Hi everyone. Yet another little chapter. I'm typing as fast as I can lately (uni start again on Monday for me - not looking forward to it) so hopefully I don't disappoint with the way the story is going. Things will certainly start to happen soon. Hopefully you all continue to enjoy.

"Hi sweetheart!" Harriet smiled as Bud walked into the bistro and headed for the counter.

Leaning over he met her lips for a gentle and quick kiss.

"Here's the food," she picked up a rather large paper bag from the counter and handed it to him. "And coffee's will be done soon!" she announced already used to her daily order for the boys down at the station.

"So," she leaned over the counter in a conspiring way. "Have you heard any more about the new neighbors?"

"Nope," Bud replied innocently enough.

"I tried to get something out of Harm this morning but he was suspiciously tightlipped. And strangely nervous."

"Maybe he just doesn't have much to say."

"He lives next to them!"

"They moved in yesterday. You'll get your chance to meet them don't worry."

"You know he ordered three coffee's this morning. And a whole lot of pastries!"

Bud shrugged; "So?"

"What if it was for them? Mother, daughter, him makes three."

"Jason, Victor, him makes three."

Harriet's shoulders physically sank. "You are such a buzz kill Bud Roberts!"

Shaking her head she looked over to the coffee machine to check how the boys orders were going. But as she heard the front door open with a new customer she looked up; "Renee!"

"Harriet! Bud!" making her way towards the counter.

"Heard you were back!" Harriet commented

"Yeah," Renee's voice was less than thrilled. "Yes well…here I am."

"How was L.A?" asked Bud

"Fine. Just fine."

Clearly not a topic to be discussed Harriet jumped in; "Do you want a coffee? On the house to welcome you back!"

"Oh that would be lovely thank you! I actually came here to book a table for tonight."

"Sure! How many people? Two?" Harriet winked

Renee instead sighed disappointedly; "Actually three."

"Oh!"

"I'm having dinner with Harm and his…daughter," she seemed to struggle through that last word…as if it didn't quite fit into her narrative.

"Oh," Harriet paused mid action. Harm? Having dinner with Renee? No! That's not right! "Really?"

"Yeah!" Renee announced a little too proud. "Well I didn't know about Harm and Mattie so it was all a bit of a surprise to me."

Harriet was still processing.

"So yeah. I'm picking them up around 7 so if you could get a table ready for me for around 7:30 that would great!"

Harriet wondered if she could claim the bistro was full for dinner…but no. Instead she quickly realized it was best to have the three of them within earshot. If she needed to intervene she would be ready! "Yeah. We'll have it ready."

"Thank you!"

"Here's your coffee ma'am," the barista handed Renee her paper cup.

"Oh thank you!" as she took it and turned back to Harriet. "I'll see you tonight."

"Sure."

Watching Renee leave the bistro Harriet turned to Bud; "We have to ground that plane before it takes off!"

Bud frowned as he looked towards the now closed door and then back to his wife.

"Ughh. Just take these and go!" Harriet handed him two trays of coffees with a frustrated sigh. She loved her husband dearly, passionately…buy my goodness he was dim sometimes!

Juggling the food and coffee's Bud made it back to the police car where another young officer was waiting for him in the passenger side.

"Here," said Bud as he handed the coffee trays to the young man.

"Hi there!"

Turning, Bud almost lost his grip on the paper bag; "Miss Mackenzie!"

Sarah quick to act took the bag from his hands; "Please. Call me Sarah."

Smiling at her Bud took the bag back gratefully; "Sarah."

"That's better."

Remembering the young officer in the car, Bud was quick to rectify; "Sarah. This is officer Clayton Webb. Clay this is Miss Sarah Mackenzie. Her and her daughter just moved to Middleton."

Through the open window the young man extended his hand in greeting; "Hi. Nice to meet you."

Sarah shook his hands; "Same."

"You settling in ok?" asked Clay.

"Yeah. Well sort of…" laughing lightly. "Chloe and I were just tired of looking at boxes so we thought we'd come have a bit of a wander around town."

Bud assumed Chloe was doing her own wandering as she wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Guessing the train of his thoughts Sarah added; "Don't worry I haven't lost her. At least I hope not."

Clay looked confused at the statement but let it go.

"We just agreed to do our own investigating and then meet at this Bistro for lunch," she said pointing towards the building. "Which I've been told belongs to your wife!"

"Yeah! In fact, give me a minute," Bud handed the bag of food to Clay. "I'll be right back," he said to Clay, and then looked to Sarah; "Come on in. I'll introduce you to her!"

"Thank you," and added a last; "It was nice to meet you," to Clay.

Clay smiled and returned with the same. The young officer finding himself absolutely taken aback with her. Watching her walk away with Bud he took in as much of her as he could; from her short straight hair, to her long slim legs and the figure hugging jeans she was wearing under her coat. Those high boots that gave her an extra few centimeters. She was stunning!

Heading inside Sarah found herself in the coziest little place with walls of dark pine and two large chimneys on opposite sides burning lively, making the place a little winter haven from the outside snow.

"Harriet!" called Bud to a blonde woman with a gentle smile.

"Back already?" Harriet stopped wiping the table she was clearing up and looked up. Immediately spotting the beautiful and strange brunette standing just a few steps behind him, Harriet joined the dots before Bud had even opened his mouth.

Coming up to them as she wiped her hands with a towel; "You must be Sarah!" she smiled as she extended her hand.

Bud knew his wife was intuitive but sometimes she really needed to give him the moment. Sarah on her part blinked a little surprised but nonetheless smiled happily and took the lovely woman's hand. "Yes. Sarah Mackenzie. Nice to meet you!"

"I'm Harriet Roberts! Welcome to Middleton!"

"Thank you!" Sarah smiled with a sense of humbleness at the kindness and beauty of the people she was meeting. "Everyone has been so amazing and welcoming." Her voice dropping just a little she continued with a little awkwardness; "I'm sure your husband's told you all about my night last night."

Yes Harriet had certainly heard it all. But coming from Bud she had had a rather understanding and caring point of view on the situation.

Harriet shrugged with a smile trying to reduce Sarah's clear uneasiness; "I'm just glad it all ended well. Where is she now? I'd love to meet her."

"Uh she's having a little wander on her own but we agreed to meet here for lunch so I'll bring her over to meet you."

"Lovely! I'll set a table aside for you two!"

"That'd be great! Harm, my next door neighbor, insisted this place was the best in town so I definitely had to come."

'It's Harm already is it?' Harriet wondered inwardly. "Did he? Aww he's lovely."

"Yeah. He is. He's been really great."

Sarah's smile lingered a little too long and her gaze drifted a little too far when she said that for Harriet not to notice. 'Now this is interesting' Harriet thought. 'Very interesting.'

She'd been sitting on the park bench for nearly 30 minutes and had gone through 3 cigarettes.

"Those are bad for you."

Turning with cigarette between her lips she found the curly haired girl from last night…what was her name?

"It's Mattie," she filled in the blank with a smile.

Chloe nodded vaguely interested.

"Are you gonna be coming to school?"

Chloe simply shrugged. She was sure she'd heard Sarah talk something about a school…and some meeting…with someone…and starting on…some day…but no she really hadn't been listening.

Clearly deflated by Chloe's attitude, Mattie whispered; "I'll see you around."

As Mattie turned and continued on her way, Chloe watched her closely, before she put out her cigarette and stood up. It didn't take her long to reach Mattie as she called from just a few steps away; "Where's the Bistro?"

Mattie stopped and turned at the sound. A moment Chloe used to finally catch up to her.

"My…mother and I are meeting there for lunch."

Although a little disappointed that she was merely being used for information, Mattie helped as always; "Just keep walking up here for another two blocks," she pointed to her right. "Turn left at Gray House Street and you'll see it. It's fairly big. Hard to miss."

"Gray House Street?" Chloe reiterated.

"Yep."

"Thanks." Chloe though not smiling was gentle enough and seemed even a little sincere.

Mattie nodded with an even smaller smile. "It's ok. I'll see you around. Bye."

"Bye."

"Push!"

"I am!"

Sarah and Chloe had been trying for the last 40 minutes to move a bookcase just a smidge over to the left…rather unsuccessfully. Now red, sweating, tired and annoyed with each other, the bookcase remained in the very same spot it was 40 minutes ago.

Panting though still on her feet, Sarah leaned over and supported her hands on her knees; "Do we really need to move this thing? I mean…really really?"

Chloe sat on the floor leaning against one of the sofas and catching her breath; "You're the one who wants to. If you don't move it then the corner table won't fit. Beats me if it does or not." Grunting she rolled onto her fours and then pushed herself up.

Taking her water bottle from the coffee table she took a few sips. Swallowing and putting the cap back on she put a hand on her hip. "Can't you just get hot dad from next door?"

Sarah's head jerked up, as she looked at Chloe a little shell-shocked at the expression.

"Oh come on. I saw the way you looked at him."

"Chloe!" She chastised though the truth of it brought a flush to her cheeks. "He's been generous enough as it is. I can't just be calling on him every time I need something."

"Look. We can't move this thing. So unless you want to leave it as it is, I suggest you walk yourself over there and ask for help."

And with that Chloe walked away towards the kitchen.

Standing up straight Sarah considered the suggestion. On the one hand she was embarrassed to no end. He was probably a very busy man and he had already helped them so much. She couldn't just well wander over the fence every time she needed something heavy moved. On the other hand however…she really wanted to see him again…ok fair enough that wasn't a good enough excuse to call on him…but…he had offered hadn't he?

Making up her mind she headed for the door; "Don't move! I'll be right back!"