Page 15 of The Mistletoe Wish

His frown disappeared as his rigid shoulders rounded. The sudden tension dissipated, and they smiled at each other. How odd to be so comfortable in his presence.

Darim started on his toast as Sara set down her mug and dug into her meal. She had to admit waking to a home-cooked breakfast – not to mention fresh coffee – was like a heaven-sent gift. As she ate, she thought about another day spent in his company. This time, however, instead of slogging away labouring on the property they would be taking a day off and in the company of others. Her pulse kicked up a gear as a lick of heady anticipation burned through her veins. Should she try to get out of the bike riding invitation? But that wasn’t an option. Tessa and Dodge were counting on her being there; and considering the task they had charged her with there was no way she could refuse this late in the day. And besides, she really wanted to go. A swim in Ward’s Gully would be wonderful in this heat.

She mopped up the last of her eggs with her remaining slice of toast. “You’ll need a bike as well as finding one for your daughter.”

“I know. Hence my early start to Armidale.” He reached over and his warm hand closed over the top of hers.

She looked up and met his earnest gaze.

“I want to thank you for helping me set this place up so Skye can visit. It means a lot to me.”

His fingers tightened.

She wanted so much to turn her hand over and link her fingers with his. Instead, she froze and stared back as impassively as she could manage. “It’s no big deal.”

A frown flickered across his face. He released his grip. A coolness now lay between them. “It may not be to you, but it is to me. Whatever your motive, thank you.” His words may have indicated gratitude, but there was no mistaking the ice in his voice.

Their truce was obviously over.

The problem was, she couldn’t believe the strength of her disappointment. And how much it hurt to feel the distance between them widen.

She cared about his good opinion. Maybe she cared for more than that too.

Unable to speak, she fixed her gaze on her empty plate rather than look at him. Afraid of what he might see in her face.

If only she could push through her old fears and self-doubt. If only she could lower her walls but it seemed all she could do was push people away.

CHAPTER7

Arms loose by his sides, back as straight as an arrow, Darim waited on the platform for the last train of the day to arrive from Sydney. Satisfaction sat like a cosy cloak on his shoulders. As if it had been one of his military operations, the day had gone exactly as planned. In the carpark, reposed his Land Rover with the used five metre caravan he’d purchased earlier that day attached to the towbar. Not as big as he had hoped, but at least it would provide alternate sleeping arrangements for Skye if she didn’t wish to sleep in the house. It had a fabulous canvas awning off to one side, with shade cloth walls and a canvas floor that would provide another‘living’area. Even better, he had a brand-new girl’s bike wrapped and hidden in the rear of his vehicle under a tarp. He’d opted for a second-hand bike for himself, also hidden from view.

As soon as he picked up the fridge promised by his sister, he’d be able to settle in and enjoy the holiday season with Skye. The past few days working alongside Sara had been quite an eye opener. Every time he thought about it, and if he wanted to be honest that was often, he found her company increasingly delightful. There was a serene if somewhat reserved air about her that drew him more enticingly than honey to a bee. Even if she wasn’t as open as he would have liked, he was certain that given time they could become closer. A prospect that five days ago would have horrified him and sent him retreating to the hills.

Life was full of surprises.

A garbled voice came over the speakers. There was a horn blast and the train appeared. The few people waiting on the platform surged from where they sat on hard benches, wilting from the heat. Instantly the languid atmosphere was charged with energy.

With a belch of hot diesel-filled air, the train lurched to a stop. Doors slid open and passengers spilled out into the late afternoon.

“Dad!” shrieked a familiar voice.

And then his precious daughter was in his arms.

He hugged her tight, imprinting his memory with the bubble-gum scent of her shampoo, the tickle of her soft fair hair beneath his chin, and the eager way she clasped him around his neck. “You’re taller,” he finally managed to say when she wiggled out of his hold.

She danced around in front of him in sneakers glittering with orange and silver sequins, reaching for her wheeled unicorn suitcase while at the same time attempting to wrestle a bulging messenger bag over her shoulder. “I’ve been eating my Weet-Bix.”

They grinned at each other, sharing a joke he’d been fond of saying when she was little.

His heart lurched.

Where had the years flown? Already, Skye showed signs of the young woman she would grow into; her previously chubby arms and legs had disappeared into long slim limbs. At least she had still retained his fair hair and brown eyes. The baby roundness of her cheeks had vanished revealing her mother’s sculptured bones. And …and…!!!

“Is that a nose piercing?”His voice was way sharper and louder than he’d expected.

Skye’s sunny smile morphed with warp speed into a sullen pout. “So what? Mum was okay with it.”

Darim clamped his lips shut. Yep. His baby girl was gone. In her place was a young teenager who suddenly felt like a total stranger. After a second, he rolled his shoulders and scooped the wheeled case out of her hands.

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