‘You know I do, but—’
He kissed her, and she could feel the truth of his words in the passion that burned from his lips.
‘No buts,’ he said as they broke apart. ‘Life’s too short and who knows which way it will take us. I’ve spent too long hiding from it.’
‘What’s changed your mind?’
‘I never changed my mind. I was respecting your wishes to stay as friends but now I realise you ask too much of me. I’m selfish; I can’t stop thinking about you and it’s driving me mad, but at least if I can think of you and have hope for something more then I can bear it better.’
‘Lachlan… you know how I feel about you.’
‘Then what’s in our way?’
‘Distance.’
‘I’d come to London, as often as you want.’
Posy raised her eyebrows. ‘All those people, all that noise – you’d hate it.’
‘I’d do it for you.’
There was no doubt in her mind that she felt the same but could they make it work? They were different people, with different life paths and different ambitions, and they lived in different parts of the country. Was love enough, because even as the word popped into her head she realised it was true – she loved him. She’d loved him for some time, though she struggled to pick out the moment it had happened. Perhaps it had been when she’d opened her eyes as she’d lain on the cobbles of the courtyard of Oleander House as the fire burned and seen him above her, angry and terrified, and learned just what she meant to him.
‘I’d like it if you came to London sometimes,’ she said. ‘And I suppose it wouldn’t be a huge hardship for me to come here some weekends too.’
He smiled. It was a shame he didn’t smile more often because it changed his whole face, made him look like a man who could look forward to the future instead of being trapped in his past. She could get used to a smile like that, and maybe, just maybe, if things went well, she’d get to see it a lot more often.
Chapter Thirty- Four
Spring had come early and with some force. Just as it had done a year before, the sun burned down with a heat that was more like July than May, the countryside around Astercombe bursting violently into life. Those twelve months had gone by in a blur, with harvests to save and homes and lives to rebuild, but things were more tranquil these days. Asa had made peace with Drew and had stayed firm on their separation. He’d even been flirting online with someone he’d met on another visit to London. Posy and Lachlan’s relationship had gone from strength to strength, though she’d kept her job in the capital and they had to be content with visits when they could manage.
Today was one of those visits, and Posy had remarked on her arrival that she couldn’t have chosen a more perfect weekend. They’d walked the lanes together, birds flitting tirelessly from tree to tree, bees hunting the first flowers of the season, the grass in the meadows lush and new and the hedgerows bright with spring foliage.
Now, Posy unbuttoned her blouse with a sort of careless flourish, her eyes fixed on Lachlan. ‘Do you realise what today is?’ she asked.
‘The day they’re due to finish renovating Oleander House,’ he said as he pulled off his belt. ‘I saw Giles before you arrived. He’s going to get the holiday let built now that’s done.’
‘That’s true – but it’s not what I meant. There’s something else.’
‘Oh, God – is there? Have I forgotten something important? It’s not your birthday, is it?’
Posy laughed. ‘No. You know it isn’t – that was last month. We had extra-special birthday sex – remember?’
‘Oh, of course,’ he said solemnly. ‘Now I’m worried.’
Lachlan still had the capacity to take things far too seriously, though it was something she’d grown used to and something she’d even learned to love about him. He took things seriously because he cared about them.
‘It’s exactly one year to the day since I first saw your naked butt.’
His worried frown turned into a smile as he kicked off his boots. ‘So it is.’
‘God, you were angry that day,’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen anyone so angry.’
‘I wasn’t that bad.’
‘You terrified me!’
‘I didn’t mean to.’
She kissed him lightly and then set her own shoes down next to his. ‘I know that now. I really shouldn’t have been walking where I wasn’t meant to be.’
‘That’s true.’
She slapped his arm playfully. ‘You’re not supposed to agree with me!’
‘But I’m glad you did,’ he added. He pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the grass. ‘Seems only fitting that we should be here today then.’
‘Yes,’ Posy agreed, undoing the clasp of her bra. ‘I suppose it does. I wondered if you’d remembered and that’s why you’d suggested it.’
‘If only I were that romantic.’ His trousers followed his shirt, landing in a heap.
‘And the rest,’ Posy said, eyeing his boxers.
‘You first.’
‘Surely you’re not shy? It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.’
‘Aye, and in this very spot too a year ago to the day.’
‘I’ve seen it since then,’ she replied coyly.
He laughed. ‘Not in cold water you haven’t.’
She loved his laugh. She’d waited so long to hear it, and she knew she’d never get sick of it.
‘You might never look at me in the same way again.’
She rolled down her knickers and kicked them off, letting the warm breeze and the sunshine kiss her skin. The air was filled with the scents of the wildflowers that were scattered over the nearby meadows and blossoms bursting from trees. ‘Oh, I don’t think the cold water did you any disservice this time last year.’
‘Thank you,’ he said.
A moment later they were both naked, hand in hand.
‘It suddenly looks a lot colder,’ Posy said, eyeing the pool doubtfully.
‘Man up.’
‘Easy for you to say.’
‘Don’t think about it too much – it’ll be fine once we’re in.’
‘Also easy for you to say – you do this all the time.’
‘First time this year it’s been warm enough.’
‘Hmm. You know most blokes take their girlfriends out for lunch when they come to visit…’
‘I’m not most blokes.’
‘I know that.’
‘It’s why you love me.’
‘I can’t deny that either, even though it’s galling to admit.’
‘When are you going to stay in Astercombe for good?’
She looked up at him. ‘When I have a good reason.’
‘I’m not a good reason?’
‘I haven’t decided yet.’
He began to lead her to the old wooden jetty that stuck out over the water.
‘How can I change your mind?’ he asked.
‘You can’t change what isn’t made up.’
‘You’re teasing me.’
‘I’m glad you noticed.’
‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
‘So marry me.’
They were at the water’s edge. She turned to him and smiled, and she didn’t miss a beat.
‘OK,’ she said. ‘Why not?’
Then they leapt into the lake together.
If The Little Orchard on the Lane enchanted you and had you hooked, then you’ll love The Little Village Bakery, an enchanting romantic comedy about new beginnings.
* * *
Get it here!
The Little Village Bakery
Get it here!
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Help yourself to a generous slice of Victoria sponge, a perfect cup of tea and a big dollop of romance. Welcome to the Little Village Bakery.
* * *
Meet Millie. Heartbreak has forced her to make a new start and when she arrives at the old bakery in the little village of Honey
bourne she is determined that this will be her home sweet home. Her imagination has been captured by the tumbledown bakery but with no running water and dust everywhere, her cosy idea of making cakes in a rural idyll quickly crumbles.
* * *
Luckily the locals are a friendly bunch and step in to help Millie. One in particular, Dylan, a laid-back lothario, soon captures her attention.
* * *
But just as Millie is beginning to settle in, an unexpected visitor from her past suddenly turns up determined to ruin everything for her. It’s time for Millie to face the skeletons in her closet if she’s going to live the dream of running her little village bakery, and her blossoming romance with Dylan.
* * *
A charming heartwarming novel about love, life and new beginnings perfect for fans of Milly Johnson and Debbie Johnson.
* * *
Get it here!
Hear More from Tilly Tennant
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Books by Tilly Tennant
The Hotel at Honeymoon Station
The Little Orchard on the Lane
The Time of My Life
The Summer of Secrets
The Summer Getaway
The Christmas Wish
The Mill on Magnolia Lane
Hattie’s Home for Broken Hearts
The Garden on Sparrow Street
The Break Up
The Waffle House on the Pier
Worth Waiting For
Cathy’s Christmas Kitchen
Once Upon a Winter
* * *
An Unforgettable Christmas Series
A Very Vintage Christmas
A Cosy Candlelit Christmas
* * *
From Italy with Love Series
Rome is Where the Heart is
A Wedding in Italy
* * *
Honeybourne Series
The Little Village Bakery
Christmas at the Little Village Bakery
* * *
The Spring of Second Chances
Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn
A Letter from Tilly
I want to say a huge thank you for choosing to read The Little Orchard on the Lane. If you did enjoy it, and want to keep up to date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the following link. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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I’m so excited to share The Little Orchard on the Lane with you. I worked on it largely through the second half of 2020, a year that has sorely tried everyone’s patience, but it proved to be a welcome distraction and a lovely escape from the miserable news reports. I hope it proves to be the same for my lovely readers. Let’s face it, we all deserve an escape every now and again!
I hope you loved The Little Orchard on the Lane and if you did I would be very grateful if you could write a review. I’d love to hear what you think, and it makes such a difference helping new readers to discover one of my books for the first time.
I love hearing from my readers – you can get in touch on my Facebook page, through Twitter, Goodreads or my website.
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Thanks,
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Tilly
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www.tillytennant.com
The Hotel at Honeymoon Station
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* * *
Run away to the Dorset countryside, to the sleepy village of Honeymoon, where rose-adorned thatched cottages soak up the sunlight and Emma is risking everything for a brave new start on life and love…
* * *
When Emma’s useless fiancé tells her a lie she cannot forgive, she decides enough is enough. She leaves him, quits her dead-end job and travels hundreds of miles away to the ancient village of Honeymoon in the Dorset countryside, to help her friend Tia turn the old train station into a boutique hotel.
* * *
Tia has told Emma that it will be a project, but when Emma arrives in Honeymoon and sees a weed-choked crumbling ruin, her vision of an idyllic life in Dorset begins to disintegrate. But when she meets twinkly-eyed builder Aiden in the village shop, and sparks fly between them, she can’t help but feel that the stars have for once aligned.
* * *
As work begins on the hotel, Emma and Aiden grow closer, and on sun-dappled evening walks, he tells her the secrets of the village. But there are some villagers who wish that Emma had never arrived in Honeymoon… And when Emma is involved in a terrible accident on site, and then discovers what Aiden has been keeping from her, it feels like the universe is telling her to leave Honeymoon for good. What if she was wrong to say goodbye to all that was safe and familiar? Will she ever be able to find her happy-ever-after in Honeymoon?
* * *
A completely gorgeous and romantic read about being brave and taking chances on love and life. Fans of Shari Low, Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson will be enchanted by The Hotel at Honeymoon Station.
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The Time of My Life
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She’s given up on love. But one little letter might change everything…
* * *
Single mum Bonnie is a born romantic. But she’s been seriously let down by love. Her good-for-nothing husband walked out on her and daughter Paige two years ago, and hasn’t been heard from since.
* * *
Between trying to make ends meet, managing teenage mood swings and the serious lack of eligible bachelors in her small town, Bonnie has all but given up on finding her happily ever after.
* * *
Although if real-life romance is in short supply, it doesn’t mean Bonnie can’t indulge in a harmless imaginary one. She’s started writing to her totally unattainable dream man, baring her soul before screwing up the pages and tossing them straight in the trash…
* * *
But when fate intervenes and Bonnie actually meets the man she never thought she could have, events take an interesting turn. Envelopes addressed to her start mysteriously arriving on her doorstep. Although Bonnie never sent him any of the letters she wrote, he has now begun writing to her.
* * *
Is Bonnie about to discover that dreams really do come true?
* * *
A fabulously funny and warm romantic comedy that fans of Josie Silver, Holly Martin and Lindsey Kelk will absolutely love!
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The Spring of Second Chances
Twenty-seven-year-old Phoebe has spent the last year living under dark clouds. This spring she is determined to embrace blue skies and new beginnings. But will she have the strength to open her heart to love for a second time?
* * *
Heartbroken after losing the man she was about to spend the rest of her life with in a tragic accident, Phoebe is finally ready to let herself heal and embrace a second chance at happiness.
* * *
She’s landed her dream job in the toy shop she’s loved since she was a girl and when single dad Jack brings his five-year-old daughter along to story time, it seems the stars have aligned to bring them together. He’s funny, handsome and his devotion to his daughter shows Phoebe he has a heart of gold.
* * *
But just when it seems she has everything she’s ever wanted, Phoebe discovers the shop is in deep financial trouble. She’ll need every bit of creativity and passion she has to save it.
* * *
As spring blossoms to summer sunshine, Phoebe works to turn things around, while her feelings for Jack deepen. But after taking the big step of meeting his parents, Phoebe is left questioning everything. They make it clear Phoebe doesn’t measure up t
o Jack’s late wife and she can’t help but worry that he feels the same. Maybe this wasn’t meant to be her second chance after all.
* * *
The Little Orchard on the Lane: An absolutely perfect and uplifting romantic comedy Page 33
