Smiling, Gareth replied, “We have a book that I got from Dr. Jeffries, Professor of British War History. You see, where we’re going is the home to the famous warhorse Warrior. Many historians believe he’s responsible for saving the British military from the Germans. He was known as the horse that the Germans couldn’t kill.” Kelsey studied the book as Gareth drove and made their way to the A42. Thinking he must have made a mistake in assuming she would like it, he spoke up, “I thought since we had five hours in the car, you could read, and it would give you something to look forward to on the island.”
Kelsey looked over with her big smile and bright eyes and gave him her most overdone southern accent, “Why thank you, Mr. Blythe.” Gareth laughed out loud and shook his head and sarcastically let out “typical American girl.” Kelsey snorted, “Okay! Whatever that means!” She settled in and immediately delved into the book as they made their way. Gareth drove and desperately tried to reconcile in his mind if he would actually be able to speak his heart. Would the truth set him free or make him full of regret?
After a stop to refill the Defender with diesel and grab a snack, they arrived at the ferry docks at four-thirty. As they queued up on the bridge behind the other cars and waited to load, he looked over at Kelsey and could see some tears had formed in her eyes as she was more than halfway through the book. He didn’t look at her when he asked, as he didn’t want to embarrass her, “Are you learning anything?”
She let out a sniffle and used the back of her hand to wipe away two tears that had escaped. “You could say that,” she said quietly as she looked up and gave her best smile. “Yes, it’s a wonderful story. I had no idea.” She sat quietly and stared out at the passenger window a few more moments before she spoke again. “I’m looking forward to walking the trail.” Just then the horn from the ferry sounded, and they prepared the cars to board. “Once they secure our spot on the boat, we can get out and stretch our legs. The drive to the inn will take twenty minutes once we reach the other side. So I think we should arrive for a dinner at half six.”
“I’ve worked up an appetite for sure. Somehow road trips do that to me. Do you have any idea what you’d like to do tomorrow?” Kelsey asked.
“Well, honestly, I thought we could take it easy in the morning and see how we feel. There’s really no agenda. Maybe just take in the village and the shops, or if you wanted to paint?” Kelsey’s head whipped around, “How did you know I packed my pallet?” He waited a beat before he answered. “Lucky guess?” Kelsey shook her head and smiled. “Typical British know-it-all.” Gareth laughed aloud and put the Defender into drive as the boat crew directed them to the spot they’d be in for the forty-minute ferry ride.
They arrived at Fox and Hounds Bed and Breakfast at six fifteen and were greeted by the innkeeper and Camilla’s close friend Pam Davies. She was a tall, thin, striking beauty who was complemented with perfect makeup on milky white skin and dark brown hair. Her sparkling blue eyes danced as she came to the parking lot, giving Gareth a big, welcoming hug. “Oh my, dear boy, could you get any more handsome if you tried?” Kelsey stifled her laugh as she watched Gareth turn at least four shades of red.
“As always you are too good to me, Pam. Let me introduce you to my friend Kelsey.”
Kelsey stepped around the car, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Davies.”
“Please, Kelsey, call me Pam. It’s my pleasure to have you both here. Roger’s inside and has dinner just about ready. Let’s get you and your bags in and have supper.” Gareth grabbed both bags from the vehicle as Pam walked arm and arm with Kelsey. The inn was a large ten-room cottage with beautifully manicured gardens. Kelsey couldn’t wait to investigate them when the sun was brightly shining as dusky shadows were now covering. When they walked in they were greeted by the aroma of dinner and by Roger Davies, Pam’s husband. Immediately shaking Gareth's hand with a warm welcome, he then turned his attention to Kelsey.
“Welcome, Ms. Kelsey, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Camilla rang and told us how lovely of a student you’ve been this summer and that she values your dear friendship that grew so naturally.”
Kelsey could feel her cheeks warming up as she took in the compliment coming from the good-looking gentleman in front of her. He was tall himself, with a ruggedly handsome face and the fiercest blue eyes Kelsey had ever seen. “Thank you, Roger. Do you have a restroom I could use to freshen up in?”
“Yes, of course! Pam will show you your rooms. I need to go check on dinner and make sure I’m not burning the place down.”
As they followed Pam to the stairs, Kelsey caught Gareth gazing at her from the corner of her eye. Trying to get a read on his thoughts, she leaned into him and whispered, “What?”
With a bemused look on his face Gareth leaned into her, “Roger looks as if he has you all hot and bothered.”
Kelsey’s eyes grew wide with embarrassment as she struggled with a retort, “Gareth, I…oh never mind.” Bright red, Kelsey turned and made her way up the stairs while mumbling under her breath. Gareth decided to have fun with that again later, but he knew that she was tired, and he really wasn’t trying to embarrass her; he just wished she blushed like that for him.
“Okay, Kelsey, here’s your key to the Warrior Room, and Gareth, here’s your key to the Hound Room across the way. Dinner will be ready and on the table in ten minutes.” Kelsey opened her door to a beautiful mahogany four-poster bed and red gingham canopy. Over the headboard was a painting of Warrior the warhorse. Next to it was a nightstand with a French horn lamp and a statue of a fox in riding gear blowing his horn. There were pictures of hunt scenes and beautiful castles throughout the United Kingdom. There was a writing desk that sat by the large bay window that overlooked the back gardens. Then she saw the quaint bathroom with a claw foot tub that begged to be soaked in for hours. “Do you like it, Kelsey?” Pam asked with a curious look.
“Oh my, yes! It’s truly lovely. Thank you.”
“Excellent, I’ll see you downstairs then.”
As Pam left, Kelsey closed the door behind her and quickly freshened up. When she finished, she met Gareth, who’d been standing in the hallway. “Were you waiting on me?” she asked. “Of course. I wasn’t going to go down without you; we’re here together.” Kelsey smiled and tucked her arm under his, “Okay then, Sir Gareth. Lead the way.” Gareth’s heart soared, and he allowed himself to steal another moment that he knew wasn’t his.
Dinner and conversation was with just the four of them. The other guests had dinner at a local establishment, which freed up Pam and Roger to spend their evening with Gareth and Kelsey. Kelsey enjoyed hearing about how they became the owners of the beautiful inn. They’d been best friends with Gareth’s mom and dad for years and still weren’t over the shock of Duncan’s untimely death. Kelsey could hear the emotion in Roger’s voice as he quickly changed the subject. “So, Kelsey, we hear you’re an artist and that you paint very well. Any truth to this rumor?”
Kelsey could feel her cheeks warming and couldn’t form a sentence when Gareth grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed it and then started to speak for her. “Talented doesn’t even begin to describe how good she is. She’s been painting all summer in our garden as a part of her classwork, and I’ve been astounded at how wonderful she is.”
Gareth released her hand while never looking at her as Pam chimed in, “Did you bring your brushes with you? It would be lovely to see you do something in our garden.”
“I did bring my watercolors and one canvas. I might be able to give it a go.”
“That would be grand, Kelsey.” Pam exclaimed. The grandfather clock chimed in the hallway, which was Roger’s cue to ask who wanted a spot of tea. They all agreed to one cup, which was served with coconut macaroons. After another wonderful hour passed, Kelsey tried to hide her yawn when the clock struck nine. Instead, she stood and thanked her hosts for the warm welcome.
“I’m afraid that I’m about to turn into a pumpkin. I’ll see y
ou all in the morning unless I am allowed to help with the dishes?”
Pam and Roger shook their heads no. “That is not necessary. Please go get some rest, and we can talk more tomorrow.” Gareth stood and thanked them as well and followed Kelsey. They both climbed the stairs together in silence. When they reached the landing, Kelsey stopped at her door and Gareth at his. Both facing each other, neither exchanged a word for a long moment. It wasn't uncomfortable, just a rare moment that neither had shared before. Gareth broke the silence. “Why don’t we plan on being down for breakfast at eight a.m.? Then take a stroll through town before lunch?” Kelsey nodded her head yes. Gareth looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I’m not used to you having nothing to say. Are you all right?”
“Yes, it’s just been hitting me how, in about a week, when I go back to America, this life I’ve grown accustomed to and grown to care for will be gone.” Gareth's mind raced, trying to interpret what he was hearing. Was she saying that she’d come to care for him more than a friend? Should he tell her how he really felt right then? Gareth felt like he was in the water and swimming against the current.
He finally spoke up, “Kelsey, you must know how fond my mother and I have become of you. Getting back to our lives as usual will be very difficult as well. We’ve grown so use to having you around, especially me.” Kelsey looked up and met his gaze. They stood there a little longer in the quiet. Gareth was desperately trying not to run to her, gently take hold of either side of her face, and beg her to stay.
Kelsey took a deep breath and turned to open her door. Before stepping through he heard her say his name. “Gareth, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t grown attached to you and your mother. It’s not going to be easy for me to say goodbye.” With that she stepped into her room and quietly closed the door. Wasting no time, Gareth did the same. Inside his room, he saw the writing desk and stationary on it. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep. As he plopped down onto the chair, he decided to write a letter to Kelsey pouring his heart into words on paper. It seemed completely cliché, but at the moment it was all he could come up with.
At promptly eight a.m. Kelsey opened the door to her guest room and peaked her head out. She’d barely slept. Gareth wasn’t yet out, and she decided to wait a couple of minutes so they could go down together. Sitting on the top step, she relived their moments on the landing from last night. Was Gareth saying that he cared for her more than the genuine friendship that had developed between them? Why would he even allow himself to fall in love with her when he knew her heart was Jason’s? Sure, maybe in another life they could’ve had something, but this wasn’t another life. She loved and adored Jason, and her life in America was waiting for her.
Her heart ached as well at the thought of not having Gareth in her life any longer. He hadn’t once tried to overstep and force himself. He’d been the perfect gentleman and friend. He was so easy to talk to, they laughed about so much, he could tease her, she could tease him, and at the end of the day they could be sitting in the same room—her painting, him studying—and it all be as content as if she were with Jason. Letting her head fall back with eyes closed she whispered, “Dammit, Kelsey, pull your shit together.”
As she did Gareth's door opened, and she shot straight to her feet. Catching the quick motion out of the corner of his eye and seeing how flush she was, he quickly asked, “Are you feeling okay?” In a high-pitched squeak she responded, “YES!” Not believing her, in two strides he was in front of her with the back of his hand on her forehead. “Kelsey, are you sure? You don’t look like yourself.” Dropping his hand and stepping back, he made eye contact with her until she finally responded, “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night and was hoping to feel more refreshed than this.” Eyeing her and biting his lip, Gareth responded, “Well, let’s have a light breakfast, and then we can take the walk into town and get some fresh air. We’re so close to the ocean, the nice salty air will be good for us.”
She smiled and answered with a quiet “okay.”
Breakfast was the four of them again. Kelsey could feel her cheeks warm when Roger asked if he could take her for a turn in the gardens when they returned from town. Taking a quick sip of her tea in hopes it would hide her cheek color she finally responded, “Yes, of course.”
Gareth cleared his throat, “Well, Kelsey, let’s go ahead into town to see the shops open and the village come to life.” As he pulled out her chair, she ran upstairs to grab her camera and sunglasses. Pam approached Gareth as they waited for her at the bottom of the steps. “She is a lovely lovely girl Gareth.” Looking up the stairs and not hearing himself say it aloud, he let out a sigh: “the best kind of girl.” Pam looked at him and put her hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze before walking away.
As Kelsey came down, Gareth couldn’t help but notice that, with her pony tail, light denim jeans, a white t-shirt, and her paddock boots, she was the picture of innocence and sexiness in one amazing package, and if he caught any other man looking at her today, there was going to be a fight. “Ready then, Sir Gareth?” With a bow and a dramatic sweep of his arm, he answered, “At your service, Lady Kelsey.”
Kelsey was speechless as she walked the quaint town of Shanklin. Fresh flower carts stood in the square; The Thatched Tea Room sat on the corner with the fresh aroma of tea and pastries wafting through the door. After exploring the many shops, they saw one that sold local artists’ work, which immediately caught her attention. “Can we go in there?”
Gareth smiled, “Why are you asking? Of course you can go in.”
As they did, Kelsey was drawn directly to the wall that showcased watercolor and oil paintings. She was instantly moved by one of the pictures. It was of the beachfront cliffs in Shanklin. The morning rays of light streaming across the bluffs and the waves that crested the shoreline were beautifully interpreted. There was one right next to it that was an oil picture of the main road and square in town. It focused on all the colorful doorways into each shop and captured all the activity of the small village. They were each eight by ten and two hundred and fifty pounds.
“It’s kind of hard to choose, isn't it?” Gareth asked.
“Mmhmm, yes, but I think I’m leaning towards the town square. I love how the artist communicated the light in both—it’s truly stunning, but I’m captivated by how he captured all the activity here.”
Gareth looked at the work and wrinkled his nose. “Hmm, they’re okay, I guess.”
Shocked, she looked up. “How can you say that? These are gorgeous!”
Leaning in for a closer look he responded, “Your work is just as good if not better.”
Stunned, Kelsey muttered, “Oh, well that is certainly a matter of opinion.”
Straightening back up and looking directly at her, he asked with complete sincerity, “Does my opinion not matter?” Again stunned and left speechless, Kelsey just stared at him. With their gazes locked, he reached and pushed a stray piece of hair that had come out of her ponytail behind her ear. Kelsey blinked, and before she could utter a word, Gareth’s voice filled in the space where her voice failed her. “If we go back now, we can have lunch, and you can take a turn in the garden with Roger.” Gareth winked at her as he saw the blush in her cheeks come to life.
Pam and Roger prepared to have lunch for the four of them out in the garden when they returned. As Pam put the finishing touches on the sandwiches, Roger walked Kelsey through the garden as he’d promised. There was a light breeze that kept the sun from being too warm. Kelsey was astounded and marveled at what she hadn’t been able to see the night of their arrival. She’d been so impressed with Camilla’s green thumb, but Roger’s garden was a sight to behold. “How many hours do you spend out here?” Kelsey asked, trying to not sound trite.
Beaming back his response through a smile, he answered, “A lot! You’re seeing this garden at its peak. The butterflies are in abundance, as are the dragonflies, damselflies, and bumble bees.” Holding her ha
nd up over her eyes to shade them from the sun, she could see the beautiful waterfall and the insects bouncing from bloom to bloom in a rhythmic and graceful tumble. “If you’re still okay with it, I’d love to bring my brushes out after lunch and do some painting.” Smiling again he responded, “I would love nothing more.”
As they came back to the table, Kelsey noticed Gareth had a small smile on his face. When he locked his gaze with hers she immediately was mentally and emotionally transported back to the shop where he tucked her hair back behind her ear. She’d felt nothing but calm and peace when he did it. The only other person to ever do that to her was Jason. Thinking of Jason allowed her to break her gaze with Gareth. What is going on with you, Kelsey? Snap out of it. She jumped back into the conversation Roger had been having with her as he pulled out her chair.
As Pam brought the final dish to the table to begin lunch, Kelsey took a deep breath to relax and was looking forward to some time in the garden later where she could clear her mind and paint. Thankfully the conversation at lunch was very easy and full of laughter as Roger and Pam saw it their duty to tell every embarrassing story they knew about Gareth growing up. Gareth shook his head the whole time. “My mother must have phoned ahead with some of these, as I recall not one of these instances ever occurring.”
“Oh, I promise, dear boy, these stories are all true! Especially the one when your family visited when you were eight, and you used all your boyish charm to dazzle some of the older ladies from the British Romance Writers Society staying for a long weekend. If I recall correctly,” Roger chimed in, “you had them so smitten. You brought them tea to their table and fluffed their pillows in the drawing room so when they sat they’d be more comfortable. Then when they were all ready to check out, you offered to bring their luggage down. When they tried to pay you, you refused!” Kelsey swung her head to see the look on Gareth's face.
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