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Alec took her backpack from her as well, leaving Cara with her coat. She followed him inside, as the door hadn’t been locked. He turned on a light switch, placed her suitcase and backpack at the foot of the stairs and glanced around. “I haven’t been here in some time,” he confessed. “Except for the new armchairs, it doesn’t seem as if much has changed.”
The stone cottage had dark timber beams, bookshelves flanking the stone fireplace. There was a caramel-brown leather couch and a pair of dark blue upholstered chairs in front of the fireplace. Small tables were scattered about with lamps, and from the living area, she could see a dining room and beyond that, a glimpse into a kitchen which did look new with shiny appliances.
Alec walked in a circle inspecting things. “The heater has been turned on, but you’ll probably want a fire, too. I see it’s been laid. Would you like me to start the fire for you?”
“I can do it, but thank you. I might wait until I’m back from Bakewell. I’ve some shopping I want to do.”
“You’re not afraid you’ll bump into your fiancé?”
“Well, he’s not mine anymore, is he?” she answered, smiling wryly.
“True.” He hesitated, his expression somewhat thoughtful. “I don’t believe there are ghosts here. But I could ask Trimble if you’d like.”
“Oh no, not necessary. I’d rather be surprised.”
He laughed, a deep laugh, and she looked up at him, surprised. She’d never heard him laugh before, and the sound was gruff, almost as if he was embarrassed to laugh. Yet the sound warmed her and she couldn’t help smiling at him.
Alec headed to the door. “If you need anything, you have the number at the house?”
“I do, thank you.”
His brow creased as his gaze swept the downstairs. “It is terribly cold. I wonder if the furnace is working properly.”
“I hear it,” she said, wanting to reassure him. “And if it’s still chilly later, I’ll give Mr. Trimble a call, but please don’t you worry about me. I’m grateful to you and your staff for being so accommodating. Have a wonderful Christmas, Lord Sherbourne.”
“And may yours be happy as well.” He gave a slight bow and then walked out.
Cara watched him for a moment and then shut the door.
Chapter Four
It felt oddleaving her in the cottage. It truly didn’t quite sit right with him, and Alec nearly turned around and returned, wanting to suggest he book her a nice room in town so she wouldn’t be on her own. He thought she should have people around her since Cara was clearly a people person and Christmas was coming—no one enjoyed Christmas alone.
It wasn’t that he felt responsible for her—God knew he felt responsible for almost everything and everyone else—but he liked her, and okay, maybe he did feel a little responsible for her, and he didn’t like picturing her cold and miserable, not that Cara seemed to be the type to wallow in misery. She’d probably find a way to town and someone to talk to—
He braked, should he go back? But on the other hand, why involve himself? She hadn’t asked for help. She didn’t seem unhappy. She seemed quite capable of managing her own affairs, and, outside the appearance of her ex and his new wife, Cara appeared remarkably cheerful about… everything.
*
Cara did walkinto Bakewell for an early dinner, and it wasn’t as far as she’d thought, taking her just twenty minutes in total since she was a fast walker. She ended up at a pub for dinner, the waitress seating her at a small table where she could watch everyone come and go. People were in high spirits and most were locals who seemed to know each other. To her relief, she heard no American accents, and there was no sign ofChet and Alison, which allowed her to just relax and savor the atmosphere. The waitress was friendly, too, and when asked, recommended the pub’s roast beef, which was usually just a Sunday item, but it was on the menu tonight due to something with a special event that didn’t end up happening. Cara was happy to go with a big dinner, and enjoyed the roasted potatoes probably even more than the beef itself. There were also peas, which seemed happiest escaping her fork and rolling to the other side of her plate.
Cara didn’t eat a lot of peas back home growing up, it wasn’t one of the vegetables in her mother’s rotation, and her mother was a good cook, someone who took pride in her culinary skills. Chet had loved that Cara’s mom cooked a traditional dinner nearly every night, and he frequently complimented her mom’s skill at producing a big meal night after night.
Cara knew that Chet’s mother, a successful real estate agent, worked a lot, especially on weekends, and he’d made it clear that although he admired his mom’s work ethic, and ability to provide for the family, he personally wished she’d focused more on the family. He wanted a wife that was more like Cara’s mom, someone who would be there for him, and someone who’d be content staying home and raising the children. He was hoping for five kids, but would settle for four.
Chet had always talked a lot about the future and what he wanted, and periodically, Cara would be forced to remind him that she wasn’t her mother, or his, but her own person. She liked working and hoped to continue working after marriage. She was happy being busy, meeting friends, planning trips and organizing activities on weekends. Maybe marriage wouldn’t end happiness, but it would change life as she knew it. Life as she liked it.
He never seemed worried that they weren’t on the same page. In fact, he didn’t really seem to hear anything she had to say.
Ultimately, her family—well, her mother—had been more upset about the end of her relationship with Chet than she’d been. In her mother’s mind he was the perfect son-in-law—handsome, charming, successful, and family oriented. What more could Cara want?
Cara wasn’t sure, only that she couldn’t commit to Chet, and yes, the end of the engagement was messy and unsettling, but ultimately, she was happy with how things worked out.
“He wants someone to be devoted just to him.” She’d tried to explain to her mom, who’d drawn Cara into her potting shed to discuss the broken engagement, which had created lots of family drama. “He wasn’t happy that I wanted to continue working after we married.”
“A lot of women would love to be able to stay home.”
“I’d be bored out of my mind, Mom. You know that.”
