Sparks Fly

by Emily Harvale

  'If I asked you to tell me, would you?'

  He studied her face for a second and she moved her head a little to one side, in a futile attempt to partially hide her scar. Which was ridiculous. But she suddenly felt self-conscious and more than a little vulnerable.

  'No, Cat. I wouldn't. It's not my place to do so. I'm sorry. But others are involved. If I tell you, I'd be no better than a gossip.'

  She bristled at his words. 'But it was your dad who told you, wasn't it? He gossiped.'

  'Yes. And I dearly wish he hadn't.'

  'Why did he?'

  Amias shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

  How she wished, even right now, that she could do that too. What was it about this man that drew her to him? It was as if there was a sort of magnetic field or something, pulling her towards him. But she had to resist. She stepped a little farther away and he narrowed his eyes as if he noticed.

  'I don't know what Mary has told you about the past, but let's just say that she and my dad weren't always the enemies they seem to be now. But things happen in life that make us do things we normally wouldn't. Dad feels bitter about certain events in the past. He can't seem to let it go. When we heard that you were coming home that summer, all those years ago, he felt … well … That it might be best if I kept my distance from the Devons. All Devons. And he told me a story that involved him and Mary and your dad. And once he'd told me, I couldn't pretend I hadn't heard it.'

  Cat stuck out her chin. 'Mum did tell me about her relationship with your dad. She said he loved her very much.'

  He met her stare. 'He did. He told me that Mary Devon broke his heart.'

  Cat couldn't take her eyes from his. 'But he was quick enough to marry your mum.'

  'Yes. And he said that was the best thing he ever did. Mum saved him, as far as he's concerned. And she stood by him when … when things were said.'

  Cat's tone softened. 'Yes. Mum also told me about the rumours. I'm so sorry your family had to go through that, Amias. It was cruel and unjust.'

  He smiled wanly and shrugged. 'It's a village. There are always going to be rumours. But I'm not sure Dad will ever forgive Mary and Viola for that.'

  'I'm not sure I blame him. I'm finding it hard to forgive them myself. It's weird isn't it? We go through life thinking we know people close to us, only to find out we don't really know them at all. Or at least that we don't know them as well as we thought we did.'

  'You're right about that. I've just discovered … er … that I didn't know someone as well as I thought I did. And it was a bit of a surprise. But I'm not sure we ever really know anyone entirely. The thing is, if we love someone, we accept the good and the bad about them, don't we?'

  Who was he referring to? He'd stopped and given her an almost apologetic look at the start of that statement. Was he talking about Kyle? She wanted to ask. But he wouldn't tell her, would he? Amias was a man who clearly kept some things close to his chest.

  'And the man in the photo?' She needed to change the subject. 'You know who he is too?'

  'Yes.' His relief was palpable.

  'For certain?'

  He smiled. 'Yes.'

  'Who is he?'

  'His name is Bailey Mitchell and he was stationed here in the war. He was a pilot, as we thought and according to the records, and a bit of other digging I've managed to do, he was Canadian. Is Canadian, I should say. His mother was British though and he, like several others wanted to do his bit for England. Quite a few Canadians served with the RAF during the war, but some enlisted directly into the RAF. Bailey did so in 1939. He returned to Canada after the war ended and that's where he still lives. In British Columbia. Vancouver, to be exact. I've managed to get an address for him.'

  Cat's mouth fell open. 'How the hell did you manage all that?'

  He smiled again, before glancing over her shoulder. 'I have friends in high places, as George Lester would say. Good evening, George. And Sybil, you're looking lovely. You both must be so proud of Marcus.'

  George puffed out his red cheeks and smiled as Cat turned to face him.

  'We're extremely proud. Good thing the boy's good at something.'

  Amias narrowed his eyes a fraction and Cat watched his smile turn to a sneer.

  'Yes. And not only is he going up to Oxford but to Balliol. Wasn't that where Dad told me you once applied?'

  'I changed my mind.'

  'I'm sure you did. But how wonderful to know that they wanted Marcus. Oh, and in case you're interested, he can windsurf now too. Rather well as it happens. Have a lovely evening.' He took Cat's elbow and marched her away from the Lesters. 'God, I loathe that man.'

  'You were rude and sarcastic. But he deserved it. Will you please let go of my arm?'

  'Sorry.' He immediately released his hold on her and smiled sheepishly. 'I can't help myself. Whenever George comes near me, I feel as if I'd liked to punch that arrogant look off his face. But I don't believe in violence.' He looked her in the eye. 'Sometimes though, I say the wrong things and upset people when it's the last thing I want to do.'

  Cat tensed. 'If you're referring to the other day, in the museum, I do the same. Let's forget it, shall we?'

  'Yes let's.' He beamed at her.

  She looked away but her gaze wandered back. 'You were telling me about Bailey Mitchell. What else have you found out?'

  He raised his brows. 'Isn't that enough? It wasn't as easy as I've made it sound.'

  She gave a short laugh. 'Sorry. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm sure it wasn't. Thank you so much for doing this, Amias.'

  'It was a pleasure, Cat.'

  A firework whooshed into the air and they turned to look at it.

  'If you'll give me the details, I'll write him a letter and explain how we found his photo and his letters and ask if he wants to know about Granny Viola or not.'

  'Actually, I can tell you a bit more about him. Are you doing anything tomorrow night?'

  Her body tensed once more. 'No.'

  'Then would you like to come to my place and I'll cook dinner? Nothing fancy. Just pasta and wine. And I'll show you everything I've found out about Bailey Mitchell.'

  Was he asking her on a date?

  Another firework shot into the night sky, exploding in a shower of red sparkles.

  'Bring Kyra too. If she's free.'

  Apparently, he wasn't.

  Which was probably just as well.

  'Thanks. I'll ask her.'

  'Great. I'll get my sister, Natalia and her husband, Josh Horton to join us. If that's OK with you? You remember them, don't you?'

  A third firework spiralled upwards, this one hissing as it twirled in tiny, tight circles.

  'Yes. And of course it's OK. I'd like to see them again after so many years. I was surprised to hear they were married. I didn't think they liked one another. At least, it seemed that way eighteen years ago. Mum tells me they own the only Estate Agency in Merriment Bay.'

  Amias nodded. 'Horton and Wells. Although if you believe what Natalia says, it's really more Wells than Horton.' He laughed and shook his head. 'And they didn't like each other back then. Until they fell in love.' He smiled strangely, as if he had yet another secret. 'Love can take anyone by surprise, Cat. Anyone at all. And there's not a damn thing we can do about it when it does.'

  Now several fireworks lit up the sky one after another, flashing, banging and exploding above them in a variety of colours and sizes, each one seemingly larger and more spectacular than the one a moment before.

  Cat knew all about being taken by surprise by Love. It had happened to her on that first summer day she had walked on the sand in the bay so many years ago.

  And she hadn't been able to do a damn thing about it ever since.

  She cast a surreptitious look at Amias.

  He wasn't looking at the fireworks.

  He was gazing intently at her.

  End of Part Two

  Will Amias tell Cat how he feels about her?

  Will she
tell him how she feels about him?

  What else has Amias discovered about Bailey Mitchell and will it affect more than just Viola?

  And will Cat ever find out who her father was?

  Find out in:

  Coming Home to Merriment Bay – Part Three: Christmas

  Coming soon

  Part Three: Christmas

  When a surprise visitor brings more than just well wishes, Cat's Christmas takes a delightful turn. And with the festivities in full swing, and snow falling on Merriment Bay, the future's looking bright.

  This is a delightfully heartwarming novel told in four parts.

  Available here

  Coming soon

  Part Four: Starry Skies

  Cat is reeling from the unexpected events of Christmas, and as Merriment Bay toasts in the New Year, she's facing choices she never thought she'd have to make. When distressing events end more than one person's dream, can Cat find the strength to fight for the Love she deserves?

  This is a delightfully heartwarming novel told in four parts.

  Available here

  A Note from Emily

  Thank you for reading this book. A little piece of my heart goes into all of my books and when I send them on their way, I really hope they bring a smile to someone's face. If this book made you smile, or gave you a few pleasant hours of relaxation, I'd love it if you would tell your friends.

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  I'm working on my next book right now. Let's see where my characters take us this time. Hope to chat with you soon.

  To see details of my other books, please go to the books page on my website, or scan or tap the QR code below to see all my books on Amazon.

  Contact

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  Also by Emily Harvale

  Highland Fling

  Lizzie Marshall's Wedding

  The Golf Widows' Club

  Sailing Solo

  Carole Singer's Christmas

  Christmas Wishes

  A Slippery Slope

  The Perfect Christmas Plan

  Be Mine

  It Takes Two

  Bells and Bows on Mistletoe Row

  The Goldebury Bay series:

  Ninety Days of Summer – book 1

  Ninety Steps to Summerhill – book 2

  Ninety Days to Christmas – book 3

  The Hideaway Down series:

  A Christmas Hideaway – book 1

  Catch A Falling Star – book 2

  Walking on Sunshine – book 3

  Dancing in the Rain – book 4

  Hall's Cross series

  Deck the Halls – book 1

  The Starlight Ball – book 2

  Michaelmas Bay series

  Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove – book 1

  Blame it on the Moonlight – book 2

  Lily Pond Lane series

  The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane – four-part serial

  Part One – New beginnings

  Part Two – Summer secrets

  Part Three – Autumn leaves

  Part Four – Trick or treat

  Christmas on Lily Pond Lane

  Return to Lily Pond Lane

  A Wedding on Lily Pond Lane

  Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane

  Wyntersleap series

  Christmas at Wynter House

  Merriment Bay series

  Coming Home to Merriment Bay – four-part serial

  Part One – A Reunion

  Acknowledgements

  My grateful thanks go to the following:

  Christina Harkness for her patience and care in editing this book.

  My webmaster, David Cleworth who does so much more than website stuff.

  My cover design team, JR.

  Luke Brabants. Luke is a talented artist and can be found at: www.lukebrabants.com

  My wonderful friends for their friendship and love. You know I love you all.

  All the fabulous members of my Readers' Club. You help and support me in so many ways and I am truly grateful for your ongoing friendship. I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

  My Twitter and Facebook friends, and fans of my Facebook author page. It's great to chat with you. You help to keep me (relatively) sane!

  Thank you for buying this book.