Tammy bristled slightly, thinking how rumours spread so fast in such a small town. ‘If by rumour you mean the common knowledge thatI amtaking over Katherine’s café, then yes, it’s true,’ she replied.
Declan chuckled at her thinly veiled irritation. ‘My apologies. I only meant I hadn’t heard itconfirmedfrom the source yet, so I didn’t know if it was true.’ His easy grin and light tone smoothed Tammy’s ruffled feathers. ‘Is that where we’re heading? For the café? It will be shut now. Katherine will be home.’
‘Not to worry. I have a set of keys.’
‘Ah ha. Of course you do.’ He grinned impishly at Tammy and it actually made Tammy’s tummy flutter. ‘Are you looking to hire any extra staff yet?’
Shaking her head, Tammy replied, ‘Not yet. I need to get on my feet first before I can manage employees. Plus, I need to make sure I can pay my own wages before I pay anyone else’s. But I’ll spread the word when I’m ready.’ She turned and looked at Declan’s profile. He appeared to be frowning or deep in thought. ‘Why? Do you know of anyone who’s in need of work?’ He shook his head, but Tammy had an inkling he was enquiring for himself.
They soon arrived at the cafe, and Tammy unlocked the door, flipping on the light in the dwindling light of the day. Declan followed her inside, setting the shopping bags atop the nearest table.
As Tammy began unpacking her purchases, Declan glanced around. Tammy followed his eyes, which noted the unopened cans of paint at the corner of the room which Tammy had brought the day before from Old Po’s hardware shop. ‘Need an extra hand getting this place decorated? I’m a dab hand. I’ve recently decorated my place throughout.’
Tammy hesitated. Though she could use the help, working closely with Declan might fan the sparks she felt between them. And after her last relationship disaster, romance was off the table for the foreseeable future.
Still, the task was too big to tackle alone in the short time she had. Pushing aside her reservations, she gave Declan a grateful nod. ‘Actually, that would be great. I want to freshen up the look before opening day.’
‘Which is?’
‘On Monday. Katherine has already closed the café for a couple of days. Didn’t you see the sign in the window? Katherine put it up today.’
Declan licked his lips. ‘Actually, I didn’t. I was too distracted looking at something else when we rocked up here.’
Tammy blinked at his statement—she knew exactly what he meant. She had felt his eyes burning into her as she’d fumbled with the lock because it had been her first time opening up, but she’d tactfully ignored it.
‘I’m starting the painting tonight, but don’t you have to work at the pub?’
‘Actually, lucky for you, it’s my night off. Let me just pop home to change into some old clothes and see to my dog, and then we can make a start.’
‘You have a pet? Isn’t there anyone to look after it whilst you are at work?’
‘Fernando does okay. I pop back whenever I get a break and let him out for five minutes.’
‘Oh okay. Great name for a big dog, by the way.’
Declan nodded in agreement. ‘Thanks.’
‘Do you live far?’
Declan grinned and pointed up at the ceiling. Seeing the confusion on Tammy’s face, he explained. ‘I live right upstairs in the flat above the cafe. Just a stone’s throw from The Cheese Wedge and Pickles. It’s quite convenient, isn’t it?’ Tammy gasped and followed him to the door. ‘I won’t be long.’
Declan lived above her new business. She’d see him whether she wanted to or not. She watched him head outside and busied herself unpacking her new decor.
She didn’t hear the knock at first over the crinkling of the shopping bags. The second, more forceful rap on the door finally got her attention. Expecting Declan’s return, Tammy was surprised when she looked up to see Pharis sauntering in.
‘Pharis! I wasn’t expecting you...’ she began, but he cut her off.
‘Got a little surprise out back for you,’ he announced with a mysterious grin, beckoning her to follow him as he left the café. Curiosity piqued; Tammy followed him out the door to the cobbled road leading down to a small parking area by the beachfront. There, on the back of a pickup truck, was a large painted wooden sign reading ‘Tammy’s Tearoom’ in swirling pastel letters.
Tammy’s jaw dropped. ‘Oh my goodness! What...how?’ she stammered.
Pharis chuckled at her shocked expression. ‘Remember how the reverend offered to pray for help to get a new sign for you? Well, his prayers came my way. I had some free time this week, so I figured, why not lend a hand? I make and paint all the toys we sell in the farm shop, so this was a doddle.’
Overcome with gratitude, Tammy threw her arms around Pharis in an exuberant hug. ‘You wonderful man! How can I ever repay you for this kindness?’ Tammy’s reaction had come naturally. Before Richi did the dirty on her, she was a very tactile person. It had only been the past six months that she’d shied away from hugs.
Pharis looked a bit pink as they parted. ‘Don’t mention it. Consider it a welcome gift from the community of Seagull Bay to you.’
Just then, Declan appeared with a large St Bernard on a lead. He cleared his throat loudly. Tammy took a quick step back from Pharis, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Both men eyed each other coolly before Declan broke the silence.
