Page 63 of Lime Tree Hill
Mitch smiled as he opened the curtains. Outside, mist shrouded the hills surrounding the orchard. He turned, searched for eye contact. “I won’t be home tonight, and CeCe’s leaving after breakfast, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”
“Of course. Poker night.”
“Yeah. And I’m coaching a high school rugby team now the season’s started.” He headed for the door, then turned back. “I’m making scrambled eggs. Want some?”
Tayla wondered how he could be so casual about breakfast after last night. Once he’d left, she’d stayed awake thinking of him. Fantasizing. And when she stirred around dawn, she’d wanted to reach out and kiss him again. Feel his hands on her face, his arms around her. Make sure he got the message. “Thanks. I’ll just jump in the shower first.”
CeCe poked her head around the bedroom door. “Morning, you two. Did I hear scrambled eggs mentioned? Any bacon?”
Mitch smiled at his sister. “You know processed meats are bad for you?”
“Surely bacon doesn’t count, does it?”
He looked at Tayla. “Bacon?”
“Just one rasher, thanks.”
“Scrambled eggs and bacon times two.” Mitch shook his head and chuckled as he left the room.
“And sourdough toast,” CeCe yelled down the hallway after him.
“How was your night?” Tayla asked as CeCe sat on the bed.
She dropped her shoulders and let out a heavy sigh. “Why does life have to be so complicated?”
“I ask myself that very same question almost daily.” Tayla hesitated. She didn’t want to pry, but if CeCe needed someone to talk to, she’d be happy to oblige. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Nah. I just want to crawl under a rock and hide, but I’ll have breakfast first. No point in rock crawling on an empty tummy.” She jumped off the bed. “See you in a bit.”
28
FROM SYDNEY WITH SORROW
For Tayla,Wednesday night had a stay-at-home kind of vibe. But every Wednesday since she’d lived at Lime Tree Hill, Mitch had left the house at three in the afternoon to head into town for the night. And just like previous weeks, when Tayla awoke the following day, his bedroom door was open and his bed as he’d left it the morning before—neatly made.
She stood on the balcony and stared out over the fruit-laden trees. As she squinted against the rising sun, movement in Norman’s cottage caught her eye when someone switched on the light in the kitchen. Shivering, she walked inside and locked the sliding door behind her.
Later, when she drove past Norman’s on her way to work, Tayla noticed a man on the veranda. Although she was too far away to make out his features, he seemed familiar. Maybe she’d introduce herself later. See if he needed anything.
As she turned onto the highway, she saw a woman pushing a baby stroller toward Norman’s gate.She stopped on the grass verge and waved. Tayla waved back. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, the woman hadn’t moved and didn’t until Tayla reached the bend. Prickles caught the back of her neck, and as sheheaded south, she wondered why the sight of the woman with the baby affected her in that way.
When she arrived home from work, Mitch was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He turned from the stove and smiled, as he usually did when she entered a room.
Since he’d proposed his sex without sentiment idea, the air between them had changed—to an awkward, elephant-in-the-room type of air. Would he make another move, or had he changed his mind?
“I saw someone in Norman’s cottage this morning,” she said as she placed a small box on the counter.
“Yes. A couple from Sydney. They booked while you were in Auckland. Whats in the box?”
Sydney?“Oh, I bought you some brownie, from Fig Leaf.”
He smiled. “Thanks.”
“Have you met them, the couple I mean?”
“Briefly. They seem pleasant enough.” Mitch turned back to the pan and added more stock. “Hayden and Anna. Can’t remember their baby’s name.”
Tayla stiffened, inhaled. Her words coasted on a breath as she fought to calm her racing heart. “How long’s dinner?”
