Two Against the Odds Read Online Free PDF

me.”
    Rafe ignored her reaction and moved closer to get a better look. “Quite a nice example, too. My father repairs clocks for a living. He’s taught me a bit over the years. Where did you get that one?”
    â€œI must have picked it up at a flea market years ago.” She looked underneath and found a tiny key taped to the base. She inserted it into the slot andwound it. Nothing happened. “It’s broken,” she said, disappointed.
    â€œLet me see.”
    While he inspected the mechanism of springs and cogged wheels, she studied the thick black hair that fell over his forehead, the way his mouth compressed in concentration.
    Suddenly, he stilled, as if aware of how close they were standing. “Speaking of time, it’s getting late.” He handed the clock back to her, cautious about making contact, either by skin or by eye.
    Rafe walked back to the dining room. Lexie followed carrying the clock. He began packing up his briefcase. His movements appeared casual, but she noticed he was cramming papers in any old how.
    â€œI’ll be back tomorrow,” Rafe said. “I suggest you keep looking—”
    Someone knocked.
    Before Lexie could answer it, the front door opened. Her mother, Hetty, stood on the step in a long tunic top and flowing cotton pants, a suitcase in either hand. Her spiky gray hair stood up from her head.
    â€œMom,” Lexie said, going forward to embrace her. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
    â€œNo, it’s not,” Hetty said tartly. “Your father and I had a terrible fight. I’m moving in with you.” Shestepped inside, and noticed Rafe. “Sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
    â€œHe’s not company, he’s—” Lexie broke off. “Moving in?”
    Â 
    R AFE SLIPPED OUT while Lexie bombarded her mother with questions and Hetty made vague and weary responses. He got behind the wheel of his ten-year-old Mazda and had to slam the door twice before it would stay shut.
    He glanced at his fishing rod lying across the backseat. That would have to wait another day. He was tired and Murphy, his dog, would be waiting for him. As it was, he had to drive home in the late-afternoon heat through the tail end of rush hour traffic. With the windows rolled down because the air-conditioning didn’t work, he headed north, away from Melbourne’s bayside suburbs and into the Dandenong Mountains.
    Mulling over the day, he found himself worrying about Lexie, if she would find her envelopes, if she could pay her taxes—
    He was doing it again. Getting involved, feeling compassion.
    Hell.
    Â 
    â€œY OUR TAX AUDITOR is rather gorgeous.” Hetty dumped her suitcase on the antique quilt coveringthe single bed in Lexie’s spare room. “Where did you find him?”
    â€œHe’s not mine, he belongs to the government. And he’s turning my house upside down,” Lexie said from the doorway. “I wish he was never coming back.”
    Did she? Or was she already thinking she’d wash her hair tonight.
    â€œIt’s no fun being audited but surely it’s just a matter of letting him do his job.” Hetty opened her suitcase and started to unpack.
    â€œThe problem is, I can’t find the envelopes that have all my tax receipts in them. They’re somewhere in the house but I have no idea where. Plus I’m going to have to pay back taxes with money I don’t have. Plus I have to finish Sienna’s portrait because the deadline for the Archibald is coming up and I can’t tell what’s missing but something is. Something crucial.” Lexie’s voice seemed to have risen an octave. She sucked in a breath. “I’ve been blocked for ages. All I can do is paint stupid beach huts and make pencil sketches—”
    She broke off, thinking about the sketch of Rafe and how there was a hint of something tragic in his eyes. She would