Page 156 of A Country Practice Christmas
‘That man is a hot version of Oscar the Grouch minus the rubbish bin. A few girls tried to flirt when he first arrived, but he barely looked at them, let alone asked them on a date. You’re the first one to elicit a smile from him. Actually, that’s a lie. He gets along really well with Stef in a purely platonic way, because she’s got a man back in Brisbane that she’ll probably marry one day.’
That wasn’t what Piper was expecting. The Emmett she remembered in high school had had one fling after another, breaking the heart of every teenage girl in Euronga.If he can grow and change, why can’t he accept that I have too?
Stop caring!
She looked out at the families that were finding places on the hill and others who were lining up to get their faces painted. The smells wafting down from the barbecue made her tummy rumble. Looking at the Christmas crowds was distracting her from Emmett but not from the nerves of having to sing in front of them.
‘Back to you! I can’t believe a man hasn’t fallen head over heels for your stellar personality and fiery hair.’
‘Oh, they fall. I head into Townsville every now and then for a bit of company and leave them begging for me to stay.’ Maddie gave a little shimmy. ‘But my Emmett, the guy I’ve crushed on since high school, doesn’t live in town anymore. I just haven’t found anyone who’s measured up yet.’
Piper stuck her bottom lip out. ‘That sucks, but at least we can hang out with each other until you do.’
‘You’re a good friend, Hendrix.’
Piper was about to return the kind words when Gloria popped up.
‘Maddie, Piper, it’s time.’
Once she started singing, Piper quickly forgot about any nerves. It was fun. More fun than she’d ever thought, and gratitude to Emmett for signing her up in the first place softened the hurt and frustration from earlier.
After they’d sung half of their songs, Gloria gave them the cue to clear the stage and Mayor Briggs walked on dressed as Santa, with a ‘ho, ho, ho’ on his lips.
‘We’ve got a twenty-minute break before we’re back on,’ Gloria told them. ‘Don’t be late.’
The group dispersed, leaving Maddie and Piper blinking at their quick departure.
‘Didn’t need to tell them twice.’ Piper pulled the hair band from her braid, shook out her hair and tied it all back in a ponytail. The small breeze against her sweaty neck was instant relief. The humidity was so thick and heavy. She glanced up at the first aid tent, as she had multiple times throughout the performance, to find Emmett sitting with Stef, looking hot.
‘I better find Mum and Nanna and check in. They’ll be on the hill somewhere. Want to come?’
Piper smiled but shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I’m going to wander. It’s my first bonanza and I’m going to take it in a bit.’
‘Meet back here in twenty?’
‘Or Gloria will be hunting our arses down.’
Piper picked her way to the back of the crowd and skirted the bushland behind them before making her way through the different tents. She entered the gingerbread house display and stifled a giggle as she found Emmett’s. The pattern of Smarties still made her smile, but her heart skipped and warm butterflies filled her stomach at the little sign held up by a toothpick.Leaning House of Ginger.Sweet and cold, caring and grumpy. That man was such a contradiction, but she couldn’t help falling a little more every time he did something like this.
Heading out of the tent, she detoured past the sausage sizzle to purchase three cans of soft drink then, with a deep breath, headed for the first aid tent.
Emmett jumped from his seat when he saw her walk in. His hair was pulled back in a man bun that made her glad the wind was stronger up here.
‘Piper, hey. How are you? The choir sounds great.’
‘Are they for us?’ Stef asked, eyeing the drinks in her hand.
‘Sure are,’ Piper said, handing them a can each and taking a sip of her own lemonade.
‘You’re the angel here,’ Stef said.
Piper grinned at Emmett. ‘Congratulations on your participation award. Gotta be happy with that.’
‘If you’re not first, you’re last,’ he growled, holding his drink up to her in thanks.
Piper burst out laughing and relief washed through her when a smile stretched his lips.
Stef rolled her eyes then cracked her can and took a long mouthful. ‘That was so needed.’
