Chapter 26
CHAPTER
26
Mila rarely wore makeup but after another sleepless night—courtesy of replaying that sizzling kiss with Sawyer repeatedly—she slathered on concealer to hide the dark shadows under her eyes and finished with a dusting powder.
She did it out of practicality rather than vanity because a trip into town looking like she hadn’t slept would invite a host of pity.
‘Oh no, poor Mila is heartbroken over being dumped at the altar.’
‘Mila’s not sleeping. It’s tough when love leads you down the wrong path.’
‘The insomnia must be dreadful when your fiancé ditches you for another woman.’
The gossips would have a field day and she couldn’t stand it. But she had to go into town because she wanted to meet with Freddie, her accountant, to inform him of the upcoming deal in the works to sell off some of her land. He’d been diligent when outlining the tax ramifications of combining assets and the like when she’d consulted him before marrying Phil, so she wanted to get ahead of the game in the hope Sawyer would contact her soon with a proposal.
It had been so tempting last night to accept his offer of help.
They’d been cosy around the fire pit, their bellies full, and relaxed in each other’s company despite that incredible kiss.
How she’d been able to act nonchalant while she’d reheated the lasagne and they’d shared half a bottle of wine, she’d never know.
Her body had been hyperaware of him moving around her kitchen with ease like they hadn’t been one step away from getting naked in the cottage. If he hadn’t kicked over the paint tray …
Even now, her cheeks heated at the thought. She’d kissed him on impulse, unable to curb her growing attraction to the guy who’d once consumed her world. The way he responded indicated the attraction wasn’t one-sided and she’d been so tempted to invite him to spend the night.
But his offer to help her financially couldn’t have come at a better time because it reminded her that she shouldn’t mix business with pleasure.
She intended on having the latter, with Sawyer, for however long he was in town. Accepting his offer would muddy their relationship and she didn’t need the complication. Much easier for him to broker a deal, so if they ended up in bed together—though she was hoping it would be when, not if—they could part as friends, without a loan tying them together and making things potentially awkward.
After a brief stop at the bakery, where she picked up two vanilla slices and coffees, she walked the short distance to Freddie’s office. He worked from home most days but twice a week he rented a room from Samuel Nobil, the lawyer, for those who preferred a more ‘official’ meeting place. Considering the way Freddie flirted with her, she conducted business from his town office.
She’d called ahead to tell him she’d be dropping in around ten and as she entered the musty offices just off Main Street, Samuel’s door was closed but Freddie’s was wide open. Samuel had a part-time receptionist, but Gwen was nowhere in sight, so Mila popped her head around Freddie’s open door, to find his forehead scrunched as he studied his laptop screen.
‘Hey there. Got a minute?’ she called out, not surprised when his frown cleared and he grinned as she entered his office.
‘I always have time for you,’ he said, standing and moving around his desk to pull out a chair for her. ‘Nice to see you, Mila.’
With his wavy auburn hair, hazel eyes, and ready smile, Freddie was easy on the eyes and nice to boot. But there was no spark despite his many attempts to manufacture one over the years and when she’d announced her whirlwind engagement to Phil, he’d been surprised. But considering his eagerness now, he must’ve heard of her aborted wedding like the rest of the town, and probably saw himself in the role of comforter.
‘Thanks for making time to see me today,’ she said, handing over one of the cups. ‘I brought you coffee as a thank you.’
‘That’s kind of you.’
Their fingers brushed as she handed over the coffee and … nothing. It would be so much easier if she fell for a local guy, someone decent and respectable who understood her love of farming in the Wimmera. But there was a vast difference between entering into an arrangement with a friend who understood the status quo, like Phil, and encouraging someone who could have genuine feelings, like Freddie.
Phil understood the rigours of farming. The isolation. The loneliness. Freddie was a townie—even if Ashe Ridge was a small town—and he’d expect a relationship to be real from the beginning. Something she couldn’t offer anyone, not with the constant financial stress of keeping Hills Homestead afloat consuming every waking moment, and most sleeping ones too.
‘I’m sure you’re sick of people saying they’re sorry about your wedding not going ahead, so I won’t say it.’ He perched on the edge of his desk and raised his coffee cup. ‘Here’s to you being single again.’
‘Some things aren’t meant to be,’ she said, smiling behind her cup as his eyes lit up when she didn’t chastise him for his lack of sympathy. ‘Now that I’m not marrying Phil, I’m looking into selling a tract of land to an investor.’
‘Sounds like a plan if you can tackle that tricky subdivision clause. Who’s the buyer?’
‘I don’t know yet. Sawyer Mann’s broking the deal and he has the power to render the subdivision clause void apparently.’
A tiny furrow appeared between his brows. ‘Sawyer’s back in town?’
‘Yeah. My brother couldn’t make the wedding, so Sawyer came instead.’
‘Uh-huh,’ Freddie mumbled, and she knew why.
Freddie had been a year behind her at school and even then, he hadn’t hidden his crush well. He’d asked her out once and she’d said no, using Sawyer as an excuse—that they were almost dating and Sawyer wouldn’t like it—and she’d caught him casting Sawyer death glares at school afterwards.
After Sawyer left town, Freddie had joked she was free to date him, but she’d shut him down again and he hadn’t pushed the issue since. But many years had passed, and it looked like Freddie still wasn’t Sawyer’s biggest fan.
‘Make sure you have Sam look over any contract,’ Freddie said, sounding like a disapproving parent.
‘Absolutely. Though I trust Sawyer. He’s a friend.’
‘Friendship and business don’t mix,’ Freddie said. ‘Get everything in writing.’
‘I will. Though I assumed selling to an investor would be easier for the accounts. Less complications than dividing assets with a spouse?’
He nodded. ‘It is. I can forward you some information on deals of this kind. And once Sam’s looked over the contract, I’ll go over it too, check out the financial ramifications.’
‘Thanks, that’d be great.’ She handed him one of the bags. ‘Almost forgot. I got you a vanilla slice to go with that coffee.’
He smiled his thanks and took the bag. ‘You sure know the way to my heart.’
She refrained from rolling her eyes, just. ‘Email me that info and I’ll make an appointment with Sam as soon as I get the contract.’
‘That’s wise.’ He stuck his nose into the bag and inhaled. ‘These vanilla slices have to be the best in Victoria.’
‘You won’t get any arguments from me.’ Mila rattled her own bag. ‘I swear they put some secret ingredient in the custard.’
They laughed and once again Mila wondered how much easier her life would be if she could spark with a nice guy like Freddie.
‘I’ll walk you out,’ Freddie said, placing the bag on his desk but hanging onto his coffee.
She wanted to say ‘No need’ , but she’d said it in the past and Freddie walked her out regardless. He came across as the wisest thirty-one-year-old she knew with his old-fashioned manners, unless he reserved his chivalry for her in a never-ending attempt to impress her.
When they reached the door, Freddie placed a hand in the small of her back and she tensed. But his expression was guileless as he said, ‘Take care, Mila.’
‘You too.’
A trite response, but by Freddie’s beaming grin, he really thought she meant it.
Increasingly uncomfortable under his unwavering stare, she looked away, only to lock gazes with Sawyer, gawping at her from across the road.