Page 46 of Where the Heart Is

‘This quiche is getting cold,’ she said, picking up her knife and fork, wincing as the stainless steel came into contact with her cuts, and hacking off a giant chunk and stuffing it into her mouth.

Thankfully, Jack didn’t push the issue, but she felt his glare on her as she devoured the quiche, amazed by how good it was.

‘You should enter this in the Ashe Ridge Show,’ she said, after she’d finished every last crumb. ‘You can bake, my man.’

She’d meant it as a flippant comment, but as their gazes locked across the table, his quizzical, hers confused, she wondered why it felt so good to claim Jack as hers, even in jest.

CHAPTER

26

Mila rarely wore makeup but after another sleepless night—courtesy of replaying that sizzling kiss with Sawyer repeatedly—she slathered on concealer to hide the dark shadows under her eyes and finished with a dusting powder.

She did it out of practicality rather than vanity because a trip into town looking like she hadn’t slept would invite a host of pity.

‘Oh no, poor Mila is heartbroken over being dumped at the altar.’

‘Mila’s not sleeping. It’s tough when love leads you down the wrong path.’

‘The insomnia must be dreadful when your fiancé ditches you for another woman.’

The gossips would have a field day and she couldn’t stand it. But she had to go into town because she wanted to meet with Freddie, her accountant, to inform him of the upcoming deal in the works to sell off some of her land. He’d been diligent when outlining the tax ramifications of combining assets and the like when she’d consulted him before marrying Phil, so she wanted to get ahead of the game in the hope Sawyer would contact her soon with a proposal.

It had been so tempting last night to accept his offer of help.They’d been cosy around the fire pit, their bellies full, and relaxed in each other’s company despite that incredible kiss.

How she’d been able to act nonchalant while she’d reheated the lasagne and they’d shared half a bottle of wine, she’d never know.Her body had been hyperaware of him moving around her kitchen with ease like they hadn’t been one step away from getting naked in the cottage. If he hadn’t kicked over the paint tray …

Even now, her cheeks heated at the thought. She’d kissed him on impulse, unable to curb her growing attraction to the guy who’d once consumed her world. The way he responded indicated the attraction wasn’t one-sided and she’d been so tempted to invite him to spend the night.

But his offer to help her financially couldn’t have come at a better time because it reminded her that she shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.

She intended on having the latter, with Sawyer, for however long he was in town. Accepting his offer would muddy their relationship and she didn’t need the complication. Much easier for him to broker a deal, so if they ended up in bed together—though she was hoping it would be when, not if—they could part as friends, without a loan tying them together and making things potentially awkward.

After a brief stop at the bakery, where she picked up two vanilla slices and coffees, she walked the short distance to Freddie’s office. He worked from home most days but twice a week he rented a room from Samuel Nobil, the lawyer, for those who preferred a more ‘official’ meeting place. Considering the way Freddie flirted with her, she conducted business from his town office.

She’d called ahead to tell him she’d be dropping in around ten and as she entered the musty offices just off Main Street, Samuel’s door was closed but Freddie’s was wide open. Samuel had a part-time receptionist, but Gwen was nowhere in sight, so Mila popped her head around Freddie’s open door, to find his forehead scrunched as he studied his laptop screen.

‘Hey there. Got a minute?’ she called out, not surprised when his frown cleared and he grinned as she entered his office.

‘I always have time for you,’ he said, standing and moving around his desk to pull out a chair for her. ‘Nice to see you, Mila.’

With his wavy auburn hair, hazel eyes, and ready smile, Freddie was easy on the eyes and nice to boot. But there was no spark despite his many attempts to manufacture one over the years and when she’d announced her whirlwind engagement to Phil, he’d been surprised. But considering his eagerness now, he must’ve heard of her aborted wedding like the rest of the town, and probably saw himself in the role of comforter.

‘Thanks for making time to see me today,’ she said, handing over one of the cups. ‘I brought you coffee as a thank you.’

‘That’s kind of you.’

Their fingers brushed as she handed over the coffee and … nothing. It would be so much easier if she fell for a local guy, someone decent and respectable who understood her love of farming in the Wimmera. But there was a vast difference between entering into an arrangement with a friend who understood the status quo, like Phil, and encouraging someone who could have genuine feelings, like Freddie.

Phil understood the rigours of farming. The isolation. The loneliness. Freddie was a townie—even if Ashe Ridge was a small town—and he’d expect a relationship to be real from the beginning. Something she couldn’t offer anyone, not with the constant financial stress of keeping Hills Homestead afloat consuming every waking moment, and most sleeping ones too.

‘I’m sure you’re sick of people saying they’re sorry about your wedding not going ahead, so I won’t say it.’ He perched on the edge of his desk and raised his coffee cup. ‘Here’s to you being single again.’

‘Some things aren’t meant to be,’ she said, smiling behind her cup as his eyes lit up when she didn’t chastise him for his lack of sympathy. ‘Now that I’m not marrying Phil, I’m looking into selling a tract of land to an investor.’

‘Sounds like a plan if you can tackle that tricky subdivision clause. Who’s the buyer?’

‘I don’t know yet. Sawyer Mann’s broking the deal and he has the power to render the subdivision clause void apparently.’

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