The sound of laughter brought her eyes to the window and she smiled. Patrick had attached a rope and car tire to a branch of the Jacaranda tree, and was watching Todd with a smile on his face as the boy swung back and forth.
A feeling of
deja vu
washed over her. She seemed to be staring into a mirage. Everything seemed so familiar, so dear to her. Any minute now Patrick would turn and ... Her senses swam as he unleashed a devastating smile in her direction.
‘Come and join us.’
Exactly what she’d known he’d say!
Still under the same spell of unreality she made her way from the house. Patrick’s eyes were intent on her face as she made her way towards him. He would hold out his hand to her.
She placed hers in its warmth, felt it lifted to his lips, experienced a kiss as light as a butterfly alighting on her knuckles.
* * * *
Some recognition passed between them as their eyes caught and held, an almost intimate knowledge that was nothing to do with today.
Patrick’s eyes registered surprise, then the spell Ellie was under shattered as doubt darkened them. The mirage hardened into the substance of a bright day. She couldn’t even remember walking here from the kitchen. One thing was certain. Whatever she had felt,
he
had felt.
The guarded expression he’d worn in the kitchen gradually reasserted itself as he stared at her. Then he shrugged and said a trifle reluctantly. ‘I guess I should get started on the kitchen.’
‘Why don’t you take a day off,’ she suggested on impulse. ‘We’ve been stuck indoors for ages. ‘We could catch some yabbies, then have a picnic lunch.’ She smiled as Todd jumped off the swing and came running towards them. ‘It’s a lovely day. We could pan for gold up near the old mine - become instant millionaires.’
Todd leaned against her leg and quivered with excitement. ‘Please, Patch.’ The entreaty in his voice brought a grin to Patrick’s face. ‘Okay, I know when I’m licked. Let’s go and get ready.’
* * * *
Flat on her stomach Ellie gazed intently into the sun-dappled stream. ‘There,’ she said quietly as she spotted a movement amongst the reeds. ‘Lower the bait in now, Todd.’
The bait consisted of a length of string with a piece of bacon rind attached. It jiggled with the strain of Todd’s excitement as he carefully lowered it through the clear shallow water to the sandy bed. ‘Like this?’
‘Shush,’ she murmured as a pair of black claws emerged from the shadows of the roots. ‘Remember Todd. When he takes the bait, slide your other hand in the water and lift him from behind.’
The yabbie emerged cautiously, its long antenna testing the surroundings for danger. Then one claw scissored on to the bacon.
‘Now,’ she whispered.
Todd’s small hand slid carefully into the water and Ellie closed her eyes.
Please
let him catch one this time, she prayed. He’s been trying so hard.
When Todd whooped with joy she knew her prayer had been answered. The noise sent a flock of finches twittering with alarm into the air. Opening her eyes Ellie hastily moved her head as Todd waved the small crayfish within an inch of her nose.
‘That’s the best yabbie we’ve caught so far. Put it in the bucket with the others then see if you can catch another. We should have enough then.’ Rolling into a sitting position she relaxed against the trunk of the red gum they were under. ‘Call me if you need any help.’
Todd wore an ear-to-ear grin as he dropped the yabbie in the bucket and picked up the baited string. Ellie observed him from under her lashes whilst he fished, marveling at the strong resemblance he bore to his father.
She’d broken her own rule by allowing herself to love Todd. The detachment she’d learned to apply to other people’s children simply hadn’t worked where Todd was concerned. Perhaps the chemistry between herself and Patrick had something to do with it. It would be double heartbreak in she couldn’t salvage something from the relationship.
She watched the string slide into the water.
That’s right, Todd, entice your prey out into the open, make him feel safe and confident, allow him to capture the bait then … Grab him when he’s vulnerable!
* * * *
Her cry of victory was almost as loud as Todd’s when, his face flushed with pride, he turned towards her, his prize held aloft. Scrambling to her feet, she ignored the yabbie’s threatening claw, picked Todd up in a hug and danced in a circle. ‘That one’s a beauty.’
Before the exuberant dance had finished a low chuckle reached her ears. Todd leapt from her arms and held the hapless yabbie out to Patrick.
‘I caught it all by myself.’
‘I saw you.’ The eyes that caught hers over Todd’s head contained a mixture of amusement and pride. Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. In one moment of unguarded intimacy Patrick had forgotten himself enough to let her share something precious with him. The day seemed to take on an extra sparkle as he followed it up with a smile.
‘The billy’s boiling if you want to cook your catch.’
Ellie’s smile slipped into her boots at the thought. She hadn’t counted on having to actually cook them. After giving the bucket of yabbies the once-over, she said with a definite lack of enthusiasm. ‘I don’t think I want to cook them.’
A kiss brushed against her cheek. ‘I’ll do it. You can unpack the picnic basket instead.’ Lifting Todd to his shoulders he picked up the bucket, then entwined the fingers of his free hand with hers. ‘Come on, green-eyes. We still have to strike gold before we can go home.’
The stream near the old mine was broad and shallow, its bed strewn with rocks and pebbles. Although vegetation had softened the scar in the hillside, the dark entrance of the mine was still visible. Rusted bits of iron in the surrounding bush left evidence of long undisturbed dreams of wealth.
‘It’s rumored that Ned Kelly’s gang shot one of the miners and robbed him of his gold.’
‘There are lots of rumors concerning the Kelly gang.’ Patrick grinned as he dragged her to her feet. ‘If I remember correctly, this mine never produced any significant amounts of gold. When the land’s developed the consortium intends to turn the mine into a tourist attraction.
His arm made a wide sweep of the stream. ‘Imagine the scene. Hundreds of people up to their knees in water who’ve paid for the privilege of panning for gold.’ His finger settled on the opposite bank. ‘Ye Old Colonial Coffee Shop will be over there, next to it a souvenir ship selling Ned Kelly originals. They’ll probably come up with a genuine reproduction of a Cobb and Co. coach to stand outside. Rumor will become reality and the mine will produce more money in the end than anyone ever dreamed of. Ned’s ghost will gnash its teeth with envy.’
‘Cynic,’ she murmured. ‘Think of the employment it will generate in the area.’
‘I
have
thought.’ He smiled as he handed her the frying pan. ‘Andrew’s been invited to submit plans for the project. If they’re approved I intend to lodge a tender. We work well together.’
‘And if they’re not approved?’
Patrick shrugged. ‘It will depend on another project I’m after. Money’s tight at the moment.’
Reminded that her father was responsible for Patrick’s circumstances, a cloud of guilt settled on Ellie’s shoulders. ‘We better go and find some gold before the rush starts. What we find we split.’
‘What’s half of nothing?’ he asked with a grin.
* * * *
‘Stop being a pessimist,’ she flung over he shoulder as she marched towards the water. ‘I feel lucky today.’
‘Did you bring your book of spells,’ he teased, catching up with her. ‘It might come in handy.’
‘Shut up, Patch Morgan! Go and look under a few rocks. I have it on good authority that’s where gold settles.’
‘I saw that film too,’ he murmured. ‘John Wayne, wasn’t it?’
‘Debbie Reynolds, I think.’ She laughed as he walked away. If Debbie could win her man then so could she. But first she was going to find him some gold. Turning over a small rock she lifted the pebbly sand into her pan and swirled the water gently around. She eased the floating sediment over the lip of the pan and examined each pebble one by one before discarding them.
The muddy black sediment she was left with didn’t look too promising. Turning the pan towards the sun she ran her finger through it and excitement rippled through her. The mud was laced with a few sparkling gold flecks.
It seemed an age before she finally managed to get rid of all the sediment, but there in the bottom of the pan remained half a dozen gold specks. She glanced at Patrick as she took an aspirin bottle from her pocket and suppressed the urge to shout. She’d wait until the bottle was full - surprise him.
Gold fever gripped her as she repeated the maneuver again, with the same result. Eureka! She moved on and tried again.
* * * *
‘Come out of there, Ellie. It’s time to go.’
She straightened up and gazed reluctantly at the bank, suddenly aware that she was cold and the shadows were lengthening. Her clothes were nearly soaked to the waist. She shivered. What had happened to the time?
Patrick hefted Todd on to his shoulders. ‘I’m not waiting any longer. Todd’s tired.’
‘Wait,’ she yelled as he started to walk away. ‘I’m coming.’
Scrambling from the water she threw the dirty pan into the bag of utensils and scurried after him. Water squelched from her shoes as she ran to keep up with his long stride. ‘Slow down a bit.’
‘It’s a long walk to the car. I don’t intend to get stuck in the bush in the dark.’ If anything his stride lengthened. ‘If you’d come when I first called you we wouldn’t have to walk so fast.’
‘I didn’t hear you call.’
‘You didn’t
want
to hear me.’ He sounded irritable. ‘Sometimes I think you’ve got rocks in your head.’
Safely behind him, Ellie poked out her tongue. ‘It’s a family trait. I apologize most humbly if it annoys you.’
‘Stop being sarcastic.’ He stopped so suddenly that she walked into the back of him.
‘What did you do that for?’ she panted as her remaining breath was squeezed from her body by the impact.
‘Todd is falling asleep on my shoulders. I’ll need both hands. Can you manage the other bag?’
‘Sure.’ She took it from him and hooked it over her shoulder as he transferred Todd to his arms. ‘I’m sorry I made us late. I lost track of time.’
* * * *
He grunted an acceptance of her apology as he took off again. The two bags she was toting seemed to get heavier and heavier as she stumbled after him. To make matters worse her wet clothes seemed intent of rubbing the skin from her the inside of her knees, and the bag straps indented her shoulders with soreness. It was dusk when they emerged from the bush on to the road. Ellie’s legs felt so weak she was ready to collapse.
Wearily she dropped her load to the road. ‘That bag weighed a ton. I’ll be listing sideways for the next month.’
Patrick grinned slightly as he opened the car door. ‘Get in. I’ll pass Todd in to you.’
Ellie forgot her sore knees as Todd snuggled against her. Mouth against his hair she breathed in his small boy scent and imprinted it on her memory. Yabbies – mud, and sweat. She unfolded his fingers, examined the dirt-caked creases. A wave of love swept over her and she breathed kisses into his hair as the Rover headed for home.
Todd woke up long enough to bath and down a bowl of soup, then fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Patrick eyed her soggy pants. ‘I’ll start of dinner if you want to get a shower. You must be uncomfortable.’
‘Thanks.’ Remembering the reason for her damp state she grinned to herself as she made her way to the bathroom. The amount of gold dust she’d collected was embarrassingly small, and would be minuscule if she divided it.
She presented it to Patrick after dinner, wrapped in cellophane and tied with a blue ribbon. She watched with bated breath as he unwrapped her offering. ‘It’s not enough to make you a millionaire, but it’s a start.’
He stared at the bottle with its half-teaspoon of gold dust without saying a word.
‘Don’t you like it?’ Of course he didn’t. Why would Patrick want a memento of the day they’d spent together? He didn’t have a sentimental bone in his body. She felt suddenly awkward.
‘You spent all afternoon in the freezing water collecting
this?’
She tried to keep the hurt from her voice. ‘I know it’s not much–’
‘It’s the most wonderful present anyone’s ever given me, you little fool.’ His hand covered hers. ‘I have something for you in the bag. Wait there.’
‘What is it?’ Her face dropped when he placed a large round stone on the table in front of her. ‘No wonder the bag was so heavy. I didn’t realize I was carrying a boulder!’
‘Don’t you like it?’ he mocked.
‘It’s different,’ she admitted, examining it. ‘It’s a nice shape. I’ll be able to use it as a door stop.’
Rising to his feet, Patrick grabbed up the boulder with one hand and pulled her to her feet with the other. ‘Come with me.’ She seemed to have no choice when he dragged her towards the laundry. What was he up to?’
She found out two minutes later when he took a hammer and chisel from the cupboard. He placed the stone on the floor, applied the chisel to the middle of the stone and glanced up at her, his expression serious. ‘If you have an incantation to stop this shattering into little pieces, say it now.’
‘Hocus-pocus,’ she offered lamely, wondering if Patrick had gone mad.
One swift blow from the hammer split the stone in half and she exclaimed with delighted surprise at what was revealed. Clustered in its heart was a nest of quartz crystal in multi-hued purple.
‘That’s exquisite. How did you know it was a quartz egg?’
‘By its weight.’ Picking up the two halves he presented them to her with a little bow. ‘For you, my lady.’
‘Thank you.’ She kissed him on the cheek, selected one half and left him with the rest. ‘The spoils were to be shared, remember?’
‘You gave me half your gold?’
‘Of course,’ she lied. ‘And
more
than half my yabbies. You only caught two.’
His grin was more relaxed than she’d ever seen it. The day out had done him good. ‘I deserved more. Who was too squeamish to cook them?’