Chapter 10
CHAPTER
10
Mila had walked Sawyer to his car—not a moment too soon, considering their old camaraderie had taken little to flare to life—when Phil pulled up in his ute.
Great, just what she needed: a reminder of how this all-round shitty day had gone awry.
Sawyer stiffened and slammed his car door shut without getting in. ‘What’s he doing here?’
‘No idea.’
‘I’ll gladly kick his arse if you want me too,’ Sawyer muttered, drawing his shoulders back and leaving Mila in little doubt he’d make good on his offer if she wanted.
Not that she’d take him up on it, but it was nice to see Sawyer in defensive mode, ready to protect her honour if she asked. A bonus, seeing his shirt stretch across his chest, hinting at muscles she had no right ogling. Those few illicit moments in his lap had addled her brain, along with his joking proposal. Because while thrown out in jest, for a second she’d envisaged being married to Sawyer and known it would’ve been far from platonic.
‘I can take care of Phil,’ she said, raising a hand in a half-hearted wave at her runaway groom.
‘That’s what the lech is counting on,’ Sawyer muttered. A deep frown grooved his brow as Phil strode towards them.
‘Be nice,’ she murmured, seeing Phil’s steps falter the exact second he recognised Sawyer.
‘Sawyer Mann. Long time no see.’ Phil held out his hand. ‘What brings you to town?’
‘A wedding that’s not happening because of you, apparently.’ Sawyer ignored Phil’s hand and the older guy lowered it, his expression sheepish.
‘That’s between me and Mila—’
‘Cut the bullshit, Phil. I know all about your fake marriage.’ Sawyer’s glower made Phil take a backward step and Mila stifled a grin.
Not that she needed Sawyer to protect her but having him bristle at Phil like a guard dog felt kind of nice. She’d been taking care of herself for a long time and wore her independence like a gold medal. But Phil had ruined her plans for saving the farm so having Sawyer give him a hard time made her want to hug him.
‘Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ Phil said, his lopsided smile not earning any brownie points with her. ‘I’ve contacted everyone and told them I’ve met someone and I called off the wedding because of the other woman, so you don’t look bad.’
Animosity radiated off Sawyer and she laid a hand on his arm.
‘Actually, Phil, that doesn’t make me look bad, but it does make me look like a loser.’
Phil’s confused gaze swung between her and Sawyer. ‘But I thought I was doing the right thing, taking the blame for the wedding not going ahead.’
She should be more magnanimous, but it wasn’t until this moment that Mila realised she’d be the talk of Ashe Ridge for months to come. She’d done such a good job of fooling herself and the rest of the town into believing this marriage was real—dinners at the pub with Phil, shopping at the farmers market together, baking for the school’s fundraising stall—that she’d probably have to fend off countless questions and pitying hugs for ages.
‘I’m sorry, Mila.’ Phil held out his hands, palms up, like he had nothing to hide. ‘I wish things could be different.’
‘I don’t.’ Sawyer glared at Phil with such ferocity that fear glinted in Phil’s eyes. ‘Now why don’t you piss off and leave Mila alone.’
‘We’re neighbours and friends, so why don’t you head back to where you came from?’
Phil reiterating they were neighbours and she’d be stuck with him for the foreseeable future—unless the unthinkable happened and she lost the farm—must’ve hit home for Sawyer. Some of the tension drained from his shoulders and he managed a brief nod.
‘See you round, Phil.’
She almost felt sorry for her friend as his gaze swung between her and Sawyer, wondering if she was okay. ‘Thanks, Phil,’ she said, effectively turning her back on him when he looked like he’d stick around.
Hearing his footsteps crunch on the gravel as he walked away, she finally relaxed, surprised by the emotion clogging her throat again. She’d always hated being the centre of attention and to have people staring at her over the next few weeks … ugh.
‘Are you okay?’ Sawyer tipped her chin up. ‘It’s not too late for me to whip his arse.’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, but it came out shakier than she intended.
‘Hey, let me take you out to lunch. You’ll be doing me a favour. I hate eating alone.’
The last thing Mila felt like doing was parading herself through town on what should’ve been her wedding day. Then again, showing everyone how completely unaffected she was by Phil dumping her would stave off the inevitable pity and quash the gossip.
‘Sounds like a plan.’
He walked around the car and opened the passenger door. ‘Hop in.’
‘But then you’ll have to drive me back to the farm afterwards and head back into town.’
‘So?’
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and she laughed, just as he must’ve intended. He’d always had the knack to make her feel better and she appreciated his offer—and his presence—more than he knew.
‘Just because I had a crush on you in my delusional teens doesn’t mean I’ll fall for your charms this time around.’
Oops. Mila mentally clapped a hand over her mouth as Sawyer studied her. Where had that come from?
Thankfully, he recovered from her verbal diarrhoea first. ‘You liked me, huh?’
Okay, so they were doing this. Having a discussion about how smitten she’d been. Maybe it was a good thing? Clear the air so there were no misconceptions, so he wouldn’t think seeing him again after all this time had awoken her old crush and made her yearn for things she had no right yearning for. Like Sawyer Mann in her bed.
‘You didn’t know?’
‘I thought we were mates,’ he said, his deep voice sending a shiver of longing through her that they could be more.
‘We were. We are,’ she clarified. ‘Now that I’ve embarrassed myself enough by taking a stroll down memory lane, why don’t I meet you at the pub in thirty minutes?’
‘You sure you don’t want a lift? I’m happy to drop you back afterwards then head back into town.’
‘I’m sure.’
The last thing she needed was to be confined in his car, with his potent presence overwhelming her more than he already had.
‘Suit yourself.’ He nodded and opened the car door. But he paused as he slid behind the wheel and started the engine. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m glad you didn’t marry that prick.’
With a cheeky smile that made her heart leap, he revved the engine, gave her a half salute, and gunned it, leaving gravel spraying in his wake.
But twenty minutes later, Mila couldn’t stop second-guessing the wisdom of having lunch with Sawyer at the pub. All those prying eyes, judging her, wondering what happened in her relationship with Phil for him to call off the wedding.
Then again, she could do with the distraction, so she grabbed her bag and keys, then shut the door. But she hadn’t made it two steps along the verandah before her mobile vibrated in her pocket, and as she slid it out and glanced at the screen, her gut tightened.
Any time Christopher Maddox called, it wasn’t good. She contemplated ignoring his call, diverting it to her messages, but she’d already tried every tactic to stall the bank manager and the last thing she needed was for his patience with her to run out.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, she tapped the answer icon. ‘Hey, Chris, how are you? Shouldn’t you be taking a lunch break?’
‘I’m on my way out shortly, but had to give you a call now, Mila.’
‘It couldn’t wait until later?’ She forced a laugh, surprised any sound came out considering the lump of foreboding in her throat.
‘No.’ He paused and she gripped the mobile tight. ‘I’m afraid the bank has given you all the leeway we can, Mila. I know times are tough and the farming community in general is suffering, but I’ve held off foreclosing as long as I can.’
He cleared his throat. ‘If you don’t make a loan repayment by the end of the month, you’ll lose the farm.’
Her heart stalled and she gritted her teeth to stop a sob from escaping. She knew her situation was dire and had hoped that the cash injection marrying Phil would’ve provided could’ve bought her a few months, so she could get the farm stay operational.
Now, with Chris giving her a three-week deadline, she was out of time.
‘Mila? You still there?’
‘Yeah, Chris. Just processing.’
‘I know this isn’t the best time, especially today. I’m sorry.’
Wow, news certainly travelled fast in this town. Even her bank manager had heard about her aborted wedding.
But she didn’t need his pity. She needed a solution to her financial problems. Fast.
‘Thanks for calling, Chris. I’ll sort something out and get back to you.’
‘Make sure you do, because I’d hate for you to lose Hills Homestead, especially when it’s been in your family for generations.’
That made two of them.
‘Thanks, I’ll be in touch.’ Mila disconnected before she did something crazy, like release the scream building in her chest.
She had to come up with the money.
But damned if she knew how.