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But as he left the Eight Bells a leaflet in the rack for tourists caught his eye, and Ben realised that maybe there was one more thing he could give Luce before they parted ways. Something for her to remember these strange, snowy few days by.
Pocketing the leaflet, he headed over to the village shop, his mood suddenly a whole lot lighter.
* * *
It hadn’t been Luce’s most productive morning ever.
She’d started well—up with the lark and at the desk with her computer cursor blinking at her. Outside, the snow looked as if it might be starting to clear, which gave her hope that they might make it to Cardiff today. She’d heard the front door slam after she’d been working a couple of hours, and reasoned that Ben had probably gone to check on the conditions. She’d have to wait until he got back to face him. Heat had flooded to her cheeks at the very thought. Really no hurry on that one. Then they’d be on their way and it would all be over. She’d be home again.
In the meantime, the book wouldn’t write itself.
The first couple of pages of the section dealing with Nest’s life at Cilgerran Castle, before her abduction, had come in an inspired burst, leaving her feeling buoyant and excited. And then...nothing.
After another half an hour of staring at the screen and adjusting punctuation, Luce had given up and indulged in a long soak in the bath instead. Hot water and bubbles were almost guaranteed to help inspiration strike, surely?
Except when she settled back down at the desk, fully dressed in a long knitted skirt and wine-red sweater, she still had nothing.
‘Going well?’
Luce spun round to see Ben leaning against the doorframe, arms folded over his chest and his eyebrow raised. He betrayed no sign of his rejection the night before—which was a small point in his favour, Luce supposed.
‘I think I’m getting some really useful stuff,’ she lied, and hoped he hadn’t heard the bath water draining out.
Ben held up a bakery bag. ‘Well, brunch will help. I brought ham and cheese croissants.’
Luce’s stomach rumbled at the very mention.
As they sat down together at the small kitchen table Luce asked, ‘What are the roads like? Can we make Cardiff today?’
Ben nodded, already chewing. ‘More snow due tonight, but we should be able to beat it.’
She should be relieved. Thrilled that she was heading home. So what was with the strange, sad part of her that was already missing the cottage before they’d even left?
And not just the cottage. The company.
Luce stared down at her plate. Definitely time to go.
‘I should go and get packed up, then,’ she said, even though the only things she’d really unpacked were her laptop and notes.
‘Actually...’
Ben paused and she looked up at him. Was he going to ask her to stay? No. That was ridiculous.
‘There’s somewhere I’d like to take you. Before you go. It’s not exactly on our way, but I think it’ll be worth it.’
Luce frowned. ‘How out of our way? Where is it?’
‘It’s a surprise.’ Ben’s smile was slow and teasing. ‘But I promise you you’ll like it.’
The problem with that, Luce reflected, was that what she liked and wanted wasn’t always good for her. But if this was her last ever day with Ben, how could she turn down the chance to spend a few more hours with him?
‘Finish your croissant first,’ he said, and she obeyed.
Twenty minutes later they were all packed up. Pulling on her thick coat and boots, Luce followed Ben out to the car, her eyes drawn to the way his upper body filled out his coat. He really had grown into his size over the last eight years. How was she supposed to forget how good it had felt to be held against that chest the night before when he was just there, looking gorgeous?
Of course after today he wouldn’t be.
Sighing, she got into the car, fastening her seatbelt without looking at him again. Instead, she looked back at the cottage as they drove away, and wondered if there was any chance she’d ever see it again.
‘You okay?’ Ben asked as they reached the main road out of the village.
‘Fine.’ She flashed him a quick smile, then glanced away. So much pretty countryside to look at, all white and sparkling. Why should she look at him anyway? ‘Are you really not going to tell me where we’re going?’
‘I told you. It’s a surprise.’
Luce didn’t know the area well enough to be able to guess where they were headed, and by the time they hit the bigger roads she was too absorbed in her own thoughts and the snow-capped hills and frosted trees around her to pay attention to road signs. What would this countryside have looked like in Nest’s time? Would she have ridden through these hills? How had it felt when she’d had to leave this landscape behind and move to England?
