‘You don’t have any glad rags,’ she joked. He’d told her he’d arrived without even a toothbrush to his name.
‘Ah,’ he said with a glint in his eye. ‘I went shopping while you were playing with flowers.’
‘You make it sound as though you had a harder time of it than I did. I was trying to win a competition, I’ll have you know!’
‘Have you been out there?’ he asked, a look of horror on his face. ‘I have, and it’s full of people. Thousands of them, and they all want to get in your way and stop you from doing what needs to be done.’
‘Like shopping?’
‘Exactly.’
‘You don’t like cities much, do you?’ she teased.
‘Not really. But I’ll learn to like London if I have to – honest.’
Leanne knew he wouldn’t. He’d hate every second of every minute that he’d spend here. But the fact that he was willing to move to the city to allow her to carry on her career made her feel all warm and fuzzy.
‘How’s Nell?’ she asked abruptly.
‘She’s good, thanks. I left her with your mother.’
Leanne gasped. Her mother! Oh dear…
‘Mum and Dad should have arrived by now,’ she began worriedly. What kind of daughter was she to have forgotten her parents?
‘Relax, they’ve already checked in. I rang your dad and asked him what time they were planning on arriving, and I was here to meet them when they did.’
Leanne narrowed her eyes. ‘You were?’
‘Yes.’
‘What did you tell them? About us, I mean?’
‘Nothing. I didn’t have to. They guessed. Your mum’s delighted. Your dad not so much. I’m just grateful that he left his shotgun on the farm.’
‘I’m sure he’s pleased deep down, but I’m his only daughter so he’s bound to be protective.’
‘I don’t blame him,’ he said. ‘Now off you go – I can’t wait to see you in your dress.’
She did as he suggested, but instead of hopping straight into bed, she gave her mum a call.
‘Well?’ Iris demanded.
‘I can’t tell,’ Leanne said. ‘It’s so close, and the other two are brilliant. If I win, it will be a miracle.’
Iris huffed. ‘I wasn’t talking about Budding Stars.’
‘Oh, I see. You mean Rex?’
‘Of course I mean Rex. Did he tell you he came looking for you yesterday morning, but you’d already left? I can’t believe he was delayed by joining the search party for Billy, but at least the little lad was found safe and well, the rascal.’
‘Rex blames himself for the boy going missing in the first place, because of the auction,’ Leanne said.
‘The daft idiot,’ Iris said with a smile in her voice. ‘He’s a good one. You want to hang on to him.’
‘What does Dad think?’
‘He thinks Rex is sound, but he’s not going to tell him that because he wants to keep him on his toes.’
Leanne laughed; that sounded like her dad. She sobered. ‘I intend to keep him, Mum,’ she vowed.
‘Good. You’ve been as miserable as sin these past couple of weeks. Maybe you’ll have a smile on your face now.’
‘I have,’ she said.
‘Right. Gotta go. Some of us take longer than others to get ready, you know. Oh, and Lea?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I’m so very proud of you.’
Leanne blinked away the sudden sting of tears. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
She was still feeling quite emotional as she soaked in the bath later. Her mood only started to change when she took her dress out of the wardrobe and slipped it on, turning this way and that in front of the mirror, admiring the way it nipped in at her waist and flowed over her hips. The deep fuchsia made her skin glow and her eyes sparkle, and she felt good in it.
Calmer and more centred now, she came to the conclusion that with Rex by her side, it didn’t matter if she didn’t win. It would be the cherry on the top of her little cake of happiness, but that was all.
Squaring her shoulders, she stood in front of the mirror, intrigued to see a different Leanne staring back at her. This Leanne looked serene, confident, sophisticated, and there wasn’t even a hint of green-smudged fingers of foliage in her hair.
A year ago, faced with the same situation, she would have been squealing with excitement and wondering if the drinks were free and whether gin was included, and she recognised she had grown up a lot since then. The competition had helped with that, but Jarred and his job offer had played a more important part. Rex too had had a hand in it, although his world of mountains and moody skies, buzzards and beavers was a far cry from the streets of London and Jarred’s slick, shiny lifestyle.
She felt ready to move on to the next stage in her life, and with Rex’s love and support, she knew she was capable of anything.
With one last look at the woman she had become, Leanne stepped out of her hotel room and went to meet her future.
* * *
Leanne’s right hand was being held tightly by Rex. Iris, sitting on her other side, reached for her left. Her dad looked as nervous as Nell when the dog knew she’d done something wrong.
As for Leanne herself, she was strangely unperturbed by the whole thing. It was as if all the stress, the frantic activity and the intense focus of the last three months or so had drained away, leaving her an empty vessel ready to be filled with something new and exciting.
She still wanted to win, but it didn’t seem as important as it once had, and she was a little sad about that. But the joy of seeing such love shining from Rex’s eyes eclipsed everything and everyone, including Budding Stars.
Rory was about to announce the winner. The cameras were moving into position, aiming their lenses at all three contestants, waiting to film their reactions.
The presenter made a little speech, but all Leanne could think was, just get on with it, and suddenly she was as nervous as hell and her hunger to win came back with a vengeance, hitting her in the sternum and making her feel sick. She found she did want this after all – badly.
She caught Jarred’s eye and grimaced. His face was expressionless, giving no hint of the verdict, and she looked away, back to Rory, who was flourishing an envelope. Idly, almost abstractedly, she wondered who had done the flowers, because there were floral arrangements everywhere, and she guessed Jarred’s company was probably responsible. If the show was a success and ran again next year, who would design them? This year’s winner, perhaps?
Rory was opening the envelope with infuriating slowness. He read it carefully, then raised his head. Anyone would think he didn’t already know, Leanne thought to herself. She disliked the drama and the drawing out of the tension, the milking of every drop of theatre for the benefit of the viewing public, even as she understood why it was being done.
She gripped Rex’s hand tighter and gritted her teeth, before remembering the camera pointed at her face. Being constantly on show was one thing she certainly wouldn’t miss.
‘…and the winner of Budding Stars is…’
Silence. Not even a cough or the clink of a glass.
The seconds stretched out, and time slowed. Leanne’s fixed smile made her cheeks start to ache.
‘Desiree Chalmers!’
The crowd erupted, and Leanne found herself clapping and smiling along with everyone else, disappointment sweeping through her.
‘Come up here, Desiree,’ Rory said.
Leanne watched as the other woman was presented with a crystal flower plaque, along with a bunch of understated creamy roses. She recognised the signature black ribbon and tissue paper instantly.
‘It doesn’t matter, I’m still so very proud of you,’ her mother said in her ear.
Rex’s arm was around her. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to.
But Leanne did, and she picked her time with care, waiting until Desiree had made her speech (Leanne herself hadn’t even considered preparing a speech in case she won –
it simply hadn’t occurred to her) before congratulating the other woman and commiserating with Peter. She was asked to make a comment to camera, which she did, and circulated as instructed, accepting the good wishes of total strangers and the supportive comments of two of the judges.
When she found herself standing in front of the third, she drew him to one side.
‘Jarred,’ she began, not sure how to go on.
‘It’s OK,’ he said.
‘I’m not talking about not winning.’
‘Neither am I.’
This threw her for a moment, and she didn’t know what to say.
Jarred said it for her. ‘I have eyes. I can see you haven’t been happy. You’re not the same girl I interviewed. Somewhere along the way, you lost your sparkle. Tonight, of all nights, I see you have found it again.’ He jerked his head towards the table where Rex and her parents were sitting.
Leanne met Rex’s gaze, and a rush of love filled her heart. He was determined to make things work between them, even if he had to leave his beloved mountains behind. A small smile spread across her lips – there weren’t many calls for park rangers in the big city.
‘I can’t work for you, Jarred. I’m so sorry.’ She felt like crying. She hated letting him down, especially when he had such faith in her, but she had to follow her heart, and her heart belonged to Rex.
Jarred made a face. ‘I know.’
‘You do?’
‘I just said so, didn’t I? Your sparkle is back, and I know the reason why.’
‘I can’t ask Rex to leave everything behind and follow me to London,’ Leanne said. ‘He’d shrivel and wilt here.’
‘Like a rose bush planted in the wrong place?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Yet he’s asking you to give up your dream?’
‘He’s not. He doesn’t know I’ve changed my mind. I’m so sorry I messed you about.’
‘I’m glad this is purely your decision, but you must do what is best for you.’
‘No, I need to do what is best for us. For me and for Rex.’
‘Oh, all right. You win.’ Jarred threw his hands in the air with a theatrical sigh.
Leanne smiled. ‘Actually,’ she said, ‘I didn’t.’
‘I think you’ll find you did.’ He looked meaningfully at Rex. ‘I have a proposition,’ he added.
‘What?’ Leanne asked cautiously.
‘Stay at home, I don’t care. I don’t need you here. You can work just as easily from there, in your little backwater village. I’ll employ you as a consultant, although it will be a pain having to find someone else to front Eco-Branch.’
‘Is that what you decided to call it, Eco-Branch?’
‘Yes, why? I think it’s perfect.’
Leanne pulled a face.
‘Let’s see you come up with a better one,’ he challenged her. ‘That can be your first job. Your second is to visit some new premises with me.’
‘I told you, I don’t want to live and work in London.’
‘You don’t have to. Do you think you can manage to come to the city once a week? Or would that be too arduous for you?’
‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’
Jarred nodded. ‘Of course, it won’t be the same as heading up Eco-Branch, but your talent won’t be completely wasted.’
She laughed. ‘If you’re going to employ anyone, it should be Rex – he’s the brains behind my designs.’
Jarred rolled his eyes. ‘Perhaps it’s fortunate you’re going back to the sticks then. You might be more useful to me there.’ This was said with a smile, so she knew he was teasing. ‘I have to go, networking to do. I’ll be in touch.’
She watched him walk away and shook her head. That man was full of surprises.
Then she looked back at Rex, waiting patiently for her. He was full of surprises, too, but right now she had one for him. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction when she told him she wasn’t moving to London after all, and that she intended to live in Tanglewood with him and Nell, and that she would love him forever and always, the way he’d told her he loved her.
She might not have come first tonight, but she’d won much more than a competition – she’d won Rex’s heart.
And that was the only thing that would ever matter.
Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thanks to Jackie Godfrey at Field Day Flowers in Abergavenny, who most kindly allowed me to use her shop’s name. I fell in love with this gorgeous florist’s shop the very first time I saw it, and it’s the inspiration behind the flower shop in this book.
Tanglewood Village series
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First published in the United Kingdom in 2019 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
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United Kingdom
Copyright © Lilac Mills, 2019
The moral right of Lilac Mills to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781788637404
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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