“That was down to Toddand Samantha. I can only claim credit for the building reno.”Patrick strode forwards and opened the bi-fold doors to thedeck.
She turned in thedirection of the kitchen and stopped dead. Chloe’s eyes met Todd’sacross the room. His heart thudded. Wasthat surprise in her eyes? Apprehension?Wariness?
“Hi Todd.”
“Hi Chloe, welcomehome.” His voice sounded croaky, even to him. He cleared histhroat.
“This was your doing?How did you know what I wanted in here?” Chloe ran her hand overthe back of the cushions on the couch as she moved towards him, hereyes never leaving his.
“I found yoursketchpad. You left it behind at the apartment. You’d clippedbrochures and pieces of fabric in there so I had a pretty goodidea. Samantha was the expert at deciphering your notes. Shedeserves the credit.”
Chloe finally unlocked her gaze.She strolled around the couch, trailing her fingertips overeverything, plumping up and testing the textures of the throwcushions and examining the new furniture, the flowers on the marblebench, until at last she stood beside Todd in the kitchen. Sheleaned in and quickly kissed his cheek. Pleasure ran through him inripples from the unexpected contact. His heart stuttered in hischest. Being so near and not taking her in his arms caused himphysical pain.
“Thank you so much. Idon’t know what else to say. I’ll pay you for the furniture, ofcourse.”
“That’s not necessary.It’s a gift. As long as you’re happy with what we’ve done. Samanthacan arrange to change or return anything you don’tlike.”
“From what I see, it’sall wonderful. It’s what I wanted. But it’s too much, Todd. I can’taccept such a lavish gift.”
It was on the tip of his tongueto say that a few months ago she was happy to accept his gifts.“Can we just leave it for now and talk about this later when youhave recovered from your jet lag? How about a coffee and asandwich? We could sit out on the new deck.”
Chloe glanced over to the deck,where Patrick and Samantha were talking. Her attention diverted tothe wall in the family room. “Oh my God, is that the John Hardingwe saw at the art gallery opening?”
Hurrying over toadmire the artwork, Chloe appeared excited, reminding Todd of thecarefree girl he once knew. She peered at the signature. “Itis a John Harding. It wassold that night. How did you get it?”
“This painting issimilar to the one you liked. I contacted the artist and he showedme what he had for sale.”
“Samantha, look. It’sbeautiful isn’t it? The pastel colours are so perfect for thisroom.” Chloe gaped at the painting, and sighed.
“I didn’t know Toddhad bought the painting, so it’s news to me too. Yes, it isstunning. But I am not familiar with his work.”
“John Hardingis a Melbourne artist. He specialises in graphite and carbon powderdrawings, but does beautiful work in oils, I have a couple of hissketches I purchased on a trip home, but nothing this dramatic. Ihave been following his work for years.” Chloe turned to Todd, herface alive with excitement. “Now this is really too much Todd. Thismust have cost a fortune. His work is not cheap.”
“We’ll talk about itlater, okay. Think about the painting as an early birthday gift ifthat makes you feel better.”
“It’s even tooextravagant for a birthday gift … and my birthday isn’t formonths.”
“I want you to havethe painting, Chloe. You obviously love it. Now … about that coffeeand something to eat? I for one am starving.” Todd popped a crackertopped with crème fraiche and smoked salmon in hismouth.
“I will have a coffee,Thanks … and … I feel light-headed. I think I had better eatsomething and sit down soon before I fall down.”
Todd returned to the coffeemachine, and watched her out of the corner of his eye as he madecoffee for four. Chloe opened drawers and cupboards, working herway around the space until she finally stood beside himagain.
“I must admit I wasnervous when I saw your car outside.” Chloe fidgeted with the cups.“I wasn’t sure about seeing you today. I’m sorry. After all thetrouble you have gone to, that sounds ungrateful.” She reached outand touched his cheek with her fingertips. Her hand trembledslightly. “You look like you’ve lost a bit of weight.”
“I’ve been hitting thegym pretty hard. Keeping busy, you know.”
Their eyes locked. Neither moved.For a few precious seconds Todd held his breath. The coffee machinebeeped. Breaking the spell.
Determined to keep his cool, Toddbusied himself loading the tray with the fragrant coffee andsandwiches. Then he headed out to join Patrick and Samantha whowere embroiled in a heated discussion about turf versus fake grass.Chloe followed with napkins and a jug of water. Words hung unsaidin the air between them.
Todd noticed Chloe was stillwearing his gold tennis bracelet. A little sliver of hope found itsway into his heart.
Chloe could hardly keep her eyesopen as she trudged up the stairs to her bedroom. Someone hadkindly brought up her suitcase and handbag, and placed them on thelong stool at the bottom of her bed. She located the keys in herhandbag and opened the case, pulling out a few special items tohang in her wardrobe. The rest could wait. Sleep beckoned. She saton the bed, going over the last couple of hours, picking it apartand examining her reactions.
Todd had kissed her cheek as heleft. She recalled the warm tingling sensation, and she placed herpalm over the spot. Her reflection in the cheval mirror across theroom looked wistful. Did she want more? Would she have welcomed akiss on the lips today, the first time she had seen him in nearlytwo months? Their last conversations had been full of accusations,angry tones and hurtful words. But the facts could not be denied.She had missed him. She marvelled at all he had done for her.Patrick had divulged Todd had been a slave driver, pushing the mento get the work finished in time. Todd had looked a littleembarrassed.
The kitchen and familyroom renovation had been completed, and her house was slowly butsurely turning into a beautiful and relaxing place. She envisagednights on the back deck, cosy dinners, and
