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Josh lowered his gaze, his face a mask of contemplation.
She waited and tried hard to contain her growing annoyance. What was his problem?
Enough.
“Josh, I promise I’ll take good care of them. I get this place is not what you’re used to, but give me an hour with them to choose the tree and then you can pick them up.”
From the scowl on his face, she knew she’d pissed him off. After all these years she could never tell whether he liked her or tolerated her, but either way he must have known they couldn’t avoid one another in Bindarra Creek.
Josh pursed his lips. “Whoa, whoa there. Relax. There’s a lot going on here with the horses and your Christmas shop. I don’t want the boys getting under your feet.”
Kristy ran a hand through her hair. “It’s covered, thanks Josh. Indulge me. We won’t be long. I’m sure you’re all wanting the best Christmas ever and choosing a tree is part of that ritual.”
Josh let out a deep sigh as his eyes darted between her and the boys. “It’s not only about Christmas; we’re on a bit of a discovery tour for the boys to visit some of Amanda’s old haunts. You know, her schools and the parks where she played. You get the drift?”
Kristy’s gaze never left Josh. His quietly spoken words conveyed the magnitude of the grief he was still facing.
She spun around and stared at the boys as they chatted to Zoe at the chook pen.
Were the boys forgetting Amanda?
Kristy saw the bleakness in Josh’s face and lowered her gaze as questions raced through her brain. Apart from the death of Amanda, her grandparents and a beloved pet, she’d never experienced the type of grief Josh or the boys had. For a man whose work life and family life involved being precise with everything in its rightful order she could only imagine his anguish.
She lifted her gaze. “I can help with that,” she offered.
Josh shook his head. “It’s okay, thanks. We’ve got it covered with Phyllis and Roger.”
Kristy’s jaw dropped.
I’m being told to butt out.
Disappointment and hurt swirled around her. She forced herself to remember that he’dchosenAmanda all those years ago – he’d loved her, married her and had two boys with her. She now saw him through new eyes and she needed to be kinder, a little more understanding.
“That’s fine,” she said, struggling to hide her disappointment. “This won’t take long, I promise. You can stay here if you like. There’s a fridge at the far end of the stables. Help yourself to a cold drink.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away, strangely calm and focused for the first time since seeing Josh.
Why was she even trying to be friendly to him? Out of respect for Amanda? Because of the boys?
* * *
Josh stepped out into the hot morning and followed Kristy to the chook pen. It was close to the small shed behind the stables.
“Many eggs?” she asked.
He watched as the boys showed her the basket. Jaiden spotted him and ran up to him with the basket. Inside were four eggs.
“They’re still warm,” Jaiden announced, his face flushed with happiness.
Josh ruffled the top of Jaiden’s head, pleased the boys were enjoying themselves.
Kristy held out her arms. “Come on, boys. We’re going to search for the perfect Christmas tree.”
Jaiden shoved the basket of eggs into Josh’s hands and ran back to Kristy who was pointing to the paddocks opposite them. From this angle Josh could see the full extent of her Christmas forest, the different shades and sizes of trees.
Kristy knelt down between the boys. “How are your running legs? Think we can make it?”
His sons did not look convinced.
