Chapter 10
When Emily awoke on Tuesday morning, she vowed to do better. To stop thinking so much about Aaron sleeping in the next room. Instead, she’d focus on her work. She had a job to do, and that job was getting busier now that she and Joanna were putting together the book for her publisher. TheSunshine Potluck Society Cookbook had become an all-consuming, time-sucking project that she and Joanna couldn’t get enough of. It was intoxicating pulling together the photographs, the recipes, the stories and anecdotes. It was still a hot mess, but she could see the potential. And it excited her.
Joanna had even agreed to list her and all of the members of their monthly brunch group as authors. She would be a published author. As she lay on her back, staring at the ceiling above her bed, a little thrill ran down her spine. An author! She never imagined in her wildest dreams that would happen. It was only a partial credit. It wasn’t her book entirely, but her name would be on it. And she loved the idea.
She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and got up with a yawn. Sunlight streamed through the edge of the drapes in a slanted rectangle of light on the hardwood floor. She showered and dressed, then helped Joanna get ready for the day. Joanna didn’t need much assistance, but Emily liked to bring her a cup of coffee in bed and then make her bed and plump her pillows while Joanna showered.
Then she got to work cooking breakfast for all three of them. Aaron usually joined them to eat and then headed out to his newly acquired job in the city. He’d bought a new wardrobe, with Emily’s help. He’d asked her if she would mind going shopping with him, and she said she’d be happy to help. They’d spent the entire day at a nearby shopping centre on the mainland picking out dress shirts, slacks, belts and shoes.
He’d had a haircut as well, and she’d chosen from the book of photographs which one she liked best. He’d shown it to the hairdresser and came out looking even more dapper than ever. His hair was already short from his time in the military, but now it was sculpted in a fashionable style, and when dressed in his new business attire, he was strikingly handsome.
As she scrambled eggs and fried bacon for their breakfast, she couldn’t help remembering him dressed up in a suit for his year twelve formal. He’d worn a black suit with a bow tie. The only one in the entire year to sport a bow tie. He’d stood out from the crowd then, just as he did now. Only back then, he’d been the school’s bad boy. The resident rebellious teen. He often did things that made her wonder what he was thinking — like jumping off the bridge into the bay or joyriding in his uncle’s boat without his permission. She was the type of girl who always played by the rules, so his carefree attitude made her nervous. All the girls had a crush on him, but he seemed not to notice. He lived his life as though no one was watching, and she’d always admired and been envious of that.
Joanna emerged from her bedroom looking fresh and happy. She was smiling from ear to ear and carrying the folder they were using to store all of their photographs and recipes for the cookbook layout under one arm.
“It’s a beautiful day!” she said, setting the folder down on the dining table.
“Yes, it is. Not a cloud in the sky.”
“I’m excited to work on our cookbook,” Joanna replied as she opened the folder. “I suppose we should wait until after breakfast, although I hate to put it off.”
“Yes, let’s eat first, and then we can dive in. I’ve been thinking about the layout for the French theme. We should definitely use some of the pictures you took when you last visited Paris. Don’t you think?”
“I’d like to. And I want to share an anecdote about a pastry shop I visited while I was there. The croissants were divine.” Joanna closed the folder again, then came to the kitchen to help Emily carry the plates to the table.
Steam rose from the eggs and bacon. Butter melted in small pools on the edges of the toast.
She set the plates on the table, then returned to the kitchen to pour them each a coffee. It was hot and black. The milk and sugar were on the table for people to add as they preferred.
Aaron burst in through the front door. He wore a singlet top with a pair of athletic shorts. His body was bathed in sweat, and he was breathing hard.
“Oh, dear! You’re dripping sweat on the floor.” Joanna clapped her hands to her cheeks.
“Good morning,” he said with a grin. “Sorry, Gran.” His teeth were white against his tanned face. He had on a pair of reflective sunglasses which he pushed up on top of his head.
“Good morning,” Emily said, suddenly feeling shy. “I made eggs.”
“Perfect,” he replied. “I’ll have a quick shower and join you.” He jogged down the hallway.
Emily met Joanna’s gaze. Joanna was smiling with a knowing look. “He’s a nice boy.”
“Yes, he is,” Emily said, busying herself with setting the table with glasses of juice.
Joanna watched her a moment, then sat at the table. Emily joined her. They said grace and began to eat. It only took Aaron a few minutes to join them. Now he had wet hair and wore a sea-green T-shirt with the collar turned up.
“How far did you run today?” Emily asked.
“Five kilometres. I have to eat quickly and head to work. We’ve got a team meeting at nine thirty.”
“How’s work going?” Joanna asked.
Aaron gulped down a mouthful of juice. “It’s good so far. A lot to learn. It’s very different to the Army. A lot of meetings and chitchat. I’ll get used to it.”
“Is your boss nice?” Emily asked.
He met her gaze. His green eyes were dark and intense, and she had to look away. “He’s okay so far. He says things like ‘alrighty then,’ and ‘if you have to say it twice, it wasn’t worth saying once.’ But he’s fine. I’m learning a lot from him. It’s a good job. I just wish I could stay on the island. I love it here. It’s such a relief after all the deserts and tropical ovens I’ve been living in the past few years. There’s a breeze, the ocean is perfect, you can swim in it without worrying about crocs or jellyfish, and bonus, I get to live in a great house with two beautiful women.” He winked, and Emily felt herself blush against her will.
Joanna laughed. “Get away with you, boy. You’ve always been a charmer.”
He laughed too. “You know me, Gran. I can’t help myself. So, what are you two up to today?”
“We’re working on our cookbook,” Joanna replied.
He took a bite of eggs. “How’s it going?”
“It’s coming together,” Emily said. “We’re doing themed weeks, like we do with the brunch, so we have photos and stories to go along with each theme.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “Let me know if you need help testing out any of the recipes. I’m a good taster.”
After breakfast, Joanna and Emily set themselves up at the dining table. It was the only place big enough to spread out their cookbook-related papers and photographs, other than the floor. And Joanna wasn’t keen on working on the floor.
“At my age, it’s too hard to get up again,” she said.
Emily opened the folder and spread everything out. Then she pulled two chairs up to the table, one for her and one for Joanna. Joanna brought them each a cup of coffee, their second for the day. Emily was trying to cut back but couldn’t resist the homemade hazelnut creamer Joanna had made for them. It had just the right amount of sweetness to it but meant Emily drank far more coffee than she normally would.
“I’m going to have to buy decaf if you keep spoiling me with these creamers,” Emily said. “I’m becoming an addict.”
Joanna chuckled. “All part of my devious plan to keep you here, my dear.”
Emily laughed at that. Joanna often made comments that indicated she thought Emily might leave. She wasn’t sure why. Emily was perfectly content in her job. Perhaps it was because Joanna realised there wasn’t a lot of opportunity in the role. But Emily liked being close to her sister, Wanda, who lived five minutes away. The flexibility meant she could help whenever her sister needed it. And besides, she was considering going to university. She’d never made it there, and she’d always thought about it. Now, she’d built up a little nest egg of savings and could afford to take a few classes. Maybe she would find something she was passionate about. But in the meantime, she couldn’t imagine a better job than taking care of Joanna and helping her write cookbooks.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
“I noticed those brochures from the University of Queensland. Are you thinking of attending?” Joanna said as she moved photographs around the table with her fingertips.
Emily leaned back in her chair. “Maybe. Although I’m also looking at the University of the Sunshine Coast.”
“What would you study?” Joanna asked, her head cocked to one side as she looked for something. She reached for a photograph of the Eiffel Tower and slid it down the table with a look of satisfaction on her face.
“You know how much I love taking care of people,” Emily began. “I’m considering becoming a midwife. I love babies. Helping bring them into the world would be pretty amazing.”
“That would be lovely,” Joanna said. “When I had my babies, the midwives were so wonderful. They really made the experience one to cherish. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. And I can certainly imagine you in that role. You’d be perfect for it. Although I’d miss you here.”
“It’ll take me four years full-time. So, I don’t know if I should do it. It’s a lot to take on. I can’t imagine studying full-time on top of everything else. I can’t neglect you…”
“I’m sure you can manage it without neglecting me. We’ll be finished with this book soon, and then you’ll have a lot more time on your hands. I feel like I’m getting a little better every day, in large part because of your help. Leaving the house isn’t as daunting as it was even a few months ago. As much as I hate to admit it, I won’t need you so much in the future. And if you want to do something, you should at least get started. One step at a time. Don’t wait, my dear. Time passes whether you follow your dreams or not. You might as well reach for those dreams while it goes by.”
“That’s true,” Emily said. “Thanks, Joanna. I’ll definitely think about it. And I’m so glad you’re feeling better. That’s because you’re willing to take the plunge and try things.”
They spent all morning working on the layout for the cookbook and all afternoon refining recipes for the collection. By the time Joanna retreated to her room for her afternoon nap, Emily was exhausted and ready for a break herself. As soon as she’d finished cleaning up the kitchen, she carried a herbal tea out onto the back patio, with the latest thriller she was reading from the local library. She really wanted another coffee with hazelnut creamer but was doing her best to resist. So instead, she hurried back to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of freshly baked scones with whipped cream and homemade blueberry jam.
She sat with her legs tucked up beneath her, eating a scone and drinking her tea, while she read. Birds chirruped in the garden. The blue water in the pool sparkled beneath the afternoon sunlight. The sun, as it set, painted the world with a golden hue. Every now and then, Emily looked up from her book to take it all in. She should go for a walk, but she was feeling lazy. And she’d been on her feet for most of the day.
As she was reading, she heard the garage door slam shut. Aaron must be home. He kept his car in the three-car garage alongside Joanna’s and Emily’s. He’d bought it soon after he arrived on the island. It must be hard for him trying to establish a whole new life after years in the military. He must miss his friends. But he didn’t talk about it much.
A few minutes later, he found her on the porch. He knocked on the doorframe. “Do you want some company?”
She nodded, put her book down and patted the seat beside her. “That would be nice.”
He sat, leaned back and sighed.
“Long day?” she asked.
“It went quickly. I’m working on a new project for a utility. We’re developing software to map water usage.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“I think it will be,” he replied, rubbing his eyes. “But it’s a big learning curve for me.”
“I never thought you’d be into technology,” Emily said with a smile.
“What did you think I’d do?’
“I don’t know—something to do with field hockey, I guess. You were the field hockey star.”
He laughed. “I don’t know if ‘star’ is the right word. But I loved to play.”
“You were definitely the star,” she replied. “The whole school would go out to watch you win.”
“They watched the team,” he objected.
“I went to watch you,” she said, then bit down on her tongue, her cheeks flaming. Why did she say that?
“Did you?” He faced her, eyes twinkling.
“You knew I had a gigantic crush on you back then. Don’t pretend you didn’t know.”
He laughed. “I didn’t know.”
“Yes, you did. You stole my first kiss and then ghosted me. You knew.”
He frowned. “What do you mean, stole your first kiss?”
“My friends and I played a game. They were pressuring me because I was turning sixteen and had never been kissed. I didn’t want to do it, but they convinced me to play along. There was this kissing booth they set up at the autumn carnival down on the beach. They were charging two dollars a kiss for high schoolers. Don’t you remember? It wasn’t official or anything, and the adults would’ve freaked out if they knew. But they thought they were so smart. Of course, I wasn’t going to participate. I only pretended so they’d get off my back.”
“Oh, I vaguely recall that,” he said.
She sighed. “I’m glad I’m so memorable for you.”
“You’re very memorable.”
“Well, anyway, they all got kissed, and when it was my turn, I was going to pretend someone had kissed me and leave. They weren’t paying attention. They were all chattering away behind me. So, I put my lips up to the gap in the booth, where the fictional boy was supposed to be, and then you leapt out of nowhere and kissed me.”
He grinned. “You puckered up. What was I supposed to do?”
“I had no idea you were there.”
“I didn’t know it was your first kiss. And I didn’t ghost you,” he said.
“You never spoke to me about it. And you left after graduation. I didn’t hear from you again.”
“I wasn’t quite eighteen,” he said with a shrug. “I didn’t know how to talk to you. But I thought about you all the time.”
“You did?” She found that hard to believe. He’d been the cool kid, the boy all the girls wanted to date. She was the plain girl no one ever noticed.
“I made every excuse under the sun to come over to your house, to Tristan’s house, to see you.”
“You were there almost every day, but you never said a word to me.”
“I wanted to,” he said, meeting her gaze.
The look in his eyes made her breath catch her throat. She stood to her feet. “I should start on dinner.” And she hurried inside.