Page 85 of Not Just for Christmas

‘Hmm.’ She didn’t sound convinced.

‘When I look up there at the stars, I’m reminded how small I am, just one person on one planet in one galaxy. With something like two trillion galaxies out there, our problems are inconsequential. And yet we spend so much time on them, instead of listening to what our hearts are really telling us.’

‘And what is your heart telling you to do?’ she asked, scanning his face.

His breath hitched. He wished he was brave enough to tell her how he felt about her, but he daren’t risk it. ‘This is about you, not me. Don’t be scared of change, or how to start.’

She shivered, hugging herself. ‘I don’t even know what to change.’

He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. ‘The hardest part of a journey is the first step, leaving your comfort zone behind you. But you can do it.’

She snorted. ‘You are full of cheesy lines tonight.’

‘Cheesy?’ He pretended to be insulted. ‘OK, maybe a little, but I mean it.’

‘So what about you, oh wise one.’ She nudged him with her shoulder. ‘What change would you make?’

‘You know what I’d do if Merrydown was mine? Blank piece of paper stuff?’

‘Let me guess.’ She grinned. ‘Knock it down and build a McDonald’s?’

He laughed. ‘No, I’d start a new business venture. I’d put a landing strip on one of the fields and convert the stables into a music studio. I could fly musicians in and out without anyone knowing. It’s remote, beautiful and completely unique. People would love it.’

‘That’s a crazy idea. Not sure the cows would appreciate all the comings and goings on their patch.’ Her lips twitched.

‘I’d sell the cows,’ he said. ‘Keep the farm and the main buildings so Sam could convert it back to a dairy farm in the future if he wanted to.’

She snorted. ‘Next you’ll be starting up your own music festival.’

He grinned. ‘Hey, I like your thinking.’

‘Mind you, it’s one hell of a commute from New York,’ she pointed out.

He looked at her beautiful face, her unguarded smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she thought she’d got the better of him. He didn’t want to leave after Christmas, he wanted to be here with her and Sam.

‘There’s only one thing for it, I’m gonna have to move to Devon. Problem solved.’

‘Meanwhile, back on planet earth …’ She rolled her eyes. ‘If you’ve finished indulging your wildest fantasies, can we go inside now? I’m freezing and starving.’

‘Let’s go.’ He held out his hand and his heart squeezed when she took it and together they headed back indoors.

Was it a wild fantasy or was it the best idea he’d ever had?

Chapter 36

I punched my pillow, rolled over and checked the clock. Almost midnight. How was it possible to be exhausted and wide awake at the same time? It was a rare treat not to be looking after Sam. I should be making the most of the chance to sleep without subconsciously keeping one ear alert to the sound of a child. Instead, I was tossing and turning, my thoughts swirling. On one level, I felt lighter after talking everything through with Dylan, but on another, he’d given me so much to think about that my mind wouldn’t stop making plans.

Images of Dylan flashed through my mind too. He was thoughtful, caring, fun and undeniably gorgeous. And I’d been single far too long not to be affected by his company.

This was hopeless, maybe a hot drink would help. I got up, pulled on a pair of thick socks and my dressing gown and stepped out onto the landing. I paused outside Dylan’s door, and his words from earlier came back to me. You’re not alone, you have me.

My hand hovered over the doorknob. I missed being held, properly held, in strong arms which said, I’ve got you, you’re safe. An embrace that brought me in close to his body, that made my back arch, and my insides turn to liquid.

Bloody hell, what was I doing? Imagine poor Dylan’s face if I barged in and leapt on him! I exhaled shakily and dashed past his door before I did something I might regret.

The house was in darkness, and I took my time going down the stairs. I reached the hallway and heard soft music coming from the front room. The door was slightly ajar, and a sliver of faint light streaked across the floor from within. I pushed open the door and saw Dylan at the piano lit by a single lamp, a notebook balanced on his knee.

‘I want every day in the springtime,’ he sang softly, picking out a tune on the piano keys.