Nine Steps to Sara (23 page)

It turned out having Lucas around was a blessing, because she didn’t have to worry so much about Jack keeping close by.  Mrs. Poole had been right in her assessment of him, and Sara found him far less creepy up close and personal.  Though it was a small village where everybody knew each other, it bothered her to think of
Jack
wandering off alone, but knowing there was another pair of eyes on him, devoted to keeping him safe went a long way towards settling her nerves. 

 
 
Working her way slowly down the series of booths, Sara tried her hand at throwing balls at wooden blocks, tossing rings over milk bottles and trying to hit the bull’s-eye on the dartboard stolen from The Pig’s Ear for the occasion. 

“You’re doing it wrong,” Will’s voice at her ear made Sara jump, nearly dropping the dart in her hand. 

“I didn’t know you were an expert at darts.”

“It so happens it’s a well known fact I’m a champion at darts, and you’re completely mucking it up.”

“Well then, would the champion care to give me a few pointers?” she handed the dart out to him, but Will didn’t take it.  Instead he turned her by the shoulders to face the target and curled his hand around hers. 

“For starters, you’re holding it wrong.  If you hold it too near the tip it throws the entire balance off, you see?”

All Sara could see was the spot of scruff against his jaw that he’d missed in shaving and her fingers itched to touch it.  “Uh huh,” she nodded, remembering to pay attention. 

“Now then, you’ve got the right idea with height, but you want to distribute your weight more evenly,” his hands fell to her hips and all she could concentrate on was the feel of his chest at her back.  “Can you feel the difference?”

“I feel it,” she breathed.

“Good,” his breath was warm by her neck as he leaned close.  “Now, both eyes on the target, and extend your arm, see where the arrow needs to land.”  Her eyes were on the target alright, but Sara’s focus was not on the prize.  There was no way she’d be able to throw the thing with him so close (not that she was in any hurry for him to move), but almost as if he’d read her mind, he stepped away.  “Now, focus, and have a go.”

Momentarily distracted by his withdrawal, Sara took a few seconds to regain her composure, hastily trying to remember more of what he’d said and less of the way she wished it was more of a private lesson.  Letting the dart fly, she gave a hop of excitement when it landed in the eighteen triple spot. 

“I did it!”

“That’s miles away from the bull’s-eye,” he teased and she gave him a playful shove.

“It’s my best score so far, so stop harshing my mellow, okay?”

“I will… as soon as you explain what that means,” his head canted to one side in confusion. 

“Funny,” Sara snorted, taking her third shot and s
coring another triple play
. 

“The Lady wins a prize,” the man running the stall tipped his cap to her, handing over a basket of home made soaps for her to choose from.  Sara picked one that smelled like lavender and chamomile, holding it to her nose with delight.

“Smell this, Will, it’s fantastic.  I’ll take this over a stupid stuffed snake any day,” she smiled, holding it out for him to sniff. 

“My wife makes those, your Ladyship,” he touched his cap again.  “She’ll be pleased to know you’re enjoying it.”

“I’m sure I will.  Did she make all of these?” Sara looked at the array of bath salts and soaps on a side table up for sale. 

“She did,” he beamed proudly. 

“I’d love to outfit the house with these for all the guest rooms.  But there’s no big hurry, I don’t want to hog them all if you were hoping to have more to sell tonight.  Maybe she could make me up a batch later?”

The man looked so happy she thought he might cry.  “You take as many as you please, your Ladyship.  Clara can always make more.”

“Great, then I’ll just leave you…” it took Sara a moment to figure out the cost based on the prices with the unfamiliar money, but she peeled off a few bills and handed them over, “with this, and Will, would you mind taking them to the car?”

“Not at all,” he swooped in and laid a quick kiss to her cheek.  “Well done,” he whispered by her ear.  “I’ll bring the baskets back round tomorrow, eh Sam?”

“As you will,” Sam nodded, still overjoyed at the bills in his hand. 

“Oh, I’ve left you some for prizes still, haven’t I?” Sara looked behind the counter but Sam reassured her with a smile.

“Not to worry, I’ve got a fair bit more squirreled away.”

“I’ll be back in half a tick,” Will promised.  “Try not to miss me.”

“Too late,” Sara called after him, still smiling as she caught up with Jack at the cake booth with a slice of triple layer cake bigger than his head.  “I sure hope you’ve had some real food to eat.”

“Does a sausage roll count as real food?” he looked up from the sticky cake.

“You’re good to go, but try and alternate them, okay?”

“Ah, the heir himself,” Pottinger’s raspy laughter was probably meant to be friendly, but Sara still wasn’t sure what to think of the man as he approached, a crooked walking stick in one hand.  “And are you enjoying yourself this fine eve, young Master?” 

Jack peered back at him, reluctant to talk to strangers and she could hardly blame him.
 
“Jack, this is Mr. Pottinger, he owns the curio shop down the street.  We’re having a great time, thanks for asking,” she gave him a polite smile.

“I see you’re availing yourself of the delights of the evening,” he gestured to the cake.  “And why not, eh?  Enjoy it all while you can.  Yes, yes, while you can,” he tittered to himself.

“What do you mean while he can?” Sara’s smile grew a little thinner, though she kept her tone even.

“I meant before the rains come again, of course,” he touched his nose sagely.  “There’ll be dark skies ahead soon enough, mark my words.”

The owner of the
Bell
and Cross bustled over, her face set into a deep scowl.  “Are you bothering these fine people?” she caught hold of his elbow, steering away.  “I’m sorry if he’s been off on one of his trips, my Lady.  I’ll see he doesn’t disturb your evening any further.  Come along you old
co
dger
,
” Mrs. Dockery practically manhandled the fragile old man off the street.

“It’s fine,” Sara called after them, more than a little puzzled by the swift exit, even more so than the strange man himself. 

“What a weird old guy,” Jack found his voice again, staring after them.  “Actually, I checked weather.com before we came out.  We’re due for very little rain for the next ten days.”

“The guy’s a little nutty, kiddo.  Try not to listen to anything he says,” she patted him on the shoulder.  “
W
hat do you say, are you ready to try your hand at bobbing for apples?”

“That sounds unsanitary,” Jack made a face, “and not
very
practical with glasses.”

“You’d take them off, dummy,” Sara laughed, “Maybe we should…”

“Excuse me, Lady Darling?”

Sara turned around to see the developer standing behind her, looking awfully out of place in his flashy suit in the village fair.  “Oh good, just what we needed.”

“Now hear me out…”

“Can you give me a single reason why I should?” Sara scowled, automatically positioning Jack behind her and looking around for Will, but he was nowhere to be found. 

“I
merely
wanted to apologize for my earlier outburst,” his hands came up in supplication and Sara eased a little.  “It was rude and unprofessional, and I have no excuse for my behavior except perhaps that I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for too long.”

“You’re right, it was,” she nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he just stood there with his contrite smile of apology. 

“Who’s this?” Joanie materialized at her elbow, eyes devouring the well-dressed man. 

“This is Mr. Cole, he came to see me this morning with a business proposal,” Sara replied, her expression still frosty.  “Mr. Cole doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”

“Who does?” he tried for a grin and found an answering one in Joanie.

“A man after my own heart.”

“I would really love the opportunity to present my case to you, this time with the professionalism the project deserves.  I’d hate to think that you and the community might miss out on a real boost to the economy because I managed to queer the pitch,” he offered a contrite smile. 

Sara didn’t want to hear another word about it but she didn’t want to make a scene in the middle of the street either.  “Alright, I tell you what, I’ll meet with you in a few days after I’ve had a chance to settle in a bit more and have a better idea of how this might impact the locals
.
”

“Excellent,” his smile stretched wide.  “When may I call upon you?”

“I’ll call you in a few days,” she insisted, otherwise she had the idea he might camp out on her doorstep.

Joanie sidled up to the man, a speculative gleam in her eyes.  “Listen, why don’t I let you tell me all about it over a drink?  I’ll get Sara to see reason, she always does.”

“Now how could I say no to a
n invitation
from such an enchanting creature?” Cole smiled, offering his arm to Joanie.

“Enchanting…” Joanie flashed a grin to Sara, looking like she could die of happiness over the compliment.  “Later guys, don’t wait up
.
”

Sara bit back the automatic reply of caution that sprang to her lips.  She wasn’t Joanie’s mother, and she could take care of herself.  At least she hoped so.

“What was that about, Mom?”

“That guy wants to turn our house into a hotel.”  Sara kept her gaze on the pair as they headed off to the
Bell
and Cross.

“I don’t want to live in a hotel,” Jack scowled and Sara gave him a quick one armed hug.

“I know, sweetie, I don’t either.  I just wanted to make him go away faster.”  If Cole didn’t get the message as delivered by Mr. Lowesley, she might have to consider something a little stronger to get him to leave her alone.  Seeing Will approach, she gave Jack’s shoulder another quick squeeze.  “Hey, why don’t you go see if you can beat my high score at the ring toss?  I got two out of three once.”

“Was that the
bloke
I tossed out of the house this morning?” Will asked solicitously, pulling the collar up a little on his coat as he jogged across the street to her side.

“Yep, I’m afraid so.”

“Damn cheek, I’ll have another talk to him, persuade him to see the error in continuing to molest you.”

“No, it’s fine.  I told him I’d listen to his plans after I’ve had a chance to settle in.”

“You did?” he blinked.  “I thought you were keen on making
Darling
Park
your home… Did you have a change of heart?”

“I do, but it couldn’t hurt to hear what he has to say.  He has come a long way and obviously spent a lot of resources developing the idea.”  She could spare him an hour or so and then have Lowesley give him the bad news later.  Then Cole wouldn’t feel like she hadn’t listened, and maybe he’d get a clue and leave her alone.

“If you say so,” Will muttered distractedly.  “I don’t mind talking to him again if you like.”

“Talk to him, huh?” Sara raised a single brow and Will had the good grace to give her a sheepish grin.

“I’d start out talking at any rate.”

“It’s alright
, Will.  I can handle it on my own,” she assured him with a pat on the back, ready to drop the subject.  “Now, how about we go see if we can eat our weight in fried food?”