he was pleasant, his size was intimidating. His hair was cropped close to his head and he wore glasses and a permanent smirk on his face. You could be fooled at first into thinking his expression was a smile but it held contempt. Contempt for anyone who got in the way of what he wanted. She had first seen that look when he peered at his mother.
He glanced about the cottage. “You deserve better, Autumn. I don’t understand why you would come to the other side of the world for this. I offered you such a lovely home.”
“What do you want?”
“Now, don’t be like that. I’ve come such a long way to see you.” Kevin moved over to the sideboard, opened the bottle of brandy, and poured two drinks.
Autumn pretended to sip it when he handed it to her. She needed her wits about her to get out of here and alcohol would not help her.
“I’ve come to take you back with me. I booked a little place for us to stay in case it took a while to convince you. I sent you pictures of the place but you never replied. I knew then something was wrong and I needed to find you.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“I don’t think you quite understand, I’m not giving you any choice. It has to be done and once we spend some time together, you will understand how much you need me.”
“I think you should leave before I call the police.” Autumn placed the drink down. She needed to get to her bedroom and call triple zero. She stood and made a run for it but he was faster than her and tackled her to the floor. Autumn thrashed out with her fists and tried to push him off, but his weight had her pinned down.
Autumn turned to the side and noticed the old iron doorstop. She hefted it and brought it against the side of Kevin’s head. Blood trickled from the wound on his temple. He was conscious although dazed. Autumn pushed again and this time she managed to roll out from beneath him. She ran to the bedroom and grabbed her phone. She was just about to dial the emergency number as Kevin ran into the room. Autumn ducked and headed for the door but this time his fist connected with the side of her skull.
Autumn was on the floor, but she didn’t remember falling. Then Kevin leaned over her. Everything was hazy, as if she were looking through a fog. She shook her head but that caused the pain to get worse as it speared down her neck. Kevin was laughing. She tried to move but her body was no longer cooperating with her. Autumn had to get up and away somehow.
His hand slapped her across her cheek and the world went black.
Chapter Sixteen
Every time Brett had gone home over the years, it would end up in arguments. He always felt as if he was the bad son because he hadn’t stayed. The truth was, he would have made everyone’s life hell if he had. He held grievances with good cause.
Mum was sick but they had fallen out years ago. He had so much anger in him from being dragged from house to house while she stayed with men who treated her badly, let alone what had happened to him and his brother. When he had been old enough, he had beaten one of the men up. Violence didn’t fix violence but he had felt better at the time. He’d known he needed to leave when Mum chose the man over him. Brett couldn’t stay and watch her get hurt.
Now Mum was sick again. Her kidneys were shutting down and she was on dialysis while they waited for a donor, but at least the doctors said they were happy at the moment that she was stable. Both he and his brother, Paul, had stayed at the hospital all day thinking she wouldn’t make it, but she’d pulled through. He wanted to pop outside the hospital and talk to Autumn more than anything. Just to hear her voice.
It was nine and he should have called earlier but hadn’t been able to get aw
ay. She didn’t answer so he left a message.
“Sorry I couldn’t call earlier. Will tell you all about it later. Give me a call back when you can.”
As their mother was doing well, he went back to his brother’s house.
Paul gave him a beer as they sat on the back deck. “I think we both see what we need to do. Mum doesn’t want to live on her own and I don’t have the room here. Plus, Jenny would kill me. Two kids and a toddler are as much as we can cope with.”
“I’m not coming back.” He’d had to say it before the suggestion was made.
“I know, and I wouldn’t expect you to. You and Mum in a house together would only end in bloodshed.” His brother laughed—it was sad but true.
Brett was willing to throw money at the problem. Not because it was the easy way out but because it was needed. It would take him longer than he thought to do up his cottage, but Mum would be okay and he could stay away. “So, tell me about this retirement village?”
“It’s not far from us and has about forty units. They are mostly two-bed, one-bath, with not much garden. Mum had a look before she got sick and loved one of them. I have put an offer in on it. It’s also close to the hospital where she will go for treatment.”
“I’m in. Just tell me what you want.” He took a deep breath and added, “She had a rough time and we all make mistakes. She deserves some peace and quiet.”
Paul shook his head. “You deserved more. It was tough on us both but worse for you.”
“It was never your fault, Paul. It is what it is.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re different. You were always hard before and angry. I felt you came home because you had to, not because you wanted to.”
Shit, his brother was getting all deep and meaningful. Brett didn’t show stuff but now he could see that pretending things were not happening was not helping anyone. He had the ability to help and it would be wrong to do otherwise. Also, he could imagine telling Autumn, and her giving him what-for for doing nothing. “I’ve met someone who has shown me there is more to life than living day to day.”
