He smiled brightly and her own lips stretched in response. He really was handsome as sin. ‘Well we have a little time, what I want to show you doesn’t happen until the sun sets.’
Diana fought back a yawn. ‘So, I have time to shower and change?’
‘Yep, and you can do that in about five minutes time.’
Looking out the windshield again she could see the outskirts of Ghost Gum Springs. She couldn’t deny the town was sweet, just not for her.
They arrived back at the pub and she headed upstairs to her room while Connor unpacked the car. The bed looked so inviting. Maybe she could get a little cat nap in.
Sleeping before dinner is a bad idea, Diana Louise.
Grandma Mary-Lou’s voice sounded loud in her head and she wanted to slap her away. How, after nearly four months since she died, was Diana still letting the old lady rule her life. If she wanted to become independent, she needed to cut the ties to the woman who’d done everything in her life to hold her back. Had squashed every dream she’d ever had. Had squashed every possibility of friendship by encouraging the town gossips in thinking the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and it was only time before Diana fell into the same pit her parents had landed in.
‘You don’t control me anymore. It’s time for me to control my life,’ she said to the invisible binds surrounding her. Diana didn’t know what she expected by saying it out loud. That some magical bang would happen, and she’d feel freer?
Of course, it wouldn’t happen but maybe if she said it out loud often enough she’d begin to believe it. Once her trip was over she’d return to Montana and sell the small house she’d spent her whole life in. A clean break. She’d find somewhere else to start over. The world was full of opportunities and she had the financial means to take her time to find the right place. Oh, she wouldn’t waste the money she’d been given. She wasn’t entirely stupid. The firm who’d been handling Grandma Mary-Lou’s finances had done a sterling job. So well, in fact, that Diana trusted them to continue doing it. Although, unlike her grandmother, she planned to use it and not live her life scraping by above the poverty line.
A new opportunity could be right here in Ghost Gum Springs with a certain hot bartender.
The little devil voice she’d forgotten lived inside of her sparked to life. ‘Oh no,’ she said to the empty room. ‘I’m not going to fall for the first man I see. Especially someone who works behind a bar, no matter how hot they are.’
There was nothing wrong with being a bartender. It was an honourable occupation, but she wanted to spend her life with a man who had ambitions.
Diana pulled her thoughts together. Nothing needed to be decided right now. All that was required of her at this moment was to get through the evening. Then tomorrow, when she was back in Sydney, she could plan.
***
Connor adjusted the lights on the tree in the corner of the bar’s main area. They really didn’t need fixing, but his nerves were stretched thin. Why he was so determined to convince Diana to stay was beyond him. Her reactions to the spring and lookout hadn’t been over the top. He thought she’d enjoyed the day, but he didn’t want to assume anything.
His lips tingled as he remembered the kiss they’d shared. The way her body had fitted nicely against his. His dick twitched in his pants, letting him know what it would like to happen.
‘You and me both,’ he muttered talking to the part of his anatomy he hadn’t talked to since he was a kid. He was really losing it.
‘Will you top fidgeting with that damn tree, it looks fine. The whole damn town is going to be lit up. Such a dumb idea,’ grumbled Fred Gates as he strolled up to where Connor stood.
Connor slung an arm around the older man. ‘Aww come on, Scrooge, you’re going to love it. I’m pleased everyone got on board with the idea.’
‘Like we had a choice. You’ve come into town and turned this place into Santa’s bloody village. I’m sure Smithy didn’t have this in mind when he asked you take over from him.’
Connor laughed taking Fred’s ribbing in the vein it was given. ‘He’s too busy enjoying his honeymoon to worry about what’s happening here.’
Which wasn’t quite true. When he’d gone to check his emails after he and Diana had returned from their venture, Shane had presented him with an offer to sell him the pub if Connor was interested. Never in a million years would he have expected his friend to sell the bar. He’d been living in Ghost Gum Springs all his life, but after seeing other parts of Australia, he and his new wife had decided they wanted to do a world trip. And to fund it he wanted to sell the pub. Surprisingly, Connor was seriously considering the idea of becoming a publican. He couldn’t deny he’d been burned out with his career in law. Having his client lose her life because her deadbeat ex had managed to find her had hit him hard. Connor felt he’d failed Melanie. Failed her in ensuring that her ex was off the streets. But a technicality had set the loser free and Melanie had paid with her life.
It was a guilt he had to live with for the rest of his life, and it soured him on the career he’d always loved.
But life presented you with obstacles that you overcome and learn from and the six weeks he’d spent in this small rural town had shown him another side of life. If he wanted to keep using his law degree, he could always offer his services to Reg as a consultant.
Connor was learning life was full of possibilities and change was good. He would talk it through with his financial adviser to see if it was a worthwhile proposition. Although the pub did a cracking business with the locals and trivia night always pulled in a crowd from the surrounding areas, it was always best to do his own due diligence. But if Smithy could make it work, then so could he.
‘Jesus, Connor, you’re away with the Christmas elves aren’t you. You’ve been staring at that tree for the last five minutes.’ Fred tapped him on the arm
Connor pulled his thoughts inside where he could examine them later. ‘I’m just going through everything in my mind, making sure it goes off without a hitch.’
‘You’re sure going to a lot of effort for someone you’ve just met,’ he mused.
Connor couldn’t deny the truth of his words. ‘You’re right, but Fred, Diana’s all alone in a strange country on the other side of the world to her home. It’s Christmas. The season of goodwill and good cheer. It’s a magical time of year and everyone deserves to have a Merry Christmas.’
A faraway look entered Fred’s eyes. ‘My Stella always made a fuss over Christmas.’
Stella? Who the hell was Stella?
As far as Connor knew Fred was a crusty old bachelor. In the time he’d been running the bar, Fred had always been alone and the only thing he talked about was his dog, Blue. Never before had he mentioned a woman. But with the look in the old man’s eyes, this Stella person had to have been pretty special to him. Before he could ask, Fred continued on with his reminiscing.
‘I’d come home on the first of December and the tree would be up. There’d be gifts under it too.’ Fred studied the tree Connor had been working on. ‘She went out on Christmas Eve telling me she wanted one last thing. She never came home, bloody roo jumped out in front of her car.’
The older man’s voice broke and Connor laid a hand on his shoulder offering him silent support. ‘I’ve hated Christmas ever since then.’ Fred shook his head. ‘All this reminds me of her.’
‘Shit, I’m sorry, mate. I didn’t know.’
Fred shook off Connor’s hand and fixed him with a hard stare. ‘Of course you bloody didn’t, I just told you. But,’ he paused and gazed around the room again. ‘I have to say seeing all the effort you’ve put in has reminded me of the good times Stella and I had together. Times I’d forgotten, so I have to thank you for that. Never loved another woman. No one measured up to my Stella.’
‘That’s what my dad says about my mum,’ Connor mused. ‘He said he took one look at her and that was it. He never wanted anyone else. Luckily for him she felt the same way.’
&nb
sp; ‘Your dad’s right, when you find the right woman you know. If Diana is that for you, hang on tight and don’t let go.’
Fred wandered away, leaving Connor standing there mute. He wasn’t in love with Diana. He’d met her two days ago. Sure, he was attracted to her and if he’d seen her in a bar in Sydney he definitely would’ve gone up and flirted with her. He also couldn’t deny he was drawn to the side she kept hidden. The side he had no doubt existed beneath the prickly coat she donned. Someone or some people had let her down. He’d let down one woman and she’d paid for it with her life. He wasn’t going to let that happen to Diana. She was a puzzle he was determined to solve. But no, he wasn’t in love with her. It was ridiculous, and Fred was dreaming. He didn’t believe in love at first sight.
Then why are you trying so hard to convince her to stay?
‘Shut up,’ he muttered to the voice in his head. He glanced at the large clock over the top of the bar. It was time to collect Diana.
He strode out of the main room and took the stairs two at a time. He was a little puffed when he found himself facing Diana’s door.
Nerves jumbled in his belly. How pathetic, he wasn’t a novice in the dating game. He’d been around the block a few times. But tonight was special. He was excited and hoped that at the end of the evening she’d stay with him.
No, in town, not with him.
Fred’s comments were stirring his mind in a mass of knots. Determined not to give his conversation with Fred another thought, he rapped his knuckles on her door. Connor’s jaw dropped when it opened.
A vision in red greeted him. His heartrate kicked into overdrive. Diana’s hair was freshly washed and hung in loose curls around her bare shoulders. Her lips glistened from the gloss she was wearing, giving them a plump look, and he badly wanted to sample them again. Her dress had shoestrings straps and the top fitted snugly against her figure before flaring into a soft skirt which stopped just above her knee. Her feet were encased in matching red heeled sandals.
‘Wow you look amazing and very festive.’
She laughed. ‘Thank you and yes, I admit I’m wearing red because you seemed determined to get me in the Christmas spirit.’
He crooked his left arm out. ‘Shall we?’
‘Lead on, Santa’s Elf.’
Connor led her down the hallway to the staircase. Her light mood was in such contrast to the way she’d been acting since he’d picked her up on the side of the road. He couldn’t deny he hoped it meant she was going to stay for Christmas.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and he continued toward the front door.
‘We’re not going there?’ she asked and pointed to the main room of the pub.
‘We will, later. We’re going for a walk first.’
She stopped, forcing Connor to halt his progress. He looked over and raised an eyebrow in question.
Diana lifted her foot and her dress slipped up, giving him a nice view of her thigh.
Was she trying to kill him with lust here?
Did she even know how beautiful she looked and how much willpower it was taking him to not grab her close and kiss her?
‘Do these shoes look like they’re suitable for taking a stroll?’
His eye was drawn to her shoes again, he’d like to do a lot of things with those shoes still adorning her feet. Walking down the street, not so much, but that was what they were about to do. ‘Well I suppose not, but I promise not to let you fall,’ he winked at her. ‘And you know I keep my promises.’
Once again she rolled her eyes and he laughed. He tapped her on the nose. ‘You know you’re cute when you do that?’
‘Do what?’ she asked.
‘Roll your eyes. You’ve done it a lot since you met me.’
‘Maybe because you annoy me.’ She did an exaggerated roll of her eyes, taking the sting out of her words.
Connor laughed out loud and opened the door. ‘Your words don’t wound me. Now are you ready for the next part of Diana’s Stay-in-Ghost-Gum-Springs Tour?’
‘As ready as I’ll ever be. Lead on, Santa’s Elf.’
A quick nod to Jarod who was waiting on the corner and, with a flicker, all the shops on the main street lit up with Christmas lights. In some of the windows there were illuminated Santas, snowmen and Christmas trees.
‘I know you said that Christmas in some towns isn’t what’s portrayed in Christmas movies, but tonight, Ghost Gum Springs is putting on a light show just for you. You want to go take a look?’
Beside him Diana appeared to be in a trance. Her eyes wide and glistening with tears. Shit, he’d hoped to make her smile not cry. He’d hoped to show her that, even though they’d only known her for a short time, the town was welcoming her.
He needed to go into damage control.
‘It’s okay if you don’t want to. We can go back inside.’
She blinked away the tears and looked at him, a smile tugging at her lips. Relief swept through him. Maybe he hadn’t fucked things up. ‘No. I’m speechless. This is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so pretty. Grandma Mary-Lou didn’t let me enjoy anything about Christmas.’
There it was, another little preview into her past. Would she be more open as the night progressed? He just wanted to understand her, to know her better.
‘Come on, I think you’re going to enjoy our walk.’
***
Diana swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. Why would the townsfolk go to so much trouble for her? There was nothing special about her. She was a visitor. One who was anxious to leave.
The first place they stopped at was Beryl’s café. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner of the store, its lights flashing on and off. On closer inspection she worked out some of the decorations were bakery items—a large slice of chocolate cake, a cupcake and a whisk. They were some of the cutest ornaments she’d ever seen.
They walked slowly down the street. If a store didn’t have a tree or window decoration they had strung up lights around their doors or on their awning.
‘Do they do this every year with the lights?’ she asked after looking at a Christmas Village display in the window of the town’s hair salon.
‘No this is the first year.’
Diana looked at him suspiciously. ‘Did you have something to do with this?’
His eyes widened in mock surprise. ‘Who me?’
She shook her head at his feigned innocence. ‘Yeah, you.’
‘Maybe.’
A warm glow simmered to life in her blood. How could a total stranger make her feel welcome after a couple of days when her grandmother had spent her whole life making her feel unwelcome. There was something wrong with this picture and she didn’t know how to take it.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
Connor reached out and brushed his thumb gently across her cheek. ‘You’re welcome.’
They finished the rest of their walk down the main street in silence. When they reached the pub she sighed that their little adventure was over. She walked inside, surprised to find the main room was empty.
‘Where is everyone?’
‘Told them all that we were closed for the night.’ He led her over to the only table set in the room.
‘Isn’t that bad for business? You don’t want to upset the owner. I’m sure he’d be wanting to maximise profits during the holiday season.’
He winked at her. ‘I have it on good authority the owner won’t mind. He knows the pub is in safe hands with me.’
‘Not if he finds out you closed the night before Christmas Eve.’
He sighed. ‘Can you please just accept that it’s fine and that I’m doing something nice for you?’
He was right, she’d reverted back to being a bitch about things after he’d gone out of his way to do something wonderful for her. It wasn’t anything she was used to and she couldn’t believe Connor had done this without an ulterior motive in mind.
As quickly as she thought it, she squashed it. Connor wasn’t like t
hat. She had to believe he had no other motive than to make her smile. She walked over to where he was standing by the bar. ‘I’m sorry, Connor,’ she said as she touched his shoulder. ‘I have no right to question you about what you’re doing with the pub.’
‘It’s fine,’ he said and walked around to the other side of the bar. Her arm fell uselessly to her side. How could she have been so insensitive to question what he was doing? It was exactly what Grandma Mary-Lou had always done—made snap judgements. If whatever the person was doing wasn’t within her ideals, she always berated them, making them feel like they were less than an inch tall. It was what she’d done to Diana her whole life.
Diana wandered over to the set table, taking in the red table cloth, the arrangement of flowers sitting in the centre. Gold napkins lay across the white china plates. Having eaten at the pub before, the plates weren’t the normal ones served to patrons. These plates were thin and sported a gold trim.
He’d gone to so much effort. And it scared her. The feelings growing inside her were ones she wasn’t used to experiencing. No one had ever made her feel special. The few guys she’d been with, ones who hadn’t grown up in her town, had been more concerned with what they could get out of her and not what they could give her. Of course, when they met Grandma Mary-Lou they ran away faster than a fox running from a bear. Disappointed again when she thought someone liked her for who she was. Eventually she stopped dating. There was no point.
‘Take a seat,’ Connor called out. ‘I’ll bring over some wine before getting our first course.’
Diana followed his instructions and sat. He appeared a few seconds later with two flutes of champagne. He handed one to her.
‘To a wonderful night,’ he said and held his glass up. She tapped hers against his, a light ting sounded.
After taking a sip, Connor leaned past her to place his glass on the table, brushing his arm against hers. A little snap of electricity sparked between them. She didn’t think the touch was accidental. Before she did something completely stupid, like grab his arm and kiss him, she sat down and waited for him to bring their food to the table.
Christmas In Ghost Gum Springs Page 7