“Harold has an appointment to see the mayor.Some business thing,” a dark-haired woman said.“I hope his mood improves.We have a Hunt Ball tonight, and it won’t be any fun if he’s in a grump.”
“Ply him with a few drinks first,” the blonde advised.“I’ll take this platter, please.”She handed it to Tamsin while Liam took care of the payment.
That was the start of their sales, and trade was brisk for the plates, cups, and saucers.The tumblers didn’t sell as well, but if the lemonade vendor arrived, he had a plan and a proposition for the man.
“We’re selling at the higher price,” Tamsin whispered, sounding more animated.“We’re doing better here than in the main market.”
“It’s because people can nip back to their cars and put away their purchases instead of carrying them around.”
“Maybe,” Tamsin said.“Uh-oh.Here comes the lemonade seller.He does not look happy.”
“Don’t worry.I’ll deal with him.What’s his name?”
“Tony,” Tamsin said.
Liam steeled himself and prepared to sell his scheme.“Hello, I’m Liam.I hope you don’t mind sharing your spot.They oversold the market spaces, and we had nowhere to go.I have a plan to help both of us sell more.Perhaps we could discuss it while I help you set up?”
Chapter 5
Hermother’ssmilewasthe brightest Sienna had seen in months.
“Best market day we’ve ever had,” she announced, setting down a platter of chopped vegetables.“We sold everything except one chipped plate.”
“Everything?”Sienna looked up from stirring a sauce.
“Every cup.Every saucer.A lovely couple from Bath bought half our stock in one go.”Mama’s eyes sparkled.“We can stock the pantry this week.”
“Could you make small heart shapes?”Liam, who had sat quietly, spoke to her father.“In blue or blue and white.You could thread a ribbon through the top and sell them as pendants.”
Sienna’s mouth dropped open.A brilliant suggestion.She wanted to say so, but her brothers beat her to it.
“Yes!”Caden whooped with excitement.“Easily.They’d be quick to make.”
Jago nodded.“Yeah, all we’d need is the ribbon.”
“What color?”Kitto asked.
“Black might work best.”Sienna turned to her mother.“Can we afford to purchase some tomorrow?”
“We can.Create a few larger hearts to attach to cards with heartfelt poems.Tourists love sweet sentiments,” her mother said.
Sienna’s attention shifted to Liam, and her conscience prickled before she could shut it down because he’d scrunched his brow and furtively rubbed his temples.“Liam, it’s worth trying to shift.I could show you our swimming hole.”Should she tell him the truth?They weren’t mates, and she’d brought him here without asking his permission.The urge to scream gnawed at her, but she pushed back because this plan of hers was working.
He’d suggested a fantastic idea that might become a successful income stream and…
“Ahem!”Mama paused until everyone was silent.A soft smile formed, making her mother seem much younger.“Remember those tumblers we predicted would sell well but flopped?”
Papa sighed.“A miscalculation.”
“We sold them today!Thanks to Liam’s quick thinking, we struck a deal with Tony.We sold the tumblers filled with his lemonade.”
Jago frowned.“But doesn’t the lemonade seller set up near the car park?”
Her mother sniffed.“The woman who organizes the tables gave away our spot.But it turns out the place she put us is much better.”
Sienna’s chest squeezed tight, and gratitude stung her eyes.Her plan was working, and she needed to overcome her self-doubt.Liam hadn’t met a mate.He’d probably be pleased if he understood what she’d done.
She resolved to become the best mate ever.Unwittingly, she’d picked the perfect shifter.If she’d followed her plan and abducted Scott, the other one…
