The Locked Door

Part 24

Two days later it was the night before Jaya had to go home. She was once more staying at Walker’s mother’s house. Jaya didn’t mind it so much second time around and she made sure to go up and speak to the older woman for a few minutes when she arrived. Not wanting to tire her though, Jaya didn’t stay with her long. Afterwards while Walker spent some time with his mother Jaya made them some dinner. As usual the nurse that came in during the day had given the older woman dinner before she left for the day.

When Walker came back down Jaya had everything ready and they sat at the island bench to eat. Walker took a couple of bites but then stopped. Jaya looked over at him wondering if he didn’t like what she had prepared.

The Locked Door

Part 23

It was only twenty minutes later that Walker reappeared. Jaya looked up from her seat on the couch.

“She’s asleep” he said and holding out his hand to help her up he added “thanks for talking to her.”

“My pleasure” Jaya said “I like your mum.”

He smiled “she liked you too.”

Jaya was pleased and she hugged him.

After bending to give her a quick kiss he said “let’s eat.”

Jaya smiled and with his arm wrapped around her shoulders they walked into the kitchen. 

The Locked Door

Part 22

When Walker opened the door to her and saw her bag the smile he had greeted her with widened, “you’re staying?”

Jaya grinned and nodded “if your invitation still stands?”

“Definitely” he said and drew her into his arms and kissed her.

When he eased back a few minutes later he said “do you want to come and meet mum?”

“Sure” she said as nerves had her heart beating faster.

He smiled “give me that” he said taking her bag “I’ll be back in a second” and he walked off in the direction of his bedroom. In a few seconds he was back and clasping her hand he said “come on” and led her up the stairs. 

The Locked Door

Part 21

It was later that night that Jaya broached the subject of was going to happen when the week was over. “What are we going to do after this weekend? I have to go back to town.”

“I don’t know” Walker said in a flat tone.

“I mean we don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. I was just wondering what you were thinking.”

He looked over and met her gaze. “I want to see you but I can’t leave here.”

Jaya nodded “no I know you can’t” she said.

“I don’t feel right asking you to come up here either” he said. “You have a life in the city.

Jaya chest tightened. “So what are you saying?”

The Locked Door

Part 20

When the heat of passion had passed Walker kissed her head and said “still weird?”

“If I think about it, yes.”

He grinned “then I’d better make sure you have no time to think” he teased as he rolled over to lie upon her. Leaning down he kissed her and for the next little while Jaya did indeed stop thinking.

“So are you staying?” Walker said a little later as he stroked her bare back.

“No” she said turning her head to smile at him to take the sting out of her refusal. “I don’t feel right about that at the moment.”

“Okay” he said “you’re call. Miller will be here tomorrow night so I’ll be able to stay with you.”

Jaya smiled “I’ll look forward to that” she said.

“Same here” he said leaning over to kiss her.

The Locked Door

Part 19

When Jaya was done preparing dinner Walker still had not come back down so she put it in the oven to keep it warm and after cleaning up she poured herself a glass of water and sat down on a stool pulled up to the island to wait. While she sipped her drink she pulled out her phone and went through her emails. She answered those she needed to and filed those she had to keep. That done and still no sign of Walker she brought up the news on the internet and caught up on recent events.

She was half way through her second article when Walker arrived. “Sorry” he said.

“No problem” she said with a smile “ready to eat?”

“I’m starved” he said “whatever you made, it smells incredible.”

“Don’t expect too much” she said as she got up and opened the oven to remove the plates. “I’m no chef.”

“It’s food, it’s hot, how bad can it be?”

“You obviously haven’t eaten in some of the places I have” she said with a laugh as she set the two plates down on the bench.

“It looks good anyway” he said with a smile “thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome” she said returning his smile and they began to eat.

The Locked Door

Part 18

The house when they pulled up was a beautiful old stone building and Jaya was in love from the moment she saw it.

“What a beautiful house” she said as she met Walker beside his car.

He smiled “thanks, I guess it is. I don’t tend to notice after all this time.”

She nodded. It was like anything you become familiar with, you stop paying attention.

 Walker reached out a clasped her hand “come in” he said.

On entering the old house Jaya was just as awe struck. It was very well cared for and furnished in a way that fitted the heritage of the building. It was lovely.

Walker led her into a living room and said “take a seat I’ll just go and tell mum I’m back. I won’t be a minute.”

“Don’t rush” Jaya said sitting on the couch. “Do what you need to. I’m fine.”