“The old Granary?” asked Jim Connelly.
“That’s right. And before you ask, I fully intend to restore it to its original glory. It’ll complete the French quarter.”
“And bring more attention to the museum,” the museum director added.
“And I don’t intend to donate any money.”
Silence fell. “David,” said Jim. “Why don’t you tell us exactly what you do propose?”
“I happen to own one of the buildings in Christchurch, which has been re-designated as a house of special interest. I have full tenancy promised on that and I propose that a percentage of income received from the tenants be made over to the museum on a permanent basis.”
“How permanent is permanent?”
David looked directly at Jim. It was obvious no one, except Jim and the museum director, believed him. And why should they? “Very permanent. I’ve had the papers drawn up already.”
The museum director picked them off the table before him and raised them in the air. “Here they are—in black and white. An ongoing income which will both preserve the quarter, the museum, and allow us to enlarge our collection. It makes it a going concern, not just a concern,” he said with a wry smile.
The mood turned and David soon found himself at the center of an excited group, explaining how his proposal would work. He left the museum director outlining what this would mean for the community in practical terms and went in search of Amber. She was talking to Maddy—an archaeologist with a passion for the place—who was even more excited than the others.
David had avoided Amber all evening. Now when he looked, she was too far away. If he went to her, it would be obvious. He turned to look at one of the exhibits, pretending to read it, when all his thoughts were on one person—the one person no one wanted him near. Only when the room was silent did he look around. But he wasn’t alone.
“That’s good of you, David,” said Amber, who stood, red hair aglow in the evening light, her rainbow dress made of some silky stuff that shimmered around her. “To pledge money for the museum’s upkeep.”
He opened his mouth to speak but his vision was full of her and his self-discipline was fully employed in stopping him from reaching out to her and pressing his lips against hers. He shrugged instead. “It’s the least I could do.”
She cocked her head to one side. “The least?”
“I made a mistake, Amber. And I intend to put it right. And what better way than to give to the very thing I wanted to rob the country of—its history?”
“But you did it to save lives. Zoe told me all about what happened.”
“Right. Despite the fact I asked her not to.”
Amber grinned. “It seems all the women in your life are unruly, not doing what you want them to do.”
He shrugged and smiled back. “Perhaps it’s for the best.”
“Yes, I think you’ll have to accept,” she said, stepping closer to him, “that sometimes women know better than you.”
He looked down at her, her sweet lips curved and infinitely kissable. He tightened his hands into fists in his trouser pockets, determined not to ruin the moment.
“I meant what I said back there, Amber. I’m here to stay. I know there’s nothing I can say which will enable you to trust me again, and I don’t expect it. But I candosomething. I can live my life in a different way, with different values. And that’s down to you.”
“David, I…” He held up his hand to prevent her from taking a step closer. He didn’t think he’d be able to stop himself.
“No, please. You don’t have to say anything.” He moved away.
“But I—”
He couldn’t bear to hear her tell him that, despite everything, she still didn’t trust him. He didn’t know what he’d do if she said that. He walked quickly out the door without looking back, without saying goodbye, without listening to another word. He didn’t notice the museum director who tried to talk to him, or Jim who was waiting for Amber, or anyone else who tried to speak to him. He just kept on walking. Because that was all he could do. Keep on walking, keep on showing Amber with everything that he did that he’d changed, that he could be trusted… especially with her heart.
Amber adjustedone of her paintings and turned at the jingle of the café door bell, a smile ready to greet her customer.Hercustomer. The smile froze as she saw who’d entered.
They’d been open a whole week already, but David hadn’t come in, despite invitations from Gabe. And Amber had had to work hard at Gabe to make him pass on an invitation to David. Gabe reckoned he didn’t want to be some kind of Eros go-between, but her wish had prevailed. It was never hard to make Gabe do what she wanted.
And here he was. He didn’t look over at her, although he must have seen her upon entering the café. Instead, he greeted Gabe and Maddy at their usual table, and walked on to the table where he’d always used to sit.
“I’ll get this,” she said to the new waitress. Amber whispered a few quick instructions to the waitress, picked up the pen and paper and walked over to the table where David was looking at the menu intently. She cleared her throat. “Good morning.”
