The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings: A gorgeously feel-good and heart-warming romance to escape with

by Donna Ashcroft

  ‘So how come you got to travel so much? How come you’re so lucky?’ Georgie asked, missing Madison’s point entirely.

  ‘I wouldn’t say lucky. Both of my parents worked for the Foreign Office. Having a child was more of an expectation than a want – and once I arrived I was an inconvenience. Their careers came first. Always. Aside from a stint at boarding school, I followed their postings, trying not to get in the way. It was glamorous but we moved around a lot. I saw a lot of places but belonged to none. I never got to keep the friends I made – until I came to Sunflower Island.’ She glanced back at the bar, where the men were still singing. ‘I love it here. The people are friendly and the place is always filled with laughter and music…’

  ‘Where did you go?’ Georgie asked.

  ‘All over: Australia, Russia, the Far East… every continent you can think of.’

  ‘What an amazing life.’ Georgie sighed, looking at her empty glass before waving it at Finn and signalling for two more.

  ‘In some ways it was. The world is a beautiful place – I’ve seen most of it so I should know. But imagine never having a home, a school, friends you get to see every day. Imagine spending Christmas in a different place each year. Sometimes in hotels, often with strangers my parents worked with. Then my parents were killed in an accident and I moved here.’

  ‘So why didn’t you stay?’ Connor asked.

  ‘I… I don’t think I was ready to settle. I’m not sure I knew how.’ Madison tried to explain. ‘And I never wanted to be a burden to my aunt and uncle – it’s not like they chose to have me.’

  ‘What about your degree?’ Connor asked softly, digesting her words.

  ‘I think I sabotaged it. The first day I moved into halls I knew I wouldn’t fit in. Perhaps it was because I wasn’t used to staying in one place. Perhaps I didn’t try hard enough at the work. Everyone seemed to speak the same language, a language I didn’t understand. I felt excluded. It wasn’t their fault though.’ Madison shrugged. ‘I’m good at making friends. I was invited to parties… I’m not sure law was the right degree for me, even though my marks were okay. The whole time I felt like I was playing a part. I was me on the outside, party girl Madison, smiling my way through the lectures and the social life, but in here –’ she hammered a fist on her chest – ‘where it mattered – here I felt lost, in the way, alone. I was terrified of being chucked out, so I left before that could happen.’

  When she put it like that, Connor almost felt sorry for Madison. She hadn’t been taught to stick anywhere, to feel like she belonged. Until she arrived on Sunflower Island – and perhaps by then it had been too late? He sipped his pint, giving in to the need to just listen, to let the conversation run its course. He already knew it was difficult to change his sister’s mind once it had been made up.

  ‘That’s how I feel… like I don’t fit,’ Georgie declared, as Finn brought fresh drinks and took their empties. ‘Sort of.’

  ‘Is it?’ Madison cocked her head. ‘Is that truly the problem?’

  Georgie pouted, and looked into her drink before taking a long sip. ‘Perhaps not entirely. I have a home with my mother and I’m happy there. At uni, I don’t really know. I’m bored of studying, lectures make me want to go to sleep. This boy I’ve met is exciting and he’s leaving now.’ She drank more of her cocktail, pausing as the men at the bar stopped singing and left. ‘If I don’t go, by the time I do perhaps he won’t want me to join him at all.’

  ‘If that’s the case, he’s not worth leaving your course for,’ Madison said. ‘And there’ll be plenty more people to travel with later. Believe me, when it comes to seeing the world, it’s not difficult finding company.’

  Georgie sulked. ‘It might not be the same for me. And I chose this course because our dad said I shouldn’t. He said the building trade was no place for a woman.’ Georgie screwed up her face as she took another sip of her drink. ‘He thought I’d be useless and I wanted to prove him wrong.’

  ‘And leaving now will do that?’ Connor asked, because he couldn’t help himself. It was a mistake because Georgie’s expression turned mulish.

  ‘Our dad’s not even here to see me sticking at it. Being away, having the time to think, has given me a new perspective. Who cares what Charles Robertson thought of you, of me or of what we can achieve? I spent years – you spent a lifetime – being told that we weren’t good enough, couldn’t measure up. I realised recently that he was just a mean old man, that his opinion doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t have then and definitely doesn’t now.’

  ‘The business matters. It’s been in the family for generations. If we lose it… if we fail, then that’ll make him right. That’ll make us just as useless as he predicted,’ Connor argued, knowing his voice held the wrong hint of challenge. The kind of tone his father had used, the tone that had driven Georgie crazy.

  He was right – she shook her head so her blonde hair flew, and downed her drink before slamming the glass on the table. ‘I knew you wouldn’t see things my way. You’re just like Dad. You want everyone to be like you – a workaholic, with no time for anything in your life, including me. And you wonder why I don’t want to join you here.’ Georgie’s cheeks flamed and Connor saw the regret in her eyes, but she didn’t retract the comment. Instead she turned to Madison. ‘I’m sorry, I knew my brother wouldn’t understand. It’s been a long day. I’ve done what I came to do. Let’s catch up tomorrow. Alone.’ With that, she stormed out of the pub with a quick backwards wave to Finn.

  Connor sat silently as Madison picked up her glass, looking guilty.

  ‘Well, that went well…’ He tried to dismiss the uncomfortable feeling that on some level Georgie’s words had been right. Was he just like his father? Trying to control everything, living only for work? He didn’t have much of a life. There was almost no one he connected with. Jaws probably didn’t count, and Jesse was more employee than friend.

  ‘You’re nothing like your father.’ Madison leaned forwards, putting a hand over his as she read Connor’s mind. ‘I didn’t know him very well, but I know enough. He wasn’t a kind man and you’ve kindness inside you. My guess is he’d never have supported you through university, or given you the encouragement you’ve given Georgie.’

  ‘She’s right about me working all the time,’ Connor argued, feeling bitter and guilty. He wanted to shake off Madison’s hand but couldn’t bring himself to. There was something about the gentle brush of her soft skin that made him feel calm. Instead he sipped his beer until there was just a little left in the bottom, reluctant to finish it. In a minute he’d have to head off – he had a load of paperwork to tackle. But suddenly he didn’t want to leave the pub, or this beautiful woman who confused him so much.

  ‘I can’t argue with that,’ Madison admitted. ‘But I understand the reasons for it, even if I don’t know the full story. Perhaps if you look hard enough you might find a way to remedy it.’

  ‘With yoga?’ Connor asked, with a glimmer of a smile he couldn’t suppress.

  ‘Why not?’ Madison smiled back, her face lighting up. ‘Who knows – you might even enjoy it.’

  ‘I don’t really have the time.’ Connor sighed, staring into his pint as the words echoed around his head. His father had always said the same thing. There wasn’t time – to watch him play football, to turn up to his parents’ evening, to talk. Mind you, there had always been time for work.

  ‘Then make time.’ Madison lifted her glass to her lips and fixed Connor with a questioning look, her brown eyes searching, perhaps hoping to read his deepest thoughts. ‘I’m planning another recon mission to Lake Lodge, to see what else they might be offering to customers. It could even be fun. Perhaps you’d like to join me? It’ll only take an evening, part of an afternoon at a push, so you won’t need to miss much work…’

  Connor began to shake his head, thinking of how much there was still to do to finish the cafe, how much paperwork was spread across his desk, the jobs he’d been asked to quote on that added u
p to hours of work. But instead of the predictable no coming out of his mouth, he found himself saying yes, knowing he’d regret it. Because if he wanted to prove his father wrong, spending more time with Madison Skylar was the opposite of what he should be doing.

  Nineteen

  The new toilet and sink were fitted in the small cafe bathroom, the floors had been sanded and the kitchen was in. Connor picked up a brush so he could join Jesse as he smoothed varnish over the huge oak counter. Behind them wooden racks – which would one day contain mugs, cups, saucers and speciality coffees and teas – already gleamed. They were making good headway. It had been a quiet week. Connor had only spotted Madison once, guiding Stanley and the new female guest to the yoga studio, and Georgie still refused to talk to him. So he’d spent the additional hours trying to get ahead. It was now a month until the Skylars were due back from their cruise, and he had a lot to finish up ready for the cafe’s Grand Opening and The Hideaway officially going up for sale. Connor rolled his shoulders, trying to work out some of the kinks, as Jaws wound himself around his feet and whined.

  ‘I think he’s angling for a walk.’ Jesse wiped a hand across his forehead as a bead of sweat dripped down it. They’d closed the door to the cafe earlier, after being disturbed by passing locals a couple of times, and the room had become hot. ‘I’d be happy to take him for a quick walk. I could do with a break, and if I’m honest I’m hungry. I’ll go find Dee, maybe see if I can run into Amy. She’s still not talking to me and I need to put things right before I go mad.’

  Connor checked his watch. It was after four thirty and they hadn’t taken a break all day, aside from when he’d fed Jaws and taken him for a short jog. He rubbed his neck, feeling the start of another headache. ‘Sure. I’d like to finish the varnishing up tonight so we can get on with the kitchen counters tomorrow. It’s shaping up well.’ He stood back to inspect their handiwork. ‘I’m guessing in another fortnight we’ll have sorted the kitchen, then it’s just painting and finishing touches.’

  Jesse grunted. ‘Then we’ll be redecorating inside The Hideaway. So Amy will find it harder to avoid me.’ His mouth curved into a grim smile. He washed up the brushes and picked up Jaws’s lead before calling out to Connor, ‘Enjoy the rest of your evening,’ with a hint of something odd in his voice.

  ‘Aren’t you planning on coming back?’ Connor shouted at the empty room, but Jesse was already gone.

  Five minutes later, Connor heard the light tap of feet and looked up, expecting to see either his dog or Jesse. Instead, Madison stood at the bottom of the steps with a wrapped sandwich in one hand and a large sports bag in the other.

  ‘I’ve come to collect.’ Madison walked around the workspace, peering into the bathroom, making approving sounds. She was dressed to impress today – in shiny red high heels and a matching dress that followed her curves to just above her knees. Connor swallowed the lump in his throat – he couldn’t seem to stop his eyes from sliding to her legs.

  ‘Collect what? Are you off out somewhere?’ he asked, failing to fight the burn of jealousy inching its way up his gut. Was she going on a date? With Tom?

  ‘We’re visiting Lake Lodge.’ Madison waved the bag in the air. ‘Remember – recon mission? You promised you’d join me? I’ve booked us a swim. Georgie found your trunks – albeit reluctantly. Are you two still not talking?’

  ‘No.’ Georgie had locked herself away for most of the week and he’d been at work. ‘We’re not currently a family that communicates.’

  Madison looked disappointed. ‘There’s a change of clothes in the bag. Jesse’s promised to look after Jaws, and he said not to worry about work because he’ll finish up.’

  ‘Jesse’s in on it?’ Connor frowned – so that explained the smile. ‘I can’t.’ He searched for excuses.

  ‘When I asked in The Moon and Mermaid last week, you said you would. Georgie told me you’d try to duck out of it, but I said you’re a man of your word.’ Madison cocked her head and hit him with a searching gaze, her eyes dark and questioning. ‘I’m guessing all this will still be here tomorrow. You’ve worked hard these last few days, I’ve seen you – and Georgie says you’ve barely eaten or been to bed. You’ve made amazing progress… surely one evening off won’t kill you?’

  ‘Swimming?’ Connor eyed the bag in Madison’s hand suspiciously as she passed him the sandwich. He unwrapped it, suddenly ravenous, and took a bite. Cheese and cucumber. He winced but swallowed anyway. ‘Thanks. No banana?’ He found his humour as the food went down.

  ‘Didn’t want to push my luck, considering I’ve also booked us a massage at seven. There’s tension in your shoulders I can see from here,’ Madison explained, as Connor shook his head. ‘Please?’ she begged. ‘Sophia and David are leaving tomorrow, we’ve got another couple booked in from Sunday and more the week after – things are really looking up. But I’ve heard Lake Lodge have dropped their prices again, plus they’ve started offering yoga too. We need to keep fresh – not lose momentum. I want some new ideas and it would be good to see how Lake Lodge treat their customers.’

  ‘Can’t Stanley go with you?’ Connor asked, feeling desperate. The thought of seeing Madison in a swimsuit was more than he could bear… Keeping his distance, fully dressed, was far safer.

  ‘No, he can’t.’ Madison rolled her eyes as he finished the sandwich. ‘You said you didn’t want to be like your father, Connor Robertson. This is your chance to prove it. It’s one evening – afternoon,’ she corrected herself, after checking her watch. ‘If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for Georgie – to prove you can change. God knows, watching you work yourself into an early grave is hardly an advert for coming here to work with you.’

  Connor looked around the cafe, considering. He could stay and do a few more hours, go home and be ignored by his sister, or take Madison up on her offer. What would his father have said?

  ‘Okay, sure, yes,’ he muttered, because dear old Dad would have said no and chased Madison out of the door.

  Madison nodded. ‘I was hoping we’d find time for a quick ice cream after. I’ve borrowed Dee’s car to give your shoulder a break—’

  ‘I’ll drive. Give me five minutes to clear up.’ Connor looked down at his clothes. ‘Are you sure I don’t need to change? You look…’ The words in his head wouldn’t translate onto his tongue. ‘Clean.’

  Madison laughed. ‘Thank you for the compliment. That’s one I’ve not heard before.’ She stepped forwards, looking into his eyes, her tone turning husky, sending prickles up and down his spine. ‘You could lighten your mood a little – otherwise we’re good to go. There are showers, towels and everything we’ll need at Lake Lodge. This is meant to be fun, Connor. Try to enjoy it.’

  Connor didn’t answer. Instead he dragged his eyes from Madison’s mouth and took the brushes, dumped them into white spirit so they wouldn’t go hard, and unplugged his power tools. It felt odd leaving now, like he was walking out of the office at lunchtime with no intention of going back. In his head his father called him idle, but he pushed the voice away as he marched up the stairs behind Madison, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the stairs, before closing the door without locking it, because at least Jesse would be back.

  As they headed for the car, Madison dropped back to walk with him. ‘You look like you’re heading to a funeral,’ she joked. ‘This afternoon is about finding more things to implement at The Hideaway. And if we’re lucky, Connor Robertson, we might even have fun.’

  That was what he was worried about. Connor swallowed as his brain churned, looking for an excuse or way to back out. Spending an evening in this gorgeous woman’s company was a one-way trip to disaster. But even as he hopped up into the truck before firing the engine and Madison climbed in beside him, filling the car with the scent of lemongrass, his head wouldn’t deliver the words. So he pulled out of The Hideaway, and took the main road that would lead them to the other side of the island, knowing, even then, that his life was about to change forever.


  Twenty

  The pool was stunning. It was aqua blue and framed with white tiles that stretched to walls painted with murals of mermaids and sea creatures. Beside them, inviting sun loungers were piled with fluffy white towels and squidgy cushions. Above, a ceiling made from pure glass exposed a darkening, clear sky and about a billion emerging stars. The lights around the room had been dimmed for maximum effect, and inside the pool tiny white lights glittered. Despite all these attractions the place looked empty.

  Connor dumped his towel on a nearby chair and looked out into the water. He’d already showered off the day, ready for a swim. He rolled his shoulders, trying to work out the aches, realising for the first time in weeks how tired he felt. He didn’t look up, even when he heard quiet footsteps behind him and felt a prickle of awareness glide across his back.

  ‘Looks good, doesn’t it?’ Madison whispered, sounding put out. ‘I was hoping for something a little less glamorous. Do you think you and Jesse can whip up one of these before my aunt and uncle get back?’

  ‘Not unless you find me twenty spare contractors, a ton of equipment, oh, and around two hundred thousand pounds,’ Connor admitted.

  Madison sighed but Connor still didn’t turn, too afraid of what he might see. He’d always thought of himself as a pragmatic man, but this woman held far too many temptations. So he kept his eyes fixed firmly ahead and stared into the water, wondering what the hell he was doing here.

  ‘Well, I guess we should try it?’ Madison suggested, after a few seconds of silence. Then Connor saw a flash of tanned skin and the barest of red bikinis before she hit the water with a splash, and after a few long strokes bobbed up in front of him, her hair wet and her eyes shining. ‘Aren’t you coming in?’ Madison was observing Connor with a quiet intensity as she floated in the water, waving her hands and looking every bit the alluring mermaid he knew her to be.