Sunrise on the Coast: The perfect feel-good holiday romance (Island Romance Book 1)

by Lilac Mills

  ‘I’m fine, although Alex and Hugo haven’t stopped fussing over me. Between you and me, they’re driving me mad.’

  Bless him, Dominic was looking serious and concerned for once. ‘The sea is dangerous,’ he said. ‘Especially where we surf.’

  Yeah, she’d found that out for herself…

  ‘News travels fast,’ she said. ‘How do you know about my little escapade?’ She was doing her best to make light of it, but her voice broke on the final word.

  ‘My mother was told by one of the shopkeepers along the promenade, who’d heard it from someone he was having an early morning coffee with, who’d been told by…’ He waved his hand in the air. ‘Despite all the tourists, La Arena is a small place. We look after our own, and you’re one of us now.’

  ‘Er, um, about that. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to need your spare room after all.’ She chewed at her lip, hating to let him down.

  Dominic shrugged. ‘No worries. Are you returning to the UK? I hope what you’ve been through isn’t driving you away.’

  ‘No, I’m staying here, at the villa. Hugo has said I can stay for as long as I want. I do need to get a job, though…’

  ‘I could ask around for you, if you like. Do you have anything in mind? Bar work? Shop? Office?’

  Sophie glanced at Hugo, who widened his eyes at her. ‘I’ve no idea. I’m not really qualified for much, especially over here where I can’t speak anything except English.’

  ‘That shouldn’t be a problem – most people have a smattering of English, regardless of their nationality, and as there are so many Brits over here, both expats and tourists, you should be fine. Leave it with me. I promise I’ll ask around.’ He took a step towards the door, then paused. ‘I nearly forgot.’ He handed her a bag. ‘It’s a bone, for Paco. My mum got it from the butcher for him.’

  ‘Oh, that’s so kind of her. Thank her for me, will you?’

  ‘You can thank her yourself next time you’re in the shop,’ he said. ‘Come here.’

  He beckoned her closer and gave her a hug.

  Just at that moment, Alex arrived back with Paco. The dog wagged his tail at Dominic. Alex’s reaction wasn’t quite as friendly; in fact, he positively scowled.

  ‘Dominic came by with a bone for Paco,’ she said. ‘I’ve told him I’m not taking him up on the offer of his spare room.’

  Alex nodded curtly but didn’t say a word, and after she’d seen Dominic to the door, she rounded on him angrily.

  ‘You didn’t need to be so rude.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ His reply was short and he didn’t appear to be the least bit remorseful.

  ‘What’s got into you?’

  ‘I don’t like him.’

  ‘Why ever not?’

  ‘Because he suggested you move in with him.’

  Sophie shook her head. ‘It’s not like that. He was just being kind.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘Think what you want, but Dominic sees me as a friend, the same way I see him. Nothing more.’

  He gave her a long, level look, before nodding again, this time in acceptance. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just…’ He sighed. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ With a visible effort, he changed the subject. ‘I have news. A man was following you last night; you didn’t imagine it. It was a drunk on his way home. I met him a few minutes ago. Paco must have recognised him and barked at him, and the man said that the dog had scared the life out of him last night. He thought Paco was going to attack him.’

  Sophie sagged against the arm of the chair. Thank God for that! She hadn’t really wanted to believe that someone was out to do her harm, but Slimy Guy had unnerved her a bit, and she honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if he really had threatened her and then made good on it.

  ‘That’s a relief,’ she said. ‘I was a little concerned, to say the least. Now that I can sleep at night, the final thing to sort out is a job. Dominic said he’d keep an ear open for me.’

  Hugo grunted. ‘You do not have to worry about a job.’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ she insisted. ‘I don’t intend to live at the villa without pulling my weight.’

  ‘Tell her,’ Hugo said, and Sophie looked at Alex.

  ‘I told you that Tío didn’t sell all his land; he kept two fields back – the ones either side of the track. He wants you to have them, for vegetables and… chickens?’ Alex’s voice rose on the last word. ‘You want to keep chickens?’

  ‘Well, yes, but that’s not a proper job, is it?’ she objected.

  ‘Maybe not, but you will be able to produce enough fruit, vegetables and eggs for the villa, and when Hugo begins to fish again, that will contribute to the food on our table. You can sell the excess to local restaurants, which will give you some income too.’

  ‘Give us some income,’ she pointed out. ‘Considering the land actually belongs to Hugo, then it’s only fair that anything grown on it is his too.’

  ‘Have it your way, but it won’t be an easy ride for you. Clearing those fields will take a great deal of hard work.’

  Sophie wasn’t bothered – she didn’t mind hard work – and she was thrilled that she’d have the opportunity to do more of what she’d begun to find so satisfying and enjoyable. Of course, she’d still have to get a proper job, but suddenly the future was looking very rosy indeed.

  She flung her arms around Hugo and rained kisses on his lined face, full of gratitude for his kindness. He was such a sweetheart, and she had grown to think of him as family.

  ‘When you’ve finished, do I get a turn?’ Alex asked. ‘I think I deserve a kiss too.’

  He most certainly did, and Sophie made a point of giving him several until Hugo reminded them that he was still there by coughing loudly, and even Paco whined until Alex released her with a final kiss on her nose and a look that told her there was more where that came from.

  As she looked at the two men who had entered her life, her heart was filled with love and gratitude, and she finally felt she had found somewhere she could call home in this little Spanish villa by the sea.

  Chapter 38

  Sightseeing wasn’t quite what Sophie had envisaged when Alex had promised to keep her occupied, as he drove them through the pretty town of Santiago del Teide with its quaint square and lovely old church with a bell on the top, and out the other side of the town. As they passed through, she stared wistfully at the restaurant where they’d shared their first meal; it felt like such a long time ago. So much had happened since then.

  ‘Where are we going?’ she wanted to know.

  ‘A town called Garachico, on the other side of the island. I know a lovely little place that does the best paella, right on the seafront.’ He hesitated and shot her a quick look. ‘If you don’t mind being near the sea again. I didn’t think—’

  ‘Don’t be silly. If I had a problem with the sea, I wouldn’t be able to live in the villa, would I?’ she teased.

  She still couldn’t believe it; it was too good to be true. There was a little nagging doubt regarding what would happen if her and Alex’s very young and very tentative relationship fell apart, but she tried to ignore it. She honestly didn’t want to consider the possibility. It might just break her heart…

  Beyond Santiago del Teide, the road rose sharply, twisting and winding through the mountains. They passed a couple of places to pull in and admire the view of the surprisingly green valley below and the majestic Teide in the distance. It was picture-postcard beautiful, and showed her yet another face of this remarkable island.

  What was even more beautiful was the view from the other side of the mountains as they began the descent down to the coast once more. They had driven over the ridged spine of the island and in front of them the land dropped steeply down to the sea. She could see the road hairpinning below them, and she swallowed a little nervously, thankful that it was Alex behind the wheel and not her.

  The ocean looked huge, a vast expanse of blue, navy and turquoise glittering and sparkling in th
e sun, and the towns and villages strung out along the coast seemed very small and far away indeed.

  Without warning, they pulled over into a lay-by and Alex indicated that they should get out of the car. They walked towards the wooden barrier which was all that separated them from a precipitous drop, and he pointed to a small town below.

  ‘Garachico, said to be the prettiest town in Tenerife. But then, several others lay claim to the same title. We are spoilt for choice – there are so many beautiful places. You’ll see how lovely this one is when we get there, and I have so many others to show you.’ He turned to her, a soft smile lighting his face, his eyes liquid chocolate as she gazed into them. ‘I’ll make you fall in love with the island, so you will never leave.’

  ‘I don’t think I ever want to leave here,’ she murmured as he came closer.

  His arms wrapped around her, pulling her to him, and she sank into his embrace. As his mouth descended on hers, she parted her lips and closed her eyes, losing herself in the delight of the passionate kiss.

  When they eventually parted, she found that her legs were trembling, and a soaring excitement made her heart fizz and her senses reel with longing. She could stay here forever, she thought, content to be in his arms, her own coiled around his neck, holding him close.

  He bumped noses with her, then kissed the tip. ‘Hungry?’

  She nodded, but it wasn’t food she was hungry for. She wanted another kiss, then another, and maybe (definitely) several more after that. But he had other ideas and stepped away to take her hand and walk back to the car.

  Garachico was every bit as lovely as he’d promised. From above, the glimpse she’d had of the town had suggested it was on the level, but as they came closer, she realised it was built on an incline. From the wide road which separated the sea from the buildings, the town rose above them in a series of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets.

  She was dying to explore, but first they had lunch at an open-air restaurant surrounded by natural seawater pools in which children played and people swam.

  ‘I’ve ordered paella for two,’ Alex told her. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’

  She didn’t mind at all, and when it arrived in a huge, sizzling black skillet, her mouth watered. If it tasted as good as it looked, she was in for a treat indeed. Chunks of white fish, which Alex told her was monkfish, nestled in a bed of saffron rice, alongside mussels, king prawns, calamari, and the vibrant colours of green beans and red peppers. The dish was served with a simple basket of chunky cut bread and a drizzle of fragrant olive oil.

  Alex poured them both a glass of crisp, chilled white wine, and he raised his in a toast. ‘To us.’

  ‘Is there an “us”?’ she asked, her glass poised ready to clink against his.

  ‘I really hope so. You are the reason I came back to Tenerife.’

  ‘I am?’ Her breath caught in her throat and her mouth was suddenly dry.

  He nodded slowly. ‘When I had a phone call from INVOLCAN asking me to view some data, I thought, I assumed that it would be a quick visit and I would see my uncle at the same time. What I saw was you, sitting up in bed, fists raised, ready to punch me. I think I fell in love with you right there and then.’

  ‘Wait, what?’ Had she heard him correctly? Did he just say he loved her? Oh, my Lord…

  ‘Yes, I love you,’ he said, somewhat defensively. ‘Is that so bad?’

  ‘No, it’s… it’s… wonderful!’ she blurted, and the look of relief in his eyes made her want to cry.

  ‘I understand we’ve only known each other for a short while, but this feels right. I’ve never felt like this about any woman before,’ he said, reaching across the table with his free hand and placing it over hers, his fingers curling around her own. ‘I also understand if you don’t feel the same way, but please give it time. Time to get to know me properly. Time to fall in love with me, maybe? Mierda! I didn’t mean to say all this, not yet.’ A frown marred his handsome features, and she wanted nothing more than to kiss it away. ‘I wanted you to have a good time today; not to declare my undying love.’

  He actually looked rather cross with himself, and Sophie couldn’t help giggling. ‘You goose, I feel the same way about you too. I don’t need time to fall in love with you, because I already am.’

  ‘Thank God,’ he whispered, and as he stared into her eyes she saw the love brimming in their depths, and her heart sang with sheer joy.

  He loved her! And what a romantic place to declare it. How she’d ever thought him brooding and distant was beyond her.

  ‘I love you,’ she said. ‘With all my heart. And I know we’ve not known each other long, but does it matter? We have all the time in the world and our whole lives before us, and I don’t want to waste a single second of it.’

  ‘I love you too, mi amor, more than you will ever know.’

  He squeezed her hand and her heart was full to bursting. And as she sat there in the warm sunshine, the sea sparkling and a gentle breeze lifting her hair, she’d never felt so happy in her life. There was just one thing to cast a shadow on her bliss – she wished she could share her happiness and joy with her mum.

  Raising her glass, she gazed at the azure sky, imagining her mother looking down at her. I love you, Mum, she thought. I’ll always love you, and I’ll carry you in my heart forever. Please be happy for me.

  And when she felt the breeze brush across her face like the stroke of feather-light fingertips, she knew her mum approved.

  Acknowledgements

  Books like mine don’t get written by themselves; actually they do – the first draft or three – but then a whole bunch of other people get involved. People like my editor, Emily Bedford, who deserves a mention and my heartfelt thanks for her steady guidance and support. Thanks, Emily.

  I have to thank my husband for putting up with this writing obsession of mine, although he does have a cycling obsession of his own, so I suppose we can call it quits. Thanks also to my mum for reading my stuff, even though she prefers whodunnits; my daughter for being proud of her poor old mum; and you, my readers, for, well… everything else. You make the whole thing worthwhile. Thank you.

  First published in the United Kingdom in 2020 by Canelo

  Canelo Digital Publishing Limited

  Third Floor, 20 Mortimer Street

  London W1T 3JW

  United Kingdom

  Copyright © Lilac Mills, 2020

  The moral right of Lilac Mills to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

  ISBN 9781800320772

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Look for more great books at www.canelo.co