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‘Yeah, all right, that sounds boring, I agree, but these are fossilised rocks which means there might be old things inside them. To explain it simply.’ She shrugged.
‘Hence the additional light?’
‘Yep.’ Awkward silence. ‘Actually, you’ve lived in Bellethorpe your entire life, haven’t you?’
‘Yep.’ Was she mistaken that his back straightened?
‘Do you need to head off?’
He paused, searched the yard for the kids who were still tearing around with too much energy. Now they were engaged in a game of tag with Daisy who was feeling better after the birth of the puppies.
‘Want a drink? Glass of wine? I assume you’ve finished for the day?’ It was a normal offer but the moment Ava asked him, she rebuked herself. Noah was too quickly penetrating her defences and getting under her skin. She needed to keep her wits about her. Better the devil you know she figured.
Too late, he said yes.
While Noah washed his hands, Ava poured their glasses and prepared a cheese platter. Placing it on the table, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Not for times gone past, but for the normalcy of the act. She hadn’t done this for ages.
‘Cheers,’ she offered. ‘For your hard work so far.’ Despite everything else, she remained focused on getting the house finished.
Noah gave her an update on the day’s progress. Things were moving slowly.
‘Did you want to buy this place for any special reason or only because you liked it?’
‘I wanted it to be my family home. I loved the location, the size, the land. It’s perfect for raising a tribe of children and animals, horses, etcetera.’ As if realising what he’d said, he blushed.
‘Okay, so you aren’t related to the previous owners or anything?’
‘No. I didn’t know the owner. Wasn’t it some distant relative that didn’t live here? They’d not even visited as far as I’m aware.’
‘Yep, apparently. You know Peter from Café Antiquities?’
Noah nodded and slathered a cracker with goat’s cheese.
‘I was there yesterday and he told me about the history of the town and the house. This house was part of the returned soldier’s program.’
Noah filled her in on what he knew about the scheme and it was pretty much what she’d already learned. Ava informed him of what Peter had divulged. ‘I didn’t know about the son. He lived here, of course, when I was growing up. But no one ever saw him or talked about him either, from memory.’
‘So sad…’
The kids raced up the stairs. ‘We’re hungry!’
Noah cuddled Emily to his side, an embrace like he’d really missed her.
‘Lucky, I have snacks then.’ Ava offered them chips.
‘Mum, can Emily stay for dinner?’
‘Yes, please, Dad, please!’ the girl begged.
Ava and Noah looked at each other. ‘That’s fine.’ She said but her stomach twisted. ‘I was making mac and cheese. I get pretty lazy cooking for two, but if you’re staying, we might barbeque some steaks and have salad.’
Either a storm was brewing or the air around them became electric. Noah gazed at her with such tenderness, her insides went from twisting to flipping about. Her body betrayed her with its excitement, damnit. But it also made her apprehensive … she was supposed to be keeping her distance, right?
‘Thank you. I hope we aren’t intruding.’
‘Not at all.’ Emily and Ish were jumping up and down. ‘Daddy, come and play with us. Can you be it?’
‘That’s a great idea. Why don’t you play with them while I make a start and I’ll yell when I need some help?’
