The Shooting Star, page 12
Which only set them off again for a few more minutes.
Eventually, they were on their way, and Connor surprised her by saying, “Do you want to continue the tooting game?”
“No,” she groaned, “I can’t even remember what we got up to.”
Connor smiled broadly. “We got up to fifteen, if that helps.”
Liz continued to mock-groan. “I’ll never be the same person when I hear a car horn toot.”
Connor chuckled beside her. “That day was a bit crazy, wasn’t it? You know what? I’ve never laughed this hard in ages.”
This sobered Liz quickly. “Don’t you have much time for fun? Or is it all work, work, work?” She understood that. There were never enough hours in the day in her reality. Working to pay the bills, taking care of her grandmother, studying the one subject she allowed herself in the hope that one day she might finally graduate—if she wasn’t middle-aged by then.
Connor tapped the steering wheel with this thumb, and it took him longer than she expected to respond.
“There is a lot of work involved, and meeting you has tempted me to change my ways.”
“Oh, don’t change anything based on my experience. I’m the last person you want advice from. Ask my cousin, Sally. She’s always on my case about getting out and living more. If only it was that straightforward.”
Connor reached across and squeezed her hand. “Ask Sally, hey? I might just do that.”
The thumping in Liz’s chest wound itself up. Did this mean extending this thing between them after Falerna?
“So, tell me, is Liz short for something?” Connor parked the car in the same place as last time and turned in the seat to face her.
“Elizabeth.” Her head was still jumbled up from what he’d said earlier. “You don’t get a choice in Oz. Your name is either shortened or changed about two seconds after you’re born. For years it was Lizzy, but now that I’m all grown up, it’s Liz.”
“All grown up, hey?” Connor mused as he opened his door and got out.
Ah, yup, all grown up and with big people’s feelings. Liz opened her door with a shaking hand and imagined all sorts of things happening that night. Already Sally was cheering in the background while Roberta was fist pumping in celebration.
Liz had to do everything in her power to stop her knees from wobbling. With despair, she stepped out. How was she supposed to get past the next awkward stage? Kissing, hugging, that was easy. It was the next step where she faltered every single time.
Liz looked up. Connor was watching her with a wicked grin. Could he read her mind? An embarrassing flush raced across her neck. She gave him a lopsided smile and caught the first cushion Connor threw her way.
With both cushions tucked under her arms, she carried the same picnic blanket while Connor carried the food esky.
“Where does all this stuff come from?”
“It’s Zia Maria’s. I think she likes me.”
I think I like you too. Liz chewed her bottom lip while she spread out the blanket. A rush of earthy smells reached her nose, and she inhaled it slowly, hoping to steady her crazy beating heart.
“So, if I was born in Australia, would I be called Con?”
Huh? “Oh, the shortened name? Nah.”
The fierce sun shone directly across from them. Visually, it was only a couple of metres away from touching the horizon.
“I’ll get your backpack from the car. We’ll need our sunglasses.”
With her thongs flicked off the side, she sat cross-legged, nestled a cushion on her lap and pictured the photos she would capture on her phone, which was also in the bag. She needed to get some decent shots. It would hurt terribly if she left Falerna without a passable picture of this magnificent spectacle. She also wanted a photo of Connor. Good idea or bad, jewels or no jewels, she wanted some reminder of these magical two weeks.
Connor discarded his old-man sandals and flopped down beside her. She winced at how much his jeans cost and reached across and fingered the frayed edges while he squished his toes on the grass at the edge of the blanket.
This she could smile about.
“That’s better. I wasn’t sure if you’d ever forgive me for cutting up my mother’s Christmas present.”
“You did what?”
“You heard, Lizzy.”
Muscles tightened around her chest. It had been years since anyone had called her that. Even Sally and her grandparents had deferred to the grown-up version of her name without fuss.
She liked how it rolled off his tongue in his sexy-as-hell accent. But missed it at the same time. It reminded her of more carefree times. Before responsibilities had banked up, making her feel old before her time.
She didn’t mean for the moisture to build up, and she blinked rapidly, knowing full well that Connor was watching her like a hawk. It only took seconds, but he abandoned his position at the edge of the blanket and slipped in behind her, pulling her against his chest, his long legs cocooning her. “Did I say something wrong?”
“I’m sorry and no. Sometimes I miss the carefree Lizzy, that’s all.”
Connor’s mouth found many places to be, and her eyes flickered closed while she enjoyed the sensations. Gradually the pain around her chest dispersed. She would worry about Nan later. Daily messages from Sally confirmed she was doing okay. Dwelling on her grandmother while this hot guy was paying her all this attention was not the smartest thing to do.
When she opened her eyes, moaning softly, she spotted the sun. She sprang up, Connor’s arms dropping away reluctantly. “My phone, damn, I’m going to miss the good shots again, and I doubt you’ll come a third time.”
She dug around in her backpack for it and almost missed Connor’s words.
“I’d just about do anything for you.”
She spun around and locked gazes with his amazing misty green eyes. The eyes or the sun. Quick, make a decision. He rested his arms on his raised knees and watched her. A splay of red rays stroked his profile, and she had trouble breathing normally. It made him look like Adonis, and she wasn’t so sure she deserved all this male beauty. Considerate, thoughtful, kind and a body like any Greek god to go with it. Was it too good to be true? Roberta didn’t hesitate to tell her often.
With a smirk, he said, “Get your shots, Liz.”
She dropped her gaze and concentrated on her phone settings. With shaking hands, she doubted the photos would work. Connor took out his phone and was taking shots too, and the sounds of other people broke through into her jumbled thoughts. The area was quite busy again; kids kicked around a football, others were already eating and laughter mingled. It was a happy place, and she’d look back at these photos with just that sentiment.
Once the sun broke past the horizon, she sat back down and, with steadying hands, continued to take shots. Within seconds, Connor was draped around her again. This was fast becoming her happy place, and she sank against his chest while his stubbled cheek rested against hers.
“Should we eat before it gets dark?” Her rumbling stomach wasn’t letting her forget.
“Not on your life and miss a single shot? I’m not coming back a third time.”
She turned to face him and didn’t miss the glint of amusement in his eyes. She reached across and kissed him. When she tried to pull back, he wouldn’t have it until he remembered the sinking sun and moved away in alarm.
“Sorry, get your shots in before it’s too late. Zia Maria loaned me a torch. We’ll eat after it sets.”
Liz took more photos, each one as spectacular as the last. Connor rose and went to the car, returning with the promised torch.
With the sun almost gone, cars were disappearing and the park was rapidly emptying. Not completely, though. Other couples and small family groups were still gathered on the lawn, some wearing fluorescent glow sticks around their heads, arms and ankles. Further along, a youngster ran in circles holding a sparkler aloft.
When she glanced behind, Connor had spread their banquet out. “What did Zia Maria provide us with today?” This woman was a superb cook. The last picnic was a party on her tastebuds.
“Something with melanzane was all she told me.”
“What’s that?”
“A traditional eggplant recipe.”
“Oh, yum. I want this woman in my life forever.”
Connor chuckled. “Did you get enough photos?”
Happy she’d satisfied her sunset fetish, she put her phone away and turned towards the food. “Sure have, Conno.”
“What was that?” Connor asked with a smirk.
“You asked what your name would be shortened to if you were an Aussie. You know, there’s Davo, Jacko, Robbo, Micko”—she shrugged, doing her best her hold her laughter in—“and now there’s Conno.”
Connor groaned as though in agony but reached across and pulled her into his arms. She fell awkwardly against him, laughing before Connor pushed the picnic to the side, shoved the cushions under their heads and wrapped her up in his arms. “I’ll take Conno any day. It might just grow on me.”
The melanzane dish was forgotten for quite some time as darkness encroached on their space and hid them from the rest of the world. Nothing could wipe the smile off Liz’s face, but when they eventually ate, the exotic meal left her groaning all over again. Delicious and to die for.
CHAPTER 18
“Okay, two shovels, one bucket, one tape measure, one compass, one native tree my aunt gladly offered from her backyard and a cup of coffee to go. Anything else we need?”
Liz tied her hair back in a ponytail and, in a weary voice, said, “I’ve got the food, drinks and enthusiasm covered.”
Roberta eyed her warily. “I bet you do. What time did you rock on home last night?”
On the kitchen table, Liz rested her head on her arms. The coffee machine whirred in the background, filling the sleepy spaces in her head like a comforter. She shrugged. “I don’t remember. We watched the sunset, we ate, we talked, we … ah … well, never mind, it was just very late before we drove back.” She lifted her face and massaged her eyes. “I’m going to regret letting a man interfere with what I came here for.”
“You’ll have to try harder to look like you regret anything,” Roberta joked.
The kitchen chair scraping forward had Liz wincing, her tired head absorbing the sound. Roberta sat across from her, alert and eager to dig up the infamous jewels.
“I’m making you a strong coffee.”
Liz retaliated with a moan. “I hate the stuff.”
“Too bad. You’ve got to do your share of digging. I need you wide awake.”
Roberta rose and busied herself in the kitchen while Liz reconciled with the fact that she’d only slept a couple of hours. Oh, but what a night. They’d lain wrapped up in the picnic blanket until the early hours of the morning. He had told her about his sister living in London and a little about his parents. She got the feeling there was more to talk about when it came to his parents. He also regaled tales of his grandfather and the things they used to do together, a subject he talked about for ages. As he spoke, she sensed a streak of sorrow and loneliness running rampant through him. Since the death of his grandfather and with his sister on the other side of the world, Liz wondered if anyone took care of him.
She’d wrapped her arms around him when he’d gone quiet, wishing she could be there when he needed someone. He might have more money than she did, but it didn’t appear to bring him happiness or that strong sense of family she’d grown up with.
Liz had told him things, too. About her desire to finish her degree and how every adversity in the world was holding her back from doing so. Her number one priority was her grandmother.
When they weren’t talking, they were kissing and touching in all the right places. Liz’s thin cotton dress was no barrier to Connor’s inquisitive hands, and in any other place, she might’ve flung it off to make his job easier. She undid his shirt buttons and, towards the end of the night, slowly unbuckled his belt to give him some space. Her stomach still fluttered that morning, recalling how he had laughed when she justified her actions.
Finally, they parted on the street outside, and Liz had raced up the narrow concrete stairs to get some much-needed sleep. She didn’t quite make it to open the door when Connor pursued her and ravished her all over again, leaving her breathless. Sleep was the last thing on her mind.
She sighed when Roberta placed the steaming cup of espresso coffee near her nose and demanded she drink.
The only thing they didn’t discuss was what would happen after Falerna. Jewels or no jewels, one large part of Liz would remain in this small village.
She sat up and rubbed her face vigorously before reaching for the coffee cup.
Taking a sip, she knocked back her chair and ran to the sink to spit it out. “Disgusting! How do you drink it every day?” She rinsed her mouth before reaching for a paper serviette to press against it. “High sugar soft drinks will have to do. I’ll grab a couple out of Fiorina’s fridge and replace them later today. Will that be okay?”
Roberta leant against the kitchen bench and chuckled. With her coffee finished, she turned and rinsed her cup. “She buys them for me, so have as many as you need. I don’t want you slackening off today.”
Liz shook her head but couldn’t stop the smile. “I can see why fate dragged you here to help me.” She reached into the fridge for the drink. Popping one, she took a long swig, then took a couple more before being satisfied the sugar was working.
As her face levelled, the coolness tickled her throat. Roberta twirled the rinsed coffee cup on her little finger. “Thanks for putting your holiday on hold for me.”
Roberta returned her habitual evil eye. “Only until Marco gets back.”
Liz smiled. This was the Roberta she was getting to know. “Still, I want to thank you. Not only am I trespassing on Fiorina’s hospitality, but I’m also depending on you to help me find these damn jewels. You know the language, and your aunt is a wealth of information. By the way, where does Fiorina go every morning?”
Laughing, Roberta pushed herself off the kitchen bench and placed the cup on the table. “She helps an old couple most mornings. Does their cleaning and cooking, that sort of thing.”
But Liz wasn’t finished yet. “Look at you; this must be the first morning you’re wide awake and alert before lunch. You’ve made your own coffee for a change, and I believe you might be enjoying my company for once. When we dig up the jewels, I have every intention of sharing them with you.”
Roberta shook her head. “I think you’ll need every cent if what you’ve told me is true. You can put your grandmother into proper care when it gets too tough and have some me time. Now I don’t want to give too much away, but this has been my best trip to Falerna so far. I know I’m a spoilt brat and a real bitch sometimes, and for once, I don’t mind someone being honest about it. Having discovered Marco also helps a lot, but if we manage to find the jewels, what an amazing historical discovery.”
Liz stood staring at Roberta, sure her mouth was gaping. “Is this the same Roberta I met less than two weeks ago? Since when did you change? My God, you might actually be a very compassionate nurse when you finish your training. Either that or a history enthusiast?”
Roberta chuckled. “Hey, I didn’t say you had to be honest all the time.” She arched an eyebrow and tilted her face. “I like you. I’m still not sure about lover boy, but we might just be friends after this if you continue to rub your goodness onto me.”
Liz’s laughter rang around the small kitchen as she clipped the top of the food cooler on and followed Roberta outside. Still shaking her head, she marvelled at how the decision to come to Falerna had brought her into contact with two completely different people, certain they would profoundly change her life forever. Not to mention how finding the jewels could change things, too.
“Hold this end.” Liz passed the end of the tape measure to Roberta and ran it away from the wall of the building, exactly five feet facing west.
“There can only be one west, right?”
Liz laughed. “Last I heard.” She was very handy with a compass, having spent many years with Sally in the Girl Guides. She held the copy of her notes in one hand while scrutinising the diagram drawn from Uncle Ben’s letter. There was only one building in his drawing, but she wished he’d mentioned it was close to the old cemetery. A quick glance at the plaques and it was obvious to Liz they were older than seventy-five years. She bit her bottom lip, looking out past the cemetery. Damn. I would have felt certain we were at the right spot if he’d added that vital piece of information.
Frustrated at the uncertainty, she laid a twig on the spot before reeling in the tape measure. “I’ll mark an area about one square metre around the twig, and I suppose we start digging. The letter said at the two-foot mark, we should find rocks they placed around and over the jewels. A further two foot of digging should reveal the jewels.”
Roberta brought her arms up near her face with her fingers crossed. “Here goes. I hope we don’t need a permit for this. How about I do round one of digging?”
Liz didn’t argue, and wanted to be out of there with the jewels before any official person came looking.
Her lack of sleep was catching up with her and her legs collapsed underneath her as she landed on the soft grass. The early morning sun dappled her skin, and she shoved on a wide brimmed cotton hat she’d borrowed from Roberta. A couple of cars drove past on the road a hundred metres away, but no one else disturbed them.
Liz’s thoughts roamed back to the previous night with Connor; she was losing the battle. She needed to put a stop to her wayward heart because there was no foreseeable future after Falerna. But it was hard to push aside the brush of naked skin, the insatiable pleasure when his lips traced a path from her lips to her shoulder and the way he hardened and throbbed against her body.
She sighed at the same time as she whipped around to something in her periphery. A flash of movement, a blur of clothing. She shot up and ran to the side of the building but saw nothing. She jammed her hands under her armpits, the hair on her nape lifting. This is so weird. I did see someone. How could they disappear so fast?
