by Nell Dixon
“Is anyone going to help me out of here?” Emma asked, looking at the two men.
“Sure, Em.” Noah took hold of her wrists.
A squeak of surprise escaped her as Ian placed his hands under her bum and shoved her upwards. Taken by surprise at their joint efforts she caught her foot on a tussock of rough grass at the top of the bank and fell forward onto her face.
“Sheep poo all over my top. Great.” She lifted her head to glare at her brother.
She got to her feet as Ian scrambled out of the ditch to join them. “Sorry, Emma,” he muttered.
“Well, at least I suppose we look like a matching set now.” She flicked off the stray bits of grass that were clinging to her jeans. The pale blue tee shirt that she’d put on clean that morning was now stained green. “I’d better go and change. I can’t go back to my office looking like this. I’ve new arrivals due in to the campsite this afternoon. What will they think?”
Noah laughed. “You don’t smell too great either now, Em.”
If he’d been standing closer to the edge of the ditch she would have been tempted to push him back into it.
“Thanks, bro. Next time you need help don’t bother asking me.”
Noah walked away, still chuckling to himself.
* * * *
Ian collected his black veterinary bag from the grass and fell into step beside her as she made her way to the gate. Even with grass stains on her top, Emma still looked beautiful. Her cheeks were pink from her tussle with the ewe and her hair shone in the summer sunshine.
“Would you like to come in for coffee?” She offered as he opened the gate and waited for her to pass through.
“Normally I’d love to but I’m due over at Dalloway’s farm.” He could have kicked himself when he saw a shadow flit across her expressive face.
“Oh, say hi to Matt for me.”
Her tone was neutral but he could tell by the clouds in her eyes that she still had some feelings for Matt. He felt worse for hurting her heart than he did about inadvertently helping her land in a pile of fresh sheep poo.
“Sure.” He continued to walk beside her until they reached the back door of the farmhouse.
“It’s a gorgeous day. I hope Noah and Posy get weather like this for the wedding.” She paused at the entrance to the farmyard to look out at the view in front of them. High View Farm looked out towards the coast and in the distance the sea shimmered silver-blue framed by the rich emerald of the fields.
“Yeah, I hope so too.” Noah had been a different bloke since Posy had come into his life. After his disastrous engagement to his former fiancée, Jessica, Noah deserved to be happy.
“I promised Posy I’d help her with the wedding plans when she comes back from her job interview. Then, tomorrow I’m going to look at bridesmaids dresses.”
“Sounds like a fun-packed schedule.” He couldn’t hide a smile at Emma’s disgruntled frown. She might be persuaded to wear a dress to please Posy and Noah but he knew she wasn’t looking forward to it.
“It’s okay for you. Men get off easy at these things. All you have to do is put on a suit and everyone will tell you how smart you look.” She eyed his overalls.
“At least Posy didn’t want Noah and me to dress up like penguins,” Ian agreed. Even if she had insisted that their ties were in the same ice blue that she’d chosen as her colour scheme.
“I have to wear a long dress, get shoes, have my hair done and carry flowers.” Emma kicked a small pebble with the toe of her boot.
Ian grinned. “You’ll be fine.”
“I’m not good at the girly thing. Remember what happened to me at the school prom?”
He swallowed. “Okay, that wasn’t great but it was a long time ago now.” Emma had managed to stand on her own dress and tear it before spraining her ankle during the second dance of the evening. She’d spent most of the night in Accident and Emergency getting her injury strapped. He’d heard about it the next day from Noah.
“You know we have to dance together at the wedding reception?” She scowled at an innocent clump of buttercups.
Ian had been counting on it. “Yes.”
“In front of everyone?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I can’t dance and you’re not exactly…” She left the sentence unfinished.
“What you mean is that I’ll probably stomp all over your toes.” He had to admit she might have a point.
“So what do we do?” She turned her dark blue gaze on him and his pulse jumped.
“You can’t fake a sprained ankle for your brothers wedding.” Besides, he wanted the chance to hold Emma in his arms.
“Don’t tempt me.”
Ian could see the dilemma. After Noah and Posy had completed their first dance as a married couple, the bride's and groom's parents were expected to take to the floor along with the best man and chief bridesmaid. Everyone would be watching them.
“We could practise beforehand,” he suggested.
She stared at him.
“Think about it. All we need is some music and a quiet place and we could get some practise dances in first.” The more he thought about it the better the idea sounded. He would get to spend time not just with Emma, but actually holding her in his arms. Then maybe, just maybe, she might start to see him in a different light.
A variety of emotions flashed across Emma’s face. She nibbled on her lower lip as she considered his idea.
“We could use the barn, I suppose.” Her tone was doubtful.
“Or you could come to my cottage,” Ian suggested. It would be embarrassing if Noah and Posy got to hear about the dance practises.
Emma’s expression cleared and her full lips quirked in a smile. “Okay, you’re on. Tonight at eight. I’ll come to you.”
He wanted to punch the air and cheer. “It’s a date. Um, well not a date exactly.” He’d managed to say the wrong thing yet again.
She shook her head and grinned at him as he tried to backpedal.
“I’ll see you tonight and I’ll borrow Noah’s steel toe-capped boots.”
“Eight it is then.”
Emma grinned and placed a quick, chaste kiss on his cheek. Her lips were as soft as a butterfly’s wing.
“Thanks, Ian.”
For a brief second he smelled the soft raspberry scent of her shampoo and she was gone inside the farmhouse. He stood for a moment in the yard, his heart racing at the sudden unexpected contact.
He was going to enjoy tonight. Provided he could manage to avoid trampling all over her feet of course.
CHAPTER THREE
Emma’s face burned as she watched Ian go past the farmhouse door. What on earth had possessed her to kiss him? Okay, so it was only a peck on the cheek but even so! She didn’t usually go around kissing people. Especially not when one of them was her brother’s oldest friend.
She eased her feet out of her muddy rubber boots before hurrying up to her wing of the family farmhouse. She needed to change out of her muddy top and get ready to greet the afternoon’s arrivals at the campsite. Her bedroom overlooked the campsite with a view of the sea. She stuffed her dirty top into the laundry basket and pulled a clean tee shirt on over her head as Ian’s car bumped down the track and out of sight.
It had been a bit weird earlier when they’d stood together by the entrance to the farm yard. Normally when she was with Ian it was like being with any other of her friends. Pleasant and fun but definitely no sparks or chemistry. But just now had been different. It was almost as if she’d seen him properly for the first time.
The blush on her cheeks deepened. It had to be all the talk of romance and weddings that was in the air. A touch of mid-summer madness. Ian was still Ian, annoying, clumsy and totally not her type. She firmly banished all thoughts of how her lips had tingled when she’d kissed him and hurried downstairs back to work.
* * * *
Emma finished helping Posy review the wedding arrangements and left her to discuss her job interview with Noah.
Her father and mother were out visiting friends and everyone else was busy making it easier to slip away than she had anticipated.
She raised her hand in a cheery wave to some of her campers as she steered her little blue car carefully down the track and out onto the road. A warm breeze blew in through the open windows as she headed into New Bay. The sky above the silver-blue sea was streaked with pink and the gulls wailed and cried above the waves.
Ian had bought one of the old coastguard houses on the cliffs overlooking the bay. She parked her car at the end of his street and made her way to his cottage. Licking her lips nervously she rapped on the door using the small worn brass knocker shaped like a ship's wheel.
“Hi Emma, come in.” Ian opened the door and stood to one side to allow her entry.
It had been a long time since she’d last been to Ian’s home. She’d only ever visited once before, when he’d moved in and held a housewarming party.
“Wow, this is lovely.” She gazed around the cottage amazed at the changes he’d made. For one, he’d opened up the ground floor and the tiny hallway had gone. Now the stairs rose from the lounge. Double French doors stood open at the far end of the room and the sheer white drapes moved in the gentle evening breeze. Beyond the stairs she could see into a small kitchen fitted with pine cupboards.
Emma walked further into the room and looked around. The walls were plain white and the furniture was simple and minimal. A wood-burning stove was set in the tiny fireplace below a mantel shelf decorated with bleached pieces of driftwood and stylish blue pottery vases.
“Glad you like it.” Ian followed her into the room. He’d changed from his work wear into a casual pair of cut-off faded soft denim jeans and a plain white short sleeved shirt. His dark hair was still damp from the shower and the delicate cedar scent of his soap teased her nose.
“Noah said you’d been working hard on the place but this is gorgeous.” She continued to gaze around at the room, shyness washing unexpectedly over her.
“Come and see the garden.” He led the way through the open French doors.
Emma followed, her heart racing at his proximity. This was crazy. This was Ian for Heaven's sake.
She stepped out onto a small wooden raised deck offering a view of the sea. A couple of steps led onto a tiny grass lawn surrounded by flowers and shrubs. Stone flags sunk into the grass led the way to the far end of the garden. A wind chime tinkled melodically from the beams of a tiny gazebo.
“You’ve done a brilliant job transforming this place. When you bought it, the whole house needed gutting.” She remembered the stale smell of old tobacco smoke that had previously permeated the house. The dark walls and carpet had seemed weighted with it.
“Thanks. It’s taken a lot of hard work.” He was so close to her, the edge of his shirt sleeve brushed against her bare arm sending a shiver of anticipation through her skin.
“Well I’m impressed.” Shaken by her feelings she stepped forward to break the contact.
“I’ve got some wine open. Would you like a glass before we start?” He indicated the glass and bottle standing on the small metal table on the decking.
“Just a small one. I’ve got the car.” She wasn’t sure if drinking anything was wise but a small amount of Dutch courage seemed called-for under the circumstances.
“Do Noah and Posy know what we’re up to?” Ian asked as he handed her a glass of white wine.
Emma shook her head. “I sneaked out. We’d never hear the end of them teasing us if they knew.”
Ian grinned, revealing a small dimple in his cheek. “You’re right. We should keep this to ourselves.”
She took a sip of her drink and knew her sudden rush of light-headedness couldn’t be put down to alcohol.
“We’d better get on.” She placed her glass back on the table.
“Okay, I’ve set some songs up on the player.” Ian wandered back into the lounge and switched on the music. “How about this one?” The strains of a popular ballad filled the air.
“Sounds good.” Emma stepped back into the room and sucked in a breath of air.
“Okay, then.” Ian crossed the room to stand in front of her and placed one hand on the small of her back whilst taking hold of her free hand. Drawn up close against him, Emma’s heart bumped against her ribs as they stumbled forward trying to keep in time to the music.
She was intensely aware of the heat from his hand where it was spread against her back. She wanted to move closer, to lay her head on his shoulder and to drift around the room in his arms. Startled by the direction her thoughts were taking she tripped and trod squarely on his foot.
“Sorry!” Mortified she stepped away from him, breaking the connection. Heat flooded into her face as Ian grimaced and wriggled his toes inside his leather sandals.
“It’s okay. I’d thought it would be me who’d tread on you.”
Emma swept her hair back from her hot face as she peered at his toes looking for signs of damage. “Good job I’m not wearing my heels.”
“Nothing’s broken. Let’s stop for a minute and then we can have another go,” Ian suggested. He walked back out to the deck and topped up the wine in his glass.
Emma followed and took another sip of her drink. As they stood together gazing out at the sea, the sun slid lower in the sky and the pink tinge of the clouds was infused with gold. The sea appeared darker still as wavelets sparkled in the dying light. The scent of lavender growing in pots all around the deck seemed intensified, filling the air with perfume.
Faint strains of the music still playing in the lounge mixed with the sound of birdsong.
“It’s a beautiful night.” Emma wished her nerves would settle.
“I always feel very lucky to live here on nights like this.” Ian set down his drink. “Are you ready for another try?” He offered her his hand.
She placed her drink next to his and re-entered the lounge. Every nerve in her body was on full alert as he took her in his arms once more and they started to dance. The room had grown darker and their shadows kept pace with them as they slowly circled around.
Emma rested her palm against his shoulder, relishing the hard tension of his muscles under her hand as they danced. She lost track of the time as they continued to practise, whilst around them the shadows grew longer and the light faded.
“Ready for another break?” Ian stepped away from her and switched on a small lamp at the side of the room.
“It’s getting late.” Emma blinked at the sudden influx of soft yellow light.
“Can I get you a coffee? We can celebrate having survived our first practise.”
Emma blinked. The room had grown chilly now the sun had set and she rubbed at the tops of her arms to dispel the goose bumps. “Thanks, that would be nice.”
She needed something to break the spell and bring her back to reality. Already she missed the warmth of his body next to hers and the safe, secure feeling of his arms holding her close.
The sounds of Ian clattering around in the kitchen brought her back down to earth.
“Can I help with anything?” She waited in the doorway and watched as he spilled coffee over the work surface. This was more like the Ian she knew.
“Um, no, everything is fine.” He poured boiling water into the mugs, muttering a curse under his breath as some of the hot water splashed back over the edge onto his hand.
“I’ll go and collect the glasses from outside,” Emma offered.
“Thanks.”
She walked back out onto the deck and picked up the remains of their drinks. Solar lanterns fringed the borders around the lawn turning the garden into a miniature fairyland. She paused for a moment to enjoy the scene. There was certainly more to Ian than she’d realised.
Returning to the kitchen, she saw he’d finished making coffee. “Thanks for bringing those in, Em.”
“No problem.” She picked up a mug, wrapping her fingers around it to savour the heat filtering through the thick porcelain into her hands.
“Practise number one complete and we didn’t do too badly.” Emma lowered her gaze and took a sip from her mug.
“No, just a few stumbles and a few bruised toes. Next time though, you need to bring your heels.”
Emma’s body flushed at the thought of a ‘next time’ with Ian. “I guess you’re right. It’s only three weeks now until the wedding. I’m going with Posy tomorrow to get my bridesmaid's dress and shoes.”
“I know, I can’t believe Noah managed to get everything organised so quickly,” Ian mused. He stretched his long legs out in front of him and took a drink of coffee.
“I suppose it’s not a big wedding and Posy didn’t want much fuss. She only has a few friends and her Dad coming from the city.”
A frown line creased Ian’s brow. “Isn’t her Mum coming?”
Emma shook her head. “No, her parents are divorced and her Mum is on some 'round the world cruise.”
“That’s a shame. Families should be there for stuff like that.”
Emma knew he was thinking of his own family. His mother had left when Ian had been a toddler and he and his brother had been raised by his father. During Ian’s first year at university his father had collapsed and died with a heart attack.
Her heart gave a sudden inconvenient squeeze of sympathy. “You’re right. It’s a shame.”
“Thanks for the dance practise. It was fun.” He smiled at her and her heart twinged again, for quite different reasons.
“Yes, it was. I’m glad I didn’t break your toes.” She placed her drink down on a small side table and scrambled to her feet. “I should be going. Tomorrow will be pretty hectic.”
He jumped up and walked with her to the door.
“I’ll give you a ring then?” he asked.
