Page 47 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

She’d got back late yesterday, and Sadie had been in bed reading. She’d gone to say hello but Tara had been desperate for a hot bath so she’d left her to it. This morning, they’d sorted through the purchases and talked about what they could sell them for, but not much else. Sadie had noticed, though, that her sister seemed to be in a bit of a strange mood.

‘So are you going to spill then?’ she asked.

‘Spill what?’ Tara asked, looking up from the chocolate biscuit she was hovering over her mug.

‘What happened yesterday.’

‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Tara said, putting the biscuit on the table untouched.

‘There’s something going on with you,’ Sadie said. ‘And it’s because of yesterday.’

Tara sighed and put her mug down. ‘I had a lovely day.’

‘I can see that and I think there’s a reason why.’ Sadie raised her brows then reached across the table and grabbed the biscuit her sister had abandoned. ‘Did something happen between you and Seth?’

Tara shifted on her seat then sipped her tea, put the mug down then touched her fingers to her mouth. Her cheeks turned pink and she smiled.

‘You kissed him?’ Sadie’s voice came out with a squeak.

‘What?’ Tara’s eyes widened. ‘What makes you say that?’

‘The dreamy expression on your face and the faraway look in your eyes. You kissed him yesterday, didn’t you?’

Tara shook her head but wouldn’t look up. Instead, she took another biscuit from the tin and started to break pieces off. She chewed them absently as if she couldn’t even taste them.

‘Tara, tell me. I’m not judging you; I just want to know. Although, in all fairness, it’s none of my business but we’ve always talked about these things and I… I just want to know that you’re OK.’

Tara met her eyes then. ‘I’m OK. I promise. I… I think I am, anyway.’

‘Oh love.’ Sadie reached across the table and took Tara’s hand. ‘I’ve been where you are.’

‘What? In a situationship with your landlord?’ Tara gave a small laugh.

‘No, you daft woman. I meant, I’ve been where you are in terms of falling for someone.’

Tara visibly shook herself. ‘What do you mean, falling for someone?’

‘Well, you are, aren’t you?’

Tara frowned then picked up her mug, saw it was empty so put it back down. ‘Am I?’

‘You don’t know?’ Sadie said gently.

‘I… I really like Seth and yesterday we had such a great time. I like him. A lot. And perhaps it could be more, but it has a time limit on it, so it can’t go anywhere.’

‘It doesn’t have to have a time limit though, does it?’ Sadie said. ‘I have to go home after Christmas, and I want to because I have a husband and a home. But you don’t have to leave Wisteria Hollow if you don’t want to. What is there away from here for you?’

‘Gee, thanks.’ Tara pouted.

‘I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that you could stay here if you wanted to. Or not. You have the freedom to choose is what I meant.’

‘I didn’t want to get into anything romantic,’ Tara said. ‘I wanted us to make a success of the shop, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to meet anyone. I mean, when I first met Seth, I could see that he was handsome, but he was incredibly grumpy. But somehow, over the past few weeks, he’s got under my skin.’

‘Honey, if it’s right, it’s just right,’ Sadie said, smiling. ‘Now then, tell me… Did you kiss?’

Tara grinned and twirled a lock of hair around her finger.

‘How was it?’ Sadie asked.