Page 27 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘In two weeks.’ Tara nibbled at her lower lip and Seth found himself watching as her teeth tugged at the soft flesh. It was such a simple habit she had but one that made him feel very aware of his own heartbeat.

‘Wow! That’s not much time,’ he said eventually.

‘No. We know that but then we’re only here for a few more weeks.’ Tara blinked.

‘OK then, so where?’ he asked.

‘Here and around the village. We were hoping that other people would get involved too.’

‘Who have you asked?’ he said.

Tara glanced at Sadie and they both seemed to deflate. ‘No one yet.’

‘I see.’ He exhaled slowly.

‘We have some ideas but we’re a bit stuck on procedure etc and were hoping you could help with that.’ Tara watched him carefully. ‘Of course, we know how busy you are and don’t want to get on your nerves and⁠—’

Seth swallowed. ‘It’s not that. Not at all. I’ll be glad to help but this seems like a big undertaking in such a short space of time.’

Tara and Sadie gazed at him while he tried to work out what they’d need to do.

‘This would involve permission from the council, relevant insurance, accessibility considerations, music licensing, weather forecast and more.’ He pulled out his phone.

‘It’s too much, isn’t it?’ Sadie asked softly.

Seth looked from her to Tara.

‘Just say if you think it’s a terrible idea,’ Tara said.

The defeat in her voice hit him squarely in the chest and his fingers itched to touch her and offer comfort.

‘I don’t think it’s terrible,’ he said, his brain racing with ideas about how to help them. ‘Ambitious, but not terrible. I’m sure it’s doable, but it’s a lot to do on your own while running the shop, so let me help you.’

‘Really?’ Tara’s eyes lit up. ‘You’d do that?’

Seth smiled. ‘Of course I will.’

He’d observed these two women set up the shop from scratch, bring in customers and make those customers feel welcome. They were doing well but they could do with more sales. An event could help bring in more customers.

Sadie checked her phone. ‘Oh! Excuse me a moment.’ She dashed out the back and Seth and Tara were alone.

‘Do you really think we can do this?’ Tara asked. ‘Or were you just being kind?’

‘I really think you can. Especially with some help from your favourite landlord.’

Tara peered at him from behind her thick, dark lashes and his collar suddenly felt too tight. He cleared his throat, his gaze drifting to her mouth before he forced himself to look away. He was acutely aware of her fragile hope, and he wanted to support her. Then, a realisation made his breath catch: he didn’t want to be the man who let her down.

‘Is that contractor going to do the work for you after Christmas?’ she asked softly.

‘In January, he’ll do a full refurb.’

‘What will happen to the shop then?’ Tara asked, looking around her.

‘I’ll rent it on a long-term lease.’

She sighed. ‘Someone will be very lucky to have this shop.’

‘It’s a good little building. It just needs a bit of an update.’