‘Good. Because there is nowhere else I’d rather be.’ He spoke the words with the hint of a smile tugging at his well-kissed lips, before leaning forward and kissing her nose.
Ava tucked her hair behind her ears and watched as Henry stood and slid off his T-shirt.
Oh!
‘Don’t suppose you have anything that will fit, do you?’
Ava shook her head silently, aware that she had All Critters Great and Small sweatshirts in a variety of sizes in a cupboard upstairs, but to say so would bring up the charity and she wanted to keep this moment strictly personal. ‘I could wash it. I’m going to wash the towels and . . . stuff.’ Mindful of her ankle, Ava stood, taking the T-shirt from Henry. Her legs felt stiff from the hours spent sitting on the floor or crouching by the whelping box.
‘Really? You don’t have to.’
‘I know.’ Ava smiled, turning towards the washing machine to prevent her eyes lingering on his torso.
Before she could move away any further, Henry caught hold of her arm, pulling her towards him. Unsteady on her ankle, Ava turned and spun into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, lifting her onto the kitchen counter in an easy movement. Ava felt the hard worktop underneath her. Returning Henry’s kisses, she moved her legs to accommodate him standing between them. Feeling his bare skin beneath her hands, and the ripple of his muscles as he moved, a wantonmoan escaped her; an action that caused him to shift position and pull her hips closer to him. Pausing for a moment, Henry’s breathing was ragged and Ava could see the rise and fall of his chest as he tried to compose himself.
‘Ava Flynn, I wish I had the words to tell you how I feel about you.’
Ava smiled. ‘I quite liked you showing me.’ How had she ever thought she could quash her feelings for this man? Being with him always felt right.
Henry laughed before planting a final kiss firmly on her lips. ‘I’m going to shower.’
Ava watched him walk through the hallway before she turned to Myrtle. ‘Blimey girl, this is turning out to be one crazy day.’
Myrtle cocked her head.
‘OK, I know, it’s been particularly crazy for you.’ Ava slid off the kitchen side, being careful to place her weight on her good ankle. She laid Henry’s T-shirt over the back of a kitchen chair and began to pick up the towels they had used during whelping. As she bent to put them in the washing machine, the back door opened. Ava tried not to show her disappointment at Mary showing up unannounced. She usually loved her friend’s impromptu visits, but the day had felt special; sharing it with Henry, alone, had made it even more special and she really wanted to see where the evening might lead them.
‘You haven’t been answering your phone, so I’m here to see if you’re OK.’
Ava felt guilt wash over her. ‘I haven’t? I mean, no. I haven’t.’
‘I was worried with it being Mother’s Day, so I thought I’d come and keep you company.’
Ava Flynn, you are the most ungrateful friend ever!Ava smiled at Mary and felt terrible for inwardly regretting her showing up. ‘I’ve been distracted. Look.’ Ava led Mary to thewhelping box to show her Myrtle and her puppies. ‘Aren’t they gorgeous.’ She spoke in a proud whisper as they watched the brood, their velvet bodies and soft pink muzzles jostling for position as they fed.
Mary gasped. ‘Oh my goodness, look at you, Miss Myrtle. You’re a mumma now. Happy Mother’s Day!’ Her tone was light as she addressed the dog and looked over the puppies. Turning back to Ava, Mary continued to smile. ‘Congratulations, Grandma!’ She pulled Ava into an unexpected hug before stepping back, searching her face and assessing her. ‘Are you OK? Why didn’t you call me? I would have been here.’
‘She started this morning. I knew you were on a call and didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘So you did it all alone. Were you OK?’
‘Yes, I was fine . . . but I . . . I wasn’t alone.’
‘Did Gino come? I thought he was taking his mum out. Wow!’ Mary folded her arms and returned her gaze to the puppies. ‘You know you’re special when he lets his mamma down for you.’
‘No. It was . . . Henry.’
Mary turned to Ava, her expression incredulous.
‘He was great. He’s been here all day. He saved two of them. I’m not sure I could have done it without him.’
‘You could have. You would have phoned me.’
Ava was taken aback by the change in Mary’s tone — a jolt out of the serenity of the evening.
‘But Henry was here.’
They heard a noise from upstairs.
