Page 31 of The Mistletoe Wish

He nudged her chin with his hand. “I trust you, Sara. I’ve come to know the real you over the past couple of weeks. We all make bad choices.”

“Not as bad as me.”

“Hey. I’m no lily-white hero who’s always done the right thing at the right time. I’ve sent men and women into a battle I had doubts we could win. What does that make me?”

“That’s different. That’s war and you were only doing your duty.”

“Still doesn’t make it any easier to forget or stop blaming yourself. I remember every soldier who died or was injured under my command. What I’m trying to say is that no one is perfect or infallible. We all have pasts we wish we could forget. But I believe if we learn from our mistakes that ends up making us better people in the end. And that’s all anyone can hope for. To be a better person. I can forgive you, Sara. The question is – can you forgive yourself? Can you make a choice to move on and take another chance on life? With me?” He slid his hands down her arms and took hold of both her hands.

His touch was firm but careful, as if giving her the option of slipping away. “I want you to be part of my family, Sara. You, Skye and me. Maybe there could even be a rugrat or two in our future, too. Whatever happens, this is our opportunity to start again. Our second chance.”

Eyes burning with a storm of emotions threatening to pull her down into the darkness she’d thought at one time, she’d never escape, Sara hesitated. She’d been granted her mistletoe wish – to have a family of her own again. To be loved. To be considered worthy of trust and respect. Could she forgive herself for failing her parents when they needed her most? Should she accept this gift? If she did, there would probably be times in the future when she would doubt herself and grieve over what she couldn’t change.

But that was life – love, grief, joy and sadness, it was all part of connecting with others, of being part of the world. Of living.

She was ready to make her decision.

CHAPTER12

Who would have thought that assisting a stranger on a lonely country road would have led her here to this moment – this time – and this amazing man. And yet here she was; not only did she have Darim and his daughter in her life but she was surrounded by people who more than accepted her; they liked her. A realisation that humbled her to her toes. Never again would she take her family or friends for granted. She’d been blessed with another chance that she had no intentions of messing up.

Not this time round.

Sara took a moment to send a heartfelt thanks to the universe then shuffled forward in the pet parade queue; one of the highlights of the community’s Christmas Eve picnic. She grinned as a cheer erupted from Darim who stood on the sidelines taking pics of Skye leading Sara’s beautiful brown cria, Cher, while she led Sonny, a slightly older male cria. Both llamas were liberally decorated with red tinsel and sported antlers where tiny bells tinkled with each halting step they took. Cher even wore a red and white Santa top. They weren’t that keen on the noise swelling from the crowd like ocean waves pounding a shoreline and kept throwing their heads up. Normally, placid animals they were becoming a trifle jittery. She made a mental note to spend a lot of time grooming and fussing over them when she had them back home.

Home.

Hard to believe she had finally admitted that word to herself.

She had a home and two people in her life who meant the world to her.

“That’s my girls!” Darim pumped the air with his fist. Pride glowed in his brown eyes along with a sparking heat that fanned her senses into flames.

“By the way, how did you get the llamas here?” she asked as she came closer.

“I contacted Grady Ferguson and he leant me the horse float again. I’ve got to return it tomorrow however as he needs it.”

“Thanks. I’m glad we were able to make good on the promise I made Skye.”

A teenage boy strolled by; one hand in his pocket the other leading a well-behaved dog in a yellow shirt which had the word‘lifeguard’printed in red, and a surf life-saving cap tied with string around his neck. Noah Davidson and his dog, Chip. Somehow even with her tongue hanging out the dog managed a huge yawn. But she was one of the few animals who were behaving themselves; several began to revolt against trotting about in the heat and wearing silly outfits. A donkey brayed then a rabbit hopped past followed by a crying child. A dog in a green jacket and with reindeer antlers half slipping off his head raced past being chased by a Christmas elf. Then Sonny dug his back hooves into the grass and spat narrowly missing one of the judges.

Sara broke into laughter along with just about everyone else. The explosion of noise and chaos spooked Cher. She bolted into a trot with Skye hanging onto her bridle, begging him to stop in between her giggles. She finally brought the young llama to a halt and dragged her back towards where Sara and Darim watched with broad grins on their faces.

“We’re the only ones with a weird entry in the pet parade.” Darim chuckled. “I reckon next year we’ll have to come up with something to top our llamas. I’m thinking you and me in a llama costume. Skye can be our handler.”

Next year.He was already talking about their future. Bless the man. She ran a soothing hand over Cher who quietened even more than checked Sonny but he seemed to be happy enough standing patiently by her side. She laid a hand on Darim’s arm which he instantly captured and raising it to his mouth, kissed her knuckles. Her cheeks heated as she saw the sidelong looks and elbowing that went on by Natalie and Troy Davidson who were standing close by.

But it was about time that she learnt to ignore the good-natured nosiness of this small town. So raising herself on tiptoe, she pressed her lips against his.

In an instant his arms were iron bands around her back, drawing her hard and urgent against his chest. His returning kiss thrilled her to the soles of her feet and the surrounding power of his muscles made her feel as if he would always protect her.

“About time. I thought you two would never kiss,” came Skye’s amused voice.

Breathless and wanting more, Sara emerged from Darim’s embrace. They smiled at each other as Sonny leaned forward and stuck his head in between them as if wanting to be included.

“And no, you can’t get a room. Not yet anyway. I’m starved. Is it lunch time already?” Grinning, Skye slung an arm around both of them, jerking the reins. Cher jolted Sonny sideways, so he snorted then sent a stream of water in her direction.

Darim huffed out an explosive breath and quickly dodged the spit. “What the devil do you know about getting a room?” He took the reins off his daughter.

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