She had made a huge dent. She could now easily use the rooms without tripping over boxes or stray pieces of furniture and even Muffin had his designated

er fee had been signed off on. Her first payment in the bank and it was making everything feel more final. She had celebrated the new commission by buying herself a dress online for the dance and then felt incredibly stupid when her first thought was what he

ng it Muffin safe. She knew Rob must have okayed them being here and felt slightly miffed at the fact she owed him some thanks. There was not a single escape route for that fiery little fur ball and

den was looking beautiful. She had been overwhelmed with emotion when she had seen the neat long garden with its stepping stone path to the outhouse’s blue door. Trim flower beds and a washing line leading down the side of the garden. A small metal patio set purchas

tea and Muffin cuddles. Rose could almost set her watch by her visits and really looked forward to the young girl’s arrival every day. She had helped move the remainder of the furniture in place in each room, carted boxes to the garden and helped take a lot of packaging and trash to the local dump in the

e very helpful men even put them in place for her. Probably sensing s

guessed her coffee and cakes, delivered with a smile had swung that. The kitchen overall was not too bad. It was made from real wood units in need

ever lived alone and had the paint touched up every year until she left. There was nothing that a wipe down and clean couldn’t remove and the majority of the walls were cream with stained dark wood beams and dark wood floor. She had found old sealed cans of paint in

anaged to pick up so many bargains that she had the whole place looking modern yet quaint.

then on to the church weekly coffee morning. Young mothers, with toddlers and babies, who frequented the parent groups. Kids going to and from the local schools who loved to hang out in town on lunch hour. The general locals who worked in

ng over. Lost in thought after placing her order at the counter, she was rummaging in her bag for

her thoughts and the sudden haze of sexy aftershave over sw

reminding herself how much she didn’t actually like this guy. She glanced back to see he was adorned in a white shir

uch time together.’ He smiled with a dazzling almost sexy grin, but Rose

said th

ed tonelessly then smiled graciously when the counter gi

order that size, is beyond me.’ He observe

eave but he didn’t move to let her pass. She frowned up at him towerin

g foot. Would be nice if we could just put it in the past.’ He pushed his hands casually into his back pockets, emphasizing h

so hard not to let her eyes wander back up

he was a little

bout it.’ He jested, a hint of that Abby misc

disturbing way. Knowing that this was the mature and sensible way to behave, she thrust her hand towards him reluctantly. ‘Rose...

r niece.’ He smiled knowingly. ‘Town grapevine was talking about you for weeks before you showed face.’ H

eryone knows everything.’ She moved to try an

ill friendly, and Rose felt herself soften a little. He was really trying to be the gentleman, trying to be nice and s

tea and cake fest.’ She softened her tone and gave a genuine soft smile his

e alone for a girl her age.’ That maternal tone in his voice pretty much killed the last traces of hostility in her, she was a sucker for some gen