Page 41 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

‘Of course not,’ replied Beth, looking down at the uneaten slice of cake on the plate. ‘I’m sure it’s delicious but I just can’t seem to find my appetite today.’

‘Is it love?’ teased Hannah gently. ‘Because I’ve never seen you this grumpy.’

‘No,’ said Beth. ‘I thought fake dating was supposed to be fun. Like a rom-com or something. Not annoying and rage inducing.’

‘Well, perhaps it’s a good job I only put one shot of coffee in your latte then,’ said Hannah, glancing towards the door to the café which had just opened.

Beth followed her friend’s look and saw Noah walking towards her across the wooden floor. She was still irritated with him and it didn’t matter how handsome he looked in his jacket and jeans that day.

‘Try not to make a scene,’ murmured Hannah, with a wink. ‘We need all the customers we can get.’

She went across to ask Noah for his order and then wandered away before he reached the table.

‘There are plenty of other tables free,’ said Beth, deliberately turning away to look outside through the glass door and not at him.

‘You mean the ones outside in the freezing cold?’ she heard Noah reply before there was the sound of a chair scraping and he sat down opposite her.

She took a deep breath and glared at him in silent scorn.

‘Mind you, it’s not that much warmer in here,’ he said, with a fake shudder before laughing.

‘What’s so funny?’ she snapped, even more irritated by his good humour.

‘You’re cute when you’re angry.’

‘No, I’m not,’ she told him, scowling.

‘You’re not cute or you’re not angry?’ he asked, still grinning at her.

Beth concluded that he was utterly irritating and was about to give him a piece of her mind when they were interrupted.

‘Here you go,’ said Hannah, placing a coffee in front of Noah. ‘Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat? I think the very least we could do is give you some cake for what you’re doing for us.’

‘I’m sure, thanks,’ replied Noah. ‘Besides, I can always finish Beth’s as she appears to be off her food.’

Hannah grinned at him before she went away.

Beth was puzzled by her friend’s words. ‘What’s Hannah talking about?’ she couldn’t stop herself from asking. ‘What are you doing for the family other than leaving in their time of need?’

Noah took a sip of his coffee before leaning back in his chair. ‘Who says I’m leaving?’ he eventually replied.

Beth gave a start. ‘Everyone,’ she spluttered. ‘Last night.’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Things have changed.’

‘What things?’ she asked, perplexed.

‘Are you eating that?’ he said, nodding at the slice of cake.

‘Depends on your answer,’ she replied, reaching out to hold on tightly to the plate.

He smiled at her once more and she couldn’t stop herself from thinking how much lighter and more handsome he was when he was more cheerful. Perhaps because it had been such a rare occurrence up until that time.

‘Well, the breaking news is that I’m staying on over the winter to help Ben with building the lodges,’ he told her. ‘With Walter being injured, they need a carpenter so I’ve made myself available to give them a hand.’

Beth’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe it. ‘Oh!’

‘Oh?’ Noah laughed. ‘That’s all the most talkative woman I’ve ever met has to say about my complete change of plans?’