Page 25 of The Mistletoe Wish

He stepped forward and captured one of her hands. “I’ve done a lot of serious thinking lately, Sara, and what you told me this morning has cemented my decision. I intend to forfeit my claim on the property.”

“What!”She could feel her jaw drop at his revelation.

“It’s quite simple really. You need this place to generate an income for yourself while I already have a job and some money in the bank. Although, child support takes quite a whack out of it, not that I begrudge it. Skye’s my daughter. I want her to be secure and have a good education. I should be able to get a loan once I’m able to find another house for us.”

“You can’t be serious. Why would you do such a thing? You hardly know me.” She went to draw back, already shaking her head as if by doing so she could forget that she’d ever heard him make such a generous offer.

He took another step.

Suddenly she was in his arms, his heart thudding fast and hard against her, his body firm and warm.

“Sara. I think you know why,” he murmured.

Then he kissed her.

At first slow, almost tentative as if he thought she’d pull away. But how could she? The idea of his kiss had teased her subconsciousness since the moment she’d met him again. The taste of him on her lips was everything she’d hoped for; the strength surrounding her everything she’d dreamed of.

And suddenly, it felt as if anything was possible.

CHAPTER10

“Now isn’t this cozy,” purred a far-too familiar and entirely unexpected voice from behind him.

Darim’s gut clenched and edgy anxiety fired every neuron in his brain.

Celeste.

What the devil was his ex-wife doing in Bindarra Creek? She was supposed to be living it up in Paris with her new squeeze.

Ensuring his expression didn’t reveal his wariness, he snuffed out his candle and rose to his feet. No way would he give her any advantage including having her look down on him.

“Mum! What are you doing here?” After handing Sara her lit candle, Skye jumped to her feet and hurried around the small grouping of camping chairs to peck her mother on the cheek.

Instead of answering, Celeste fixed her gaze on Sara who lifted a hand in greeting. There was no smile on Sara’s face which remained inscrutable.

For once Darim was appreciative of how effective she was in hiding her feelings. The night was still warm from the heat of the day. Overhead the Milky Way glittered in a canvas of ink and silver while the crescent moon reflected a pale glow above the dark treetops that lined the Akuna River. The evening had been one of the most enjoyable moments of Darim’s life. He’d never attended a Carols by Candlelight before and having his precious daughter by his side as well as the woman who now owned his heart had made the entire experience a very special memory. The way he, Sara and Skye had melded together so easily these past couple of weeks as if they had been a unit forever, no longer surprised him; rather he had come to believe it was a blessing and thanked the universe for bringing her into his life again.

But one look at Celeste’s narrowed eyes and sneering mouth, warned him fireworks were about to explode.

“Skye is coming home with me,” she snapped.

Their daughter glanced from one parent to the other. Darim could see her visibly shrink before his eyes, as her shoulders hunched and she ducked her head. She whispered, “I want to stay with Dad and Sara. You promised I could spend the holidays with him.”

“With your father. Not her.” Celeste pointed at Sara.

Around them, people began to move away as if keen to get out of the firing line. Whispers rose competing with the last act of the night which was‘Away in the Manger’sung in a surprisingly beautiful baritone by Warren Myers and accompanied on a keyboard by Pamela Brown.

Senior police sergeant Abby Taylor, who he’d been introduced to earlier that day, leaned forward from where she sat with her family as if ready to intervene if necessary.

Darim met her gaze and gave a little shake of his head. The last thing he wanted was for Celeste’s arrival in town becoming the talk of the month. This place was supposed to be a sanctuary for Skye, a place where she could relax and have fun far from the demands of her mother and the life her mother dictated she live. He might have little say in how Celeste insisted she raised their child, but by oath he’d do everything possible to protect his little girl.

“As per our agreement, Skye will remain here.” He maintained a level tone of voice but his effort only seemed to spur her on.

She all but spat out, “So you’re fine with your daughter spending time with a felon?”

Darim frowned and shot a quick look at Sara who began to stand. “Felon?”

“So your girlfriend didn’t tell you about her past convictions for fraud and embezzlement?”

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