Free The Bridesmaid's Hero by Narelle Atkins

accompanied him on his interstate day trip to country Victoria. They’d travelled in her car and detoured via Echuca on the way home. He loved visiting the historic town on the Murray River, famous for its fleet of paddle steamers, and they’d arrived back in Snowgum Creek late last night.
    Serena appeared from a room behind the reception desk, frown lines prominent between her brows.
    “Hey.” He smiled, hoping to lighten her mood. “How’s your day going?”
    “Busy. My mom had to call out the vet for one of the horses.”
    “Which horse?”
    “I can’t remember. She told me, but I’ve had a lot on my mind. It’s not Bessie or Mighty Boy.”
    He nodded. Serena hadn’t been thrilled to hear about his job interview, and she’d distanced herself from him after he’d shared the news. Her excuse was work, and the B&B had been fully booked over the American Thanksgiving weekend due to a special online deal. He’d given her the space she needed to process her thoughts.
    Harry ran his fingers through his hair. “Can you still take a break now?”
    “Yes, my mom’s here, and I’ll take an hour. Would you like an early lunch?”
    “Sounds great. I don’t start work at the vet clinic until two.”
    The corners of her lips curved into a half smile. “Follow me to the kitchen, and I’ll see what I can put together.”
    “Where would you like to eat?”
    “Somewhere I can put my feet up.”
    She strode ahead along the hall, leading him into the main kitchen. “Are sandwiches okay?” She opened the refrigerator. “We have sliced leg ham off the bone.”
    “Perfect.”
    She set to work, adding cheese and tomato chutney to the generous servings of ham on grain bread. “There’s a selection of juice on the bottom shelf. OJ will do me.”
    “No problem.” He collected two bottles.
    She passed over a sandwich. “Would you like cake or a muffin?”
    He shook his head. “A sandwich is fine. Could we sit on the veranda outside the tearoom?”
    “I’d like that.”
    He followed her back along the hall and through the darkened tearoom, the blinds drawn shut on the windows.
    She unlocked the door and chose a table by the edge of the veranda.
    He sat opposite the garden beds, barren of foliage now the tulips were gone and the rose bushes had been pruned. “Your mom has been busy.”
    “Dad and I helped her clean up the garden on the weekend. It was a big job.”
    “No wonder you’re looking worn out.”
    She let out a soft sigh, her gaze distant. “I’ve been working long hours over the last couple of weeks to get everything done.” She dragged over an extra chair and rested her legs on it.
    He tore his gaze away from her jeans-clad legs, the fitted style highlighting her toned physique. “Are your feet sore?”
    “No, I think I pulled a muscle in my leg during my bike ride yesterday.” She bent her knee and rubbed the back of her thigh. “It’s sore when I’m on my feet.”
    He frowned. “Not good. I hope you make a fast recovery.”
    “Me, too. I’ll skip my bike ride today. Is your mom working here tomorrow?”
    “Yes, and she enjoyed her four-day weekend.”
    “I’m glad.” Serena stretched out her leg and grimaced. “Your mom is a hard worker. She deserved a break.”
    “She enjoyed Echuca. Have you been there?”
    Serena shook her head. “It’s on my travel wish list. I’d love to see the paddle steamers.”
    “We could go there together, sometime.”
    “Maybe.” She sipped her OJ. “How did your interview go?”
    He sat up straighter in his chair. “They offered me the job.”
    “Congratulations.” Her tone even, she masked her expression and concentrated on eating, avoiding his gaze.
    “I haven’t said yes yet.”
    “Isn’t this your dream job?”
    “There are other factors to consider. Like us.”
    She kept her lashes lowered. “You need to do what’s best for you.”
    He blew out a stream of air, frustrated by her attitude. “Can we talk about it?”
    “What is