Page 57 of The Story of Us
How lonely I’ll be.
No. Eloise shook her head. Took a few deep breaths and forced herself to focus on the positives: a desk at the AATI. Working with like-minded people who were passionate about art therapy. She wouldn’t be establishing a program on her own, like she planned to do at KPs, but learning from one of the best in the world. All that knowledge and experience would allow her to create something even better here—if she still had her job. Reality crashed back over her like a sobering wave.
Her hand hovered over her phone. She needed to call Lulu and request an urgent meeting. If KPs couldn’t give her the time off, then she’d have to reassess. It was easy to tell herself that she’d have to decline the exchange, but deep down, Eloise knew she was letting her fears win. If she’d learnt anything from what Nate had shared with her the other day, it was that there was a huge difference between accepting her limitations and being afraid to try.
Whatever happened, this was a big deal, and it needed to be celebrated.
And she knew exactly who she wanted to share her news with first. Someone who would understand exactly why she was equally excited and totally terrified.
“You need anything else?” Teddy asked as he wiped down the bar.
Eloise pushed her half-drunk lemon, lime and bitters away. “Two deluxe burgers to go, please.”
* * *
The house wasquiet when Eloise got home. Which was good considering how quickly her cheeks flamed when she realised she’d thought of Nate’s house as her home.
Where was Echo? The dog normally met her at the door, tail thumping against the wall as she tilted her head up, begging for chin scratches. A quick walkthrough confirmed Eloise was alone, but Nate’s car was parked out front. Leaving the takeaway on the bench, she headed outside. She followed a rhythmic pounding noise to the woodshed behind the veggie patch.
His back was to her, the flannel of his shirt sticking to his skin, highlighting just how strong he was. His muscles contracted and flared out as he swung the axe, splitting the log in front of him like it was nothing. Nate tossed the wood onto the large pile and lined up the next bit. There was so much power in his movements. Out here, he was every inch the mountain man everyone assumed he was. Eloise licked at her dry lips. Told herself she’d just watch for a little bit longer so she didn’t spook him, risk him hurting himself. Safety first and all that.
After splitting more timber, Nate wedged the axe in the tree trunk he’d been using as a base and lifted his shirt to wipe his face. His hair was wet with sweat, the curl at the ends even more pronounced. He started to turn, face still covered by his flannel shirt, and Eloise promptly forgot every thought she’d ever had. His trackpants hung dangerously low, highlighting the strong lines that cut across his hips and the dusting of dark hair that started on his abdomen and drifted lower. She licked her lips again.
Sweet mercy.
“Hey,” Nate said like he hadn’t just caught her ogling him. “I didn’t realise you were back already.”
Eloise cleared her throat, gesturing vaguely towards the house. Words. Come on, she could do it. “I brought dinner.”
“Great. I’m starving. I’ll tidy up and meet you inside.”
Eloise moved forward before she even realised what was happening. “I’ll help.”
They worked together quietly, arranging the timber into neat stacks inside the shed where it could dry out properly.
“I like your wood …”
A smirk flashed across Nate’s face, disappearing when she groaned.
“… shed. I like your woodshed, Nate. God.”
“I’m sorry.” His lips twitched, undermining his words. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Teddy today.”
Eloise waved his apology away, bending to pick up a largish bit of wood near her foot. But it was heavier than she expected and it slipped from her grasp. The rough edge bit into her hand and she cried out. Little drops of blood blossomed across her palm.
Nate was beside her in an instant. “Can I see?”
Eloise blinked back tears and let Nate guide her over to the doorway of the woodshed where the last bit of afternoon light was preparing to say goodbye to the day.
Don’t say it. Don’t say it.
“You’ve got some splinters.”
Shit.
“Come on, let’s head back and I’ll get them out for you.”
Eloise shook her head and tried to breathe slowly. What was she going to do if she got hurt overseas? She wouldn’t know where to go. Who to call. What if she had to go to the hospital? Would travel insurance cover something like that? Who would be her emergency contact? Could she ask her mentor at the AATI? But what if they didn’t get along? Oh God, what if they didn’t get along? Or were out of town? Everyone else would have a life. Families and commitments. Things to do when they weren’t working. She wasn’t going to have any of that. For a whole year. This was only if she could find the money, too. What had she been thinking?
