The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards

We’ll see you at the pub tomorrow night.’
    Isabelle stopped, surprising herself when she turned and wrapped her arms around Alison. She was further surprised when Alison returned the hug, pulling her tight and whispering in her ear, ‘You’ve got my vote, sweetie.’
    *
    ‘Well, she’s got my vote, all right,’ Joe told Matt later that day at the pub.
    Matt sat in his usual spot at the end of the long bar, closest to the entrance. ‘Why’s that?’ he asked.
    Joe shrugged. ‘There’s something about her. She needs us, that’s obvious, but I reckon we also need her. I can’t explain it, but I tell ya what, I’ll be on the phone to Rachel tonight to give her my opinion.
    ‘And what opinion is that, Joe?’
    Matt spun on his stool to see Rachel approaching the bar.
    Joe laughed. ‘Are your ears burning? I was just talkin’ about you.’
    ‘So I heard!’
    ‘Long day?’ Matt asked.
    ‘Yep!’ Rachel plonked her clipboard on the bar and swung herself awkwardly onto the high stool beside Matt. ‘And I need a drink, please, Joe.’
    ‘What will you have, love?’
    ‘The usual, thanks. So, Joe, what’s your opinion?’ Rachel asked. She cocked her head at Matt and scowled. ‘I already know what he thinks.’
    ‘I reckon you should say yes to Isabelle Cassidy and her kids.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Dunno exactly. That’s what I was sayin’ to Matt when you walked in. I can’t explain it, but there’s something about her. I think we need her in our town.’ He wiped his hands on the towel slung over one shoulder. ‘I reckon she’d be a good fit for us.’
    ‘Is that so?’ Rachel took a sip of her drink and glared at Matt. ‘I’ll be surprised if Isabelle still wants to live in our town after Matthew’s ridiculous shenanigans this morning.’ Rachel glared at him, her eyes firing daggers. ‘What were you thinking, Matt? Dragging her kid in like that?’
    Matt hung his head, concentrating on the empty glass in front of him as if it had all the answers. ‘Yeah, that was stupid, I admit.’
    ‘What did you do?’ Joe asked.
    After Rachel explained everything, Joe swiped Matt’s empty beer glass and wiped down the wet bar. ‘It’s about time you started thinking like a local copper, not a city cop on the lookout to catch the big drug lords. If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times, we don’t have a drug problem here.’ He stalked off to serve another customer, leaving Matt alone with Rachel.
    Her eyes flashed dark. ‘I happen to agree with Joe. You have to stop thinking the worst, Matt. Not everyone is a drug dealing criminal.’ She finished her drink and slid off the stool. Clutching the clipboard to her chest, she stared him down. ‘Come on then, out with it. What’s your opinion?’
    He frowned. ‘What do you mean? You already know my opinion.’
    ‘I know your opinion on the Peppercorn Project. But is it a yes or no for Isabelle Cassidy and her kids?’
    ‘Yes.’
    Afterwards, Matt pondered why his answer had come so fast.

Chapter 10
    Isabelle’s heart hammered so loudly she was sure the others in the crowded pub could hear it over the din. The room was overflowing with anticipation. How much longer would they have to wait until Rachel arrived? Isabelle took a deep breath. In through her nose, out through her mouth. Tonight there would be many tears. Tears of disappointment. Tears of joy. Would one of the winning families be hers?
    She caught sight of Matt standing alone on the other side of the room. It was hard to miss him. He stood head and shoulders above much of the crowd. He sensed her gaze and when their eyes met, he raised his glass in greeting. She returned the gesture, along with a forced smile. Why did her heart slam against her chest whenever she was in a room with him? She took a slow sip of her drink, hoping it would ease the lump in her throat. The wait was interminable.
    After the second interview, Leah had driven Isabelle and the kids past the four