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Calvin smiled. ‘Mate, the job’s yours. You don’t have to apply for it.’
Alex’s eyes grew wide. ‘I don’t?’
‘I was going to offer it to you anyway. It’s a no-brainer.’
‘Shit.’ He sounded relieved. ‘Er… I mean, thanks. That means a lot. I won’t let you down.’
‘I know you won’t.’ Calvin turned to Geraldine. ‘And I’ll advertise for a new chef, but can you stay on until we find a replacement?’
‘Of course,’ she said, smiling. ‘On one condition.’
He tilted his head. ‘Which is?’
‘Suki stays here with you. I can’t give her the exercise she needs these days, and I’m not getting any younger. It’s not fair of me to keep her.’
He reeled with shock. ‘I can’t take your dog, Geraldine.’
‘Of course you can. This is her home, and she’s happier here than stuck inside my cottage. Besides, in case you hadn’t noticed, she’s switched allegiance. It’s you she responds to now. She only listens to me if you’re not around.’ She placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘I’ve made up my mind, and I want you to take her. It’s not like I won’t ever see her. I’d like to continue here on a voluntary part-time basis, if the new chef’s okay with that.’
‘I’m sure they will be. I’ll make it a condition of the contract. Are you sure?’
Geraldine nodded. ‘Positive. You’d be doing me a favour.’
Calvin looked down at Suki, who gazed at him expectantly, as if she was waiting for his response. ‘In that case, I’d love to take her.’ Suki jumped up and licked him, her tail wagging so hard she nearly knocked the champagne flute out of Geraldine’s hand.
Geraldine tutted and wiped away spilt champagne. ‘You’re a good man, Calvin Johnson. I knew it the first moment I met you.’
‘That just leaves one thing.’ Larry’s interruption caused all heads to turn in his direction. ‘A certain young lady?’
‘He’s referring to Kate,’ Rowan said, as if it wasn’t obvious.
Calvin felt a twinge in his chest. ‘I’m not sure what you mean.’ But inevitably thoughts of Christmas night tumbled back into his mind. There was no way either of them could have predicted how the evening would have ended, but maybe that was just as well. If they’d had time to overanalyse the situation, they might have changed their minds. As it was, it was probably the first time since he could remember that his mind had switched off and he’d been guided by pure instinct.
What had followed was tender, passionate and so utterly gorgeous that he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it all week. It had felt like the most natural thing in the world… which was why waking up to an empty bed the following morning had been so crushing.
‘We hoped she might want to stay here, with you… with us,’ Esme said, softly. ‘She’s part of the family. We miss her.’
They all nodded.
‘I miss her, too,’ he admitted, his voice cracking. ‘But her position here was only ever temporary. It’s finished now. There’s no reason for her to stay. She’s starting a new job in London next week.’ He glanced at Alex. ‘That’s right, isn’t it?’
Alex nodded.
His heart sank, even though it was no more than he expected. ‘It’s what she wants, and I have to respect that. She’s had a hard time over recent years and she deserves a break. This new job will give her financial security and help to rebuild her life. I can’t ask her to give that up for me, it wouldn’t be fair.’
A pause followed, with numerous furtive glances being exchanged.
‘That’s all well and good, but do you love her?’ Larry asked, the only one brave enough to broach the question.
‘Love her?’ Calvin looked around at the faces staring back at him. There was no point denying it. ‘I love her more than I thought it was possible to love anyone.’
Natalie took a sharp intake of breath.
Esme and Rowan gasped, and Hanna turned away, as if fighting back tears.
It was a while before anyone spoke, during which time Calvin tried to calm the ache in his chest. So much for healing: he had a second broken heart to recover from now, and the year wasn’t even over.
Alex cleared his throat. ‘What if the job in London isn’t what she really wants?’ he said, causing everyone to turn to him. ‘From what she’s told me, she’s taking it because she thinks it’s the sensible thing to do. But I know she liked working here because it meant she was her own boss. I think if money wasn’t a concern, she’d want to work at that law clinic in Ashford.’
