Page 49 of Seal of Approval

My work or decorating the tree with them…any other time I would have chosen my work. But something about this family invited me to join in any chance I got. That wasn’t a good idea. My being a part of their close-knit family was supposed to be fake.

“Decorating sounds like fun,” I said, walking to the living room. So much for keeping my distance.

Rose and Bailey had pulled the tree out of the box and were assembling it. Rose had the smaller top part and Bailey the bottom. I stood and watched not knowing what they needed me to do.

“Ethan, can you help us join the tree together? It’s really hard,” Rose said.

I took the top half of the tree from Rose. Bailey held the bottom half steady while I tried to join the trunk together. It took a bit of force but was worth the work. When the tree stood tall and ready for decorating, Rose’s face shone with delight.

I helped with the baubles, tinsel, and lights. Then Rose stood before us with the angel. She glanced between Jasmine and me then held it out.

“You and Mum can put the angel on this year.”

I lost the ability to speak. Rose placed the Angel in my hand, and I walked toward the tree with Jasmine. She took hold of it and we lifted it onto the tree together. I stole a glance at her, at the serene smile on her face. When she made eye contact with me, it was like everything else disappeared for that miniscule moment.

Rose hugged us both and said, “It’s perfect.”

I stepped away and nodded, still unable to formulate words. But perfect about summed it up.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Jasmine

I sat out the front of the shop with Lily and Sara while the kids played on the beach. The sea breeze made today’s heat bearable. This heat wave had lasted for three days. The days were stifling and swimming was a constant relief.

“Ethan came to the shop yesterday for bananas,” Lily said. “He said he was making dessert for you all.”

“Oooh that’s sweet,” Sara said, twirling her blonde plait.

“He made us all banana splits. The kids loved them.”

It was the best banana split I’d ever had. But I guessed it was like sandwiches, they always tasted better when someone else made them.

“Where’s Ethan today?” Sara asked.

Why did she want to know?

“Working on his report at the office. He said it was easier to use two screens.”

“That makes sense,” Lily said. “He told Jack the other day that Bailey was helping him by reading out figures and noticed that something looked strange. They looked at the data together and Ethan realised he’d written a number down wrong.”

I couldn’t believe Ethan told Jack about it. I can still remember Bailey glowing when Ethan told him it was a good pick up.

Sara nodded and smiled. “He told me about it too.”

Ethan hadn’t told me he’d seen Sara. I glanced at her sideways. “When did you see Ethan?”

“The other day.”

“What other day?”

“Why do you care?”

“I was just curious.” I leant back in my chair.

“Nothing more, just curious?” Lily asked with a smirk.

I huffed. “Everyone knows everything in this town, but I didn’t know that he’d seen Sara. I was curious. That’s all.”

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