Page 70 of The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge

Before the conversation could resume, Jake appeared at their table, two plates in his hands.

‘All right. The very best lasagne in the house. Who’s it for?’

‘Me.’ Bree held up a hand.

‘Me too,’ added Rose.

Jake put the food on the table. ‘I’ll be back in a moment with the rest.’

Conversation about everything except how good the food was slowed to a trickle as the four adults and Vicki tucked into their meals. Beside Rose, Mike washed his steak down with a beer. He ate and drank as he seemed to do everything else in life, with great gusto and enjoyment. His attitude was contagious and Rose tucked into her lasagne with enthusiasm. Even Vicki displayed none of a child’s fussiness over food, downing her child-sized portion of chicken with every sign of great enjoyment. How this contrasted with the delicate but expensive meals at some of the restaurants Rose had frequented in her previous existence. Her future was uncertain at the moment, with the move and the shop and this unexpected man by her side, but whatever came, she was certainly ready for some change and maybe a bit of adventure.

‘That was great,’ Mike told Deb as she collected their empty plates. ‘I think I need to come here more often.’

‘I’m sure we’d all be very happy to see more of you.’ Deb winked at Rose as she set off in the direction of the kitchen.

Rose downed the last of her glass of wine. If they were going to gossip about her, she might as well give them something to talk about. And besides, she’d had two drinks now. Mike was by her side and outside there was a spring evening waiting to be enjoyed.

‘Mike, there’s something I want to show you. Bree, I’ll see you at home. I’m sure Mike will be happy to drive me back to The Gums.’

‘Of course I will.’ He got to his feet.

Ignoring the glances being tossed in their direction by the ladies of the knitting club, Rose took Mike’s hand and they left the bar.

‘Well, that’ll get them talking,’ Mike said, still holding firmly to her hand as they walked down the town’s main street.

‘They already are. I don’t mind. I hope you don’t?’

‘Why would I mind my name being linked with yours, Rose? Quite frankly, for a crusty old shearer like me, it’s an honour. But are you sure you want them thinking what they’re probably thinking about you and me?’

‘They’re my friends, Mike. At least, they’re quickly becoming my friends. There’s no harm in them. I can guess what they’re thinking, and I don’t mind it at all. In fact—’ she glanced up at him, ‘—I might be thinking similar thoughts.’

As he looked down at her, his smile broadened and he squeezed her hand. ‘I’m glad. Because that makes two of us.’

A minute later they were at their destination and Rose stopped. ‘Well. What do you think?’

‘I’m not sure what you mean, Rose. It’s an empty shop.’

‘Not for much longer. Bree could use a shop to sell her yarn. And an easy-to-find place for people coming to the alpaca walks. And it’s perfect for the knitting club meetings too.’

‘So Bree is taking it on? That’s great.’

‘Not Bree. Me.’

‘You, Rose? That’s also great, but why?’

‘I’m bored in Sydney. I’ve had more fun since I started coming here to visit Bree than I have since I lost my husband. I think maybe this is the right place for me now.’

Mike shuffled his feet a little uncomfortably. ‘Rose … if this is about—’

‘Oh, Mike.’ Rose gently slapped his arm in an affectionate fashion. ‘Don’t panic. It’s not about you. It’s about me—my need to build a life that is right for me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life sitting alone in an apartment in Sydney. I want my life to include the things I enjoy. Being with my granddaughter. Having friends and doing something fun and creative and useful with my time. And if I were to find you popping up in my new life, I don’t think I’d mind.’

‘You really are something else, Rose, you know that, don’t you?’

Whatever Rose did or did not know was forgotten in an instant when Mike pulled her close and kissed her. His kiss was like him, strong and exciting; warm and caring and filled with the promise of good things to come.

She leaned into him as she kissed him back, enjoying the feel of his firm body against hers. It was a very long time since she had felt that.

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