He went to lay an arm across the back of the bench but the reindeers were in the way. He clasped hispalms together again, leaning forwards. ‘I know. But we both had to carve out our own paths, move forwards, learn, grow up some more.’ She couldn’t deny it. Even now, the attraction so strong, she knew it was right they’d had time apart. And she was only glad he’d had the strength to be the one to make the decision for them. ‘It took me a while but I eventually realised that Butterbury and the farmwere what I wanted in my future despite having other options.’ He harrumphed. ‘I also naively expected you to run back into my arms. I thought we’d see each other here in the village and that would be it.’
‘I avoided ever bumping into you once I knew you were back,’ she admitted.
‘I know, and I was gutted. But I told myself you were probably happy, I accepted it and tried to move on.’ He puta hand over hers. ‘We were both so young when we got together, we had so much to learn.’
‘I learned I love train journeys.’ It got the laugh she’d anticipated. ‘I’m serious. Especially the Eurostar … you leave London behind and sit in darkness whizzing through a tunnel that spits you out into another country. The first time I did it I was in awe, I think I still am really, to be travelling beneathwater for all that time to reach another place entirely.’
‘I learned I hate the middle seat on a plane.’ It was his turn to make her laugh. ‘I mean it, it’s the worst seat ever. I’m tempted to book a spare seat next to me next time I fly.’ Neither of them said it but she felt sure he must be wondering whether she could be the one to sit in that seat instead of having it empty.
‘I learned I lovemeeting new people and the challenges of new environments.’ She sighed and almost leaned her head against his shoulder. ‘But I’ve also learned how much I love this village. I’ve been to some stunning countries, towns and villages, I’ve seen so much, but this is where my heart is.’
An unspoken understanding passed between them when she turned to face him.
Lucas twirled the ends of her hair thatwere poking out from beneath a woolly hat. Their separate experiences, paths and the years apart had brought them to this very moment. And what he said next made her breathless. ‘I’ve learned I don’t want to be without you for a single day, Ginny Chamberlain.’ He looked so vulnerable in this moment. He exuded the gentleness and kindness that had always made her feel like she mattered to him morethan anyone else.
She shivered and a sigh let her breath puff out against the cold. Even in the dark you could see it. ‘You’re a good man, Lucas.’
‘So I’m told.’ She wasn’t looking at him but she knew he was smiling.
‘Are you happy here in Butterbury, at the farm, for good?’
He slotted his fingers between hers. ‘I’m happier now that you’re here. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a life, I’ve hadgirlfriends since you and I split up, but I’ve never found someone who really fit, someone who wants the same things, someone who loves life in an English village not quite as hip as some, but just as quaint as others.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘You’ll be coming back to Butterbury for the shop.’ It wasn’t a question. ‘I guess I’m wondering whether you’ll be staying here in Butterbury for anotherreason.’
Her heart thumped. This was it. With his words he’d given her the answer to the question she’d been asking ever since she realised their connection had never truly been lost. ‘I think I might be, yes.’
‘Well it’s about time,’ he murmured, voice low, teasing and laced with promise as he leaned his forehead against hers and the warmth drew them together in body and in mind. She no longerfelt the shiver of cold when he drew back and his gaze fell to her lips.
‘We haven’t kissed for over a decade.’
‘Maybe we won’t remember how to do it,’ he said, their lips almost touching as he inched closer.
‘Maybe …’ But she didn’t get to say anything more because his lips were on hers, and they fitted every bit as well as they used to.
