Page 78 of The Mad Marchams

To Mabel’s surprise, Sam took Colin’s hand and followed him meekly toward the back door.

Dale looked at her. “What on earth is going on?”

“It’s complicated,” Mabel said. She looked around, spotted Freddy, and beckoned him over. “Hey, birthday boy, have you met my friend, Dale? She’s just dying to talk to you about the home farm.”

Freddy’s eyes lit up. Dale shot Mabel an amused glance and turned to face him. “Hi! Happy Birthday! Are you having a great day?”

Mabel scuttled off in the direction of the house, checking under every bush just in case Joss did suddenly materialize. Why Sam thought he’d come to see her was a mystery Mabel wanted to solve immediately. She found Colin and Sam in the deserted kitchen. Sam was clutching one of his well-ironed handkerchiefs and dabbing gently at her eyes. Colin appeared to be making tea.

Colin looked up as Mabel came in. “Looks like there’s been some kind of misunderstanding between Sam and Joss, Mabel.”

Mabel sat next to Sam. “Did you and Joss fly to England together?”

Sam glared at her over the top of the handkerchief. “Yes, first class.”

“How lovely.” Colin set a mug of tea and a glass of water with ice in front of Sam. “Were you staying in London?”

“We were supposed to be, but last night I found this address on Joss’s phone, and I just knew he’d planned the whole trip to see you.” Sam’s voice broke. “He said it was spontaneous and that he wanted to treat me. I should’ve known he was lying because he’s the least spontaneous person I’ve ever met.”

“I’m impressed that you managed to get Joss’s phone out of his hand,” Mabel said. “I thought he’d had it surgically implanted in his palm.”

“He was in the shower,” Sam said, her gaze fixed on Colin.

“Clever.” Colin smiled at her. “Did you tell Joss what you’d found on his phone?”

“No, of course I didn’t, but when he went out before I woke up this morning, I just knew he was on his way here.” She sniffed. “He’d planned the route and everything.”

“Well, he definitely isn’t here,” Colin said in the same soothing voice. “I think we would’ve noticed him by now. Have you considered calling and asking his whereabouts?”

“If I do that, he’s going to think I’m jealous, and that I’m stalking him.”

For a second, Mabel’s eyes met Colin’s and she had to bite down on the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.

“He might be concerned if he returns to the hotel and you aren’t there,” Colin suggested. “Maybe if you don’t want to call him, you could send a text? I’m sure he’s worrying his head off.”

“He probably hasn’t even noticed I’ve gone,” Sam whispered.

“I bet he has,” Mabel said. “He’s in love with you.”

“Then why is he over here stalking you?” Sam asked.

“If he was here, it’s probably because I quit,” Mabel said simply. “He might be mad enough about that to want to talk to me in person. I don’t know. I do know that it’s important to have conversations and open communication with the person you’re thinking about marrying.”

Sam burst into tears again and Colin raised his eyebrows at Mabel. She fixed him with a glare.

“I’m sorry,” Mabel said. “But I’m fed up feeling like a chew toy two dogs are fighting over.”

“You are very biteable,” Colin said, which made Mabel glare even harder.

“I’m sorry, Sam,” Mabel said. “I’m not trying to be mean, but it’s not fair to involve me in the middle of your insecurities about Joss. I can keep telling you that I’m not interested in him, but you won’t believe me until you have a conversation with the man himself.”

There was a discreet throat clearing at the kitchen door.

“Miss Mabel?” Bartle said. “There is a young man at the front entrance asking to see you. Do you wish me to admit him?”

“Is he American?” Colin asked.

“From the casual nature of his attire and his perfect teeth, young master Colin, I would assume so.”