Page 107 of Anxious Hearts
He parked his car at the end of the driveway and walked to the small woodshed beside the Federation cottage that was now his home. The gravel crunched under his feet. He listened intently to every sound. The rustle of the wind in the trees. The scurrying of possums in the branches. The distant rumble of a truck engine.
He placed a log onto the chopping block, took the splitter in both hands and swung it in one fluid motion behind his body and over his shoulder. The smooth handle felt cool on his skin as his right hand slid down and met with his left at the moment of impact. The wood cracked and split directly down the middle and the slightly blunted head of the splitter jammed in the chopping block.
Finn placed one foot on the block to hold it steady and yanked the splitter’s handle back and forth until the head came loose. He grabbed the next log, lined it up and performed another perfect stroke. It was so deeply satisfying that he continued long after he had enough wood for the fire.
As the first bead of sweat ran from his temple down his cheek, Finn was lit up from behind by headlights that grew in intensity with the approaching sounds of an engine and tyres on gravel.
She was home.
***
Kelly smiled as she parked the car. Who would have thought that all it would take to treat Finn’s anxiety was a tonne of firewood and a splitter? Men, such simple creatures. She stepped out into the cold air and immediately shivered.
Finn turned to face her, leaning on the splitter.
‘Don’t stop on my account,’ she called.
‘What are you smiling about?’ he said.
‘I was just thinking how lucky I am to be married to a drama teacheranda brutish lumberjack all in one.’
Finn picked up a gigantic log with exaggerated movements, grunting and grimacing for effect. He placed it on the chopping block, wound up and brought the splitter down so fast, it was a blur of movement. It jammed in the log, which seemed to have utter disdain for both the splitter and Finn.
‘Well, that was disappointing,’ Finn said.
Kelly laughed and walked towards the woodshed. She took Finn’s hands in her own and looked up into his eyes. ‘You’ll always be a Renaissance man to me, Finley.’
‘And you’ll always be a complete smartarse to me,’ Finn said. He kissed her. His lips were warm and his cheeks damp from exertion. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body hard against his own. He wrapped his jacket around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. They stood there a moment, holding each other under the light of the woodshed, breathing in the scent of freshly split timber.
Kelly groaned with pleasure. ‘I love it here,’ she said.
***
Later, as they sat in front of the fire, Kelly snuggled into Finn’s body. He placed a hand on her belly. ‘Making progress,’ he said.
She ran her hand along her stomach. Just the smallest bump had begun to form. ‘Getting there,’ she said.
‘How long before you feel the kicking?’
‘Well, based on the way you chop wood, I’m thinking this one will be highly active early.’
Finn chuckled. ‘Are you home tomorrow night?’
‘I’m seeing Heather after work.’
‘Hasn’t she fixed you yet?’
‘I was never broken.’
‘That’s a matter of opinion.’
‘I’m still doing better than you, Mr Fortnightly Appointments.’
‘It’s not a competition.’
‘Everything’s a competition.’
‘That kind of talk is going to get you back to weekly appointments.’
