Page 8 of Mistletoe and Blue Jeans

He studied the drips sliding down the can. “Thanks, Kristy, but I think we’ve got that one covered.”

He heard Kristy’s sharp intake of breath.

She cocked her head. “While you’re here, you should pop along to the Riverside pub one Friday night. You might remember it, it’s by Kingfisher Bridge. A lot of Amanda’s old school friends meet up once a week and some went to your wedding. Between us we’d all love to share any stories we can remember.”

A sadness crept over him. If only he’d heard those words in the weeks and months following Amanda’s death. After her funeral the calls stopped and whenever he caught up with family and friends, Amanda’s name was never mentioned. It was as if people were embarrassed to mention her in front of him. He never could quite understand it.

Now, after all these months, did he want that? Did he want to hear somebody else’s memory? He didn’t fancy it.

CHAPTER4

The following morning Kristy and her polocrosse team were standing in a circle, each holding a ball and racquet to start their final ball and racquet drill for the day. It was her favourite type of morning, cool, crisp air.

The session did not start well. Some of the team arrived late and everybody wanted time out to chat. As captain, she felt it was her responsibility to lift their spirits and do a session once a week without their horses. Maybe she got it wrong?

“Come on, Zoe, you start, please?” asked Kristy.

“Alright,” grumbled Zoe. “Aren’t I the lucky one.”

Kristy tossed in the ball to Zoe, but her sister’s eyes were elsewhere.

Zoe waved both hands above her head. “Josh, here we are! Come on down.”

They all turned to see Josh wave back at them. There was a collective sigh from the ladies.

“Come on down,” called Anna. “It’s been a while.”

Kristy stood by and watched as one by one her team mates rushed up to him. Josh slowly made his way over as they climbed over the wooden fence to greet him.

“That used to be me, not so long ago,” said Rex, who was parallel to them in golf buggy on his way back to the stables.

Kristy rolled her eyes at him.

Rex grinned at her, the gaps of his missing teeth on display. “Oh, women would do anything for a good-looking fella. We all have our day, mark my words!”

Rex continued on his way and as Kristy walked up the slope to join her team mates she could see the colour rise up Josh’s neck and across his face. She suspected he was more comfortable surrounded by spreadsheets than a small flock of cheerful women happy to chat with him.

Kristy hustled her way past Zoe, who seemed intent on getting full access to Josh. “Give the man some room, ladies. How are you, Josh? Are you here to pick up your Christmas tree?”

In that moment she saw him relax a little as he held out his long arms to encompass them all. “I thought you ladies were serious about your polocrosse. Shouldn’t you get back to training?”

His suggestion was met by a round of laughter.

Kristy caught his eye. He shrugged. “I tried to get them back on board for you.”

Anna put her arm around Kristy’s shoulder. “We’ll be on deck on Thursday, bright and early. You can ask us to do anything then.”

Zoe nudged Josh. “Only if you’re here. We might put on a bit of a show for you then.”

That brought out another round of laughter from everyone.

Kristy could see his neck and face begin what looked to be a permanent glow. He needed rescuing.

“Come on, ladies, we’re finished for the day. Josh, come on and collect that tree.”

Anna reached up and gave Josh a quick hug. “Lovely to see you again, Josh. Don’t keep it so long next time.”

It took a full five minutes for everyone to say their goodbyes to him. Finally it was just him and Kristy.

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