As he leaned around her to splash her back, she squealed. Henry pulled her to him, stopping her with a kiss that she returned.
When they paused for breath, Henry looked into Ava’s eyes. ‘I love you, Ava Flynn. I’ve always loved you. And I have never thought you needed rescuing. If anything, now, and when I was younger, it is you who has rescued me. And in case you ever wonder if I mind that, I don’t. I really don’t.’ Henry laughed, the sound deep in the still evening air. ‘In fact, I would like you to keep rescuing me for the rest of our lives.’
Ava smiled a broad, happy smile. ‘Really?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Because I love you too and that sounds perfect.’
Henry slipped one hand into her hair and moved her closer as they kissed once more, his other arm slipping inside the jackethe had draped over her. He felt the silk of her dress, the only barrier to her smooth, soft skin he could feel beneath the fabric.
‘Wait!’ Ava moved back, just inches from his face, her rapid breathing evident in the rise and fall of her chest still pressed against him. ‘I have something for you.’
Henry smiled.
‘Probably not what you’re thinking, but something up at the house. It’s a gift.’
‘Really?’ Henry was intrigued. What more could she give him when he already had everything he wanted enwrapped in his arms?
‘Come on.’ Ava began making her way back to the house. Henry followed, catching her hand in his as he drew level with her — their silhouettes in contrast to the lights and sound of the house they moved towards.
Henry felt Ava’s hand in his; her words still echoing in his mind.I love you too.They walked in contented silence until Ava spoke.
‘Henry, I don’t mind being rescued sometimes.’
Henry laughed. ‘Good, then I can do this.’ He swooped her off her feet and lifted her into his arms. ‘Now I get to hold you close and you don’t have to walk through the damp grass.’
With Gino standing by her side, Mary sat on the steps at the back of Dapplebury House, stroking Granger. As they drew near to them, Henry saw a massive grin spread across her face before she spoke. ‘Oh my goodness, you’ve finally sorted yourselves out.’
Henry placed Ava’s feet back on the ground and smiled. Granger trotted to them, his innocent eyes belying his escape from Henry’s room.
‘I really must fix that door.’ Henry shook his head and greeted the dog with a rub behind the ears.
Gino looked at the three of them. ‘So you’re together now? Only, I didn’t see a plane or anything as impressive,’ he teased.
‘Ha, no but there was a lake and you know’ — Ava gestured to the house where the music continued to play — ‘an orchestra.’
‘I did my best.’ Henry shrugged.
Ava passed Henry back his jacket, put her shoes on and attempted to straighten out her dress.
‘Looking a bit ruffled there, Miss Flynn.’ Mary laughed.
‘Honestly, who chose silk? It’s very unforgiving.’ Ava smiled before turning to Henry. ‘Now, wait here.’ She slipped inside the house.
Henry looked at Mary and Gino.
‘We don’t know what it is either. We only know she had a waiter stash it away,’ Mary confessed.
As Ava walked back out, she held a package, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.
‘I hope you like it.’
She looked nervous and Henry could see the quiver in her hands as she passed the gift over.
‘Thank you.’ He looked at Mary and Gino and then back at Ava.
‘I’d tell them to go but I think there’s a slim to no chance of that happening.’
