Nine Steps to Sara

by Olsen, Lisa

  “No, it’s fine, but I do wish you’d told me about it first. I thought the guy was some creeper hanging around the property for God knows what reason.” Knowing what she knew now about the ghost, she doubted he was in any physical danger, particularly since Jack wasn’t afraid of her at all. But it couldn’t hurt to keep an eye on him in the unfamiliar place, at least until the majority of the refurbishing was done. Construction could be a dangerous place for an inquisitive little boy.

  “I can have Lucas up to the house for you to meet him, if you like. He’s a very gentle man, I can assure you. Young Jack means just as much to us as he does to you.”

  It seemed like a strange thing to say from someone who’d known her son for less than a week, but she tried to take what Will had told her about the village into account. They might all speak the same language, but the culture was very different than what she was used to. Sara tried to take the sentiment in the way it was intended, offering Mrs. Poole a smile. “Thanks then, I think I would like to meet him if he’ll be around the house.”

  “Fine, I’ll have him stop in after tea. Oh, cook said to let you know she’ll serve an hour earlier than usual due to the fair tonight. Will that suit?”

  “Sure, that’s fine. You’re coming too, aren’t you? I hear the whole village is putting together quite a shindig.”

  “Oh yes, I wouldn’t miss it for the world, my Lady,” Mrs. Poole smiled warmly.

  “Hey Mom,” Jack called out, skidding to a stop outside the study door. “The TV guy’s all done. But he says we’re only gonna get five channels. Five channels?” he groaned in disgust. “Why did we even bother?”

  “Hey, when I was a little girl we only had three channels,” Sara replied, stretching the truth a little. They’d only had three channels because they couldn’t actually afford cable and that was all that came in fuzzy with the antenna. “It won’t kill you not to have the TV on at all hours of the day or night.”

  “Joanie said we should get a satellite dish, can we?”

  “Hmm, we’ll have to see about that,” Sara frowned, not sure if that would be a step in the direction of progress or their downfall.

  “Joanie said if we got a satellite then we could watch all the same shows we used to get back home.”

  “Thomas,” Mrs. Poole called out to her husband who’d walked the installation man out. “They want to mount one of those dish monstrosities onto the house,” she gasped, clearly mortified.

  “I think it’s a grand idea, don’t you Ellie?” he smiled genially, ignoring her agitated state.

  With obvious effort, Mrs. Poole feigned a smile. “I’d best get back to my duties and you would do well to do the same,” she gave Thomas a pointed look before taking her leave.

  “I don’t mean to cause any trouble. I haven’t actually decided if I’ll do it or not,” Sara frowned at Mrs. Poole’s back as she left.

  “Don’t give it another thought. It’s your house, my Lady,” Thomas grinned. “In any case, I think it’s a good idea to shake things up every now and again,” he winked at Jack before following after his wife.

  “So can we get one?” Jack asked with single-minded determination, but Sara deflected the question with one of her own.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be practicing the ring toss right about now?”

  *

  It was the smell that put the smile on Sara’s face as they approached town. The scent of roasted meats, deep fried delicacies, sticky sweet candied apples and spun sugar, and everything the mind could conceive to skewer on a stick put her in mind of a dozen county fairs she’d gone to as a child. Jack was no less excited, practically pulling her arm out of the socket in his eagerness to get to the first booth.

  Joanie was in a much better mood after her visit from the doctor, probably due to her “happy pills”, and seemed intent on having a good time without having to belittle anyone else to do it for a change. Sara was glad to have her old friend back; the complaining routine had definitely started to get on her last nerve and it felt good to laugh with her again.

  It turned out having Lucas around was a blessing, because she didn’t have to worry so much about Jack keeping close by. Mrs. Poole had been right in her assessment of him, and Sara found him far less creepy up close and personal. Though it was a small village where everybody knew each other, it bothered her to think of Jack wandering off alone, but knowing there was another pair of eyes on him, devoted to keeping him safe went a long way towards settling her nerves.

  Working her way slowly down the series of booths, Sara tried her hand at throwing balls at wooden blocks, tossing rings over milk bottles and trying to hit the bull’s-eye on the dartboard stolen from The Pig’s Ear for the occasion.

  “You’re doing it wrong,” Will’s voice at her ear made Sara jump, nearly dropping the dart in her hand.

  “I didn’t know you were an expert at darts.”

  “It so happens it’s a well known fact I’m a champion at darts, and you’re completely mucking it up.”

  “Well then, would the champion care to give me a few pointers?” she handed the dart out to him, but Will didn’t take it. Instead he turned her by the shoulders to face the target and curled his hand around hers.

  “For starters, you’re holding it wrong. If you hold it too near the tip it throws the entire balance off, you see?”

  All Sara could see was the spot of scruff against his jaw that he’d missed in shaving and her fingers itched to touch it. “Uh huh,” she nodded, remembering to pay attention.

  “Now then, you’ve got the right idea with height, but you want to distribute your weight more evenly,” his hands fell to her hips and all she could concentrate on was the feel of his chest at her back. “Can you feel the difference?”

  “I feel it,” she breathed.

  “Good,” his breath was warm by her neck as he leaned close. “Now, both eyes on the target, and extend your arm, see where the arrow needs to land.” Her eyes were on the target alright, but Sara’s focus was not on the prize. There was no way she’d be able to throw the thing with him so close (not that she was in any hurry for him to move), but almost as if he’d read her mind, he stepped away. “Now, focus, and have a go.”

  Momentarily distracted by his withdrawal, Sara took a few seconds to regain her composure, hastily trying to remember more of what he’d said and less of the way she wished it was more of a private lesson. Letting the dart fly, she gave a hop of excitement when it landed in the eighteen triple spot.

  “I did it!”

  “That’s miles away from the bull’s-eye,” he teased and she gave him a playful shove.

  “It’s my best score so far, so stop harshing my mellow, okay?”

  “I will… as soon as you explain what that means,” his head canted to one side in confusion.

  “Funny,” Sara snorted, taking her third shot and scoring another triple play.

  “The Lady wins a prize,” the man running the stall tipped his cap to her, handing over a basket of home made soaps for her to choose from. Sara picked one that smelled like lavender and chamomile, holding it to her nose with delight.

  “Smell this, Will, it’s fantastic. I’ll take this over a stupid stuffed snake any day,” she smiled, holding it out for him to sniff.

  “My wife makes those, your Ladyship,” he touched his cap again. “She’ll be pleased to know you’re enjoying it.”

  “I’m sure I will. Did she make all of these?” Sara looked at the array of bath salts and soaps on a side table up for sale.

  “She did,” he beamed proudly.

  “I’d love to outfit the house with these for all the guest rooms. But there’s no big hurry, I don’t want to hog them all if you were hoping to have more to sell tonight. Maybe she could make me up a batch later?”

  The man looked so happy she thought he might cry. “You take as many as you please, your Ladyship. Clara can always make more.”

  “Great, then I’ll just leave you…” it took Sara a mom
ent to figure out the cost based on the prices with the unfamiliar money, but she peeled off a few bills and handed them over, “with this, and Will, would you mind taking them to the car?”

  “Not at all,” he swooped in and laid a quick kiss to her cheek. “Well done,” he whispered by her ear. “I’ll bring the baskets back round tomorrow, eh Sam?”

  “As you will,” Sam nodded, still overjoyed at the bills in his hand.

  “Oh, I’ve left you some for prizes still, haven’t I?” Sara looked behind the counter but Sam reassured her with a smile.

  “Not to worry, I’ve got a fair bit more squirreled away.”

  “I’ll be back in half a tick,” Will promised. “Try not to miss me.”

  “Too late,” Sara called after him, still smiling as she caught up with Jack at the cake booth with a slice of triple layer cake bigger than his head. “I sure hope you’ve had some real food to eat.”

  “Does a sausage roll count as real food?” he looked up from the sticky cake.

  “You’re good to go, but try and alternate them, okay?”

  “Ah, the heir himself,” Pottinger’s raspy laughter was probably meant to be friendly, but Sara still wasn’t sure what to think of the man as he approached, a crooked walking stick in one hand. “And are you enjoying yourself this fine eve, young Master?”

  Jack peered back at him, reluctant to talk to strangers and she could hardly blame him. “Jack, this is Mr. Pottinger, he owns the curio shop down the street. We’re having a great time, thanks for asking,” she gave him a polite smile.

  “I see you’re availing yourself of the delights of the evening,” he gestured to the cake. “And why not, eh? Enjoy it all while you can. Yes, yes, while you can,” he tittered to himself.

  “What do you mean while he can?” Sara’s smile grew a little thinner, though she kept her tone even.

  “I meant before the rains come again, of course,” he touched his nose sagely. “There’ll be dark skies ahead soon enough, mark my words.”

  The owner of the Bell and Cross bustled over, her face set into a deep scowl. “Are you bothering these fine people?” she caught hold of his elbow, steering away. “I’m sorry if he’s been off on one of his trips, my Lady. I’ll see he doesn’t disturb your evening any further. Come along you old codger,” Mrs. Dockery practically manhandled the fragile old man off the street.

  “It’s fine,” Sara called after them, more than a little puzzled by the swift exit, even more so than the strange man himself.

  “What a weird old guy,” Jack found his voice again, staring after them. “Actually, I checked weather.com before we came out. We’re due for very little rain for the next ten days.”

  “The guy’s a little nutty, kiddo. Try not to listen to anything he says,” she patted him on the shoulder. “What do you say, are you ready to try your hand at bobbing for apples?”

  “That sounds unsanitary,” Jack made a face, “and not very practical with glasses.”

  “You’d take them off, dummy,” Sara laughed, “Maybe we should…”

  “Excuse me, Lady Darling?”

  Sara turned around to see the developer standing behind her, looking awfully out of place in his flashy suit in the village fair. “Oh good, just what we needed.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Now hear me out…”

  “Can you give me a single reason why I should?” Sara scowled, automatically positioning Jack behind her and looking around for Will, but he was nowhere to be found.

  “I merely wanted to apologize for my earlier outburst,” his hands came up in supplication and Sara eased a little. “It was rude and unprofessional, and I have no excuse for my behavior except perhaps that I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for too long.”

  “You’re right, it was,” she nodded, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but he just stood there with his contrite smile of apology.

  “Who’s this?” Joanie materialized at her elbow, eyes devouring the well-dressed man.

  “This is Mr. Cole, he came to see me this morning with a business proposal,” Sara replied, her expression still frosty. “Mr. Cole doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”

  “Who does?” he tried for a grin and found an answering one in Joanie.

  “A man after my own heart.”

  “I would really love the opportunity to present my case to you, this time with the professionalism the project deserves. I’d hate to think that you and the community might miss out on a real boost to the economy because I managed to queer the pitch,” he offered a contrite smile.

  Sara didn’t want to hear another word about it but she didn’t want to make a scene in the middle of the street either. “Alright, I tell you what, I’ll meet with you in a few days after I’ve had a chance to settle in a bit more and have a better idea of how this might impact the locals.”

  “Excellent,” his smile stretched wide. “When may I call upon you?”

  “I’ll call you in a few days,” she insisted, otherwise she had the idea he might camp out on her doorstep.

  Joanie sidled up to the man, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “Listen, why don’t I let you tell me all about it over a drink? I’ll get Sara to see reason, she always does.”

  “Now how could I say no to an invitation from such an enchanting creature?” Cole smiled, offering his arm to Joanie.

  “Enchanting…” Joanie flashed a grin to Sara, looking like she could die of happiness over the compliment. “Later guys, don’t wait up.”

  Sara bit back the automatic reply of caution that sprang to her lips. She wasn’t Joanie’s mother, and she could take care of herself. At least she hoped so.

  “What was that about, Mom?”

  “That guy wants to turn our house into a hotel.” Sara kept her gaze on the pair as they headed off to the Bell and Cross.

  “I don’t want to live in a hotel,” Jack scowled and Sara gave him a quick one armed hug.

  “I know, sweetie, I don’t either. I just wanted to make him go away faster.” If Cole didn’t get the message as delivered by Mr. Lowesley, she might have to consider something a little stronger to get him to leave her alone. Seeing Will approach, she gave Jack’s shoulder another quick squeeze. “Hey, why don’t you go see if you can beat my high score at the ring toss? I got two out of three once.”

  “Was that the bloke I tossed out of the house this morning?” Will asked solicitously, pulling the collar up a little on his coat as he jogged across the street to her side.

  “Yep, I’m afraid so.”

  “Damn cheek, I’ll have another talk to him, persuade him to see the error in continuing to molest you.”

  “No, it’s fine. I told him I’d listen to his plans after I’ve had a chance to settle in.”

  “You did?” he blinked. “I thought you were keen on making Darling Park your home… Did you have a change of heart?”

  “I do, but it couldn’t hurt to hear what he has to say. He has come a long way and obviously spent a lot of resources developing the idea.” She could spare him an hour or so and then have Lowesley give him the bad news later. Then Cole wouldn’t feel like she hadn’t listened, and maybe he’d get a clue and leave her alone.

  “If you say so,” Will muttered distractedly. “I don’t mind talking to him again if you like.”

  “Talk to him, huh?” Sara raised a single brow and Will had the good grace to give her a sheepish grin.

  “I’d start out talking at any rate.”

  “It’s alright, Will. I can handle it on my own,” she assured him with a pat on the back, ready to drop the subject. “Now, how about we go see if we can eat our weight in fried food?”

  *

  The rest of the evening was spent having a great time, getting to know their new neighbors and enjoying the fair. Sara was pleased to note the occurrence of “my Lady”’s dropped significantly by the time the moon rose high into the night sky and she felt like a the night was a huge success. Completely worn out, Jack l
ay curled up in a corner of the booth at the Bell and Cross not long after they slipped inside for a mug of something warm. The fair games had long since closed as people migrated to the inn and pub for a bit of something to take away the chill, but folks were reluctant to return to their homes just yet.

  When Sara started to yawn herself, Will picked the boy up and carried him to the car, his hand in hers, and Sara couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for the days when Jack had been two or three and she’d done the same things with Peter. Back then they’d gone to the state fair, the beach, camping… plenty of outings as a family. It was hard to pinpoint when things had gone wrong exactly, and that’s what scared her the most. How could things go from something so good to something so wrong without a major catalyst?

  It was early to think of what the future might hold for her and Will, but as she watched him gently lay Jack in the backseat of the car, puzzling through how best to strap him in, she couldn’t help but wonder; was their relationship doomed to failure as well? It was thoughts like those that kept her from chattering much on the drive home, content to ride beside Will, his hand warm over hers.

  “You’re awfully quiet tonight,” he commented as the car came to a stop before the big, old house. The front light burned through the fog, but the rest of the windows were dark.

  “Sorry, I guess I’m a little worn out. I had a great time though, thanks for keeping me company.”

  “No need to thank me for that, Sara. If I had my druthers, I’d be keeping your company for a good long while yet,” he smiled, giving her hand a squeeze.

  That was plenty fine in her books; she might be a little sleepy, but that didn’t mean she was ready for the night to be over yet. “Do you want to, um… have a drink inside with me?” Out of practice, the invitation came out sounding a little stilted to her ears, but Will gave no sign that he noticed.

  “I’d love to, but I’ll have to cry off for tonight I’m afraid. I have some things to attend to back in the village. But I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” he leaned in for a quick peck on the cheek. Doing her best to mask her disappointment, Sara nodded brightly.