“I’m happy to go with whatever you decide.”
Max was such a bachelor. A typical working man who was happy to leave the house side of things to his partner. She was surprised there were men who still thought like that these days, though he was that bit older than her.
“No, we decide this together or I won’t spend a cent.” She glared at him, enforcing her point of view.
“You’re not going to budge on this one, are you?”
“No. This is your money.”
“And I’m giving it to you… to make the house yours.”
“I want the house to beours.”
There was a glint in his eyes, as if he finally got what she was trying to tell him. He might not want to think about things which were house-related, but he had to if they were going to make it theirs.
“Okay.”
“Okay what?”
He smiled at her. His eyes sparkling with a new look on life. “I’ll help you work out what needs to be changed in the house, and this will beourhome, forourbaby.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “Thank you.”
Max leaned over and kissed her, his lips sweet on hers, and she felt herself getting lost with him as they connected on a deeper level.
This was a very big step forward, and she was so glad he was by her side, and they were taking it together.
Monday 9thDecember
Zoe slipped into one of the new dresses bought last week. It was a blue stretch material, firm over her growing bust line, low cut, and short full skirt. Barely nine o’clock in the morning and the day was already feeling hot. Due to the constant reminder from Max, she’d been taking the last few days easy. She didn’t want to faint again and end up in the hospital. Now, she was bored, and it was time to do something other than sitting around the house all day. They’d made some progress with their list of changes to the home, and she needed a break from that activity.
Max was out on the farm, checking the water again. This time she decided not to go with him. In an attempt to get to know his family better, she’d rung Kate, who had the day off of work at the local agricultural store and she had agreed to come and take her into Burra for brunch.
Zoe had to admit, she was looking forward to the outing. Ready, well ahead of time, she decided to wander outside instead of waiting indoors.
The warm breeze was a delight on her bare legs as she stepped outside, the screen door banging shut behind her. She looked out, considering what she wanted to do. The eggs were already collected for the morning, and the hens were clucking around the yard, scratching at the dirt and pecking at insects.
The clothesline was to her right in the house yard, also the water tanks, and the land then extended out into paddocks where the cattle roamed. There was nothing to explore in that direction. To her left was the ghost gum tree standing stoic in the heat. She rubbed her belly, spying the sheds. They called to her. For a moment, she decided to put on boots, but then not wanting to bother, she walked out in her brown sandals.
I’ll make some noise that will scare away any snakes.
Thumping her feet on the ground, and stirring up small dust clouds, she wandered down to the sheds. She went into the closest one first, pulling hard on the creaky door to force the rusted hinges to move.
“Ahchoo.” Zoe sneezed from the dust in the air.
Sunlight filtered into the dark space of the shed, dust particles dancing in the rays as she walked in further. A huge, thick wooden work table sat in the middle of the shed, old tools scattered on top which were covered in decades of dust. On the far wall, there was a narrow workbench, full of more tools, and up to the roof there was box shelving with even more tools inside.
To the right, she noticed a pile of wood. Curious she walked closer. It wasn’t just one type of wood, there were planks from a variety of trees, cut and dry, but somehow she knew they weren’t for firewood. The wood seemed more precious.
She glanced back at the tools and picked one up. She’d worked enough with her dad in his shed over the years to know this was a plane. It was old, dusty, and needed a good clean, but it still could be used. An idea seeded in her mind. There were chisels on the table, in good condition, at least they would be after a serious clean and some oil.
Zoe turned around looking at the shed with fresh insight. This had been someone’s workspace for wood carving. She wondered who. Max’s grandpa? Father? She was curious. She wanted to find out more. The idea grew in her mind.
She had enjoyed helping her dad with the jobs around the house and had a basic idea of how to use tools. These were old and not powered with electricity, which appealed to her even more.
Zoe was going to have to do some more research, see if this was something she could do. Based on the way her skin prickled, and how much happier she simply felt at this potential idea, she was sure it would work out. For one, she didn’t have to spend any money, there were plenty of tools to use, and there was even a substantial supply of wood. All that was needed to be done was to clean up the years of dust and cobwebs and do some research online.
I think I’ve just found my hobby.But would Max let her use these tools. Let alone do something like wood carving.
