Page 4 of Lime Tree Hill

“Do you think I wanted this?” Mitch kept his cool, but still, he wouldn’t let the way she’d spoken to him slide. He’d thought about her a lot over the years. In his imagination she’d exuded sweetness and innocence despite her goth exterior, but the Tayla sitting next to him didn’t resemble her younger self one bit. “I understand your parents are the innocent party in all of this, but they aren’t the only ones who’ll be negatively affected.”

She scoffed. “I don’t know how you can sit there and turn this around so it’s all about poor old you. My father has just had open-heart surgery. He’s worked hard all his life for this. Now you come along and pull the pin. Unbelievable.”

“Okay, let’s take a breather.” Simon straightened his tie. “I agree. This is an unfortunate set of circumstances we find ourselves in, but?—”

“And what circumstances would they be?” Tayla asked. “If it was all fine months ago, what went wrong?”

Simon shot Mitch a concerned look.

“The reasons are not up for discussion,” Mitch said.

Tayla crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. “Of course not.”

“Right.” Simon cleared his throat and addressed her. “My advice is to consult the trust’s lawyer.”

“And tell him what? That we’ve been scammed?”

“No.” Simon stretched out the word. “That, unfortunately,Mitch is unable to proceed with the purchase right now. I understand it will take time to process what this means for your parents. If there’s any way we can turn this around, I’ll be in touch.”

For a moment, Tayla said nothing. She glanced at Mitch with a dismissive flick of her lashes then back at Simon. “Thank you, Simon. I appreciate your concern.”

Tayla stood, her chin held high. Mitch did the same, surprised at how tall she was. “I’m sorry we had to meet again under such circumstances.” He offered his hand.

She showed him her palm. “Don’t. Please…just don’t.”

Simon cleared his throat again, and Mitch knew how he felt. Still, he’d never expected it to be easy.

“If the situation changes, we’ll be in touch,” Simon repeated. “In the meantime, I suggest you have a word with a realtor, just in case anyone else is interested. I know you’re not in a strong position with the orchard landlocked by Lime Tree Hill, but it only takes one person to want it.”

“Thank you.” Tayla sighed heavily as she walked toward the door, and when Mitch held it open, she brushed past him without another word.

He turned to Simon once she was out of earshot. “Now I know how a male praying mantis feels.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Shit! As much as I loved my grandfather, he had a warped sense of reality. I wonder if she knows about the other offer.”

“If she doesn’t, she’ll find out as soon as the orchard’s back on the market. And even if they have to drop a few hundred K, I reckon she’ll take it. What other choice do they have?”

Mitch shook his head. “Imagine having the Stone and Pip Group as neighbors. Chris Stone would love to get his greedy mitts on Cherry Grove, even if it was just to piss me off.” He sighed. “Who knew a broken engagement could cause so much shit?”

“Wait a minute.” Simon stood and reached for his jacket. “I have an idea. Come on. Shout me lunch and I’ll fill you in on theway—strictly off the record though. What does Tayla do for a living?”

“She’s a physiotherapist, or at least she was. I haven’t seen her in ages.”

“That’s a plus. There should be plenty of work around here in her field,” Simon replied. “I bet those hands give a great massage. Do you think she’s single?”

When he caught Simon’s drift, Mitch’s protest was loud and clear. “Piss off.”

3

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Tayla pulledher old Subaru into a parking space outside the Surf Life Saving Club and cut the engine. She sat for a moment, wondering what on earth had just happened. One thing was for sure: Mitchel Harrington with that deep voice—like gravel sprinkled on velvet as Ruby had once described it—was going down. That was the second time he’d messed with her, and he needed to know it wasn’t okay.

She swore under her breath. How could he do this to her parents? They’d been so excited. After two years of little interest, the orchard had finally sold to Mr. Organics next door—the same man she’d once had an enormous crush on. The man their neighbor Norman had always referred to as ‘the boy.’

As a rule, Tayla didn’t get angry. Anger was a wasted emotion that chewed you up inside. But if the past couple of weeks had taught her anything, they’d taught her this: It was okay to be angry, especially with men who pissed you off. Men like Mitchel Harrington, with his tight boxer briefs and white-toothed smile, and Hayden Lockhart—all broken promises and wedding bell blues.

Screw men!She was done.

Tayla stared out at the Pacific, longing for a gray day. Why should the sun keep shining when all this turmoil was smothering her? She opened the car door and flicked off her heels before stepping across the boardwalk and down to the shore, where the flat surf mocked her.

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