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Hazel turned to look at her mother. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Plus I can put the photos up on social media. When?”

“Now, if you like. Grab my camera from the shelf over there.” Molly pointed with her paintbrush. Hazel walked over to the shelf and picked up the high-tech digital camera. She took the cap off and extended the lens finder.

Walking over to the window, she decided she would take some snaps of the landscape to warm up. This window was open, so she poked her head outside. Adjusting the lens, she snapped a picture. The sun was shining down over the mountains and fields, giving her the perfect light. She walked around the studio, taking pictures of the artwork, Molly and Bailey. She eventually went over to the cupboard that housed her jewellery. Grabbing a dark velvet board, which she placed on the table, she began to arrange a bracelet that had tiny moonstones and sapphires all the way around the thread.

“The shop on the website is set up to alert me when a sale is made, so I’ll just tell you when it happens,” Molly mentioned.

Hazel nodded in reply as she worked with more of her jewellery, arranging and snapping pictures.

Sometime later, Sam poked his head through the open studio door. He approached Molly to tell her that the kitchen cabinets had undergone their final coat of paint. He’d worked fast in the few days he’d started on the kitchen. But not fast enough for Hazel, who’d been forced to find other activities to keep her occupied so she wasn’t continuously staring at him while he worked. He said he didn’t mind, but she couldn’t ogle him all day.

“I can’t wait to see it. I’m nearly finished with this one. Give me a minute.” Molly made a few more strokes with her brush, then stood back to study her painting, deciding if she was satisfied.

Hazel quickly snapped a shot of Sam as he walked towards her. She grinned as she looked at the photo. Sam’s lips were turned up in the beginnings of a smile. His hair was messy from hard labour, and his eyes were bright in the afternoon sun. He wrapped his arm around her waist as he peered at the picture over her shoulder. She turned to him, meeting his lips.

“You look handsome,” she whispered.

Sam chuckled and shook his head. “What are you up to?”

“I’ve been photographing my jewellery to list on Mum’s website. I’ve been taking pictures all afternoon. I’ll edit and upload them tomorrow. I have to think about pricing too. I’m not sure whether to include the shipping in the price. That way I can advertise as free shipping,” Hazel murmured, speaking aloud. She made a note in the sketchpad she had beside her.

“Ok, I’m ready,” Molly called as she placed her paintbrush on the palette.

Sam led them down the steps and into the kitchen. The cabinets had been a dark green, but were now a crisp white. He’d also screwed the new handles on the doors.

“I’ll do the splashback next week and install the new bench. Then it’s just the appliance install to go.” Sam helped Molly step over the protective cloth he had laid over the floor.

Glancing around, Molly beamed. “There is such a difference already. I love it.”

“Well, it should all be finished before your exhibition.”

“Everything is coming together nicely.” Molly grinned, thinking not only of her renovations, but also of her daughter who was starting to put down roots. Roots with a very handsome, kind hearted man that she hoped would give Hazel another reason to stay. Molly did a tiny dance in her half-finished kitchen.

CHAPTER TEN

There were no pineapples. Sam had searched every section of the produce department, but alas, no pineapples. He grumbled to himself as he headed over to the fridge section of the grocer. Bottled would have to do. He’d had a grand plan to juice some fresh pineapples for Hazel, but obviously that was not going to happen now.

She was coming over on the weekend, and he wanted to make sure he had her favourite snacks ready for her. He’d paid attention to the brand of crackers they’d had the other day at the beach when Hazel had exclaimed they were her favourite. And he’d made a note of the cheese too. She’d made comments about how delicious the cheddar was.

Sam had also noticed she regularly swiped sour worms from a little jar that sat on the bench of Molly’s kitchen. Heading to the lolly aisle, he nabbed a few packets, trying to find ones with the most pink and blue worms. He knew those were her favourite.

She drank tea every day, and the crème brûlée was her favourite. He’d noticed the brand on the packet in Molly’s pantry when he’d been painting, and googled where to find some. A little deli in the next town stocked it, so he was planning on heading over there sometime before Saturday.

He made his way to the counter to pay, trying not to think about how deep his feelings ran for her. He had never, in his life, bought food to stock at his home for anyone other than himself. Or maybe Lucas. He used to buy the flavour of chips Lucas preferred when he’d come over to watch footy.

The last two days he’d been at another job. He hadn’t seen Hazel since he’d shown her and her mother the progress on the kitchen. Sam missed her. It felt like an ache he couldn’t get rid of.

Putting the bags in his truck, he whipped out his phone. Leaning against the door, he quickly typed out a message.

Sam: Still on for Saturday? xx

Hazel: Wouldn’t miss it. Bringing Bailey if that’s ok? Xx

Sam: Of course xx

Sam smiled at his phone as he opened the door and jumped inside. Every interaction he had with her put a smile on his face. No wonder people talked about love all the time. No wonder there were so many songs, books and movies about it. Love was intoxicating.

She had to stay. He couldn’t bear it if she left.