Page 1 of In Full Bloom

1

KATIE

I can’t believeI’m back in this godforsaken town.

Four years ago I swore to myself that I’d never return, yet here I am, sitting in a slightly dingy bar twirling a glass between my fingers. I wish I stayed home, but I needed a drink and the bottle shop was already closed by the time I realised this. Cheap supermarket wine wasn’t going to cut it.

The pub, one of only two in this tiny, back-country town, is much like I remember it from my teenage years. Timber panelled walls, a floor that’s permanently a bit sticky, a weird fake bison head mounted on the wall—which makes no sense since we don’t even have bison in New Zealand. There’s a jukebox in one corner, vinyl booths along one wall and pool tables at the back of the room.

It’s not airy or modern with a cocktail list the length of my arm and the bison is giving me the creeps, but it’s still a far better choice than the shady bar on the other side of town, or sitting at home alone while my thoughts spiral in my head.

And I’ve got to give it to this place, they mix a good drink.

Rowdy laughter breaks out behind me. I don’t need to turn around to know where it’s coming from—who it’s coming from.

I can’t believe on my first night in town I came across the very last person I want to see. I’d rather set fire to myself than have to have a conversation with him—the main reason I swore I’d never return.

I should have known though. Kauri Creek is not a big place. I knew when I drove back here this morning that eventually I’d see him.

I just didn’t think it would be on a Wednesday night when I’m exhausted and emotional from moving into my grandmother’s old house.

I wish she were here. She’d make everything better. But she died when I was eighteen and I have no other family left.

I left Kauri Creek not long after, making one of the worst decisions of my life. That was six years ago.

If I was allowed, I’d sell Grandma’s little cottage on the edge of town and never look back. I inherited it with her passing, but I’m not allowed to sell it until I turn twenty-five. Until then, it’s held in trust so while I can live there, I can’t take the money and run. I mean, move on.

Maybe she knew that I’d need to come home, and that running out of money was going to be the final domino in a line of events that saw me return. It’s not the only reason I’m back, but a pretty major part of my decision.

I take another swig of my drink and let the icy liquid cool my emotions.

Heavy footsteps stop beside me and I suck in a breath. Has he finally recognised me? Come to have a go?

“Hey, man. Another round for that lot, please.”

A voice I definitely don’t know. I risk a peek out of the corner of my eye. He’s one of the few guys from the corner I don’t recognise.

He’s wearing boots and worn black jeans, a chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, displaying strong forearms that are resting against the bar, and dark blond hair cut short and neat. He works his jaw from side to side.

His real sharp jaw.

He looks like he strolled right off the set of a cowboy movie. Based on his company, I’m guessing he strolled right off Constellation Station, the largest sheep and beef farm in the area.

“Hey.” The guys voice is quieter now than when he called for more drinks and I wonder who he’s talking to. “Is this seat taken?”

I risk another glance and find him looking down at me. I arch an eyebrow. “Is that your line?”

He grins. “Would you rather I come up with some cheesy-ass line that you can mock me about?”

“I’d rather you didn’t talk to me at all.” I’m not usually this mean, but I don’t have it in me to deal with small talk tonight, especially not with some cocky cowboy.

“Oof, that was brutal.”

I shrug. “Why feed me a line at all? Why not just carry on with your evening and leave me to mine?”

It’s his turn to shrug. “I haven’t seen you around before so Ithought I’d say hello. The concept of someone drinking alone has never really sat right with me.” Oh, so he’s just super friendly. I wonder if he’s been put up to it. It wouldn’t surprise me.

“Well, it’s not the most fun but it’s the easiest way to drown your sorrows. So, here I am.”

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