Copyright2012©totallyatease
She only agreed to do it as a favour to her sister – but He more than made up for the inconvenience...
Chapter Eight
The next couple of weeks were wonderful for Izzy, she found that there was indeed plenty of work for her and the whole community seemed to welcome her, almost with open arms. Her days were nicely filled as she went round the small companies, doing filing and accounting and even some typing for them.
The business men and women, who had secured her services, were quite able to do this work for themselves; which was what they had actually been doing, ever since Mr. Reynolds had retired. However they were very busy people, and so were more than happy to pay her to take over.
She would return to her home late in the afternoon and cook herself some dinner... something that Daniel had not been happy about; when she had declared her independence, and intention to feed herself – in her own home.
She returned home on this Thursday afternoon, feeling tired but happy that she was finished for the weekend. She had passed Mrs. Coats in the village who had voiced her concern over how pale Izzy looked.
"I'm fine Mrs. Coats!" Izzy laughed. "It's just been a long week and I'm a bit tired, that's all."
"Are you eating enough?" that lady asked worriedly. "You look like you're starting to waste away again..."
"Yes Mrs. Coats, I'm eating plenty," Izzy responded dryly.
Mrs Coats had not looked convinced, but there was nothing more that she could do or say, and so the two ladies had parted company.
She entered her little cottage, and opted for a nice soak in a hot bath, before deciding on what she would eat for dinner.
An hour later she walked into her kitchen wearing a deep blue soft woollen dress, which hung down around her legs.
She looked in her cupboard and for lack of inspiration, or energy; elected on the uninspiring but filling enough – beans on toast.
She took out the tin of beans just as there was a knock on the door; and so still holding the can – she went to open it.
Daniel stood outside with a large basket over his arm.
He looked with disgust at the tin in her hand. "If that is what you've been living on, no wonder you're wasting away."
"Good evening Daniel," she smiled politely.
Daniel sighed. "Mrs Coates thought that you were looking a bit under the weather, and since you are refusing to eat at my house; I persuaded her to pack up enough for the two of us, and I've brought it to you."
Izzy gave a delicate little sniff as the aroma from the basket hit her nostrils. She gave him a huge grin which caused his heartbeat to do weird things. "Please do come in!" she gushed enthusiastically. "You are most welcome here tonight."
Daniel blinked at her a couple of times, and then taking a deep breath he stepped inside the cottage for the first time in nearly two weeks.
"If you bring it into the kitchen, I'll get some plates and things..." Izzy murmured as he followed her down the hallway.
Daniel heaved the basket onto the table, and started to remove the containers of hot food. He found himself wanting to hum as he moved around Izzy in the little kitchen. He'd missed her, these last couple of weeks, as she had been left to find her feet.
When Daniel had made his proposition to her, and offered her the use of this cottage it had been with the vague idea of being able to see her every day. But following their argument Izzy had decided that she wanted some space to settle down without being reliant on anyone else.
"Give me a couple of weeks to see if I can make it on my own," she had demanded. "You overwhelm me Daniel, and I find it hard to think straight with you constantly breathing down my neck..."
The images and urges which had shot through Daniel at such a harmless, little comment, had convinced him to stay away until he could control himself better around Izzy...
They sat down at the table together and they both thoroughly enjoyed the meal that Mrs. Coats had prepared for them.
"Hmm that really was delicious," Izzy sighed contentedly.
"Probably one of her finest meals," Daniel agreed.
They gathered the pots together, and washed and dried them in a compatible silence.
"Coffee?" she asked casually.
"That would be nice... Thank you," he nodded.
"You go and sit in the living room, and I'll bring it in." She ordered.
When Izzy curled up next to him on the sofa, it was all he could do not to reach out and take her into his arms.
"So how have you been?" he finally dared to ask.
"Great!" she lied enthusiastically. "I've managed to get twelve clients, all needing a couple of hours a week or so. People have been so kind and helpful towards me..." she grinned, refusing to admit how much she had missed Daniel.
"Good, I'm glad," he told her sincerely.
They drank their coffee, and Daniel got up to go.
"Be sure and thank Mrs. Coats for such a wonderful meal," Izzy told him, as he stepped out onto her path – holding the large basket.
"Goodnight Izzy," Daniel said quietly as he stared down at her.
"Goodnight Daniel," she responded softly.
She stared up at him, with a quiet yearning she was unaware of, and with a little defeated sigh; Daniel placed the basket on the ground and took her in his arms. He kissed her gently on the lips, but knew better than to linger there too long.
The kiss had barely begun when he was pushing her away and picking up the basket once again.
"Be sure and lock your door Izzy," he instructed as he backed away
Izzy did just as he had instructed, and pulled the bolt across the door.
It was only when he heard that final barrier between them, that he turned and went home to his large empty house.
**
When Izzy went down stairs the next morning, it was to find a plain white envelope on her front door mat. She opened it immediately to find an invitation from Daniel to dine with him that evening. "Oh my Daniel, how formal we have become!" she giggled softly to herself. "But how am I supposed to respond? Should I pop a note under his front door I wonder? Or do I just turn up?"
She opened the front door to find Daniel leaning against the wall.
"Good morning Izzy, did you sleep well?" he didn't move just stayed where he was, and smiling just a little.
"Good morning Daniel, I slept wonderfully thank you," she grinned at him. "Would you like to come in for some coffee?"
"You look like you've just got out of bed?" he observed still not moving.
Izzy put her hand up to her tousled locks; she'd not pulled her comb through it yet.
