‘There you are. Sorry it took me longer than a minute. I couldn’t find my painting clothes.’ Declan dipped his head at Pharis. ‘Evening Pharis. Did I hear you say the sign is a gift from the Seagull Bay community? I didn’t hear about the project, or I would have offered my help.’ Though he kept his tone light, Tammy sensed tension crackling in the air between the two of them.
‘Like I said, it’s a gift from the Seagull Bay community. You only moved here a few months ago, so...’
Keen to diffuse the tension, Tammy quickly cut off Pharis’s reply. ‘It’s amazing, whoever it came from. Are you putting it up tonight? Only the daylight is quickly dwindling.’
Pharis shook his head. ‘No. I’ll leave it here and come back tomorrow with my tools. Will you be here?’
‘All day,’ Tammy replied brightly.
‘Great.’ He looked across to Declan. ‘Can you help me unload it?’
‘Are you sure I’m up to the job? In your eyes. I’m not exactly a Seagull Bay resident, now am I?’
Pharis opened his mouth to answer, but Tammy stepped in front of him and offered her hand for the leash. ‘I’ll hold Fernando for you. Is he friendly?’
Pharis glanced Tammy’s way. ‘Some people from out of town are useful—others aren’t.’ He looked back at Declan. ‘We’ll see what category you fall into. Shall we?’
Tammy huffed. She was an out-of-towner, and she was taking over the café. She’d like to know what Pharis’ thoughts on her were. She’d give him a piece of her mind, too. Taking hold of the lead, she led the St Bernard over to the café where there was a bowl of water outside for customers’ pets. ‘Come on Fernando. There’s too much hot air blowing around here. Let’s go get you a drink.’
Fernando wagged his bushy tail happily, none the wiser about the friction between his owner and another man, as Tammy led him over to the water bowl. As the dog drank, Tammy watched Declan and Pharis get the large wooden sign off the truck, with Pharis dishing out orders about how Declan should grab the sign. Neither one looked impressed with the other.
As they worked together, Tammy couldn’t help but admire them both. They were like chalk and cheese in looks. Declan was pale for this time of year with short, almost black hair and bright blue eyes, while Pharis had a dark Mediterranean look about him, as if his ancestry originated from sunnier climates.
Tammy shook her head and silently scolded herself. ‘You’re off men Tammy—remember?’
When the sign was resting against the café’s frontage, Pharis dipped his head at Declan. ‘Thanks.’
‘No problem,’ replied Declan. ‘I’ll give you a hand putting it up tomorrow. I’ll look out for your truck. I live right above the café.’
Tammy noticed how Pharis stiffened when he heard the news. He looked at the cafe and then up to the widows above it. Nodding once as his reply, he turned his back on Declan and strode back to his truck to retrieve a length of folded tarp. Walking briskly back to the sign, he unwrapped the tarp and stretched it across it.
Declan reclaimed the leash from Tammy while Pharis fussed with the tarp. ‘I’ll take Fernando back upstairs, then I’ll help you with that painting.’
‘I’ll stop and help if you like,’ Pharis quickly added from behind Declan.
Tammy was speechless, and before she could answer, Declan answered for her. ‘Too many chefs spoil the broth.’
Pharis ignored Declan and looked at Tammy with raised eyebrows, waiting for her confirmation of Declan’s statement.
She didn’t think she could paint the café with the ongoing tension between Pharis and Declan. ‘No. It’s fine, really. You’ve done more than enough to help me. I’m ever so grateful for what you’ve done. Your first few visits to Tammy’s Tearoom will be on the house,’ she chuckled, hoping her gesture would appease him after turning down his offer to help with the decorating.
‘Okay. I’ll get off then. I’ll see you first thing.’
‘I’ll have freshly brewed coffee waiting for you.’
Tammy watched him climb into his truck. He flashed her a smile before pulling away. She sighed. Was she a magnet for man trouble? Turning around, she walked slowly back into the café, glancing at the covered sign with a grin on the way. Her stomach fluttered with excitement. In just a few days, she would have her own tearoom, with no man to ruin her new business venture this time. As for Decan and Pharis, she wouldn’t have time for petty posturing from either man.
Over the next couple of hours, Declan and Tammy completely transformed the café’s interior. Soft yellow paint refreshed the walls, while Tammy’s new decorations she’d bought added oceanfront charm.
By late evening, sore muscles and growling stomachs signalled a good stopping point. Standing back to admire their work, Tammy was elated. ‘It’s even better than I imagined! We are miracle workers.’
Declan gave a mock bow. ‘My pleasure to lend my expert painting skills to such a lovely locale.’
Tammy pooh-poohed him away with the flick of her hand. ‘I’m no more a local than you are by the sounds of things.’
Declan grinned. ‘Us outsiders should stick together. How about I rustle up some supper for us?’
Tammy froze at the suggestion. Although her heart was screaming yes, her head knew it was definitelynota good idea. ‘Thank you for the offer, but I really need to get back to my uncle. Anyway, it’s me who should be offering you a meal for all your hard work.’
‘Is that an offer for a date?’ his wonky grin stirred something inside Tammy.
‘No,’ she shook her head a little too vigorously, making the grin fall from Declan’s mouth. ‘I meant, I can offer you a free meal when I’m up and running—a few free meals,’ she quickly added.
‘Okay...great.’ Declan walked backward to the door. ‘I’ll see you in the morning when I help Pharis with your new sign.’
Tammy nodded and raised her hand. ‘Okay...thanks again.’
Declan nodded and exited the café and Tammy was left alone with her thoughts. She thought making a fresh start in Seagull Bay was just the thing to wash Richi out of her system, but it appeared she had jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.
