His family’s farm, now mainly ran by Jake, as his father – Jake’s uncle – had gone into semi-retirement, was another half a mile past the hotel. Sitting on fields that had been part of the farm’s estate, was Sunrise, another part of the Maynard family enterprise, a care home for the elderly run by Zack. It had once been situated in the building that was now the hotel, but Zack’s plans and their uncle’s canny business sense had led to Sunrise’s expansion, a state of the art care and nursing home with a separate annex that specialised in dementia care.
This town was his family, his identity, and he would be damned if he carried out hiding from it and its people just to avoid Keren Leigh.
A couple of alpacas in a field next to the road bleated at him as he walked past. He knew their names, all of Severton knew their names. Them and the rest of their pack or flock, whatever the collective noun was, had terrorised the town one evening with a seemingly planned attack on the early spring flowers in people’s gardens.
It had invoked a neighbourhood meeting, one which resulted in Jake having to replace Mrs Allott’s primroses amongst other things. The Coven had suggested he plant the flowers while shirtless, but it was deemed too cold for that to be humane.
The alpacas followed him the length of the field, still making odd noises.
“Are you trying to warn me that Keren’s there already?” he said to Cocoa, the brownest of the alpacas, knowing that if anyone saw him they’d assume he needed medicating.
The alpaca made a weird noise and galloped off.
Scott shook his head and carried on, seeing the lights from the hotel in the distance.
The cottage that Sorrell and Zack had renovated had been part of the manor estate, but it hadn’t been used for decades. They’d spent the first two and a half months of the year gutting it, remodelling it and decorating it, finally moving in together a couple of weeks previously. The rooms that were being carpeted were still stone floored, and they’d decided to have the housewarming before the carpets were laid, knowing full well what Rayah was like with red wine.
He smelled food and baked goods as he entered. Cake making was one of Sorrell’s favourite hobbies and she’d regularly stop by the bar with a tray of cakes or cookies or muffins. Scott had been jealous during the odd hike he’d managed to do with Zack recently, as his lunch would consist of heavenly scented baked goods, including speciality breads that she was now experimenting with that were calorie laden and delicious.
A soft murmur of chatter filled the air, acoustic music being played through the wireless speakers. He wasn’t late: Zack’s message had said from two pm and it was only just past two, but clearly their crowd of family and friends were wanting to nosy round.
“Hi Scott!” Sorrell’s pretty face lit up when she saw him. When sober she was reserved and almost wary, especially until she knew you. Zack had brought something alive in her, making her believe a little bit more in herself and not just what she did for others.
“Hey,” he gave her a hug. “This place is looking really good. Nothing like the old wreck it was a few months ago.”
She nodded, smiling at him and then her surroundings. “I’ll get Zack to put you on the next tour. Food will be another hour or so, but if you’re hungry, there are nibbles out on the table.”
He followed her into the large open plan kitchen, with its huge island. A long table was in one area, a comfy corner sofa in another. This was the centre of their house and for a moment he felt ready to leave his small flat in town and move somewhere more grown up.
“Oliver,” he said, seeing the accountant near Sorrell’s version of nibbles and a small country’s idea of a feast. “How’s it going?”
Oliver nodded, his mouth full of food. He pointed at the woman next to him who held a small baby. “Sister,” he said through whatever he was eating.
The woman laughed. “I’m Stephanie, Olly’s sister, but most people call me Stevie. I have better table manners than him. And this is Reese. Even she has better table manners than her uncle.” Stevie’s eyes dropped to the baby.
Scott remembered Oliver had left his date with Keren to let his sister in, although he had suggested it was an excuse to get away. He’d heard Jake mutter something about a hot sister, but hadn’t paid him much mind, because it was, well, Jake.
“I’m Scott,” he said, although she nodded knowingly. “How long are you in Severton for?” Scott asked, accepting the beer Sorrell passed him.
“Indefinitely. My relationship with Reese’s father ended so Zack took pity on me and offered us his spare rooms until I get on my feet.” The baby reached out of her arms towards Scott, big blue eyes open.
“Want me to take her?” he said. “Then you can grab some of Sorrell’s nibbles while your brother stuffs his face.”
She nodded. “She likes people. She’s like her uncle. Except with table manners.” Stevie passed her daughter to him.
Scott held her to his chest, bouncing her up and down a little, watching her look around the room pointing and gabbling.
“How old is she?” he said.
“Seven months,” Stevie told him, grabbing a plate and filling it quickly, clearly making the most of being baby free. “Crawling. Into everything. You sure you don’t mind having her?”
Scott shook his head. He liked babies and little kids. As grumpy as he could be, he could always manage a smile for a child.
“I love what I’ve seen so far.”
The voice rankled through him. Reese stared at him, her smile changing and he wondered if she’d felt him stiffen.
“Hi,” Keren entered the kitchen. “Oliver! And Stevie! How are you doing?” She gave Stevie a hug and pecked Oliver’s check.
