Springtime at Wildacre: the gorgeously uplifting, feel-good romance (Animal Ark Revisited Book 3)

by Lucy Daniels

  Clarissa laughed. ‘I can tell,’ she said. ‘Lovely to be able to help. Thanks for calling.’ She hung up and Mandy turned back around.

  ‘We got the funding!’

  The silent celebration erupted into noise and Mandy ran to Nicole and hugged her.

  ‘How would you like to become an official member of staff?’ she asked. ‘I can pay you and everything.’ She grinned at Nicole’s delighted expression.

  Nicole let out a whoop and thrust her small fist into the air, then realising everybody’s eyes were on her, she lowered her arm and flushed. ‘Thank you, Mandy,’ she said.

  Helen stepped forward and patted Nicole on the back. ‘Brilliant,’ she said.

  ‘Woohoo!’ Seb reached out to shake Nicole’s hand. ‘Good for you, Nicole!’

  Jimmy came over and wrapped her arms round Mandy. ‘Well done,’ he whispered. ‘There’s nobody who deserves it more.’

  Mandy smiled at them all as they gathered round, congratulating her and Nicole.

  ‘I think a toast is called for,’ Adam called out. He handed Mandy a glass of fizzy grape juice. ‘To Mandy, Nicole and Hope Meadows,’ he said.

  Mandy raised her glass and all around her, her family and friends toasted Hope Meadows. Jimmy’s arm was tight around her waist. Whatever was coming her way, she could face it with them all.

  ‘Is that the last?’ Adam asked as Mandy staggered into the kitchen at Wildacre. She dumped the box on the kitchen table. It contained the new kettle Susan Collins had bought her as a housewarming present and a set of mugs. She would unpack it shortly and then she could have her first official hot chocolate in her very own home.

  ‘It is,’ she said. Turning round, she opened her arms and gave him a hug. ‘Thanks so much for all your help,’ she said.

  ‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ he said. ‘It’s not every day your daughter leaves home for the second time.’

  Mandy laughed. ‘Glad to be rid of me?’ she asked.

  Adam grinned. ‘Of course,’ he said. There was a twinkle in his eye, ‘though I’m not sure what I’ll do next time I need someone to whip your mother into shape.’

  ‘Did someone mention me?’ Emily walked into the kitchen, sending a teasing glare at Adam. She turned to smile at Mandy. ‘The bedroom looks lovely with that new throw you’ve bought,’ she said. Mandy regarded her with a feeling of optimism. There was colour in Mum’s cheeks and the black circles that had surrounded her eyes for months had begun to fade. She had taken the doctor’s advice seriously. She was going to bed at a regular time each night and was very strict about doing too much. The MS nurse was even talking about starting an exercise routine.

  ‘Thanks to you as well, Mum,’ Mandy reached out her arms and wrapped them round Emily. She was going to miss them, she thought, even though they were only ten minutes down the road and they would still be working together.

  ‘Don’t forget to visit!’ Her dad waggled his eyebrows up and down.

  Emily shook her head and frowned at him. ‘Poor Mandy,’ she said. ‘I don’t know how she puts up with us.’

  Mandy laughed. ‘It really has been tough.’

  Adam glanced at his watch. ‘I’m afraid we’re going to have to get off,’ he said. He looked at Mandy, his face suddenly serious. ‘Have a lovely evening,’ he said. ‘If you need anything, you know where we are.’

  Mandy hugged him again. ‘Love you,’ she said, then turned to wrap her arms around her mum. ‘Both of you.’ Emily kissed her on the cheek.

  They made their way to the front door. It was a wonderfully still afternoon. The graceful trees that lined the track were motionless. Beyond them, the valley slumbered in golden sunlight. The half-wild flowerbeds were alive with buzzing bees and brightly patterned butterflies.

  Sky rushed outside when Mandy had opened the door. She too seemed to be enjoying the garden as she rustled through the undergrowth. She stopped to sniff at a delicate rose bush that was thriving on the edge of the lawn.

  Wildacre in the spring is the most amazing place ever!

  ‘It really is a beautiful place.’ Emily echoed what Mandy was thinking. ‘I wasn’t sure what to think when you bought it. It was so run down. Now, it’s perfect.’ She sighed. ‘Bye love, and good luck with everything,’ she said. Together, she and Adam made their way down the front path and climbed into the Land Rover.

  ‘See you in the morning.’ Mandy waved, then stood at the door watching as the car wound its way down the track. In the distance, the church clock began to chime the hour. Apart from Sky, she was alone.

  She ought to go inside, she thought. The kettle was waiting to be unpacked and there were a hundred other things to do. Instead, she leaned against the doorjamb. A breath of wind caressed her warm cheeks. The scent of freshly cut grass greeted her like an old friend. Down in the valley bottom, a silage harvester criss-crossed the field. The air was so still that she could hear the drone of the tractor’s engine.

  Across the valley, another movement caught her eye. A brightly coloured Jeep traversed the dale, then slowed to turn into the long drive that led up to Wildacre.

  She watched as it meandered up the track. It drew to a halt beside the cottage. There was a scampering rush and a joyous bark from Sky as Simba and Zoe careered round the corner. Sauntering behind them with a puppy in his arms, came Jimmy. ‘I think you can go down now,’ he said, looking down at the miniature husky. He grinned as Wildrun Emma Amanda reached up and licked his cheek. He set the squirming little form down on the grass. For a moment she explored, but then let out the tiniest whimper. As if on elastic, Zoe came rushing back. She lay down and the little one made her way round to feed. With a contented sigh, Zoe half closed her eyes as Emma began to suckle.

  ‘Well that’s all right then.’ Jimmy’s green eyes were smiling as he walked over and put his arm around Mandy’s shoulders. She stood for a moment, enjoying his closeness. Then she turned and wrapped her arms properly round his waist. He gazed at her for a long moment, as if drinking her in, then bent his head and kissed her. His mouth was sweet and gentle yet passionate, leaving her reeling. She laid her head on his shoulder. Close together like this, she could feel that his heart was beating against hers. He smelled of leather and grass and of the shower gel he used every morning. She breathed him in, feeling unbelievably lucky that she could call this wonderful, handsome man her boyfriend. And then, quite unexpectedly, he lifted her as if she weighed almost nothing and carried her into the house. Setting her down in the kitchen, he bent and kissed her again. Then he took a step back, took both of her hands in his and smiled at her as if he would never stop. ‘Welcome home, Mandy Hope,’ he said.

  Click here to order Snowflakes over Moon Cottage, the next book in the Hope Meadows series.

  Summer at Hope Meadows

  Lucy Daniels

  Newly qualified vet Mandy Hope is leaving Leeds – and her boyfriend Simon – to return to the Yorkshire village she grew up in, where she’ll help out with animals of all shapes and sizes in her parents’ surgery.

  But it’s not all plain sailing: Mandy clashes with gruff local Jimmy Marsh, and some of the villagers won’t accept a new vet. Meanwhile, Simon is determined that Mandy will rejoin him back in the city.

  When tragedy strikes for her best friend James Hunter, and some neglected animals are discovered on a nearby farm, Mandy must prove herself. When it comes to being there for her friends – and protecting animals in need – she’s prepared to do whatever it takes …

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  Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage

  Lucy Daniels

  Christmas has arrived in the little village of Welford. The scent of hot roasted chestnuts is in the air, and a layer of frost sparkles on the ground.

  This year, vet Mandy Hope is looking forward to the holidays. Her animal rescue centre, Hope Meadows, is up and running – and she’s finally going on a date with Jimmy Marsh, owner of the local outward bound centre.

  The advent of winter sees
all sorts of animals cross Mandy’s path, from goats named Rudolph to baby donkeys – and even a pair of reindeer! But when a mysterious local starts causing trouble, Mandy’s plans for the centre come under threat. She must call on Jimmy and her fellow villagers to put a stop to the stranger’s antics and ensure that Hope Meadows’ first Christmas is one to remember.

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  Snowflakes over Moon Cottage

  Lucy Daniels

  It’s Christmas-time in the little Yorkshire village of Welford, and the first snowflakes are just starting to fall.

  As far as Susan Collins is concerned, this Christmas is all about quality time with her family, especially her son Jack. After a string of terrible dates, she’s given up on love. And with the class of schoolchildren she teaches making regular trips to local animal rescue centre Hope Meadows, Susan’s certainly got plenty to keep her busy.

  That is, until she meets handsome children’s author Douglas Macleod. He might be the opposite of Susan’s usual type, but an undeniable spark soon lights up between them. But then Michael Chalk, Jack’s father, turns up on the scene and Susan finds herself torn between the two men.

  With snow settling on the ground and the big day fast approaching, who will Susan and Jack be choosing to spend Christmas at Moon Cottage with this year?

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