Page 17 of Where the Heart Is

He walked around the car and opened the passenger door. ‘Hop in.’

‘But then you’ll have to drive me back to the farm afterwards and head back into town.’

‘So?’

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and she laughed, just as he must’ve intended. He’d always had the knack to make her feel better and she appreciated his offer—and his presence—more than he knew.

‘Just because I had a crush on you in my delusional teens doesn’t mean I’ll fall for your charms this time around.’

Oops. Mila mentally clapped a hand over her mouth as Sawyer studied her. Where had that come from?

Thankfully, he recovered from her verbal diarrhoea first. ‘You liked me, huh?’

Okay, so they were doing this. Having a discussion about how smitten she’d been. Maybe it was a good thing? Clear the air so there were no misconceptions, so he wouldn’t think seeing him again after all this time had awoken her old crush and made her yearn for things she had no right yearning for. Like Sawyer Mann in her bed.

‘You didn’t know?’

‘I thought we were mates,’ he said, his deep voice sending a shiver of longing through her that they could be more.

‘We were. We are,’ she clarified. ‘Now that I’ve embarrassed myself enough by taking a stroll down memory lane, why don’t I meet you at the pub in thirty minutes?’

‘You sure you don’t want a lift? I’m happy to drop you back afterwards then head back into town.’

‘I’m sure.’

The last thing she needed was to be confined in his car, with his potent presence overwhelming her more than he already had.

‘Suit yourself.’ He nodded and opened the car door. But he paused as he slid behind the wheel and started the engine. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m glad you didn’t marry that prick.’

With a cheeky smile that made her heart leap, he revved the engine, gave her a half salute, and gunned it, leaving gravel spraying in his wake.

But twenty minutes later, Mila couldn’t stop second-guessing the wisdom of having lunch with Sawyer at the pub. All those prying eyes, judging her, wondering what happened in her relationship with Phil for him to call off the wedding.

Then again, she could do with the distraction, so she grabbed her bag and keys, then shut the door. But she hadn’t made it two steps along the verandah before her mobile vibrated in her pocket, and as she slid it out and glanced at the screen, her gut tightened.

Any time Christopher Maddox called, it wasn’t good. She contemplated ignoring his call, diverting it to her messages, but she’d already tried every tactic to stall the bank manager and the last thing she needed was for his patience with her to run out.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, she tapped the answer icon. ‘Hey, Chris, how are you? Shouldn’t you be taking a lunch break?’

‘I’m on my way out shortly, but had to give you a call now, Mila.’

‘It couldn’t wait until later?’ She forced a laugh, surprised any sound came out considering the lump of foreboding in her throat.

‘No.’ He paused and she gripped the mobile tight. ‘I’m afraid the bank has given you all the leeway we can, Mila. I know times are tough and the farming community in general is suffering, but I’ve held off foreclosing as long as I can.’

He cleared his throat. ‘If you don’t make a loan repayment by the end of the month, you’ll lose the farm.’

Her heart stalled and she gritted her teeth to stop a sob from escaping. She knew her situation was dire and had hoped that the cash injection marrying Phil would’ve provided could’ve bought her a few months, so she could get the farm stay operational.

Now, with Chris giving her a three-week deadline, she was out of time.

‘Mila? You still there?’

‘Yeah, Chris. Just processing.’

‘I know this isn’t the best time, especially today. I’m sorry.’

Wow, news certainly travelled fast in this town. Even her bank manager had heard about her aborted wedding.

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