Page 3 of The Mistletoe Wish

As soon as Darim had scribbled out his signature, Ty plucked out two key rings from a document box and handed them one each. The solicitor stood, indicating the meeting was over. He offered a couple of his business cards. “Read through the information I have given you. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. Remember, as executor I must approve any changes you wish to make to the property and will conduct regular inspections to ensure that you both adhere to the conditions.”

A few minutes later, Sara found herself standing on the footpath outside the solicitor’s office. She stared at the keys in her hand as the first few drops of rain landed on her hair and another roll of thunder crashed across the cloud-filled sky.

The man who she now had to live with for the next twelve months joined her, tossed his keys into the air and caught them.

His grin warmed rich chocolate eyes such a stunning contrast to his light sandy-brown hair, revealing a dimple in one deeply tanned cheek. “Race you there?”

“I have something I need to do first.” Like gather her few possessions together then head for her three-hour shift as security guard at the hospital. She couldn’t renege on the work – she needed the money.

Darim nodded. “See you later then.” He marched off, slapping the folder against his muscular thigh and leaving her looking after him.

Her heartbeat quickened as a vision of a sprawling country house set amidst rolling green paddocks rose in her mind. It was if someone had waved a magic wand and she’d been granted her wish; albeit with strings attached.

Twelve months she had to share the house with that bloke.

But how hard could it be?

They’d have their own rooms, possibly their own bathroom. She could ensure she’d rarely cross paths with him. Maybe they’d have to meet every so often to discuss repairs, or fencing, or whatnot but nothing more. She probably wouldn’t even notice when he was in the house! And she knew how to make herself invisible to others when necessary. Another lesson she’d learned the hard way.

Slipping the keyring into her handbag, she walked to her car. Her gaze snagged on the festive decorations adorning the front window of Penny Lane Bookshop, in particular the fresh sprig of green and white mistletoe.

She finally allowed herself a smile. Anticipation sizzled through her veins like the finest champagne. This was her chance for a future that would shine as brightly as the star on top of a Christmas tree.

All she had to do was find a way to get rid of Darim Cooper – then all her dreams would truly come true.

CHAPTER2

Rain lashed the windscreen as Darim sent his Land Rover jostling and lurching down the muddy track that wound through dense bushland. The wipers put up a valiant effort but lost the battle against the deluge falling from the dark sky. Trees bent under the power of the wind and every so often branches scraped against the side of his barely six-week-old car. His stomach growled, reminding him it had been several hours since his last meal. It had taken him longer than he had hoped to finish off the paperwork on his desk and send in his request for leave. By the time he cleared his application with his commander and packed his gear, night had fallen early thanks to the storm rumbling overhead.

He leaned forward and squinted through the glass as his headlights caught something small and shiny. But it was nothing more than a discarded drink can. He swung the steering wheel a hard right, just avoiding in the nick of time the tree stump in the middle of the dirt track. Cursing under his breath, he wrestled the vehicle through a stubby bush then back onto the slippery pot-holed road.

Road!What a joke. Judging by the thick undergrowth the previous owner had done nothing in the way of clearing the land. Nor any work on maintaining the track that led to the house for that matter either. He should have realised the moment he drove over the cattlegrid and had his first sight of the tangled and broken fences he’d have his work cut out.

But no way could he pass up the opportunity of making a home for his daughter. Celeste had made it more than clear the last time they had spoken that if he wanted shared custody then he had to provide something more permanent than various Army base quarters. It was time he took his role as a father seriously or it would be too late to forge any kind of relationship with his only child. Of course, he could have purchased a house elsewhere but the lure of having family close by had been the clincher. His daughter, Skye would have instant friends with her cousins living in town. So, it was a done deal for him to settle in Bindarra Creek. Problem was there were few and far between properties for sale in his price range.

And now he had been granted this gift. Almost like a stupendous early Christmas present.

Leaning forward, he rubbed at the condensation fogging the glass hoping to spot the gleam of lights. Still nothing. Where on earth was the house? He was fairly certain he hadn’t taken a wrong turn. In fact, there had been no other tracks leading off the one he was currently on.

The onslaught eased to a drizzle just as a clearing came into view. Lightning forked through the dark clouds. Thunder cracked. Darim rolled the Land Rover to a halt and stared at what he could see of the building lit up by his car’s headlights. With a snap, he shut his open mouth.

The solicitor had termed it a house.

Darim stared at what could only be called a shack.

For the next twelve months he had to live in that … that place before he gained ownership. Well, his and Sara Pyeon’s until he bought her out. The heady sense of satisfaction that had filled him upon hearing the news of his unexpected windfall vanished. Doubts reared their niggling heads and he’d wished he’d taken the time to read the agreement thoroughly before he’d signed. But the solicitor had been keen to get them out of his office, citing another appointment. Now he wondered whether Deveraux’s actions had been deliberate in order to fend off any further questions. That didn’t make sense, however, as the solicitor had invited them to contact him at any time. Maybe he had wanted to fend off any unwanted questions about the identity of their benefactor.

Darim switched off the engine and sat there turning over possibilities and probable future problems in his mind. There was no point in denying that the building in front of him was no bigger than a miner’s cottage. If there was more than one bedroom, he’d eat his Army slouch hat for breakfast.

Evading his new house mate would be impossible. The memory of soft womanhood pressed against him and how his lungs seemed to drink in the musky, fruity scent of Sara’s perfume washed over him like a great ocean wave. His gut tensed and he cursed as his blood headed south. That bloody moment when he stepped forward to help and she’d fallen on top of him. How he wished that had never happened. It had ignited thoughts – and needs – he didn’t want. He had to keep his mind focused on the prize – a home for his daughter.

A home that did not include another woman.

A pale golden light appeared as Sara opened the door and stood on the threshold with a hurricane or oil lamp in her hand. Her expression, or what he could see of it, was stony and unsmiling as she stared at his car. Those fascinating almond shaped eyes of hers were inscrutable; an uneasy reminder that ever since earlier that day, she’d appeared far too often in his thoughts.

His fingers drummed on the steering wheel. He could just make out the dark shape of another vehicle parked beside the house. No other lights gleamed through the lone window which meant no electricity, which in turn probably meant no running water. Just what exactly had he gotten himself into? Only time would tell. He shrugged into his oilskin and clapped his Army hat onto his head. Bending low, he left the shelter of his car and splashed across the yard. When he reached the narrow front porch, he stopped. “Please tell me, it looks better inside.”

“Come in and see for yourself.” She moved back a pace, holding the timber door open with one hand. The lamp shifted with her movement, sending a wavering beam over the interior.

---