Stepping inside the starlit cave Julia grabbed a towel from behind the reception desk. Everywhere looked so peaceful, there was no doubt this place was going to be an instant hit. After slipping into her swimming costume and pulling a fluffy white robe around her body, Julia dipped her toe in the salt-water vitality pool. There were jet massage pools, luxury whirlpools – this hotel had everything. For a second she felt all her stresses melt away, and sat on the steps in the warm waters of the hydrotherapy pool, the gentle currents and body massage jets making her skin tingle. She opened her book and began to read until she heard footsteps padding down the corridor and the creak of a door. The noise made Julia jump and she was startled to meet Flynn’s gaze.
His chest was bare, his hair slicked back, and his lounge pants looked super sexy clinging to his toned waistline. Julia’s stomach churned nervously. For a second she was distracted by the aroma of his aftershave, her whole body tingling in his presence. She averted her gaze and gave herself a little shake to pull herself together. This was the perfect timing to talk to him about how she thought the community could all work together, and she couldn’t afford to be distracted by Flynn’s hot body.
‘Good morning, what a lovely surprise, you are up with the larks,’ he said, walking over towards her with a beam on his face. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see anyone here.’
Julia closed her book and put it on the side. She noticed he was carrying a package which he placed on the bottom of the sun lounger before sitting next to it.
‘Me neither,’ she replied warmly.
‘I always start my day with a quick swim. The joys of owning a hotel.’
‘How was your business meeting?’ asked Julia, remembering back to last night when she’d watched Flynn climb aboard the helicopter.
‘Very successful, it must have been down to the tie,’ he said with a playful glint in his eye. ‘And how was your food?’
She tipped her head to one side and felt a flush of warmth surge through her body. ‘Definitely must have been down to the tie – and last night’s food was amazing. Absolutely exquisite. Andrew is going to be a huge hit, especially with his masterclasses too.’
‘He is, isn’t he? And now we have the contractors back on board, thank you so much.’
‘I couldn’t have a cancelled wedding on my conscience.’ As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted the ground to swallow her up. She hadn’t been thinking about Anais’s wedding, but it may have sounded like a little dig.
Thankfully, Flynn didn’t seem to notice and stood up. ‘Have you got a minute? Your eye for detail is better than mine. Come and tell me what you think.’ Flynn stood up and Julia pulled the robe around her and slipped her feet back into her shoes. She followed him through a door and immediately Julia was taken aback by her surroundings. This room was a lounge area with brown leather wingback chairs dotted around coffee tables, the walls dressed in gold and beige with another impressive chandelier. Flynn led Julia over to a table laid out with limited-edition luxury candles.
‘What have we here?’ she asked immediately picking up a candle and taking in the aroma. ‘That is heaven, I’d say a flirtatious fragrance…’
Flynn was looking at her with amusement. Julia inhaled the scent again. ‘Peony… I can definitely smell Peony.’
Flynn took the card next to the candle. ‘It is indeed, Peony and Blush Suede.’ He was clearly impressed. ‘Here, what about this one?’ Flynn passed her another candle.
Once again Julia inhaled. ‘That’s Honeysuckle. My absolute favourite.’ She read the card next to the candle. ‘Yes, it’s Honeysuckle! I’m good at this. What are all these for?’
‘This is something I need help with, I may be able to build hotels and design the most luxurious of rooms with breath-taking chandeliers, but all this is beyond me. As soon as I smell one candle, they all seem to merge into one.’
Julia worked her way through the samples on the table, smelling each one before choosing. ‘Honeysuckle, it’s got to be Honeysuckle. That is just heaven. What are they for?’
‘To put in the wedding guests’ rooms as a little extra. I’ve been left in the lurch. My usual wedding planner has relocated to London, leaving all these finer details to me and I’ve no idea what’s needed.’
Julia brought her hands up to her heart and acted all dreamy. ‘I love a good wedding. If I was getting married, scents and the little extras would really help to make it a special day. I’d have welcome drinks on arrival, little sweets such as macaroons, chocolate in your room accompanied by a bottle of wine or champagne. There have to be flowers in your room… pale pink, subtle and stunning. A butler service is a must, giving you tips and advice on the area, etc. etc. I can just picture it now.’
‘It sounds like you have your wedding all planned out. Is there a lucky man in your life?’ His hazel eyes captivated hers. For a split second he glanced down at her lips but then looked away.
‘Not yet,’ she replied, feeling the spark of electricity between them.
Julia didn’t think this was the best time to share that she’d had the whole of her wedding mapped out since she was a little girl. She’d even got scrapbooks full of wedding dress designs and flower bouquets.
‘Here take one of these,’ Flynn handed her a candle, their fingers brushing against each other. Julia met his gaze again.
‘Are you sure?’
He nodded and she gratefully took it. ‘I don’t suppose you want a job on the side as a wedding planner for the hotel?’
Julia laughed and shook her head. ‘No thank you, but stick with Honeysuckle and pale stunning colours and you can’t go far wrong.’ Holding her candle Julia felt flattered that Flynn had asked for her opinion. ‘And along that back wall, in that dead space, a gorgeous indoor water fountain would enhance this room beautifully.’
Flynn stared at the vacant wall and for a moment looked like he was deep in thought. ‘I always thought that space needed something. That is something I’m going to think about.’ He placed his hand in the small of her back as they walked back into the spa area. ‘What was it you needed to talk to me about today?
‘Have you time?’ asked Julia, dangling her legs back in the pool.
‘Shoot,’ said Flynn, glancing up at the clock. ‘I’ve plenty of time.’
Julia took a deep breath. ‘I admit it was probably me who set the rumour mill into overdrive about you, and I do regret that. After the flood at the B&B, you really stepped up to the mark and I know that’s made people see you in a very different light. And this place is just stunning, Flynn. There’s going to be a lot of traffic passing through this hotel, which means a lot of business for you, but we – the community – need to be a part of that.’
‘Go on. I’m listening.’
‘Your suppliers…’
‘I use the same company for all my hotels. It’s easier that way, I can keep track of everything in one place,’ butted in Flynn.
Julia felt a stab of dismay and bit down on her lip. ‘But would you be open to changing that for Starcross Manor?’
‘And the reason being?’
‘To help our community. Work with us, source your meat and dairy from the local suppliers like Foxglove Farm. You can’t get better quality, it’s within a stone’s throw from Starcross and everything will be super fresh… milk, cheese, eggs, beef, chicken, venison… the list is endless.’ Julia could feel her voice rising with excitement. ‘Then there’s the local ales from the pub, vegetables and herbs from Hamish’s allotments. There could even be a local information pack in each room including local events that are available – like the walk-an-alpaca day,’ added Julia with enthusiasm, thinking Isla would be inundated.
Flynn remained silent, and while she had his full attention Julia wasn’t going to stop. ‘Then there’s Bonnie’s teashop – their afternoon cream teas are nearly world-famous, why not let them branch out and provide their cream teas here in your restaurant? No one can bake a scone like Rona. There’s chocolate chip, rasp
berry, maple syrup, apple, cranberry, cheese, pumpkin, almond, hazelnut…’ Julia was getting breathless.
Flynn burst out laughing. ‘Okay, okay I get the picture. I definitely know where I’m going for my scones.’
‘Then there’s me,’ suddenly her voice was serious again. This was about her now, and saving her business; she just hoped Flynn would be on board. ‘My B&B is my life and I love everything about it. Before I learnt about Starcross, I was just about to extend, but now I’m unsure whether it’s worth the financial commitment. This morning numerous reviews were left on my Facebook, not so much saying anything bad about the B&B, but singing the praises of this place and it got me thinking. Can we work together? I don’t want my business folding,’ Julia’s voice faltered, emotion spiked through her as her eyes brimmed with tears.
‘Hey, don’t get upset,’ Flynn was up on his feet, and crouched down next to Julia at the water’s edge. ‘Tell me what you are thinking.’
She swallowed hard, trying to get a grip on her emotions; this was her future and she didn’t want to lose the B&B. ‘I was wondering if, for any guests that book the B&B, we could perhaps come up with some sort of agreement that my guests can use the facilities here at Starcross Manor at some sort of discounted rate? I think that will give them the best of both worlds. The B&B is within their budget, and they still have the option to go swimming or use the spa and the gym if they wish to do so.’ There: she’d said it now, it was out in the open. Julia had her fingers crossed behind her back but from Flynn’s expression she couldn’t gauge what he was thinking. With a pounding heart she tilted her head to one side, waiting for Flynn to answer.
There was an excruciatingly long pause before a smile began to hitch on his face. ‘I think it sounds like the perfect solution all round. I think it’s a brilliant idea that all the produce is sourced locally. Andrew will absolutely love that, and you are right: everything will be beyond fresh, and it’ll boost the community’s businesses.’
‘Really?’ Julia felt relieved.
‘Really,’ answered Flynn. ‘Marvellous suggestion. I don’t even know why I didn’t think about it.’
Julia was fit to burst. This was brilliant; she knew her guests would love the opportunity to take a swim or have a spa at discounted rates, and with this added extra bonus, surely that would mean the extension at the B&B was a definite must. The only thing she wished was that she had spoken to Flynn sooner rather than declaring war on him. It was funny how life seemed full of worries one minute, then – whoosh – it could all be fixed by just having that one conversation.
‘I can’t thank you enough, everyone will be over the moon.’ Julia couldn’t wait to share the news with everyone, this would give them all a boost.
‘Can we keep this to ourselves just for the minute? I’ll organise a meeting here at Starcross and invite the village to attend. Let me break the news to them.’
‘Good plan,’ replied Julia. Pressing her lips tightly together to keep from smiling, she leaned back on her hands and splashed her legs in the water like an excited child, causing Flynn to laugh and shield himself from the water.
‘Watch out,’ he laughed warmly.
‘Sorry, sorry!’ Then she splashed her legs one last time before throwing her head back again. It suddenly felt like a huge weight had lifted off Julia’s shoulders.
‘I was never out to sabotage your B&B, you know,’ said Flynn seriously. ‘With the tourist industry in Heartcross rocketing, people want choices, and they will continue to book the B&B. Everyone likes different things, everyone has a different budget.’ He paused. Now it was Julia’s turn to listen. ‘And thank you, Julia.’
‘What are you thanking me for?’
‘For working with me and not throwing me back out to the lions. Those villagers can be pretty lethal if you get on the wrong side of them.’ A smile touched Flynn’s lips.
‘You better believe it. Heartcross is a passionate community and one I’m proud to be a part of. We look after each other.’ Julia spun her legs out of the water and stood up. ‘I better be going, I need to get up to the B&B.’
‘Before you go…’ Flynn took the parcel he’d placed on the sunbed next to him. ‘This is for you.’
Julia was surprised. ‘For me?’
‘Yes, for you. Here,’ Flynn handed it over.
It was average size, not particularly heavy and wrapped up in old-fashioned brown paper, with a label on the front which read ‘To Julia’ scrawled in old-fashioned ink. Completely taken by surprise, she stared at the package in her hands.
‘Go on open it,’ he encouraged, giving Julia a warm smile.
She carefully unwrapped it. The insides were hidden beneath delicate lilac tissue paper. Her heart skipped a beat; there was another label inside which read Just for you x.
With her hands slightly shaking, she trembled with anticipation – she had no clue what she was about to discover. Then, amazed, she stared at the contents, and tried to slow her breathing. ‘Surely not,’ she whispered to herself. Staring back at her was a newly-framed photo of her and her grandad fishing, the exact same photo that had been ruined by the flood. Flynn must have contacted the newspaper to track down this photograph, and then gone out of his way to have it framed. Julia’s eyes brimmed with happy tears. Flynn’s kindness was overwhelming, and without thinking she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
‘This is just… just… I’m actually lost for words. Thank you.’ This was the best present she’d received in a long, long time, and she had Flynn Carter to thank for it.
Chapter Fifteen
‘Pinch, punch, first of the month.’
Julia was walking down the grand staircase towards the reception of the hotel and was chuckling at Eleni’s text. She usually included a long list of everyone she wanted to pinch or punch, but today she seemed to have made peace with the world.
The phone pinged again, a second text from Eleni, ‘I’ll meet you at the B&B in an hour. There’s some last-minute birthday plans I need to take care of.’
Julia’s birthday was this weekend. It had soon crept up on her, and with the flood at the B&B she’d totally put it out of her mind. Later that evening she had a FaceTime call with Callie and couldn’t wait to see her – she knew as soon as they started chatting about the birthday plans excitement would begin to kick in.
Standing on the grand stone steps at the entrance of Starcross Manor, Julia paused for a moment and inhaled the fresh morning air as she took in the view. Beyond the lake she noticed the deer roaming free, grazing on the lush grass at the edge of the woods, and it was a real picture-perfect moment. She glanced at her watch. She still had time to kill, so decided to take the scenic route back to the B&B. Julia headed around the lake towards the woods, a place she would often walk Woody.
Clambering over the rickety old stile, Julia took the bridle path that ran from the woods to the edge of Primrose Park. Again, the view was spectacular. A cow mooed from a nearby field, making her jump. There were sheep dotted up on the mountain top, and goats at the bottom of the valley. She ducked under a low-hanging branch then stopped to admire a deer that loped back into the woodland. It was such a beautiful place, and she felt lucky to live somewhere as magical as Heartcross. This was home, and she could never envisage living anywhere else – and thankfully now, with the deal she’d struck up with Flynn, for the community and herself, everyone would be a winner.
Up ahead, she heard the clomping of hooves and a familiar woof. She was amazed to see Woody running towards her, his ears flapping and his tongue hanging out. By the time they’d finished drinking their cocktails last night it had been late, and so Woody had stayed at Foxglove Farm for the night.
‘Well, hello there!’ Woody padded excitedly from one paw to the other, wagging his tail madly. Julia bent down and hugged him tightly. ‘It’s only been a night, but I’ve missed you!’ she exclaimed as he licked her face.
Isla pulled on the reins, and Honk the pony halted. ‘Goo
d morning!’ sang Isla. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’
Julia stood up and rubbed the pony’s nose, and Honk nudged her back. ‘I thought I’d blow away the cobwebs on the way to the B&B. How’s this one been?’ She looked down at Woody, who was still jumping up to her knees as Julia ruffled the top of his head once more.
‘He’s been as good as gold, better behaved than Drew,’ she chuckled. Isla looked down fondly at Woody. ‘We’ve been down the valley and thought we’d make our way back through Primrose Park, it’s stunning this time of year.’
‘It sure is,’ replied Julia.
‘And the cockerel had us up at the early hours, so I thought whilst the kids were sleeping, we’d get out for a walk and a ride. Not to mention Drew has been driving me insane.’
‘Why, what’s he been up to?’
‘Boys and their toys. I think he loves his new sausage machine more than me,’ Isla rolled her eyes then laughed. ‘Honestly, he’s like a kid in a sweet shop. He thinks he’s going to take over the world with all his new sausage recipes, not to mention bacon and black pudding. He’s even designing his own packaging for his brand of Foxglove Farm delights.’
‘To be fair, he does make the best sausages around,’ admitted Julia, her mouth watering at the very thought of a sausage sandwich smothered in brown sauce. The B&B had only ever sourced their meat and dairy products from the farm, and they were always a hit with guests.
‘He did say when your electricity is back on, call up at the farm and take whatever you need to stock your fridge and freezer.’
‘That will be amazing, thank you.’ Julia had a feeling Drew’s farm products might become world-famous sooner than he thought, if Flynn was going to strike a deal to supply Starcross Manor. Who knew where that might lead to?
‘And what have you there?’ asked Isla, looking at the parcel in Julia’s hand.
‘A present from Flynn. The photograph of my grandfather that was ruined in the flood…’ Julia turned the photograph towards Isla.
Starcross Manor: Feel-good summer 2020 romantic fiction from the bestselling author of Love Heart Lane (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 4) Page 17
