Page 39 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

On Sunday evening, Jack didn’t want to say goodbye to Ava.

Apart from for a change of clothes, she hadn’t returned to the hotel since yesterday.

It wasn’t enough to have been with her for so long.

Still, there were another couple of weeks to enjoy before she went back to London.

And even then, he wasn’t planning on leaving it there.

‘Can I see you tomorrow evening?’ he asked at the hotel entrance. ‘After work, do you have any plans?’

‘I’d like to think I was going to be wooed by a tall, dark, and handsome man.’

‘Ah, pity. I’d liked to have taken you out for dinner again. Maybe next time you’re free.’

Ava clouted him on the arm playfully. ‘I’d love to try out the tiramisu, as well as anything else that’s on offer on the menu.’

He’d taken her in his arms then and hadn’t wanted to let her go. Reluctantly, he was walking home from the hotel now. Graham was off his lead ahead of him, nose down as he sniffed out anything new in the neighbourhood.

Quiet had dropped onto Sapphire Lake, the silence that made him feel lucky to live there.

However, contentment was coming in a different form at the moment.

His head was full of Ava. How his heart had skipped when he’d set eyes on her running across to see him.

How it was unexpected, yet anything but because he’d been daydreaming about it happening since she’d left for London and returned last weekend.

She was stealing his heart.

No, she already had it, and it felt wonderful. All he could think about was the next time they’d be together. He’d have to make an excuse to visit the hotel tomorrow, as he wasn’t down to work with her. He couldn’t go all day without seeing her.

His bed would be empty without her. He sighed dramatically. Then he chuckled to himself when he reached his front gate. Broadhurst, you really do have it bad .

‘Ava!’ Eliza cried, coming through reception. ‘I haven’t seen much of you this weekend. Then her eyes widened. ‘You’re blushing! Have you stayed with Jack?’

Ava nodded, a huge grin on her face. ‘I came here after the lakeside event, but I stayed overnight and most of today…’

‘How lovely.’ Eliza raised her eyebrows up and down in a comical manner. ‘This is one of the times that I don’t want to know all the details! But I am pleased for you both. You seemed as lost as he was when you first arrived.’

‘It’s going to be complicated, I’m sure.’

‘Why?’

‘Distance for one.’

‘It’s a couple of hours between you.’

Ava leaned forward to whisper, ‘I don’t think I want to leave him during the week.’

‘Oh, I see.’ Eliza smirked.

‘It’s been so good to see him again, and you, and everyone else. I feel like I’ve gained a new life in a matter of days. It’s already pinpointing what’s wrong in my old one. It isn’t nice to think about that.’

‘I disagree. It’s good to be moving forward with things. I know I’m stuck in a rut working here, and I would like to spread my wings, but I love it here, too.’

Ava wondered how Eliza would react when she found out about the cottage Jack had bought for her. It must be really hard to live and work at the same place. Jack’s secret safe with her, Ava said her goodbyes and trundled off to bed.

Feeling like she’d neglected her daughter, she sent a message to Georgia to see if she was free to chat. It was late and she might be asleep, or alternatively, she might still be out.

There were a few emails she wanted to run through before the morning. She sighed when she spotted three more from Brendon. She skimmed through them, rolling her eyes and coming out with a few expletives. The man wasn’t capable of doing anything without either her or Nancy helping out.

She tapped off a reply to one and left the others until the morning. She had better things to think about than him.

Like Jack Broadhurst.

Just then, Georgia rang.

‘Hi, Mum, how is it out in the sticks?’

‘It’s going really well,’ Ava replied. ‘I bet you haven’t missed me coming home?’

‘I have! Well, just a little bit. It’s great to have the place to myself, but it seems weird without you. I’m sure I could get used to it, though.’

Ava laughed. ‘How did your date go?’

Last weekend, Georgia had mentioned she was seeing someone new.

‘Well, there has been more than one this week.’

‘I can’t wait to hear more when I see you. Is he introducing-to-Mum material yet?’

‘He might be, but definitely not yet! It’s too soon. Although he is rather cute.’

‘Puppies are cute, George. Do you have any photos you can send to me?’

‘Yes, a couple. But never mind that, what about you and Jack?’

Ava sighed.

‘Mum, did you just sigh?’ Georgia giggled.

‘I did. Jack’s lovely. Really lovely. I’m enjoying myself immensely.’

‘Which is why you don’t want to come home?’

‘Something like that.’

Later, tucked up in her bed and sleep evading her, Ava thought back to the conversation with Jack about her going freelance. Could she do it? It would be nice to leave Bateman PR and set up on her own, choose her own work and make a name for herself instead of Brendon taking all the credit.

She should definitely think about it. Because going back to an office environment after working at the hotel with its beautiful surroundings, and people she was getting used to seeing daily, sounded far less attractive.