Coming Home to Brightwater Bay
Page 33
‘Do you like it?’ Niall asked, materializing at her side. ‘I had it specially commissioned from a local jeweller in Dounby.’
Merry ran a gentle finger across the smooth surface and swallowed. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said huskily. ‘What’s it made of?’
‘Ocean Jasper,’ he said, then paused. ‘It’s supposed to have healing qualities, especially where the heart is concerned.’
‘Just like the Odin Stone,’ she observed, touching the hole in the middle of the gem.
‘Exactly like that,’ he replied, and she looked up to find him watching her intently. ‘In the same way that it represents vows made and promises kept.’
There was something in his voice, a depth that told her he was saying more than the words implied. ‘I’d like to wear it,’ she said. ‘Will you help me?’
Niall’s gaze didn’t waver. ‘Of course.’
She slid the fine silver chain from the box and laid the necklace in his hand, before lifting her hair from her neck. Niall passed the chain around her throat and he was so near that she could feel his breath warm on her cheek. His fingers brushed her skin as he fumbled with the clasp, and she shivered at his touch. Then it was done. Niall stepped back, leaving the pendant resting on her chest. Merry raised a hand to touch it and turned to smile at him. ‘Thank you. I know this is really a gift from you.’
He inclined his head. ‘I didn’t pay for it. But yes, I suppose you could say it’s from me.’ He took a deep breath. ‘From my heart to yours.’
Up until then, Merry had been aware that there were other people in the hall, chatting and laughing as they moved chairs and arranged tables, but at that moment everything else faded away. Her pulse sped up as she gazed into Niall’s eyes. ‘Are you sure you mean that? I don’t have the best track record when it comes to love.’
He smiled and reached out a finger to touch her cheek, causing the breath to catch in Merry’s throat. ‘I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.’
For a second or two, she was certain he was going to kiss her. And then, with a whoosh of disappointment, she remembered where they were and knew he wouldn’t; not here, in the place where he worked, surrounded by the people he worked with and half of Orkney besides. But, once again, he surprised her. With one swift movement, he placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her near, dipping his head and kissing her with an assurance and thoroughness that took the breath from her lungs.
Heat flooded her body. She pressed against him, and he let out a soft moan that told her he’d wanted this to happen almost as long as she had, although she’d fought it from the start. And somehow, it felt different to any kiss she’d experienced before: deeper, more resonant, as though every other kiss had been preparing her for this one, the one that really mattered. It was, she thought as they finally broke apart to stare at each other in wonder, like coming home.
Niall spoke first, his voice low and gravelly. ‘I know this is all happening too fast but I have to say this while I still have the nerve – I love you.’
For the third time that evening, tears burned in Merry’s eyes. ‘Oh, Niall. I love you too.’
They might have kissed again if the sound of loud cheering hadn’t broken the spell. Feeling a wave of mortification wash over her, Merry turned to see they had an enthusiastic audience of onlookers that included Sheila and Bridget, Clare and Hugh, plus Andrew and Jess. Every single one of them was grinning and applauding with such gusto that both Merry and Niall couldn’t help laughing too.
‘About bloody time, babes!’ Jess called, pumping the air with her fist.
‘Absolutely,’ Andrew bellowed. ‘This definitely calls for a dram or two.’
On the stage, Niall turned back to Merry. ‘Well, your official duties are done – can I interest you in some drinking and dancing?’
Merry wondered if her heart might actually burst with happiness. ‘Only if you kiss me again first,’ she whispered, and reached up to pull his head towards hers.
Acknowledgements
This has to begin with my unending thanks and gratitude to Jo Williamson of Antony Harwood Ltd, superstar agent and life-support system – I know it’s often like herding cats but I really appreciate your perseverance. A massive thank you to Bec Farrell for helping to shape Brightwater Bay with skill, patience and humour (I’m really sorry about Magnús), and to Judith Long for taking over when Bec moved on to pastures new. Thanks to absolutely everyone on the Books and the City team for ensuring Merry’s story is an irresistible package – special thanks to Pip Watkins for designing up an Orkney storm and giving me such gorgeous covers – they might just be my favourites.
A big hat tip to the real-life Jessie Edwards, who allowed me to steal her name and general gorgeousness for the character of Jess – I think we can all agree she has the best lines. Thanks to Nick Haslam for answering my running questions – you might just make a runner of me yet. And enormous shiny-eyed gratitude to Rowan Coleman, without whom this book might never have been written; you made Orkney come to life and your expert tips on incredible settings made putting the scenes together so much easier. Maybe we’ll go there together one day.
A friend who sends encouraging Chris Evans pictures and GIFs is a friend worth having – I consider myself very lucky to have Miranda Dickinson to keep me going. I’m also blessed by Queen Clare Watson as my life coach, cocktail partner and total glamour inspiration – couldn’t have got through the last 14 days/weeks/years without you! As always, thanks to Julie Cohen, Kate Harrison and Cally Taylor, who are as inspirational as ever. Cuddles to T and E for always, always, always being there to pick me up. And last of all, thanks to my readers – this book is for you. I hope you’ve fallen in love with Orkney as much as I have.
More from the Author
Sunset over Brightwater Bay
Dangerous Tides at Brightwater Bay
Sea Breezes at Brightwater Bay
Broken Hearts at Brightwater Bay
Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence
Last Words at the Star and Sixpence
About the Author
Holly Hepburn is the much-loved author of commercial women’s fiction. She lives near London with her grey tabby cat, Portia. They both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite. Follow Holly on Twitter @HollyH_Author.
www.SimonandSchuster.co.uk/Authors/Holly-Hepburn
Also by Holly Hepburn
A Year at the Star and Sixpence
The Picture House by the Sea
A Year at Castle Court
Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence
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First published individually as eBooks, titled Broken Hearts at Brightwater Bay, Sea Breezes at Brightwater Bay, Dangerous Tides at Brightwater Bay and Sunset over Brightwater Bay in Great Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2020
This paperback edition published 2021
Copyright © Tamsyn Murray, 2021
The right of Tamsyn Murray to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4711-7033-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4711-7034-8
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p; Cover design by Pip Watkins / S&S Art Dept.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.