Atholl shrugged.
‘Willow-weaving, of course! And Angela and Vic are sure to bring Clara for their holidays, try stopping them!’
‘Well, I’ll be glad to welcome each and every one of them. And with Kitty visiting from the university every weekend and during the holidays you’ll no’ miss her much either.’
‘Is that what she’s going to do? Good for her! And lucky Gene.’
‘He’s at the inn now, painting a room for them both. I’m no’ the only one set on home-making.’
‘I can see it all now.’ Beatrice smiled into the darkening horizon. ‘The Princess and the Pea Inn will be bustling with crafters and activities of all kinds.’
‘With the freshest seafood.’
‘And the prettiest princess room.’
‘And the bonniest landlady,’ Atholl smiled and pressed another kiss to her lips.
‘That makes me sound a hundred years old. It’s bad enough you calling me Beattie! How about, the bonniest, most amazing, co-manager?’ she said, smiling into his eyes.
‘Will that fit on the sign over the door?’
‘It’ll have to be a big sign to fit all our names on there. I’m glad Gene wants to share the task of running the inn.’
‘He agreed quick enough this afternoon, did he no’? I think we’ll be a good team.’
‘I know it. And you’ll no longer be supplying customers for every crafting business in the area except your own.’
‘I’ll soon have the willow workshop fully subscribed and the café thriving,’ he said, his eyes gleaming. ‘Not to mention the willow gift shop.’
‘Quite. Bring it on, I’m ready for all of it!’ Beatrice beamed. ‘Think of all the lists I can make!’
‘Will it be enough for you?’ He looked at her meaningfully. ‘Will you pine for your child? Can I be enough for you, if it is to be just us two forever?’ He touched his fingertips tentatively to her hand.
Beatrice let the significance of what he’d said sink in. ‘Yes. I’m at peace with it. Some people might say I’m not a mum, but I am, and I’ll love my son until the day I finally meet him. But, I’m resolved now to make the most of my fresh start and to talk to you when I’m happy, or sad, or hopeful, or whatever. I feel as though the world is opening up to me again, and that’s thanks to you. And… if one of the things that’s opening up to me is a family with you one day, then that would be a wonderful thing, but I won’t focus on that, won’t fight for it. We’re enough together, you and I.’ She leaned her head towards his, and he let her press a soft kiss to a gently closed eyelid. ‘You wanted to help me, Atholl, and I kept resisting, but in the end, it was you who knew how to start putting me back together, no matter how much I wanted to recover by myself. I won’t bottle up my feelings and redirect them into panicked striving anymore. I’m just going to be contented here with my new life. How does that sound?’
‘Braw. That sounds braw.’ He turned his head to face her. ‘But tell me one thing.’
‘Hmm?’
‘Do you really mind me calling you Beattie? I can stop if you want.’
‘No, don’t ever stop.’
Their lips met once more, and when they separated, Beatrice was smiling wickedly.
‘Actually, Atholl… I,umm, I did hit upon a new idea.’
‘God preserve us.’
‘A dating board.’
‘A whit now?’
‘Well, you know how there’s all these single men brooding around Port Willow with nobody to dance with at Harvest Home?’
‘Go on.’
‘I thought, what with all these women coming to the village for crafting holidays…’
