Henry saw the hint of a smile in her eyes and laughed.
‘No, don’t worry. You’re safe. I much prefer getting out in nature.’
‘Now that I knew about you.’ Ava thought of the times they had spent in the grounds together, often exploring, but sometimes just sitting or laying together, listening to the sounds of the woods, watching the clouds go by, the two of them lost in the moment and their world. It was calming, grounding and thoroughly intimate.
‘Maybe I should have been a lumberjack.’
‘I can see that.’ Ava giggled.
Henry put his elbows on his thighs and leaned forwards. ‘Thanks. At least I could have been more useful around here.’
‘You’re doing a great job. I saw how you spoke to the crowd at the village meeting. From what I remember, it was an amazing turnaround. Wait, you didn’t hypnotise them, did you?’
Henry sat back. The sun was shining in through the window, warming them, and causing red and auburn streaks to shine in Ava’s ponytail. He wished her hair was loose. Granger sprawled out, bathed in sunlight, while he dozed.
‘No, I just read the room. I told them what they wanted to hear.’
‘You lied?’
‘No, definitely not! I just phrased things in a way that appeased, opposed to angered them. Understanding people’s fears, hopes and motivations are key. That and listening.Reading body language helps, even micro-expressions can reveal how someone is feeling.’
‘And do you do that when you’re speaking to me? Read my body language.’
Henry saw Ava shift in her seat; she crossed her ankles and laced her fingers in her lap. He didn’t like the reaction; he never wanted her to feel anything but relaxed around him.
‘It’s a habit, but to be honest you’re not that easy to read. I think I know how you’re feeling, but then you surprise me.’Or in the case of yesterday’s revelation, bloody shock me.Henry had always felt Ava was the one person he could trust; the one person who knew and liked him for who he really was. His absolute belief in that being undermined by what he had heard, caused the hurt and confusion that kept him awake the previous night.
Ava smiled and relaxed her stance. ‘Good.’
‘Not always for me. Yesterday, I thought—’
‘Henry, I do want to talk about yesterday. I don’t know what you heard but there are things I want to say. But before I do that, I really do want to hear what you wanted to tell me about Critters’ Lodge.’
Henry wondered if, like he had heard Mary say, Ava’s feelings for him were dependent on the fate of the lodge. He knew he would have to reassure her it was safe, no matter what. As much as he’d hoped there would be more between them, he wanted Ava to feel for him as he did for her. Henry pushed his hand through his hair and sat up a little straighter, in readiness to speak.
‘Ava, you’re going to need to keep an open mind.’
Chapter Thirty-One
Ava looked at Henry, wondering what he could mean. The events of the day had already called for an open mind; she was not only in Dapplebury House but in Henry’s bedroom. All of these things would have seemed out of the question even a month ago. She looked at Henry and noticed the tick of tension at his jaw.Micro-expressions.His green eyes appeared lighter in the sun, and she wished she could still see the longing written in them, from the night before.
‘The land Critters’ Lodge is on, is prime real estate. I wish I could just forgo the sale but it’s just not that simple—’
Ava couldn’t believe what she heard after he had promised the lodge would be safe. ‘But you said—’
She went to stand up. Granger scrambled to his feet. Henry caught Ava’s hand in his before she could rise, and as she turned to him, he held her gaze.
‘I said that Critters’ Lodge would be safe, and it will. The charity will be safe but not there. I have to sell that land, Ava. I’ve got no other choice. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from anyone else, but Dixon reacted too soon.’
Henry released her hand. Looking at him, she waited for more of an explanation — her breathing rapid.
‘I wish I could tell you more about why I need to sell, but I made a promise that means I can’t.’
Ava could see Henry’s frustration and felt the sincerity of his words. ‘Are you in some kind of trouble?’ She sat forward, her eyes searching his.
‘No, it’s not me. But I need to do this for the estate. It will help me buy time, to sort out how, or what to do next.’
‘And the charity?’ Ava’s voice was uncertain.
