‘Okay,’ Ellie said, eventually pulling away, ‘enough of this soppy stuff. It’s New Year’s Eve and we should be looking towards the future, so how about we get super corny and make some resolutions?’
Beth thought about it for a moment then jumped to her feet and declared, ‘I’m going to be braver!’
Ellie grinned. ‘Wow, okay. I was actually thinking more along the lines of something less scary, like, I don’t know, learning the dance to “Thriller”.’
‘Are you kidding?’ Beth whispered. ‘Thatis scary!’
‘I like your idea better, though.’ Ellie stood and shoved her hands on her hips. ‘I’m going to love myself more!’
‘Yes!’ Beth put her hand out for a high five. ‘You deserve all the love!’
‘And I’ve seen you face your fears, so I know you can be brave. In my opinion, you’re a goddamn superhero!’
Huh.Beth had never thought of it like that. Even though she’d never be the life of the party or carry herself with the kind of confidence that turned heads, she faced her fears every day. Sure, some fears required more effort to overcome, but every tiny act of bravery counted.
With that thought in mind, she raised her glass in the air. ‘Here’s to loving yourself more!’
Ellie grinned and did the same. ‘And here’s to being brave!’
They clinked glasses and, as the clock struck midnight, Beth made a silent promise that this would be the most momentous year of her life.
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Summer brought holidaying families and grey nomads into town in droves, so for the next month, whenever Marge asked Beth to work more shifts at the cafe, she was happy to help. And when she wasn’t at the cafe, she was at the house with Noah, helping with, or at the very least overseeing, the renovations. By the time the middle of February rolled around, all the extensions had been finished and the new roof had gone on. Next task on the list was fitting out the wet areas.
Ordinarily, she’d be falling in a heap with so much on her plate, but truthfully, whenever she was at the house with Noah, she didn’t feel as if she was working. He encouraged her to help out with certain tasks—though none that required her to climb unstable objects—and took the time to teach her valuable skills. The time always passed quickly when they were together; he made her laugh with shocking regularity and, when it came to the renovation, did everything he could to keep her stress to a minimum.
She’d worried that things might be between them after he’d alluded to having feelings for her. But he’d put no further pressure on her, either to stay in town beyond the renovation or to continue the conversation he’d started on Christmas Day. And for that, she was grateful—because she was positively terrified of having to confess to her inexperience with men.
Still, she found herself looking forward to seeing him, and with all the time they were spending together, she was coming to realise just how much she liked him. On occasion, she even wished hewouldbring up what he’d said to her at Christmas. He didn’t, though, and she reasoned that maybe he didn’t feel the same way anymore. If he didn’t, that was fine—shewould be fine—but she had to know. So, as she’d resolved on New Year’s, she was going to be brave.
She’d worn the phoenix necklace today, because she’d decided to open up and be honest about the things she’d always found difficult. About everything that continued to stand in her way. She wanted him to know who she was, deep down in her core. No one had ever known her that way. Ellie was getting close, for sure, but Beth wasn’t convinced that Rosie had. She’d certainly never understood her.
All this ran through Beth’s mind as she and Noah spent the afternoon installing the new kitchen cabinets. Eventually, Noah suggested they take a break, so they each cracked a bottle of ice-cold water and headed out to the newly built rear deck that extended over the sloping field below and took advantage of the stunning vista.
The blue sky stretched overhead and the mid-afternoon sun beat down on them. With no chairs or patio furniture out here yet, they sat on the edge of the platform and let their legs dangle off the side. They discussed the renovation and everything that still needed to be done, but once shop talk had been exhausted, Beth grew nervous, daunted by the prospect of having to steer their conversation where she needed it to go.
Before she could think of a way to do that, though, Noah said, ‘I finally spoke to Mum and Dad about what I want for the future.’
He glanced at her, his mouth curving up on one side, before he turned to stare out over the empty field. She couldn’t tell whether humour or sadness fuelled his expression, but not knowing was enough to make her forget everything else.
‘How did it go?’ she asked, her heartbeat thumping in her ears. After all, she’d been the one to call him out on his fear. If he’d damaged his relationship with Mick and Celia by being honest with them, she’d be at fault.
Absently fiddling with the label on his plastic water bottle, he continued to stare out at the landscape. ‘Took me a while to figure out what to say,’ he admitted, ‘but I’m glad I didn’t rush into it. I thought a lot abouthowI feel andwhyI feel that way, and in the end, I was more honest with them than I’ve ever been. They were shocked, of course, but they get it.’
He turned his head, his piercing blue gaze locking on hers a moment before dropping to the pendant hanging around her neck. A spark flared, and when his eyes once more met hers, their intensity burned.
‘I’ve got a real shot at building the kind of life I want, Beth. And it’s all because of you.’
Her breath hitched, but she couldn’t do it, couldn’t maintain the connection.
Blinking, she looked down at her hands, one thumb working overtime, digging into her opposite palm, over and over again. The pressure grounded her, helped her feel present, reminded her that she existed.
‘Beth …’ Noah, his voice hoarse, put aside his water bottle, then took her hand. Threaded his fingers through hers. Held her tightly and made her feel safe.
Bravely, she met his gaze. Her heart beat steadily.
