Page 53 of Yule Party on Sunflower Street

‘If not, Sander’s got some fierce competition,’ she said, laughing.

‘Indeed he does.’ He laughed. ‘Uhm… I came to see you.’

‘Oh?’ She raised her brows.

‘Can we talk?’

‘I wanted to speak to you, actually,’ she said, taking his arm and leading him over to the doorway where it was quieter.

‘So… Tara, I—’ he said at the same time as she said, ‘Seth, I need⁠—’

They both stopped and then Tara said, ‘You go first.’

‘Are you sure?’ he said.

‘Positive.’ She smiled but there was uncertainty in her eyes.

‘OK. So…’ He swallowed. ‘I wanted to tell you that I’m very impressed with what you’ve done here. Your d-diligence, enthusiasm and amazing gift for sales make you perfect for a shop like this. I know you spoke about wanting to have your own place and loving the village and… Well, firstly, you have to know that there is no pressure from me regarding you—I mean me… No, I mean us. Us. I like you a lot, Tara, but I want you to know this is f-first and foremost a business proposition. S-so…’

Tara was watching him, her expression changing from one of confusion to sadness to anticipation.

‘I’m so sorry, Tara, I’m babbling, aren’t I? Anyway, I wanted to say that if you are interested in staying in Wisteria Hollow, you can have first dibs on the shop after the refurb.’

He held his breath and waited for her reaction.

Her eyes widened then filled with tears and he shook his head. ‘Oh, no. I’m so sorry. It’s not what you want?’

‘You’re offering me the chance to open a shop here permanently?’ she said.

‘If that’s what you want.’

‘I do! I really do. But… Is that all you’re offering?’

‘No. Well… See, I think it’s important that we don’t confuse business with what else is happening here. I would hate for you to feel obliged to be with me. If you’d like the shop, it’s yours. I’ll get it refurbished as planned, so it will be fresh for you to start again, and then you can set up whatever sort of shop it is you’re dreaming about. But as for us…’ He exhaled slowly. ‘I adore you, Tara, and would love to get to know you better and see if we can make a go of this too.’

Tara took his arm and moved him so he was standing right in the doorway of the shop, then she pointed above their heads. Seth tilted his head and saw a sprig of mistletoe.

‘Seth, I would love to have this shop and… I would love to have a chance with you.’ She touched his cheek and warmth spread through him. ‘I had a good feeling the moment I walked in here that it could be the right place for me and now it’s the perfect Christmas gift. But to have a chance with you too… It must be my lucky year.’

She took hold of the lapels of his coat and pulled him closer then slid a hand around the back of his neck. ‘Will you kiss me under the lucky mistletoe so we can seal the deal?’

‘I would be delighted,’ he said.

So he did.

EPILOGUE – TARA

Tara placed the plush rabbit toy on the shelf and stood back. Along with the fluffy yellow chicks, painted eggshells and mugs decorated with spring flowers, it looked good, but it needed something else and she wasn’t sure what.

The bell above the shop door tinkled and she turned around.

‘Hello, you.’

‘I got you something,’ Seth said, holding out a bag.

‘What is it?’ she said.

‘Take a look.’