Read The Peppercorn Project for Free Online Page B

word. As well as her failing eyesight she was virtually deaf. He crossed to her side of the road. He’d learned his lesson early that keeping in the good books of people like Dorothy was important.
    ‘S’pose you’ve heard the news, then?’ she said.
    He had no clue what she was talking about. ‘I’m sure you’re about to tell me,’ he replied pleasantly, pausing near her front gate.
    ‘A lovely single mother with two kids arrived late last night. They’re staying out with Pat and Col at the caravan park. She’s pretty, so I hear. Did I mention she was single? Might be worth you—’
    Matt cut her off. ‘I’m running late, Mrs Wettenhall,’ he fibbed. Smiling falsely, he walked off. No doubt she’d be mumbling under her breath about his rudeness but he needed to get away before she started matchmaking again.
    As much as he wanted information on the late arrivals, he wasn’t interested in gossip. He marched up the street, his long legs covering the distance to the station in no time. As he stopped to take in the sight, he forgot his frustration. Cloudless pale blue skies stretched into eternity. Zigzagged bunting fluttered in the light breeze. Streets and footpaths were clean, the roadside garden beds full of flowering blooms. There was just enough warmth in the sun to promise another glorious spring day without it being too hot.
    As much as he had reservations about the Peppercorn Project, this was Stony Creek. His adopted town.
    And he loved it.
    There was no mistaking everyone’s eagerness to impress. Shops had opened earlier than usual, and there was an excited buzz in the air. Matt stopped at The Green Room for coffee. Shelby’s glass-fronted display cabinets were laden with all manner of cakes and pastries, ready to tempt contestants and locals alike. Matt shook his head in wonder. Shelby must have worked long hours cooking and baking for the weekend. Matt placed his coffee order, resisting the urge to splurge on one of her sweet treats. At his age, it took a lot of effort to stay in shape. The cafe was full and Shelby barely had time to acknowledge him with a wave. She handed him his regular order and he raised his eyebrows and smiled his thanks.
    Minutes later Matt let himself in through the front door of the small police station. As usual, the main desk was unoccupied.
    ‘Morning, Geoff. It’s only me.’
    Matt’s colleague stuck his head around the door from the back office, his bald head gleaming like a polished bowling ball. His face held its usual flush. Geoff had a problem with high blood pressure. He’d dropped back to part time, counting the hours until his retirement.
    ‘Morning, mate. What are you doing here? It’s your day off.’
    ‘Yeah, I know,’ Matt replied, walking behind the desk.
    Geoff’s ever-faithful chocolate-coloured Kelpie, Fern, sat on a pile of old blankets at his side. As Matt drew closer, she wagged her tail slowly in recognition and he bent down to scratch her behind her ears. He needed a dog.
    ‘Love the job that much, do you?’ Geoff asked with a laugh. ‘Seriously, mate, what are you doing here? You should be out enjoying the day and checking out the contestants.’
    Matt tipped his head to the side and looked quizzically at Geoff. ‘And why would I want to do that? You know my opinion.’
    ‘Ah, yeah, but that was before a pretty, young, single female arrived in town late last night.’
    As usual, the news had travelled faster than a missile.
    ‘I got a call from Tom Morrison late last night,’ Geoff said. ‘He said I should have seen the look on your face when she pulled up outside the pub. He said you were dumbstruck. All it took was one look at her pretty face and you were gone. He said it was love at first sight.’
    He said, he said, he said.
    At the memory of the woman’s striking features Matt felt himself growing uncomfortably warm. No way was he admitting the words had struck a chord. Geoff was as bad as the others when it came to