Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage

by Linn B. Halton

  ‘Of course I’ll leave you with all the information to help you make an informed choice—’ My words tail off, I can see she’s not at all impressed and I’ve blown it.

  ‘I’m not with Seth, Luke. I never was. Unwittingly I think I’ve broken his heart, but he understands. He said that as soon as he saw the way I looked at you yesterday, he knew when he asked me to marry him that I would turn him down. He still asked the question, though, because he wanted to make absolutely sure. When you love someone it’s what you do.’

  I sit back, my stunned eyes searching her face.

  ‘You rejected Seth, for me?’

  She rolls her eyes. ‘This isn’t about options, Luke.’ Elana pushes away the brochure with force and it slides across the table, landing on the floor. ‘There is no second-best when it comes to affairs of the heart. You can’t engineer love, that’s why they call it fatal attraction. You find yourself attracted to someone regardless of the consequences, knowing that no matter what goes wrong in the future, you have to go with what your heart tells you. It’s taken me a while to realise that. Seth is a good man, but I’m not in love with him. I let you walk out of my life for what seemed like all the right reasons at the time. I wouldn’t change that, because here we are nearly a year later starting with a clean slate. There are no guarantees for anyone, but at long last I’ve cut all of my ties with the past. I’m ready to move on, but are you?’

  When I still don’t say anything, she stands abruptly, the sound of her chair scraping on the floor cutting through the silence, gratingly. My eyes follow Elana as she walks off into the kitchen, standing at the sink with her back to me.

  ‘Luke, I think you’d better leave, now. I’ve made a big mistake. I’ll be in touch about the windows.’

  I gather everything up and walk towards the front door, my head feeling like it’s going to explode. When I stop and turn, her stance is still rigid.

  ‘I—’

  ‘Just go.’

  Chapter 57

  Luke

  Time to Man-up

  Outside in the car the numbness begins to wear off and anger takes over as her words sink in. I turn the key and the engine kicks into life, but inside I’m screaming at myself. Silent words that fill my head. ‘What are you doing? Why didn’t you just tell her how you feel?’

  You’re jealous of Seth, heck, you’re even jealous of Niall, how sick is that? What else is there left to undermine your confidence and make you feel like you aren’t good enough for Elana? You’re running out of excuses, Luke, and you know it. It’s time to be the man you want to be, not the one you’re in danger of becoming if you keep hanging onto this negative self-image. Can’t you see what you are doing to yourself?

  As the wheels spin off the drive, I slam a hand down onto the steering wheel with force. ‘Enough.’

  How do you make up for being a total idiot, when someone feels you have hurt them in the worst possible way? And how do you make a woman like Elana hold her breath as you tell her you love her? Whatever I do has to be big, and bold, and leave her in no doubt whatsoever that I’ve always loved her, and I always will.

  At work I go through the motions, a part of me wracking my brains for ideas. Then it hits me. I pick up the phone.

  ‘Janice, I have a few errands to run and probably won’t make it back here today. If anything urgent crops up you can get me on the mobile.’

  ***

  I’ve never been in a jeweller’s shop on my own before and I don’t think I’ve ever been this uncomfortable, or so self-conscious. Two of the assistants are serving other customers. At the far end of the shop an older guy in a very smart suit, whom I assume is the manager, and a young sales woman are deep in conversation. They don’t appear to have noticed me. My eyes scan the cabinets and I wonder how anyone can ever make a decision when faced with this amount of choice.

  ‘Can I help you?’ The manager has strolled down to greet me, probably homing in on the fact that a part of me wants to turn and run.

  ‘I need a ring.’

  ‘Ah, you’ve come to the right place. Did you have any particular style in mind?’ His tone is serious and I’m relieved to see that he isn’t dismissing me as some time-waster.

  ‘To be very honest, I have no idea what I’m looking for, but I expect I’ll know it when I see it. She’s a very particular lady, good taste, and I’m looking for something a little different.’

  ‘Come this way. I’ll pull a selection and we can take it from there.’

  How long does it take to choose one ring? Well, the best part of an hour, it seems. Eventually all three of the sales ladies, and the manager, help me to whittle it down to a choice of two. It’s the most expensive item I’ve ever purchased, other than the car, and it’s a tough call.

  ‘It’s between the French-set, split shank eighteen-carat white-gold ring and the more traditional cushion-shaped diamond-halo style. The choice is yours, sir; only you know the lady in question.’

  All eyes are on me. The square one is simple and elegant, but the French-set ring is, to my eye, more romantic. It’s a statement, it’s bold and, although both rings have a one-carat stone at the centre, I can actually visualise Elana wearing this.

  ‘Well, I’ve made my decision and I think she’s going to love this one. Thank you all so much for your help. I was really rather clueless when I walked through the door.’

  ‘You are very welcome,’ one of the ladies replies, the others nodding in agreement. ‘This is a very special ring indeed and any woman would be thrilled to open a box and find it inside.’

  It seems, at last, that I’m capable of making a good decision and, clearly, these ladies are impressed. As I leave the shop with it in my hand, the manager escorts me to the door.

  ‘Good luck, but I’m sure you won’t need it. I wish everyone who walked through this door was as sure of their intended, as you are, Sir. It would make our job so much easier.’

  ‘Well, if all goes well I’ll be back for the wedding ring really soon.’

  He inclines his head, as I walk through the door and out into the busy street. I can do this and, what’s more, I can do it with style!

  Chapter 58

  Elana

  Never Give Up

  A visit to the very grand Ellemore Publishing offices in London for a meeting is quite a trek. Mum and Dad are on holiday, savouring the warm Italian sunshine, so Carol and Philip are doing the school run today and will pop Maya home after they’ve given her tea. My train is due in at five p.m. so I should be home by five-thirty. A quick glance at my watch shows that it’s running on time and in an hour I’ll be stepping over the threshold.

  It’s been a good day and I’m excited about the new project. This biography is going to be a delight, as I’ve been a Patricia Montague fan for many years. As a newly-wed it was Patricia’s cookery programme that inspired me to experiment. Her smooth voice and charisma made many a reluctant cook step up to the chopping board for the first time. Clickety-clack, clickety-clack. The rumble of the train is comforting, as if it’s saying ‘homeward bound, homeward bound’. The city is exciting, but when you are on your own it can make a person feel diminutive. Insignificant, even, as you become swallowed up in the vast crowds of people on the streets. I guess I’m just a country gal at heart and the pace of village life is enough for me.

  Maya is doing so well at school and she’s changing fast, from the shy, rather intense, little girl she was into this little person who isn’t afraid to be heard. She has a level of confidence that often leaves me astounded. She is always lecturing me on what I should, and shouldn’t, do. It’s hard not to laugh, as more often than not she’s right. With regard to Seth, she simply said that it was a shame, but I could tell that she wasn’t at all surprised at my decision to turn him down. I feared she’d be disappointed as they had quickly established a real rapport. I could tell Maya enjoyed having an older man in her life; someone who could give her answers to the myriad questions floating around inside her head
. When I asked her whether she was alright about it, she simply said ‘It happens, Mum. You’ll know when you meet the one.’ How adult is that?

  Clickety-clack, clickety-clack. I mustn’t risk falling asleep, lulled by the swishing of the train as it speeds along. Homeward-bound.

  Philip’s car isn’t on the drive as I pull up in front of the garage. However, the lights are on in the cottage. I open the door half-expecting to be greeted by Carol and Maya, and informed that Philip is fetching a takeaway as a treat. Instead it’s very quiet, no TV or chattering to be heard. It’s never quiet here, as Maya always has some sort of music going on in the background.

  ‘Hello?’ I shed my coat and slip off my shoes. Stopping to rub my left foot, which is sporting a blister from all the walking, I call out ‘I’m home.’

  Silence. The door to the sitting room is ajar, and as I swing it open my jaw drops. Luke and Maya are sitting side by side on the sofa. I have to swallow before I can talk.

  ‘Surprise!’ Maya jumps up and runs towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist before stepping back to look up at me with smiling eyes.

  ‘Um … Is everything alright? Where are Granddad and Grandma? I didn’t see your vehicle out there, Luke.’

  ‘They left a little while ago.’

  Luke stands, glancing across at me nervously. ‘I parked up on the top road. There wasn’t any space down here when I arrived.’ He looks as if he’s telling a fib. There’s always space.

  ‘What’s going on?’ I feel breathless, as if I’ve just come back from a run. I’m surprised Philip and Carol would simply let Luke in and then go off home, as if he’s a babysitter. I mean, they know Luke and, of course, Maya is safe with him, but he’s only dropping off the receipt for the deposit for the windows. It’s rather an imposition and rather out of character.

  ‘Mum, we’ve been sitting here talking about the chimney.’

  ‘The chimney?’

  ‘You know, time to write that letter to Santa, ready for it to go up in smoke? You’re the one who believes in the little bit of magic, Mum.’

  I smile, raising my eyebrows at Luke in acknowledgement. They’ve been reminiscing about last Christmas, when Luke was here working on the cottage.

  ‘Ah, the letters on the ledge.’ I nod and we exchange smiles.

  ‘So I’ve written mine and Luke wrote one, too. We thought it would be nice to light the fire tonight.’

  Maya seems in the mood to really get the festivities started, despite the fact that whenever I mention Santa these days she rolls her eyes.

  ‘But first,’ Luke jumps in, ‘I think you ought to read them, just in case Santa can’t deliver. Remember Maya’s request for the grand piano?’

  Maya and Luke glance at each other and begin laughing. My heart constricts as my eyes take in every little curve of his face and the way his smile lights up his face. They’re teasing me and that’s the price I pay for his babysitting services. I have no choice but to play along, but I’ll be honest and say that it hurts seeing the two of them conspiring, as if they are close. Life isn’t fair sometimes, but then no one ever said it was meant to be.

  ‘Okay. If I get soot on the sleeve of this blouse, you guys, I won’t be happy.’

  I move over to the fireplace and bend, curling my arm up under and extending my hand out to reach the ledge. Reaching out, it only takes a moment to locate the carefully folded pieces of paper.

  ‘So I have to read these?’ I hold them up in front of me, half-laughing as they both nod their heads in unison.

  The first one is in Maya’s handwriting and simply reads:

  Just say yes!

  The second makes my heart skip a beat.

  Marry me?

  I look up at Luke as he stands there, his eyes seeking out my own. He looks like he’s holding his breath. He says nothing.

  ‘Mum, open the music box.’

  Maya nods at the little box with the bay tree on top. I wipe away a tear that begins to trickle down my cheek, my heart pounding and my legs beginning to feel distinctly shaky. When I tip the lid there’s a small red box inside. I take it out and stand with it in my hand. My eyes wander and I notice there are streaks of soot on my fingers and a smudge on the cuff of my blouse.

  ‘Open it,’ Luke whispers, softly.

  It’s exquisite; the perfect ring, and something I would happily have chosen for myself. When I look back up at him his gaze holds mine for a few seconds, which seem to stretch out into an eternity.

  ‘Will you marry me, Elana? Will you let me take care of you and Maya, and let Joe and me be a part of your lives? I’ve loved you since the very beginning. I just didn’t think you could ever love me back.’

  Maya hasn’t moved a muscle. She’s standing with her hands pressed over her mouth, then lets them slide down to her chin.

  ‘Say yes, Mum, say yes! You know he’s the one!’

  ‘Of course it’s a yes. I just thought you’d never get around to asking the question.’

  Suddenly we all step forward at the same time and hug, a mass of arms, tears and pure joy.

  ‘Time to put the letters back and light the fire, Mum. Make the magic happen.’

  And so that’s what we did. The fire grew from a gentle lap of flames licking around the logs into a welcoming and warming intensity of heat as we sealed the deal.

  With Maya safely tucked up in bed, I rejoin Luke and he takes my hand, his lips brushing my cheek. As his arms circle around me he pulls my body into him and buries his head into my hair.

  ‘At last, you’re mine, really mine.’ His words are but a whisper and his breath tickles as I relax into him. I feel safe and I know that I’m the luckiest woman in the world. He has no idea how wonderful and strong he is; or how much it excites me to be in his embrace.

  ‘I love you, Luke. And I need you. I want to go to sleep in your arms and I want your face to be the first thing I see every morning when I wake up.’

  He lifts me up in those strong, muscular arms of his and I fight a little smile that hovers around my lips. Every woman wants a hero and Luke has rescued me from myself.

  ‘That’s an invitation no man could refuse. Guess I’m one hell of a lucky guy to be the one you picked. And maybe it’s about time I showed you just how much you’ve fired me up, Elana.’

  I feign a look of shock as he carries me out of the sitting room, but I can’t resist kissing him softly on the neck.

  ‘Well, I hope it’s worth the wait.’ My words make him laugh and I put a finger to his lips to remind him that we have to keep the noise down a little.

  And it was. Totally worth the wait.

  This year the only thing that will be on my Christmas list will be a thank you to Santa for helping to make my family, and my life, truly complete. No one is ever too old for a little Christmas magic – are they? And fate takes us where we need to go when the time is right.

  Epilogue

  ‘Hi, Daddy. I’m so happy you’re back, I’ve missed you.’

  ‘I’ve been here, my darling, but you can’t always see me.’ Niall’s form is merely a shadow, but it’s enough to comfort Maya.

  ‘I like it when you visit me, Daddy. It’s been a while.’

  ‘I know, Princess. But I have a new job, now. I need to help some people who are feeling really sad. It means that I’m going to be very busy.’

  ‘You won’t be able to visit me any more?’ Maya’s bottom lip begins to quiver.

  ‘Hey, Princess, I need you to be my big, strong, girl. You have Mummy and Joe, now and Luke is here to take care of you all.’

  Maya nods her head. ‘Luke makes Mummy very happy, Daddy and I love having Joe here.’

  Niall smiles at her and his voice is full of love. ‘I chose two very special people to come into your lives, so you wouldn’t miss me quite so much.’

  ‘But I can still talk to you, Daddy, can’t I?’

  ‘Yes, always, Princess.’

  ‘Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?’

>   ‘Of course I will. And I want you to know how very proud of you I am, my darling.’

  ‘Love you a million, trillion and one, Daddy. Forever, and ever.’

  In the stillness of the night Niall remains at his daughter’s bedside until Maya’s soft little snores are all that break the silence. He takes one last look around the room. Love radiates out from his heart, filling the space, and a sense of peace and well-being envelops him. It’s time to finally let go. Elana and Maya are ready to move on and his job is done.

  ‘Love you a million, trillion and two, Princess. Always will.’

  Acknowledgements

  When you are a writer you sit at home in front of the PC with only your characters to keep you company. It’s wonderful, of course, but sometimes you find yourself craving company, or a listening ear. In the words of the celebrated English poet, John Donne, ‘No Man is an Island’.

  I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for the people who keep me on track, keep me sane and are kind enough to be there during the highs and the lows.

  I have to begin by thanking my superb editor, Charlotte Ledger. Working with her is always a delight and although her prods are gentle, she has me scurrying away to add an extra chapter or two, or make those tweaks that will take my story to another level. For me, that relationship is very special and it has made me grow in ways I can’t even begin to explain.

  The wider HarperImpulse/Harper Collins team do a tremendous job and it really helps to have that sterling support in such a fast-changing and fast-paced environment. Of course, beyond that is the wonderful team of HarperImpulse supporters – the readers and reviewers who are there to shout about the newest releases and help get the word out. You are all stars!

  When it comes to personal, writerly support and sharing the angst as a new book baby is born, I send hugs to author friends Mandy Baggot, Janice Horton, Julie Ryan and Sheryl Browne, in particular. You guys provide a wonderful listening ear and words of wisdom, for which I’m eternally grateful! But beyond that is a community of online friends whose Tweets and FB shares demonstrate their very generous spirit.