AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I curse, desperate to reinstate the walls around my heart, the armour that has protected me for years.
But what if Gran was right? What if we’re meant to be? What if Summer could change? Be happy here?
My head is shaking before I even finish the thought. I wasn’t worth sticking around for before—why would now be any different? My only hope is to keep my distance, and I know how laughable that sounds when we live under the same roof.
Aye, good luck with that, I can almost hear Gran say—before a very real commotion from the entrance hall has me heading that way.
I’m already through the door before I question who or what I might find, and whether I really want to face it. But I am questioning it seconds later, when I’m rooted to the spot by the sight of a delighted Summer, all laughter and light, as she hunches over Rufus, Gran’s four-legged adoptee and the cause of all the noise.
‘Rufus! Rufus!’
Danny, our gamekeeper, bursts in, a rifle under one arm, a dog’s lead in the other.
‘Get back here!’
The young lad skids to a halt as he spies me, his freckled face even redder than usual, his auburn hair wild beneath his flat cap.
‘I’m so sorry, Mr Fitzroy, sir. I was just about to get his lead on when he got wind of your guest and that was it—he was off!’
Summer snaps her head around to see me and straightens just as quickly. ‘Edward!’
I tug my gaze from her to Danny. ‘It’s quite all right, Danny.’
‘I imagine he’s happy to see you too, sir. He couldn’t wait to get back in here. I think he’s missed the place; my house is all well and good, but this—this is his home.’
‘He lives here?’ Summer asks, and I know what she’s thinking.
In the shock of it all, I haven’t even considered Rufus and where he might fit in the future of Glenrobin...the future we’re now a part of.
I force myself to hold her eye and try to ignore the way my body worships her. ‘Summer, meet Rufus. He’s—’
The dog gives an excited bark at the sound of his name and scurries towards me. His paws are high on my chest before I know what he’s about, his tongue making a determined sweep for my cheek. I press him down, forgetting what I’d been about to say as his ungodly stench reaches me.
‘When did he last have a bath, Danny!’
Through his thick eyebrows, Rufus blinks his doleful eyes at me and whines.
‘I know... I’m sorry, sir.’ Danny removes his cap and scratches the back of his head. ‘But he hates water. I’m surprised he hasn’t scarpered at the mere mention of the B-word.’
‘Oh, but he’s gorgeous!’ Summer exclaims, her excited voice calling Rufus back and he’s skidding up against her, quick as a flash. His shaggy mass of black, grey and white hair all a blur.
‘Aren’t you, darling?’
Her laugh lights me up from head to toe. Her eyes so bright as she tickles his eager head, not a care in the world for the smell that’s radiating off him.
‘And doesn’t he know it,’ mumbles Danny.
‘So, if this is Rufus...’ she looks up ‘...who might you be?’
Well done on introducing the human, Edward...
I want to roll my eyes at myself.
Danny clutches his cap to his chest, stands to attention. ‘Danny, the Glenrobin gamekeeper, at your service, ma’am.’
She turns the full wattage of her smile on him now, and I feel the most ridiculous surge of jealousy. That he’s earned it where as I clearly haven’t.
And can you blame her after your cold greeting earlier?
