Page 32 of The Mistletoe Wish

“Dad. Please. I’m twelve not two.” Skye gave a dramatic eye roll, “Living with Mum you grow up fast.”

His lips thinned and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.

But before he could say anything, his daughter planted a kiss on his cheek. “It’s okay. I’m still your little girl.”

“You’ll always be my little girl,” Darim said gruffly and, one armed, pulled her to him.

“And don’t you forget it.” Skye turned to Sara and hugged her, too. “I’m so happy you’re going to be my step-mum.”

“Woah, kiddo. What are you doing? You’re stealing my thunder.”

“Dad, if Sara waited for you to get your act into gear, she’ll be a hundred. And I wouldn’t mind a little brother or sister. Now, come on, let’s put Cher and Sonny somewhere safe and get some food.” She linked arms with them as they strolled away from the pet parade.

A little brother or sister.Whether that would happen, Sara, had no idea. It would be wonderful if it did, however if it didn’t then she was more than satisfied with the family she already had.

From the rotunda came the squeal of the microphone then the band burst into an energetic rendering of‘All I want for Christmas.’

“We’ve been invited to join the Myer family and their friends for lunch.” Sara gazed around the park as they secured the llamas beneath a tree and placed a full bucket of water nearby. “There they are; under the Morton Bay fig tree and with the red and green gazebo.”

“I see them.” Darim gave a soundless whistle. “That’s quite a crowd. Sure there’ll be anything left for us?” But his voice was teasing.

Skye groaned. “There had better be, or I’m having barbequed llama!”

Darim insisted they wait however until after the mayor opened the new children’s splash pool before heading over and joining the Lette and Myers’ party. They waved to his sister who was sitting on a park bench with Ernest sharing what looked like a glass of bubbly. As soon as she’d been handed a sausage sandwich, Skye was urged by Kaylee to join in a volleyball game. Sara settled onto the picnic rug with Darim, although she could barely swallow her lunch. The kids weren’t the only ones giddy with excitement.

“If you’d like, we could tell everyone our news?” Darim whispered as he snuggled close despite the heat.

Sara nudged his ear with the tip of her nose then smiled. “I don’t remember you asking.”

“Then how about you give me time to organise the asking in style. I want it to be special, sweetheart.”

“So do I. Anyway, I know your motive. You don’t want to give up the bequest.” She giggled when he poked her ribs.

He laughed. “You’ve caught me.”

“Anything you want to tell us, child?”

Sara looked up to meet Ms. Lette’s twinkling eyes and shook her head. Not that she fooled that old lady who simply laid a finger against the side of her nose and winked.

Tessa opened her mouth probably to interrogate her when there came the familiar ‘eh-aw’ of the fire engine. Children screamed and ran like one massive cloud of locusts. Parents and grandparents and older teenagers moved far more languidly.

“Let’s go watch.” Darim pulled her to her feet as Skye raced over, her face flushed pink. “Here. Drink.” He offered a full bottle of water.

“I wouldn’t mind having a go at the dunking game later,” Sara said, adjusting her hat over her hair.

“Me too.” Skye chugged down half the bottle then added in a gruff voice, “What time is Santa coming?” She might act older than her years most of the time, but her gentle query was a subtle reminder that she was not quite a teenager yet.

“That’s him now, on the fire truck.” A tiny trickle of perspiration formed above Sara’s upper lip. She hoped she’d done the right thing and that Skye wouldn’t be too embarrassed or feel awkward.

“What is it?”

She met Darim’s frowning gaze. He’d picked up on her change in mood in an instant and yet they’d only known each other for … what … three weeks? It made her wonder if they would end up being one of those couples who in their old age knew each other so well, they could have been telepathic. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

“What’s going on?” Skye asked.

“You’ll see.” Darim linked his fingers with Sara’s and they strolled over to the rotunda. They were in time to see Paddy Cullen dressed as Santa Clause – well, an Australian Santa. Although his outfit was the customary red and white, his sleeves were rolled up above his elbows and he wore red shorts that revealed his knobby knees, thongs adorned his feet and he had dark sunnies covering his eyes.

The fire brigade captain, Kel Jones carried the Santa sack as Paddy climbed down from the back of the fire truck and crossed to the rotunda where a throne had been installed. There were any number of Santa helpers, most dressed as elves, standing beside several other sacks. A hush fell over the crowd.

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