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'I can see why you took this place,' Catherine said once Beth had shown them round and then settled the pair of them on the sofa with a cold drink. 'It's so peaceful. Mind, I don't think I'd want to be here all by myself in the winter.'
'I'll be back in London by then.' Beth smiled as she spoke, although her heart gave a funny little lurch at the thought of leaving. Already the cottage seemed like home.
Catherine nodded. 'And what about him—your knight in shining armour?' she asked archly. 'Have you seen any more of him since he rescued you from the brink of disaster?'
'Hardly a disaster.' Beth laughed and hoped her sister didn't notice it was forced. She had mentioned her somewhat shaky start in Shropshire but glossed over Travis's part in it as much as possible, although she might have known Catherine would seize on the fact that an attractive unattached man was in the immediate vicinity. Her sister had already made it plain more than once that the best way to forget Keith was to meet someone else. In fact they'd nearly argued about it before she had left London. Eventually they'd agreed to differ.
'So, have you seen him again?' Catherine persisted, ignoring the pointed glance Michael gave her which sug¬gested she was being too nosy. 'Travis, wasn't it?'
Beth nodded. 'Once or twice in passing,' she said casually, adding, 'and where are those photos of James you mentioned? I'm dying to see them.'
The diversion worked as Beth had known it would. Catherine worshipped the ground her baby toddled on and had already confessed to phoning Michael's mother six times since they had left London—just to make sure everything was all right.
Beth oohed and ahhed over the pictures of her nephew enough to satisfy even Catherine, but while she looked at the bright-eyed little boy and made all the right noises, she was re¬flecting that it was extremely fortuitous that Travis hadn't turned up. Although it would have been satisfying to show him she was far removed from the hermit he'd suggested she was, Catherine might get the wrong idea. And once Catherine was on a mission wild horses wouldn't deflect her from her purpose.
Michael had booked a table at the hotel he and Catherine were staying at, which was half an hour's drive from the cottage. Although Beth felt slightly guilty at the miles involved in their seeing her, she told herself it was Michael's decision and one which she secretly welcomed. There was no chance of running into Travis there if he did decide to arrive late, whereas the village pub might have presented a danger.
She had already spent some time getting ready before Catherine and Michael arrived, determined to present an upbeat, together image to her sister. She knew Catherine worried about her and so she had taken special care with her appearance, choosing a sleeveless wispy chiffon dress in a deep blue shade which emphasised the blue in her eyes, dressing it up with a wide funky sequinned belt and fragile ankle-strap sandals. It had actually felt good to apply make¬up and bother with her hair for the first time in ages. Having had a break from doing it every day now made it a pleasure.
So when, at just gone seven, Michael suggested they make a move, Beth was ready to go, after quickly collecting her bag and short-sleeved cotton cardigan from the bedroom.
After telling Harvey to be 'on guard', an instruction the big dog understood to mean he wouldn't be accompanying her, Beth led the way to the front door. Catherine had cheekily enquired if she was sure she'd got her key as Beth opened the door and, smiling, Beth had been about to reply in kind. Her mouth failed to form the words.
Her eyes widening, she stared aghast at Travis, who slowly lowered the hand with which he'd been about to knock. He looked good. More than good. Sensational.
'Hello, Beth.'
It was soft but the low murmur was enough to bring Catherine nudging up behind her, her sister's voice holding a bright note as she said eagerly, 'Well, hello there. We didn't hear you, did we, Beth? I'm Catherine, Beth's sister, by the way. And, as it doesn't look as though she's going to intro¬duce anyone, this—' she waved a hand at Michael, who was out of Travis's line of vision, having had the good manners not to rush to the doorway and stare as his wife was doing '—is my husband, Michael.'
Recovering herself, Beth took a deep breath. 'I'm sorry,' she said evenly, 'you startled me, that's all. Beth, Michael, this is Travis Black. I think I mentioned that he helped out the first night I was here.'
'When you locked yourself out and he took you home for bed and breakfast?' Catherine said outrageously. 'Course I remember.'
'Don't forget a very good dinner was included too.' Travis smiled at Catherine over Beth's shoulder and she was forced to stand back so Catherine could take the hand Travis was holding out. 'Nice to meet you, Catherine.'
