Ben chuckled. ‘Of course I’m sure.’
Tammy blinked away the tears. ‘Thank you.’
Just then, Pharis sauntered over, holding a tray of drinks. ‘Thought I’d buy you all a round of drinks,’ he said with a roguish wink. Tammy hadn’t even seen him come into the pub.
Though she’s noticed on their first encounter how ruggedly handsome he was, after her last relationship disaster, she was wary ofallmen within her own age range. She scolded herself for even noticing how Pharis’ smile was cute and lopsided.
Ben shook his head at the offer of another drink. ‘Sorry Pharis. It’s a lovely gesture, but I have to decline.’ He dipped his head towards the table and his half-drunk pint of stout. ‘One drink is enough for me.’
Pharis nodded. ‘Fair enough Ben. I’m normally a Guinness drinker, but I’m sure I can manage a pint of stout.’ He lifted the glass of wine from his tray and offered it to Tammy. ‘A truce and a dry white wine for the lady. Oliver told me what you ordered earlier.’
Tammy eyed the drink warily. If she accepted it, would he think she liked him? ‘Thank you.’ She hoped by accepting the drink the man wouldn’t think she liked him in an attraction sort of way.
‘Katherine. I know your choice of poison is sloe gin.’
Katherine laughed and happily accepted another gin and lemonade. ‘Thank you Pharis. How’re your mum and dad? I usually pop into the farm shop every other week, but I haven’t been for the last month.’
‘Oh, we are really busy at the farm at the moment. Mum’s trying to organise a community barbecue again. She said it won’t be the same without Marie, Pippa’s mother, but that she’s had a few requests from the locals for it to start up again this year.’
Tammy had never known such a close-knit community. Across the lounge, Pippa caught Tammy’s eye and waved her over discreetly. ‘Erm, can you excuse me?’
Tammy glanced back at her Uncle Ben, but he was too busy chatting to someone on his left. Pippa pointed over to a door marked ‘kitchen’ and they met in front of it.
‘The cake you made is on the table in there. The chef has found some candles for you.’
‘Aww, that’s very kind of him.’
‘Yes, Declan is a lovely guy. Go on through, Tammy.’
‘Thanks Pippa.’
When Tammy entered the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of the chef. Tall dark and handsome was an understatement. Muscular, with warm blue eyes and a killer smile, Tammy’s knees actually went weak. She thought that only happened in movies. Taken aback by Declan’s handsome looks, she was surprised to feel another flutter of attraction so soon after her breakup. What was it with her? First Oliver—but thankfully he was engaged to Pippa—then Pharis, and now Declan. Men were a no-go. She had specifically banned them from her future.
‘You must be Tammy,’ Declan said amiably. ‘I’m Declan, the chef here. That cake of yours looks incredible!’ He handed her some candles and Tammy’s stomach did a loop the loop when their hands touched. ‘Where did you buy it from?’
Tammy found it difficult to tear her eyes from his, but she did so under duress and began to add the candles to the frosting. ‘I made it... I’m a baker.’
‘Wow! I take my chef’s hat off to you.’
He handed her a kitchen lighter. ‘Thanks.’ Tammy wanted to talk more about her baking, but that would mean discussing her ex and how he’d taken control of the business they’d started together and for some reason, she didn’t want to appear foolish to Declan. She scolded herself in her head for the way she was acting.
He’s a man Tammy. Avoid him with a barge pole...and while you’re at it, don’t accept any more drinks from the ruggedly handsome Pharis either.
‘How old is Ben?’
‘Seventy-nine. But keep that information close to your chest. I don’t think he wants the fact that he’s almost eighty years old common knowledge.’
Declan whistled. ‘Jeez, he’s good for his age. No worries, the secret’s safe with me.’ Tammy chanced a glance at Declan and regretted it immediately as the blue pools of his eyes sucked hr in again. ‘I guess there’s something to be said about a fish diet, eh?’
Tammy smiled. ‘He has a freezer full. I’m expecting to be served fish for breakfast, lunch, and supper while I stay with him.’
‘Oh, so you’re staying with Ben while you visit?’
‘Yes, my short visit is actually becoming a long-term one now.’
Declan’s brow lifted, quizzing. ‘Really. How come?’
‘I’m taking on the rental lease at Katherine’s café.’
