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‘Brooke,’ Nolan said, interrupting her thoughts, ‘Would you like to dance?’
Brooke looked at the dance floor where couples were now holding each other as the band played a rendition of Aerosmith’sI Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.
She glanced at Nolan’s proffered hand, at the smile on his face and the kindness in his blue eyes. It wouldn’t hurt just to dance, would it?
She accepted his hand, and they walked to the dance floor. He slid one hand around her waist and rested it gently in the small of her back, but kept hold of her other hand in his. She placed her free hand on his waist and they started to move; slowly, formally.
She gazed at his lapels for a bit, but then she raised her eyes and found him gazing at her. His eyes were so blue, his face so handsome and for the first time, she noticed the faint dimple in his chin. Not a deep indent but a hint of one, and it made something in her heart squeeze. Nolan was human, vulnerable, and yet incredibly masculine. And he smelt so good.
Without really noticing, she moved closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder, felt his arms wrap around her and hold her tight. It was wonderful to be so close to another humanbeing again, to breathe in his scent, to feel his arms around her and to feel less alone.
When the song ended, she took a steadying breath before meeting his gaze again. She’d have stayed there for hours if the song had gone on and on, just being with him, enjoying him, escaping from everything that hurt and ached and experiencing what life could offer when the going was good.
But she let go of him and stepped back and they returned to the table together, then took their seats. She sipped what was left of her wine from dinner and tried to steady herself. Feeling things other than grief and pain was confusing, but part of healing. She knew she shouldn’t feel guilty, but it was hard. Aidan had been the man she’d thought she’d spend her life with and letting go of him was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. And yet, what was the alternative? Spend her entire life wishing things had been different?
‘You OK?’ Nolan asked.
‘I think so,’ she replied. ‘Just thinking things through.’
‘Can I get you anything?’ he asked.
Brooke shook her head. ‘I’m fine,’ she said.
And she was. Just fine. As fine as she could be for now, all things considered.
Chapter 26
Clover
Clover heard the front door open and the sound of footsteps in the hallway, so she muted the TV then put down her crocheting and turned to the doorway.
‘Hey,’ Brooke said as she entered the lounge. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were bright, suggesting, Clover hoped, that she’d had a good time.
‘Hey yourself.’ Clover smiled.
Nolan entered the room then, clearly having just removed his shoes.
‘Hi Grams,’ he said.
‘Well? Did you have a nice evening?’ Clover asked.
‘It was wonderful, thank you,’ Brooke said.
‘Excellent!’ Nolan nodded.
‘How was Allegra?’ Brooke asked as she perched at the other end of the sofa.
‘Such good fun.’ Clover nodded. ‘We had a fabulous time. That girl loves a story, doesn’t she?’
‘She does. Did she read to you too?’
‘A little but she wanted me to tell her stories about people from the village so I spent over an hour telling her about the mischievous cat, William Shakespaw, and about some of thepeople who live on Sunflower Street. She seemed to enjoy the stories.’
‘I’ve told you before, Grams, you should write a book about the village,’ Nolan said. ‘She tells the best stories,’ he said to Brooke.
‘Would you like a drink?’ Brooke asked, but then she stifled a yawn and Clover shook her head.
‘You need to get to bed by the look of you. I’d love to hear all about the ball tomorrow though. Bring Brooke to The Pottery Shack and she can make something if she wants. Perhaps some models of villagers from the stories I told her this evening?’
