She plucked it from theenvelope.
Please acceptmy apologies for yesterday, Miss Armstrong. It was obviously toosoon to offer my services. Perhaps this gift will help to keep thedoor open for discussions in the future.
MyRegards,
ToddBaker.
She tucked the paperunder her arm, picked up the heavy box, and carried it into thekitchen to open on the table.
Truffle followed in herfootsteps, his tail high and his walk jaunty inanticipation.
Wrapped in pink tissuepaper, a large Eiffel Tower doorstop nestled in the box. Sherecognised the sticky label on the tissue, advertising a popularshop in Port Melbourne, which stocked quirky but expensive homewares.
“You have tobe kidding me.” She stood the gift on the table and stepped back,her arms folded over her chest. “And an Eiffel Tower no less. I bethe’s hoping I’ll look at this each day and get homesick for Paris.This guy does not give up, does he Truffle?”
She had toadmit she liked the gift. It might prove useful to prop open thefront door, especially if she needed to carry the ladder inside.She gathered the necessary materials together in order to strip thewallpaper from the study walls. Working her way methodically aroundthe room, steaming and scraping, she continued until a large bucketof sodden wallpaper scraps sat in the middle of the floor.Satisfied with her progress, she stepped down from the smallstepladder to take a break. Her leg ached a little, but she couldgenerally push through the discomfort. The more time she spent inthis house, pouring love into every aspect of the renovation andbringing it back to its former glory, the more she felt as if shehad come home.
The doorbell chimed. Shehad no doubt who she would find on her porch.
She picked up her caneand walked slowly down the hall. “Hello, Mr Baker.”
“Call me Todd,please. I see you are already using my gift. Do you like it? Doesthat mean I am forgiven? Can we can start again?”
Without waiting for ananswer, he held out his hand to shake hers.
“Todd Baker.But please, call me Todd. I am very pleased to meet you, MissArmstrong. May I call you Chloe?” She offered no response, but heforged ahead.
“I met your father last year when I moved into the area. I owna business in Port Melbourne, BakerReal Estate. Youmay have noticed our window display next to the post office? Iwould like to offer my services when, or if, you decide to sellyour property.” He stood perfectly still, handoutstretched.
Ignoring his hand, shescanned his face. He appeared a little unsure and somewhatapologetic. He looked hopeful, patiently waiting for her hand—andher answer. The blue sky above, the squawk of seagulls swooping onthe beach behind him and the sound of the waves in the backgroundmade an impression. How could she stay mad at him, or anyone, onsuch a beautiful day? She shook his hand, albeit a littlereluctantly.
“Okay MrBaker. Let’s start again. Hello Todd, niceto meet you. I guess if I’m calling you Todd, you may call meChloe. Yes, I have seen your office in passing. No, I am not in themarket to sell my house, but if I do I will surely give you a call.Okay. Oh, and yes, thank you, I do like your gift, and as you cansee it has already proven useful.” She let go of hishand.
“I must admitI am pleased to see you have accepted my olive branch. We got offto a bad start yesterday. I couldn’t leave it at that, now we areboth living and working in the same Port Melbourneneighbourhood.”
Todd smiledat her and, for an instant, she forgot how infuriating he appearedyesterday. She ran an appraising look over him. He was tall, maybesix four, with an athletic build. He certainly filled out his suitin all the right places. And yes, she was looking in all the rightplaces. Clean-shaven, he had a strong jaw, with a small scar on hischin. Perhaps a sporting or childhood accident, she couldn’t tell.His twinkling blue eyes and the tiny laughter lines gave theimpression he smiled a lot, another positive attribute. She admireda man with an up-to-date haircut. It showed he took care ofdetails. A hint of a tan and a smattering of dark chest hair peekedfrom his open-necked shirt. She loved a man with soft kissablelips, and when he smiled, his perfect white teeth dazzled her. Inthe open air, she caught a whiff of expensive cologne. The kindthat made her toes curl. Mmm you aregorgeous. A pityyou know it. She couldn’t help herself.She smiled back.
Without asecond thought, words fell out of her mouth. “I was just about tomake a coffee, would you like one … Todd?”
He looked pleasantlysurprised as he followed her through the house and into thekitchen. She waved him towards a chair.
She loaded thecoffee machine and leant back against the counter to wait for themiracle of the espresso. “How do you like your coffee?”
“Strong andblack. Thanks.” He sat, raised his amazing eyes andgrinned.
“Yes, youstrike me as a guy who likes his coffee strong and black. Says alot about a man. You’re used to getting what you want. You don’tlike failure, do you?”
“Failure isnot in my vocabulary. I like to win.” His eyes flashed achallenge.
“I bet youdo.” She loaded up a tray with the coffee mugs and a plate ofshortbread.
He raised an eyebrowquestioningly at the sight of the sweet treat.
She grinnedat his reaction. “My guilty little secret. My mother got me startedon Scottish shortbread, and now I make my own. What’s your guiltylittle secret?” She blushed, embarrassed. Where the hell did that come from?
He winked at her. “That’sclassified information.”
The cheekysmile he gave her left her in no doubt that he wasn’t going toshare that valuable information with a stranger.No problem, buddy.
“Let’s takethis outside and get away from the paint fumes. Shall we?” She ledthe way towards the laundry, and out through the backdoor.
The rear garden caughtthe morning
