Nate stopped sanding, the used sheet of sandpaper dropping to the ground. He ran his hand over the smooth section he’d just worked all his angst on, feeling much better for it. Relief washed over him, pleased he had the opportunity to explain Crystal’s presence today. “And that’s that. The full Crystal story. I don’t want to think about her anymore today.”
“Hmm … that’s also some story, Nate. Sorry it ended the way it did for you. She meant something to you once.”
“Yeah, well, sorry I didn’t have time to explain it to you today.”
Roberta ran a finger along the smooth-sanded base of the hull. “How about you tell me a little about this old beauty?”
Nate chuckled wryly. “My great-grandfather crafted it by hand as a birthday gift for the girl he wanted to marry.”
“Did he end up marrying her?”
“He sure did.”
“He’s the man who died tragically, isn’t he?”
“Yeah.”
“What are your plans for it?”
“I want to bring it back to bare timber so I can reseal it with a two-pack epoxy. Give it a new lease of life. It’s been gathering dust in the boatshed forever. I thought it was time to clean it up and bring it out.”
“Maybe for the woman you want to marry one day?” Roberta quirked a brow and chuckled, causing a jolt to shimmy inside his chest. Nate tried to smile, but it might’ve looked like a grimace combined with a groan. He wasn’t rushing into anything after Crystal’s reappearance. “I’m a long way from anything, so I probably won’t wait that long.”
Roberta continued to smooth her hand along the hull, hypnotising him with her elegant piano-playing fingers.
“She’s very beautiful.” Her fingers halted for a moment.
“The boat?”
“Yes. No. Actually, I meant Crystal.”
When Roberta looked up, he latched onto her gaze. There was a stirring in his shorts. It only required one step to be close enough to touch her. He cradled her cheek, gently massaging her chin with his thumb. “Don’t be fooled by it.”
“It’s hard not to.”
Frowning, Nate dropped his hand. “Let’s go. It’s getting late, and we both have work tomorrow.”
Nate went about shutting the small windows facing the lake, ignoring what he thought might have been disappointment on her face. She was leaving soon, wasn’t she? That had been made clear in the many arguments they’d had.
He needed a cold shower to help him calm down. He’d vented too much to Roberta. Revealed too much. There was a good chance he would regret it the next day. Yet, he felt better for it. Unburdened, laying the truth on the table.
“How do you manage any boat building in this tiny space?” Roberta waited at the front door. With the windows shut, he quickly tidied some tools, placing them back on the designated hooks and stacking them on shelves.
“You’d be surprised. Nowadays, the boats are built offsite and transported here, but Grandad would tell me stories of how a bunch of his mates would all crowd in here, drinking a few beers, building the latest.”
“There’s just so much in here. Almost like a mini museum.”
“That’s what happens when you’ve been in one place forever. One day, I might take the time to sort it all out. Who knows what I’ll find.” With enough tidy up done, before he switched the light off, he asked, “Have you got the torch handy?”
Roberta fished it from her pocket and switched it on, providing enough light to close the old shed door and secure the padlock. Their hands met, and he laced his fingers with hers. More to ensure she didn’t trip on the uneven gravel path, but it also felt like the right thing to do. Her presence eased the anxiety hovering over him since Crystal’s arrival.
When she gripped his hand, it made him bolder. Less than ten metres away from the shed, he stopped, pulling her to a halt too. “I’m going to take a quick dip and rid myself of all the dust; otherwise, I’ll spread it throughout the cottage. I’m sure my hair is coated in it too. You can do the same if you want.”
“Er … that’s a no from me. It’ll be freezing.”
He laughed out loud, stripped down to his boxers, and left his soiled clothes and worn joggers in a pile on the path. “Chicken.”
She laughed back. “Happy to be a chicken all by myself here. Just don’t be too long. I’m seeing dark and murky from here.”
Like a weight had been removed from his shoulders, Nate continued to laugh, stepping into the shallow edge before diving deep and disappearing underwater. Yes, the water was a tad chilly on his skin, but boy, did he need it. It was hard to ignore Roberta, all gorgeous and sexy, wearing Snoopy with all the grace of a catwalk model. So hard to ignore those womanly curves!
He emerged from the deep and sucked in some air before turning back to the shore again. He hadn’t expected Roberta to be standing in the ankle-deep water. When had she stepped in? Heck, it was too tempting. He dived under again, aiming directly for her legs, emerging where she stood, bringing enough water with him to drench her completely.
The sound of her shriek cut through the still night. “Nate, what the?”
“Come on, it’s beautiful once you get in.” He tugged gently on her hand. When she didn’t resist, her high-pitched melodic laughter filled the night only seconds before she dived under the water with him, completely clothed with Snoopy.
When they emerged, Nate grabbed her hand. “Float on your back.” They gently eddied with the soft current of the lake, holding hands, shoulders tapping occasionally.
“Oh, this is so relaxing. Wake me up if I fall asleep.”
“I know, right?” Nate said before adding, “And I will.”
“Have you ever done this before, with … er … Crystal?”
His hold on her fingers tightened. “No! Can you picture it? She was never a spontaneous woman.”
Roberta giggled. “Look at all the fun she missed out on.” She rolled off her back, paddling upright as she shivered beside him. “This really is cold. I need to get out.”
Nate didn’t hesitate. Still on his back, he used his powerful kicks to get them quicker to the edge. Once out of the lake, and not a towel in sight to dry off with, he grabbed his pile of dusty clothes and joggers while Roberta picked up the torch and slipped her feet into her shoes. “How fast can you get back? You use the shower first.”
“I’m running, Nate. Geez, you’re as crazy as me, and I’ve done some foolish things in my time.”
Laughing and slippery on his bare feet, they burst into the cottage, and Nate shut the door behind them. “Off you go.”
She did, and for one second, he would’ve liked to join her. See where it led. But Crystal still lingered annoyingly in his mind. He’d have to rid the images of her presence first before he considered anyone else. But Roberta was fun. She made him laugh—a lot—when she wasn’t infuriating him. He needed that therapy right now.
* * *
When Nate emerged from his shower, toasty warm again, he found Roberta wearing what looked like a worn and comfortable tracksuit, her knees raised on the couch. She cradled a mug, its distinct aroma floating in the air when he sat down beside her. She pointed to another on the coffee table. “I made you a hot Milo, too.”
“Thanks. That’ll go down nicely.”
Nate tucked himself in the opposite corner, eyeing Roberta as they quietly drank. It was getting close to ten pm, and the strain of the day was wearing him down. No doubt Roberta was feeling the same way. He should let her go to bed, but the compulsion to remain awake all night and be this close to her wouldn’t go away.
Roberta’s eyes were fixed straight ahead, but she stole glances his way every couple of sips. She was probably zoned out from exhaustion. It’d been that kind of day. It was a comfortable silence though. Neither rushed to finish their drinks.
When he finished, he put the mug on the floor, allowing that compulsion to raise its sorry head. He opened his arms in invitation, and Roberta didn’t hesitate. She placed her mug on the table and shimmied over to his side. He wrapped them around her and tightened them comfortably, her scent reminding him again of wildflowers.
“I should let you get some sleep.”
“I know. I’m dead on my feet. A late-night dip certainly has a way of tampering with your body’s core heat. I’m only beginning to warm up now.”
Nate slid down a little, tucking her beneath his chin and partially lying down. He pulled on the rug that lived on the couch and covered them both. “I’ll try and help some more.”
She giggled, snuggling in closer. “You, Nate, are doing nothing of the sort. But thanks anyway. If I fall asleep here, I’m sorry.”
“There are worse things.”
Nate could easily close his eyes and dream big on the wildflower scent filling his nostrils. But he wanted to be the responsible one for a little longer. “Have you phoned your mother yet?”
“Wow!” She tried to sit up, but he held on tight. “Way to spoil the moment.”
“Shoosh. You know exactly what I mean. You’ve found the box, revealed what’s inside and learnt all about it. It doesn’t take a genius to understand you’ve fulfilled your mission of coming to Lake Barrine. You never intended to stay for long, did you?”
This time, when she tried to sit up, Nate didn’t stop her. “Natasha is going to kill me, isn’t she?”
“Tash likes you a lot. As she says, you’re a breath of fresh air. Was your mother’s request the only reason you applied for the job?”
Roberta nodded, and stupid sentimental hope crashed to his feet.
“I haven’t phoned her yet. I’m waiting for Bob to ring her first. If he has, then I should expect a call from her first thing in the morning.”
“What are you going to tell her?”
“Mission accomplished. I’m coming home. You better tell me the full story when I get there. That sort of thing.”
“You didn’t want to come up in the first place, did you?”
Roberta twisted her fingers in her lap. “Nope. Couldn’t believe the far-out story she told me. Didn’t for one minute believe I’d find the box.”
“But clever Roberta did. You’re not one to give up easily, are you?”
She chuckled. “I had to fight this environmental warrior to get there, though.”
Nate welcomed her back to her earlier position and held her tight against his chest, loving how she warmed that part of him.
“When were you going to leave?” Nate asked. The answer signalled an end to whatever was happening between them.
“I have six months before I have to return to work.”
“Six months! Then you can stay longer?”
“Oh, Nate.” She twisted around and looked up at him, her soft smile turning his bones to jelly. “You’re so tempting, even with your weird ways.”
Nate scowled. “Weird?”
“Yep. I’ve never met anyone like you before, but I kind of like it.”
Nate’s breath hitched in his throat, waiting for her next move.
“But can we like not rush this between us? Because tonight I’m exhausted, and I don’t want to do anything I might regret in the morning.”
“Yup, straight out tell me exactly how it is. That’s the Roberta I’m getting to know.”
This put a delicious smile on her face, and she snuggled up a little more.
“I’m in the same boat, okay?” Nate dragged his fingers down her spine. “I’m still having nightmares over today. If you’re going to invade my head space, I don’t want to share it with anyone else.”
“So, we’re on the same page?” she asked.
“Totally,” Nate agreed. “As long as I can do this any time.” He tilted her face up, manoeuvred his body into a better position and placed his mouth on hers. Slow. Sensuous. Delicious Milo-tasting kissing. No tongues and no hands. Just in sync, relaxing, eyes shut, body tuned out.
Nate couldn’t recall when they might’ve fallen asleep. It was one of those nights when he’d woken a few times, grimaced at the cricks all over his body and then closed his eyes again. It was the worst place to sleep, but somehow, they did.
In the early hours of the morning, he came fully awake with a numb arm reminding him that his bed was a necessity. With a sleeping Roberta in his arms, he stood and took her to her bed. After tucking her in and taking his fill of her for a moment, he retired to his bed, where he must’ve slept like the dead until his alarm jolted him awake.