Absent Shadows: Destiny Part 10

'What do you mean, all taken care of? You're not going to pay my phone bills. I mean, thank you for getting it for me, but I'll certainly pay the usage charges.'

'It's all taken care of-seriously. You won't have to do a thing, except have fun with it, and remember to use it if you need it.'

'But ...' I started, but he interrupted me.

'Shush. The money isn't important. I just want to know that you can reach me, if you ever need to.'

'Sam, listen, I didn't want to say anything in front of Debs and Ian the other night, but I guess I am curious about that house of yours. I mean, you work at the market, and surely, that wouldn't pay terribly much. But you live in that beautiful home, and you own this expensive looking car. And now you want to pay my phone bill. I mean ... well, you said you were virtually penniless when you arrived in Australia. Where did the money come from? How have you survived all these years?'

'Ah, now that's an interesting story. Remind me to tell you one day,' he said, winking.

'What's wrong with right now?'

'It's a long story, that's all.'

'Well then, you better start talking,' I said in what I thought sounded like quite an official voice.

The look on his face suggested he didn't want to tell me, but then he began.

'It was Elizabeth. She keeps an eye on everyone that comes and goes in those gardens. And everything they do, for that matter.'

I had visions of a drug deal gone wrong. 'Did she find a brown paper bag full of cash, did she?'

'No,' he said, frowning like he didn't know what I meant. 'But she found Henry.'

'Henry? Who's Henry?'

'Henry is the one with all the money.'

'Ok, I'm completely lost. Explain,' I said, shaking my head.

'It was a long time ago actually, a very long time ago. Way before your mother was even a twinkle in her mother's eye.'

'Huh?'

'Never mind,' he chuckled. 'Anyway, one night, a very large man showed up in the gardens. He was behaving suspiciously so Elizabeth watched him for hours. But really all he did was poke around in the bushes. The following night he arrived with a shovel and started digging a hole, and distributing the dirt into the garden beds. Just before dawn he covered up the hole with some branches and disappeared for the day. Well, it seems this went on each night for a good week or more, but she still had no clue as to what the hole was for.

'Eventually he turned up with pieces of wood, and again, he'd dig and dig and then spread the dirt around the gardens. Eventually Elizabeth let me in on it. So the next night, we watched together from behind a tree, and sure enough, the same thing happened. He appeared, and went down into the hole. Only this time he didn't take wood in with him. Instead, he had a couple of big bags-and the way he was carrying them, they looked to be really heavy. He finally came out but he didn't bring anything out with him. I waited until I was sure he was gone, then I went to the opening. Elizabeth had watched him go in many times so she knew the trick to the entrance.'

'And is it still there, this entrance? Do you think I'd find it?' I asked, completely sucked into this story.

'Yeah, it's there alright. But there's no way you'd find it,' he laughed, 'the gardeners haven't even spotted it after all this time. Anyway, I went down into the hole but it was too dark even for my eyes. I couldn't see a thing, or tell what he'd been doing down there. But it was too risky to go back in daylight so we decided we'd wait until we saw him leave the next night, then we'd go in with a lantern and have a another look around. So, the following night we watched him go back into the hole, then waited patiently for him to come out, only he never did.

'Hours went by and eventually Elizabeth got up the courage to have a look, with me standing guard near the entrance. She'd only been in there a few seconds when she came back up and said the old codger had died down there, and his ghost was guarding a huge stash of gold.'

'What?' I asked in disbelief.

'Yeah, hard to believe isn't it? He had this huge pile of gold. Elizabeth eventually got the story from him, once he'd worked out that he really was dead and wasn't just dreaming. He liked Elizabeth right from the start, so he told her everything. It seems he was a gold miner. "Struck it rich", as they say. But he was so frightened his gold would be stolen he decided to hide it underground. He'd dug himself a tunnel that goes way down under the gardens. And so, there he sits, guarding his stash.'

'That's ... amazing. So, how did he die? Did he hit his head or something?'

'Best we can work out is he had a heart attack. He said he remembered feeling this really heavy weight on this chest and then he couldn't breathe. So we reckon it must have been a ma.s.sive heart attack.'

'That's awful. So, he died before he could enjoy his fortune.'

Sam shook his head slowly, 'Yeah, a real pity for him, but not so bad for me.'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, Elizabeth told him about me and asked if he would mind sharing a little of the gold, seeing as how I was doing it pretty tough, and he wasn't going to be able to spend it anyway. And funny enough, he agreed. Like I said, he really liked Elizabeth. He seemed to sort of look on her as a daughter. So when I went down into the tunnel to meet him, he had me fill up my jacket pockets with nuggets. I did that, but he insisted I take more. That's when I bought the house, and a really big safe to keep the rest of the gold in. And there lies the secret to my fortune.'

'Wow.' I laughed. 'So, is he still down there, under the gardens?'

'Yes, he certainly is. And he still guards his diminis.h.i.+ng stash, though heaven knows why. I call in to see him from time to time, and he often sends me off with a bit more gold. Maybe, when it's finally all gone, he'll be able to depart.'

'Well ... I don't know what to say ... I mean you have to admit it seems pretty absurd. So, what do the others think of this ... of Henry?' I asked.

'They don't know. Henry's pretty shy so I didn't think it was right to draw attention to him. Michael knows about the money, but not how I got it. And Tom knows that something happened ... something connected to Elizabeth. But he never asked for any details. I don't really think Tom cares all that much about the money. He's quite happy living in my house, mind you, and of course, he loves the truck I bought him, and some of the other 'toys' he's had over the years. But mostly he just loves what he is-the power, the speed, the intensified sight and hearing, not to mention strength. He gets a real rush out of his skills every time he uses them.'

I could feel my eyes getting wider as he mentioned Tom using his skills. Sam must have known what I was thinking as he shook his head. 'Don't worry. Like I said the other day, Tom will never hurt Claire again. You can rest a.s.sured about that.'

He smiled, and my fears faded. 'And you? Do you love the power more than the money?' I asked.

'Maybe-I'm not sure. I mean, I was never a fighter like Tom. So for me, the ability to face some bully knowing that if I wanted to I could kill him before he even blinked-it's an incredible feeling. It doesn't mean I have to actually do it. Just knowing I could, if I wanted to, is enough. It's like ... well, sometimes I face these wannabe heroes, with their knives and their att.i.tudes, and all I have to do is look at them-without fear-and they usually buckle at the knees and run off.'

The word 'usually' wasn't lost on me, but I decided I didn't really want or need to hear what happened if they didn't run off.

'Yeah that would be pretty cool alright,' I replied.

We sat there for a few more minutes until we realised that the lights were on in Michael's house. Crystal must have come home while he was telling me about Henry.

He sighed, and gave me a tender smile. 'Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the things that the money allows me to buy-like the house, and this car. The finer things in life are not lost on me, and I enjoy living as if I were still human. But that's enough of all that. Ready for dinner?'

'Yeah, of course,' I answered, trying to read his face. What an incredible story this man had-travelling so far in search of a new life only to lose it on his first night in Australia ... but then, accepting his situation and making the best of it. It had all turned out okay for him, hadn't it?

He got out of the car and came around to open my door and as I got out of the car he sighed deeply, 'And so, there you have the history of my "family money". Thank G.o.d for dear old Uncle Henry,' he said, as he slammed the car door shut behind me.

'Come on in,' I heard Crystal call from somewhere inside when we knocked on the front door.

Sam led the way to the kitchen at the rear of the house. From what I could see, it was a beautiful home-an older place, but neat and uncluttered. And everything was sparkling clean.

There was a pot of some delicious smelling rich red sauce bubbling away on the stove. Crystal stood at the sink preparing a salad. The aroma made me realise how hungry I was, and I laughed nervously when my stomach rumbled in antic.i.p.ation.

She smiled as she offered me a gla.s.s of red wine, which I took to be polite even though I had no intention of drinking it. Sam just leaned in the doorway, looking amused.

It was an awesome evening. Crystal had been right about us becoming good friends. By the end of the night we were laughing and exchanging knowing looks and winks as if we'd been friends forever.

Watching her with Michael was quite an experience too. I gathered they'd been together a long time, as he seemed to pre-empt her every request, handing her things just as the look on her face suggested she was about to ask for them. I wondered if my parents had ever gotten to this level of understanding, or if his life was cut off too early.

The conversation remained light and there was a great deal of laughter, and though Sam didn't eat much he seemed to take great pleasure from watching us enjoy the meal. When we were finished, I helped Crystal clear the table. While we were in the kitchen, I could just hear Michael and Sam talking in low, m.u.f.fled voices, and something about the way they spoke alerted me. It was no longer the pleasant chitchat we'd been having; they were discussing something serious. But when Crystal and I came back into the dining room, they moved apart, and Sam came over and put his arm around my shoulders.

'I'd best get this one home,' he said, giving my shoulder a rub. 'Thanks for the lovely meal, Crystal.'

'My pleasure,' said Crystal, smiling warmly.

'Yes, thank you-it was absolutely delicious,' I said as we walked toward the door. The rain had stopped and the air was fresh and cold. It made me s.h.i.+ver, but I was so happy it didn't matter.

The traffic had subsided while we'd been eating, so the trip to the apartment took no time at all. But when we got there, Sam didn't pull up out the front where I'd expected him to. Instead, he went around the back into the loading bay.

By the time he stopped the car, my heart was racing wildly, and my whole body quivered in antic.i.p.ation of what was to come. He leaned over, taking my face between his hands, and kissed me. The gentle kisses I'd become used to were quickly followed by more urgent ones as he drew me in closer and closer. His pa.s.sion triggered a response in me that took me by surprise. My whole body seemed to melt into some sort of jelly-like substance, ready to bend and fold into him in a way I'd never experienced before. It was as if some barrier between us had been stripped away, allowing us to become one, and I wanted him to hold me like this all night.

A noise behind the car startled us both. Sam's entire body became rigid as he turned in the direction that the sound had come from. I could hear voices now, and as they got louder I heard laughter and a sound like an empty can being kicked along the pavement. But then the voices faded into the distance as the group of young men walked past us and out to the street.

The moment was lost. Sam turned and looked at me, then stroked my cheek. He started the car and drove around to the front doors of the building and stopped with the car still running.

'I really must get to work,' he said, his voice giving away nothing. He was the calm and serious Sam again.

'Okay. I ... had a great time tonight,' I replied, wis.h.i.+ng we could recapture that closeness. I searched his face for clues ... did he, too, wish we hadn't been interrupted?

'Goodnight, Lili. Sleep well,' he said, then leaned across and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.

I sat for a moment, indecision killing me. Should I say more? Should I do something? But in the end, I simply smiled and got out of the car, leaning back in to say goodnight and thank him once again for the phone.

When I was safely inside the foyer, he drove off. I stood there wondering what might have happened if those boys hadn't chosen that moment to walk by.

When I finally got upstairs, I was relieved to find that Debs and Ian were out, and I didn't have to explain my ruffled hair and flushed face. I went straight to my room, and though it wasn't that late, I slipped into my pyjamas and crawled into bed.

I pulled out my new phone to have a play with it, then looked up Claire's number and added her into my contacts. I rang her, but she didn't answer so I simply left a message: Hi Claire. I finally have a phone.

Sam, who happens to be the sweetest man on earth, got it for me.

Not long now 'til we go away. I can't wait!

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, imagining they were his arms, and as I drifted off to sleep all I could see was Sam's face, and his sparkling blue eyes.

* CHAPTER TWELVE *.

The following evening when Sam met me after work, it was as though our intimate moment the night before had never happened. We walked along holding hands as we made our way to the apartment, but the control that he'd always shown before had returned. And I couldn't honestly say whether I was disappointed or relieved. I felt shy around him again.

'So, I'll see you tomorrow,' he said, stopping as we approached the front of the building. He was still holding my hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

I suddenly felt very nervous about this little trip of ours. We'd be alone ... in a cabin. What was he expecting to happen? What did I think would happen? What did I want to happen? I felt my pulse speed up, and my breathing became laboured-as if I'd been for a fast run. It felt like minutes had pa.s.sed and I still didn't know what to say.

'You do still want to go, don't you? I mean, everything's okay, isn't it?' he asked, a concerned look on his face.

I shook my head, and squeezed his hand back. 'Oh, sorry ... yes, I was off with the pixies there for a minute, wasn't I? Of course everything is fine. And yes, I'm looking forward to our trip. It's going to be great-hiking, fresh air, a real change of scenery,' I said, hoping my voice sounded casual, and that he didn't pick up on the nervousness I was feeling.

'Great. Well, until then ... sleep well tonight,' he said, but his eyes still showed traces of the concern I'd seen on his face just before.

I stepped forward, antic.i.p.ating a goodnight kiss, but instead he wrapped his arms around me and held me for a moment. He kissed the top of my head, then released me and smiled, and the warmth in his eyes seemed to dissolve my nervousness. Then he gave me a gentle kiss and said goodnight once again, before opening the front door for me. As he walked off, he turned and waved.

As I made my way to the lifts, I shook my head and called myself all sorts of names; mainly stupid and insane and ridiculous. Was I going nuts or what? Pa.s.sionate one day, nervous the next; I'd never felt anything like this with David. Was it something to do with Sam being a vampire? Or was it just because he was the most wonderful man on the planet and I still couldn't believe he was interested in me?

By the time we hit the road it was nearly five-later than we'd expected because Debs had wanted to meet Tom, and well, Debs can never just say h.e.l.lo.

I knew it would be dark before we got there, but I'd looked up the park on the internet so I had some idea of what it would be like: sheer cliffs, walking trails winding alongside ravines, stairs going down to waterfalls and lots of rocks and trees. We'd have the whole day to explore tomorrow, and the weather forecast said fine, whatever that meant. I was looking forward to it.

Who was I trying to kid? Sure I was looking forward to hiking tomorrow, but first I had to get through tonight. And even though I desperately tried to push those thoughts to the back of my mind, they weren't too keen on staying there. I caught my breath, remembering how it felt when Sam held me the other night ... how my body had responded. And this time, there'd be no interruptions. Or at least I didn't think there would be. We'd be alone in a dark cabin, and I wasn't entirely nave about what that meant.

The truck's stereo was loud, so I used that as an excuse not to talk too much-but really, I was afraid my voice would give away my nervousness. Sam just squeezed my hand from time to time while giving me his beautiful smiles.

After we'd been driving a while, Claire lean over and said something to Tom. A few minutes later Tom stopped at a gas station. Claire got out, insisting I go in with her. Once inside, Claire headed straight to the drink fridges in the back.

'Now, just so we're perfectly clear before we get there ... Tom and I get one cabin, and you and Sam get the other one. Understood?' she said, pulling a bottle of water out of the fridge.

'Of course ... yeah ... I mean, did you think I'd expect to be sharing with you? After all the trouble you went to in getting this weekend organised?' I whispered back, hoping the young boy at the cash register didn't hear us.

'Exactly,' Claire replied, grinning.

We got back in the truck, and my nervousness intensified. It was now official, not that I had expected anything else.

It seemed like we were there in no time. Tom pulled into a gravel parking lot, and Sam jumped out to check us in at the manager's office. I stayed in the truck, waiting, barely able to breathe-my heart beating like a hummingbird's. I'd been excited about this trip when it was just a dream, but now that we were here I'd completely lost my nerve.

Sam came back with the keys, a map and some other sheets of paper and got back into the truck. Tom took the map, and worked out where our cabins were and drove off down the little dirt track. I just stared straight ahead.

'Here we are,' said Tom, stopping in front of a pair of dark cabins. Many of the others had dim lights showing through the canvas curtains.

Sam jumped out, and tried the key in the door of one of them. 'Yep,' he called back to Tom.

I swallowed hard. I felt like such an idiot. I had this picture in my mind of standing in the doorway of a small plane, all parachuted up to jump, then not having the guts to do it. Not that I'd ever done that, but I was sure it would feel just like this.

Sam opened the door on my side, and smiled at me. 'Are you getting out? Or did you want to spend the night in the truck?' he laughed.

'Oh, sorry ...,' I mumbled, still not moving.

Claire and Tom had already gone into their cabin and turned on the lights. I could just make out Claire's giggles, followed by Tom's deeper laugh.

'Come on, it'll be fun. I know they look a bit rough, but they're clean and they don't smell too bad,' said Sam, still smiling at me as he grabbed my overnight bag from behind the seat. When I still didn't move he reached forward and took my hand, then gently helped me out of the truck and led the way into the cabin. He flicked on the light and threw my bag onto the bed. The room was bigger than it looked from the outside, and though the air was a bit stale it didn't smell of cigarettes or anything.