by Rhoda Baxter
For the first time in a long time, Stevie was speechless. A bubble of something she hadn't been aware of carrying burst in her chest.
He had given up his dream job for her. He was coming back. For her. Tears filled her eyes.
"Tom."
"See," he said, "I came to tell you I love you. Not to seduce you." He glanced at the flowers lying on the floor. "Well, maybe to seduce you eventually." He looked back to her. "Okay?"
She nodded.
"Is there anything more you want to ask?"
She shook her head.
"Any more objections?"
She shook her head again and rested her hands against his chest.
He grinned. "Well shut up and kiss me then." He pulled her close and kissed her. Properly. Stevie slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back. With his arms around her again, it seemed like all was right with the world. How could she ever have thought she could live a life without him?
Eventually she led him away to her room, leaving the roses, forgotten, on the floor.
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From: Tom Blackwood
To: Dr. Evelyn Blackwood
Dear Mum
Stevie and I would like to book the house next June. For a whole weekend. As the venue for a wedding reception. ;-)
Love
Tom
##
From: Dr. Evelyn Blackwood
To: Tom Blackwood
Tom darling, that is fantastic news! I am so very proud of you. Of course you can have the house next June.
I shall have to buy a new hat.
Evelyn
The End
About the Author
Rhoda Baxter lives in the north of England with her husband and two children. She lived in Sri Lanka for many years, and is a big fan of the charity work done there by Project Peds (part of the World Children's Initiative).
A long time ago, she studied Biochemistry and lived in a house in Oxford that was very similar to the one described in Having a Ball. She shared it with about 25 other students and some nuns, but that's a whole other story.
Rhoda is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists' Association and her first novel was shortlisted for their New Writing award in 2012.
You can find out more about Rhoda and her other books on www.rhodabaxter.com. You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on twitter (@rhodabaxter).
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