Page 12 of The Mistletoe Wish

“Excellent strategy.”

Her heart fluttered at the sidelong smile he sent her way. She remained in the car while he dealt with the timber and whatever else he needed. Half an hour later he was back and they continued their cruise through the bustling streets. Despite the increasing heat, the footpaths were packed with people. The shop fronts as they passed, glowed and glittered with festive decorations. A massive pine tree near the Main Street side of Lette Park was in the process of being decorated, with men manning ladders and others passing up long‘ropes’of Christmas fairy lights.

“I’ve told you why securing a house is so important to me. How about you? Why were you so … keen to sign on the dotted line and put up with these kooky conditions?”

Her heart stuttered. How much to reveal? Not even Dodge, who she considered to be her closest friend in Bindarra Creek, knew the full extent of her dreams or her determination. But then she had never been one who was fully comfortable about sharing her innermost thoughts with others. She ran her tongue over her dry lower lip. “I want to set up a home business selling hand-woven llama rugs, pillows and wall-hangings. Which means I need a place with some land.” No need to admit the humiliation of how the bank had turned her down too many times to count. And certainly, no need to reveal how much this fresh start meant to her.

“Wow. That sounds fascinating. Will you need your own animals?”

“Already got that sorted. Well, a start anyway.” Excitement enthused warmth into her voice. Forgetting for a moment that he was her opponent, she turned to him. “I’ve been working towards this idea for the past couple of years. I’ve got two young female crias and a male cria that are agisted on Grady Ferguson’s land. He’s got a farm a few k’s out of town.”

His approving smile caused her heart to swell. “What a great idea. You’ll be your own boss. I’m sure you’ll make a success of it. I bet you’ll want to get your animals moved home as soon as possible.”

Home.

It had been a long, long time since Sara had had a real home. Her eyes stung. She widened them so no betraying tears would fall. Unable to speak for a second she simply nodded.

Darim switched his attention back to his driving. “Let’s make that a priority. I’ve already put an order in for fencing wire and posts which will be delivered tomorrow. I reckon if we work together, we’ll have one paddock even if it’s a small one ready in a couple of days’ time. I’ll ring through another order later today for more timber and we’ll erect a lean-to for them as well.” He spoke in a casual fashion, and she knew he’d spotted her momentary display of weakness.

He was kind.

A trait Sara didn’t often come across.

When he pulled up outside‘Phoenix Restorations and Antiques’,she all but launched herself out of his vehicle.

The interior of the shop was blessedly cool after the heat from the blazing sun outside. Sara’s spirits lifted as she spotted Tessa wrapping a mosaic lamp in Christmas paper, while her grandmother-in-law sat on a stool hunched over something on the reception counter. Both looked up as Sara wound her way through the jumble of furniture and ornaments crowding the store.

“Sara. Would you like some iced tea?” Smiling, Tessa set aside the lamp and reached for a tall jug reposing on a bamboo serving platter. Without waiting for a response, she poured out two glasses. “And one for your … friend.” Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of feminine interest and curiosity as she pushed the glasses in their direction.

Cheeks hot, Sara mumbled. “This is Darim Cooper. Darim, meet Tessa Myers and Ms. Lette. My mate Dodge’s wife and his grandmother. They also own and run a bed and breakfast called Fig Tree Lodge which is one of the town’s most historical buildings.”

Ms. Lette said, “Don’t forget Matilda.”

Sara whispered, “It’s supposed to be haunted by Ms. Lette’s great aunt.”

“No suppose about it. It’s a fact.” Edwina Lette took a noisy slurp of her own iced tea and sent Darim an inquisitive stare. She took her time looking him over. “I knew it.”

From experience, Sara clamped her mouth tight not wanting to open that particular can of worms.

However, Darim stepped right into the trap. “Knew what, ma’am?”

“What a peach. I always admire a man who’s respectful,” purred Ms. Lette. She set her glass down and turned over another tarot card.

Sara couldn’t stop her gaze from landing on the card –the lovers.

“Ah hah! I’ve been expecting you, Darim.” Edwina Lette tapped the card, while Sara wished for a Tardis to whisk her to another planet.

Darim cleared his throat.

When Sara snuck a peek at him, amusement flared. Even though he had olive skin, there was no mistaking his flushed face. Good to know she wasn’t the only one embarrassed.

“What have you been up to, Sara?” Eyes as bright and sharp as the sun, Edwina stared at them both. “I hear you visited the solicitor’s office yesterday.”

There was no escaping the Bindarra Creek telegraph. Just about everyone in town probably knew about the bequest by now, and heaven only knew how wild the speculations were and how much the entire affair had been blown out of proportion. She gave a quick abbreviated re-cap of the bequest, waited a few beats until the gasps and well-wishing had died down then said, “We need a few pieces of furniture.” Then a thought struck her, and she added ever faster, “Nothing fancy.”

Tessa nodded and said smoothly, “You’re both in luck, we’ve got a sale on this week. Dodge went to Tamworth recently and came back with so many items that we can’t fit them in the shop.”

“Bunk beds?” Sara asked. “Maybe a couch. A dining table and a few chairs?”

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