Page 89 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

‘Because life doesn’t work out that way,’ said Beth.

The tears poured down her face once more as she tried to process what an unholy mess she had got herself into. She loved him so much she was prepared to leave Maple Tree Lodge so that he could be happy. It was the ultimate sacrifice.

Thanks to Noah’s encouragement, she could be herself now. She knew that she could stand on her own two feet. Her blog was getting more followers each week. She could talk about the thing she loved, the stars, now. She believed in herself. The happy ever after she had always wanted she now had. It didn’t include romantic love but she loved herself now. Perhaps that would have to be enough without Noah’s love as well.

Ella put her arm around Beth’s shoulders and leant her head in so they were each touching. Everyone was upset as they all reached across the table to hold hands.

‘At least there’s one bit of good news this morning,’ said Lily eventually into the silencethat followed.

‘Thank goodness,’ murmured Hannah, with a sniff. ‘What is it?’

Lily pointed out of the window. ‘The cloud’s lifting,’ she told them, in a teary voice.

Beth turned her face and realised it was true. There were patches of blue sky amongst the cloud which were reflected in the water of Dragonfly Lake below.

Thank goodness, she thought. Perhaps with the sky clearing, there would be time for one more miracle before she left Noah behind for good.

49

Noah spent the day in somewhat of a daze. He tried to keep busy working on the remaining lodges but his mind kept wandering back to holding Beth in his arms all night and he couldn’t concentrate.

His head swam from the inner turmoil. He had become way closer to Beth than he had ever intended. He had been so determined to stay away from her. He had broken every rule he had ever made for himself and yet, when they had been alone last night, nothing in the world would have stopped him from returning her kisses when she had lifted her face to his.

When his stomach rumbled late afternoon, he realised that he had worked through lunch without even noticing. But not able to live on just fresh air, he headed back to the hotel to find some food, hoping it would stir him out of his stupor.

However, upon arriving in the reception, he came face to face with Jeremy who was in the middle of telling a small audience about some kind of scientific breakthrough that he had made many years previously.

Noah scowled at him. Jeremy obviously felt threatened byBeth’s success and wanted to overshadow her at every opportunity.

He had just stepped forward, his mind reeling with every kind of punishment that he could inflict on Jeremy, when Ben rushed out from behind the reception desk and took Noah’s elbow and led him away and into the office.

‘Don’t worry,’ murmured Ben so that only Noah could hear him. ‘We’re about to have an unexpected double booking and he’s about to be thrown out of here. Then he’ll be away from your girl for good.’

Noah turned his head to look at Ben. Your girl? he thought. He took a deep breath. ‘You know that our romance is just for show?’ he said. But even he could hear the lie in his voice.

Ben looked at him for so long that in the end it was Noah that broke the eye contact first.

‘I thought we were becoming mates,’ Ben told him. ‘I thought you could trust me with the truth at least.’

Noah blanched. ‘The truth?’ he repeated.

‘That you’re crazy about her,’ replied Ben.

Noah wanted so much to open up to him but his head was so mixed up and whenever he felt like that he retreated into the depths of his past where he had managed to keep himself safe all these years by not trusting anyone.

Ben studied him for a long while before nodding. ‘Well, you know where I am if you ever want to talk,’ he said.

As Ben turned to walk away, Noah caught him by the arm. ‘Thanks,’ he said.

Ben reached out to squeeze him on the shoulder briefly before heading across the entrance hall to break the bad news to Jeremy about having to leave that afternoon.

Noah blew out a long breath of relief before abruptly turningback outside to head towards the barn, having completely lost his appetite once more.

He hid away from everyone, including Beth, in the barn working on the boat until it grew late and the skies had already become dark. As he walked back along the track, he was glad to see the first star appear in the sky with not a cloud to mask the view that night.

By the time he returned to the hotel, everyone was busy preparing for the meteor shower and he was able to avoid talking to anyone, especially Beth, as the crowds were beginning to gather in the reception hall.

However, he was able to wish her ‘Good luck’ briefly as they all headed outside.