“That would be afirst. You’ve wanted that property for a very long time, and she’ssurely not going to build another house on the block … or isshe?”
“I honestly don’t knowwhat her plans are … yet.” Todd voice diminished as hemoved further from the door.
“For God’s sake,what’s the hold-up? It was a terrible thing to have happened, butyou couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. The house isn’tretrievable. You want the land. The investors want a return ontheir money, and they are pushing now. It makes sense to buy it,take it off her hands, and build the damned apartments. You couldoffer her a share if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“No, that’s not what Iam worried about.”
“I get that you loveher, but you have to move on this. When this job is finished Icould make a start and clear the site for development. “
“She needs a bit moretime before I ask her.”
“Anyone would thinkyou felt guilty or something. Tell me you didn’t arrange to haveher old boyfriend bumped off, and torch the place to hide theevidence?”
“Very funny, Patrick.”Todd turned from the window and froze. Chloe stood in the doorwaylooking deathly pale.
“Yes, tellme you didn’t arrange totorch the place to hide the evidence?” Chloe demanded.
“Don’t be ridiculous.He was being funny.” Todd took a step towards Chloe, but she heldup a hand to stop him.
“Yet no one’slaughing. You’ve wanted my house from the start, haven’t you? Isthat what you planned to do? Knock it down to build apartments?There must be a lot of money for a beachfront apartment. How couldI have been so stupid? All along you have tried to get this pieceof land, and I thought you wanted to sell my house. Not destroy it.Not knock it down to make more money. It’s all about money for you,isn’t it? I loved that house and all it stood for. Now it’s gone.My treasured pieces are gone, my hard work is gone.” She turned toPatrick. “But it doesn’t matter, does it. Let’s just scrape awayall that rubble and build a huge apartment block and sell to thehighest bidder.” Chloe’s words trailed off as a sob caught in herthroat.
“You can’t honestlybelieve I had anything to do with that fire. Or Paul’sdeath.”
Chloe’s lips trembled. Fear andanger sizzled in the air between them. “I don’t wantto.”
“You don’t know me atall do you? Everything I have done, everything, has been for you. Irenovated the Port Melbourne house for you. Because I knew that was what youwanted. After the fire, I offered my apartment as a home for you.It’s no secret that I’d hoped one day it would be your apartmenttoo. Hell I even bought this house I know you love, foryou.
Chloe straighened, chin raised.“Was this house supposed to be my consolation prize for acquiringmy block of land?”
You could have heard a pindrop.
“You know what. I’m through. It’sall just too hard. If for one moment you believe I would put thatland before our relationship, you’re not the woman I thought youwere. Keep the land. It appears you need it more than me. I am doneand dusted.” Todd marched past Chloe.
“Where are yougoing?”
“I have business inSydney. I was going tomorrow, but under the circumstances I thinkit’s best if I leave tonight. I’ll find another piece of land tokeep the investors happy, Patrick. Make sure you lock up and setthe alarm.” Todd threw a set of keys to Patrick from thedoorway.
“I want to talk toyou.” Chloe blocked his exit.
“I’m through talking,Chloe. I’ll be in Sydney for a week. It’s up to you if you want tostay in the apartment.
“He lied to me. All this timehe’s been lying to me.” Chloe’s tears overflowed and she angrilyswiped them away.
“He hasn’t been lyingto you. That crack I made. It was supposed to be a joke. I wasyanking his chain. You surely must know that Todd would never doanything like that.” Patrick approached and laid his hands on hershoulders. “He loves you, and as he does with everyone he loves, hehas been protecting you.”
“If he loves me, whydidn’t he tell me about the investors? Be up-front about what hewas going to do.”
“Would you haveallowed him to buy it if you had known?” He looked into her eyes.“No, I didn’t think so.”
He led her over to two upturnedplastic milk crates in the corner and eased her down. He sat besideher and took her hand.
“I have no doubt hewas waiting for the right opportunity to ask you to buy your land.He would’ve told you about the development. He was probably justletting you get used to the fact that your house was gone. That’swhat he does. He looks after the ones he loves. He has been doingthat ever since our parents died. He took on the role of head ofthe family, and he feels responsible for me and Audrey … and you …for all of us. Even his extended family of Samantha and Malcolm.”Patrick tucked a finger under her chin and made her look athim.
“I went a bit off therails when our folks died, and I tried to quit uni. All I wanted todo was surf and bum around all day. Todd created the renovationside of his business for me, so I could get my act together. He satme down and gave me a few home truths. It was tough going to beginwith, but you know what, it made a man of me. I am proud of whatBaker Renovations has accomplished over the years. And when Audreydecided she wanted to study medicine in Switzerland, he got themoney somehow, and arranged a family to look out for her since hecouldn’t be there. He was doing the very same thing for you, Chloe.He could have had anyone style this house. He has friends in thebusiness, well-known designer friends. He created this job for youbecause he has faith in your ability, just like he had faith inmine. He’s a shrewd businessman. He would’ve known your talentcould be used to enhance Baker Renovations.”
