Their Perfect Blend

by Sarah Williams

  And oh, how he couldn’t wait.

  “You look amazing,” he whispered against her ear, sucking in a deep breath of her apple-blossom shampoo.

  “You too.” Her lips found his for the sweetest, tastiest kiss he had ever experienced. Then she was clutching his hand and ushering him to the table where he and Linc sat next to her.

  He greeted those he knew—Justin, Freya, and her parents, and a few others. Greer introduced him to her uncle and some other family friends he only knew by sight.

  Turning when he was tapped on the shoulder, he was surprised to find his sister next to him. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming.” He climbed off the bench seat to hug her. “Where’s Gary?”

  “He’s busy.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “I hope you don’t mind. Greer invited me.”

  His gaze slid to Greer where she smiled adoringly before standing up to hug her friend.

  They all ordered their meals, and on the way back from the bar, Hamish noticed good-natured smiles and nods being sent in his direction from the other patrons. The words ‘They make a stunning pair,’ were uttered as he and Greer passed by, enforcing the certainty that he was onto a good thing with Greer.

  And for however long it lasted, he was going to enjoy it.

  The trivia began just as the dishes were being cleared by the waitstaff and more drinks were ordered.

  “Which natural arch formation in the Port Campbell National Park takes its name from a British city?” the emcee called out over the loudspeaker.

  “What? Who would know that?” Justin shook his head as Hamish slinked back to his seat. His general knowledge wasn’t too bad, but there were times he regretted not travelling more, especially in his own country. At least he wasn’t the only person who felt out of his depth with the question.

  Greer’s hand popped up. “London Bridge.”

  “Correct! Which Australian born in 1934 holds the record as the youngest player to win three different Grand Slam tournaments, a feat he achieved in 1956?” A deafening silence blanketed the pub followed by soft whispers of people discussing names while shaking heads.

  Hamish rubbed his forefinger and thumb on his chin. This he knew, but the name eluded him right at the moment. He closed his eyes and searched his memory. He’d read it somewhere. It was one of those obscure little bits of history he’d stored in the depths of … “Lewis Hoad.” The name tripped over his lips.

  “Correct!”

  “Well done.” Linc smiled and slapped him on the back.

  “How did you know that?” Greer asked, placing a hand on his thigh.

  He swallowed. “I tend to remember the strangest things.” He would always remember the turquoise-coloured earrings she wore tonight and the way she kept her fingernails short and filed back instead of long and coloured like many women.

  When the trivia was finished and the scores were tallied up, Mark grinned to the group. “Well, we didn’t do too bad. Well done, team.”

  They all raised nearly empty glasses and congratulated each other.

  Nina leaned into her husband. “I think it’s time for another round.”

  Once orders were memorised, Nina and Mark headed off to the bar.

  “I’m really looking forward to Saturday,” Hamish said across the table to Freya.

  She bounced in her seat. “It’s going to be so much fun. Thank you for your donation by the way.”

  “You donated?” Greer looked at him.

  “A few kilo bags of beans for the raffles.”

  “Freya wants to keep everything as local as possible,” Justin explained. “Locally made coffee, honey, cheese and dairy products, obviously.”

  “And art from some local artists too,” Freya said. “You should see this amazing, life-sized sculpture of a cow Jessica Franklin made. She’s painted all these little, colourful pictures over it. Must be worth a mint.”

  “Wow, Jessica Franklin. I’ve seen her work at the gallery across from IGA.” Hamish was suitably impressed.

  “That cow would look so cool under that big Bunya tree next to your house.” Greer leaned in close.

  “I guess I’ll be buying raffle tickets on the day then.”

  “And don’t forget that the dress code is formal—except you have to wear gumboots. The paddock can get pretty muddy,” Freya reminded them.

  Hamish nodded, mentally studying the contents of his wardrobe. He hadn’t had to wear formal attire since his high-school graduation and even then, he’d worn one of his dad’s old suits.

  Looked like he was going to have to find time to do some shopping.

  Chapter 11

  Greer sat on the chair by her dressing table and pulled on the pair of gumboots she’d bought for today. They were covered in white filigree, akin to the fine bits of chocolate she tempered and carved for her desserts. She’d spent most of yesterday afternoon painting on the delicate patterns before adding bling to match the cocktail dress she’d last worn in London years ago. Fortunately, it still fit her like a glove. She’d forgotten how well the strapless, aqua blue dress suited her.

  Greer stood and twisted this way and that as she concentrated on her image in the mirror. Perfect.

  She stepped away and peered out the window as she slipped the peacock-feathered fascinator on her head. The area where the charity event would be held was easily visible from her bedroom. The tents were up, and the jumping castles, slides, and sideshow alley were ready to serve the hundreds of little people on their way to enjoy a day of fun and laughter with their parents.

  A myriad of tables and chairs they had set up earlier were sprinkled beneath the tents, and the path the cattle usually took home was clearly marked to prevent any beered-up enthusiast from getting in their way or beneath their hoofs. The cows would make their way from the paddock to the milk shed. The first cow to reach the shed won the race. It was simple and held no danger to the bovine as returning to the milk shed was part of their daily routine. It was up to Justin and the linesmen to keep people back far enough so as not to cause the cows any stress.

  In true Queensland style, the sun was making its presence known and had warmed the cloudless day up nicely. Greer basked in it as she headed outside.

  Greer spotted Hamish as she turned the final corner. He stood next to Justin, back to her, testing the AV equipment.

  “Who’s ready to party then?” she called out, and the men—both dressed smartly in dark suits and ties—turned to her.

  Hamish’s mouth dropped open when he saw her. She was vaguely aware of the wolf whistle Justin let out but couldn’t take her eyes of Hamish as he strode quickly toward her. His fingers brushed her skin and a jolt of something she didn’t want to name licked along her body. He captured her lips with his mouth and she knew she didn’t stand a chance against such a kiss. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pushed against his mouth, sliding her tongue along his, matching stroke for stroke.

  When he let her go, she had to grab his arm for fear of fainting.

  “Sorry.” His voice was anything but apologetic. “I think I ruined your lipstick.”

  She raised her thumb to brush his full, delicious lip which was now stained red. “At least now we match.”

  “Greer! There you are,” her sister said all breathy like she’d just been out running. Her Zen had obviously worn off.

  “Oh my gosh you look beautiful!” Freya said before pulling her out of Hamish’s embrace. “I need your help. It’s urgent.”

  Greer was kept busy for the next few hours with the catering staff and making sure food went out on time. Finally, she was confident she could leave them to it and check up on Hamish. She knew he would find plenty of people to talk too.

  Hundreds of fairy lights lit the paddock, the buffet tables groaned with food and drinks, and a crowd of revellers dressed to the nines talked, laughed, and danced to a live DJ’s mix.

  Spotting Meredith, she walked over to say hello.

  “Are you having fun?” she said after greeting her frie
nd.

  “So much. You guys have really done an amazing job.” Meredith waved at the decorations and happy, smiling faces.

  “It’s great, isn’t it? Freya really has outdone herself.”

  Meredith shot her a look. “So, you and my little brother, huh? I feel like I should be warning you to treat him right and not go breaking his heart.”

  There was quiet pride and sisterly affection in the way she spoke about Hamish. They may not have been able to rely on their parents growing up, but at least they had each other.

  “I promise his heart is safe.” Greer wanted to add that she had only honourable intentions but had to stop herself. After all, her intention was to have so much hot sex with the man that her reproductive parts would have no choice but to spring into action. It might be consensual, but she wasn’t sure Meredith would see it as honourable.

  If any of the dirty images in Greer’s mind were obvious on her face, Meredith was polite enough not to say anything.

  A waiter stopped in front of them, flourishing a tray of sparkling wine. Meredith eagerly replaced her empty glass for a fresh one while Greer shook her head.

  “I haven’t seen that husband of yours yet.” Greer squinted as she tried to find him in the crowd.

  “Gary’s not here.” Something that looked a lot like despair flashed across Meredith’s face, and then the shutters came down and her expression hardened. “He’s very busy with work.”

  “Oh.” Never one to pry, Greer closed her mouth. I hope Meredith’s okay. She didn’t know Gary well; in fact, she couldn’t remember seeing him more than once since she’d moved back.

  Meredith waved as she spotted someone in the crowd.

  “I better let you get back to the fun. Have you seen Hamish?”

  Meredith nodded and waved over her shoulder. “Last time I saw him, he was over there in the corner talking to the president of the Chamber of Commerce.”

  “I better go rescue him then.” She grinned and moved off into the crowd.

  “I hear the coffee business is going well,” a husky, sultry voice said behind him, and Hamish turned around to discover the last woman in the world he had expected to see here.

  Sloan.

  As always, she was dressed to kill in her figure-fitting black dress. Her blonde locks were in a trendy half up-do and her muscular face heavily made up.

  “What are you doing here?” Hamish raised his chin and placed balled fists in his pockets.

  “I came to support the school. We are alumni after all.” She slithered toward him, the black material around her hips creasing. “I thought it would be fun.”

  Fun. She’d thrown that word at him often during their time together. ‘You’re no fun. Let’s do something exciting. Let’s go into the city.’

  And suddenly a penny dropped. All these years, she’d known he’d not been a good fit. But she had never been willing to let go of him—until she’d found a suitable replacement at least.

  Sloan hadn’t fit in to his lifestyle. Nor had he fit hers.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me.” He tried to slip away, but her hand gripped his elbow.

  “Word has it you and Greer Montgomery are a thing now.” The words came out like an accusation. “Didn’t take you long to get back in the saddle. And I believed you when you said you were heartbroken when we broke up.”

  “You mean when you cheated on me and left?” He turned on her, all the anger and rage boiling up inside him. “Don’t you dare accuse me of anything. You have no right, and Greer Montgomery is ten times the woman you are.”

  He’d had enough of this conversation. He yanked his arm out of her grip and turned so quickly, he almost knocked Greer off her feet. With a lightning-fast reaction, he caught her.

  “There you are,” she said, then glanced over his shoulder and paled.

  “Greer. Um.” He turned back to Sloan who seemed to be enjoying the awkwardness of the situation.

  “Oh, babe, I’m sure she knows who I am.” Sloan’s voice whipped them like a gust of icy winter wind. Then she brushed her ample bosom against his chest and kissed his cheek, leaving a red lipstick tattoo in her wake.

  “Nice party,” she said to Greer as she walked past.

  “What was she doing here?” The colour was slowly returning to Greer’s cheeks.

  “I don’t know. Causing trouble, I think.” He reached for Greer but she backed away from his touch.

  “I need to go check on … something. You should go wash your face.” She turned and was swallowed up by the crowd.

  After a visit to the bathroom, Hamish went to the bar. “A bottle of water please.”

  Linc appeared at his side as the water was handed over. “Was that Sloan I saw you talking to?”

  Hamish nodded, unscrewed the lid, and gulped half the bottle.

  “What did she want?”

  “I have no idea, but Greer is pissed off.”

  “And you wonder why I don’t commit.” Linc ordered a beer—one of his own brews—and turned serious eyes on his friend. “She’s really gotten under your skin.”

  “Of course she did. How dare she show up like this. I thought she and her new lover had moved to Caloundra.” Hamish tried to temper his anger but couldn’t help it. Linc knew what he’d gone through. Betrayal like that was hard to forget.

  “I meant Greer.” Linc swallowed a gulp.

  Hamish’s anger eased. Surely, she couldn’t blame him for the scene with Sloan? It wasn’t his fault.

  He really didn’t want anything to come between them.

  Hamish looked at his watch. “The cows will be walking down soon. I want to find Greer.”

  “I’ll come with you. Protect you if Sloan shows up again.”

  “Thanks.” Hamish chuckled.

  Greer wandered over to the finish line in front of the milking shed, breathing in the fresh country smells—cow manure, pasture, and moist, fertile soil which scented the air. The cows had just started coming down the hill and in a few minutes, they would be approaching the shed, no doubt curious about why so many strange humans were watching and cheering them on.

  Her father’s voice boomed over the intercom as he asked patrons to step away from the fence as the cows passed. “Folks, they’re not used to the attention and the fence is electrified, so unless you’re wanting to return home with a free frizz and a soiled pair of undies, please make sure you remain behind the white line painted on the grass.”

  She rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on. It had been a long day and she was still on edge after the encounter with Sloan. Why had meeting Hamish’s ex rocked her so much?

  Tonight, she was going to relax in a warm bath, listen to an audiobook, and try really hard to escape everything around her for a few hours. And if she was lucky, she’d sleep and wake up in a better mindset, ready to face the day.

  Greer pulled up alongside her father who was peering through binoculars.

  “Who’s winning?” she asked him.

  “I think it’s Moodonna, but Milky Way is right beside her.”

  Freya peeked out from beside her father. “I really thought Deja-Moo would be in with a chance, but Justin just saw her in the middle mob.”

  How her family could remember every cow’s name was a mystery to Greer. They all looked the same to her. Then again, she didn’t spend every morning and afternoon in the milk shed with them.

  “Greer.”

  At Hamish’s voice, she turned, her heart cinched tight, and she swallowed. “Just in time. Here they come.” She waved at the cows, now only a short distance away.

  He flicked them a quick look, then turned back to her. “I’m sorry about Sloan. I don’t know why she was here and why she acted like that.”

  “I know it’s not your fault. I just wasn’t expecting it. Everything was going so well …”

  “She doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.”

  His words helped to soften the doubt that had been churning her stomach. His delay in signing the con
tract added to her worry that he was just using her and didn’t actually plan to go through with it.

  “I wasn’t sure if seeing her might make you second-guess things between us. I was worried that you were only spending time with me because of our arrangement, and not because you actually like me. Because I do like you, Greer, and this has been the best week of my life.” He moved closer and spoke into her ear. “I signed the contract. It’s in the ute. I was going to give it to you tonight.”

  Relief flowed through her. He put his arm around her and pulled her into his side, giving her a gentle hug.

  “Thank you.”

  Cheering went up around them as the cows crossed the finish line, and her father picked up the microphone, announcing Milky Way the winner by an inch.

  She was surrounded by people—friends and family members all having a great time at Emerald Hills. But there was only one man she wanted to look in her direction.

  And he was.

  Hamish Pearson was staring at her like she was the most precious jewel on earth.

  Chapter 12

  Hamish checked his mobile for what must have been the tenth time in as many minutes. Greer was late. How could she be late? Tonight was the night. The day they start trying.

  Hamish looked around his loft. He had cleaned every surface, washed his sheets, and even put the nice cushions back on his bed. Everything was set for a night of romance and sexy. Times. Shit, he’d even bought candles.

  Maybe she was standing him up. Maybe she’d finally realised he wouldn’t make good daddy material after all.

  After they had made up at the Cow Cup, the rest of the afternoon had been amazing. So many people had come over to them and expressed how excited and happy they were to see such a well-matched local couple.