‘Hart,’ replied Flynn.
‘A very apt name for a guy filming a wedding,’ replied Libby.
‘He’s well known in his field,’ insisted Flynn. ‘Look him up.’
Libby had every intention of doing so.
‘I really have to get back to work,’ Julia said as she edged towards the door. ‘I’ll see you tonight around seven thirty. Does that suit you?’
‘Perfect,’ replied Libby, watching Julia disappear through the door.
‘And I’ve got a meeting in thirty minutes. Are you okay to amuse yourself?’ asked Flynn.
‘Absolutely.’ Libby already had plans to relax with a book and maybe venture into the hot tub after unpacking her clothes. ‘I’ll catch up with you later.’
Watching Flynn leave, Libby took another look around the secret garden. She walked over towards the private bar and poured herself a gin and tonic then sat in one of the comfy-looking chairs, pulling a throw around her shoulders. After taking a sip of her drink, she googled Guy Hart on her phone and was amazed to see that not only was he a film-maker, he was anaward-winningfilm-maker for wildlife programmes he’d filmed in Africa. His career was impressive: he’d also been to the Antarctic and made films about the ocean and mountainous terrains. Libby couldn’t fathom why he would be filming a wedding video, given that it seemed a step back in his career, but scrolling through his images, she saw that Julia was right: he was very easy on the eye and it wouldn’t be any hardship working alongside him for the next few weeks even if he was, in Julia’s words, ‘a little aloof’.
Looking at his social media she saw that his Instagram followers were off the scale. Each image was expertly photographed but there was one thing that Libby noticed immediately: there were no photos showing anything to do with his personal life.
* * *
After finishing her drink, Libby headed back towards the lodge. It wasn’t long before she’d unpacked her suitcase and made a plan for the rest of the afternoon, which included taking a dip in the hot tub and curling up on the sofa to read a book before Julia arrived later tonight.
Feeling like she was on a winter holiday, Libby poured herself another drink and slipped into her bikini. Shivering, she grabbed her robe and pulled a red bobble hat over her curls, her breath misting the air as she stepped outside.
‘This is the life,’ she murmured, lifting the lid on the hot tub and flicking the switch to turn it on. There was a loud gurgling sound and bubbles began to rise to the surface. Taking off her robe, she slipped into the water, letting its warmth soothe her body. Being surrounded by the rural beauty and the tranquillity of the place, Libby felt relaxed and happy. She was going to make the most of her time here, as she knew that when she arrived in New York, the city that never sleeps, her life would take on a hectic pace.
After balancing her drink on the side, she lowered her shoulders under the water and tilted her head upwards, attempting to blow away the light snowflakes that were fluttering all around. Her ears pricked up as she heard a door slam and she sat up straight, looking towards the lodges. She quickly realised that the noise hadn’t come from her own lodge but from next door, where her neighbour had evidently stepped outside to take a call.
‘Yes, I’ve arrived. Do we really need to talk about this now? Do you not think it’s bad enough I have to film a wedding and spend every waking hour watching it being planned? And here you are again, ramming it down my throat. I need a stiff drink.’
Libby gave a tiny gasp. From the conversation she knew this must be Guy, which meant he would be staying in the lodge right next door to hers. His accent was posh. She couldn’t quite place it but it reminded her of an elite public schoolboy or even royalty. Out of curiosity – and not wanting to draw attention to herself – Libby lay perfectly still, listening to whatever she could hear over the noise of the hot-tub jets.
‘We all know why I don’t want to be here,’ continued Guy.
Libby didn’t. She was intrigued; why he didn’t want to be here? Surely it wasn’t that bad a prospect, spending the next few weeks in a luxury lodge in a beautiful part of the world? The scenery was stunning and if his lodge was like hers, it was cosy and radiated winter and Christmas perfectly.
Knowing she shouldn’t be listening to someone else’s conversation she felt a twinge of guilt. Guy’s voice began to peter out as he wandered back towards his lodge and Libby took her chance to escape. The last thing she wanted was for him to notice her through the hedge. It would be embarrassing to introduce herself wearing just a bikini and a red bobble hat. Stepping out of the hot tub she switched off the bubbles and was just about to grab her robe when…
SPLASH!
Libby nearly jumped out of her skin and immediately spun round, letting out a scream and wrapping her arms round her chest, her heart racing. There was a large furry thing splashing around in the hot tub.
‘Oh my God!’ she squealed then froze.
Narrowing her eyes, she took a closer look then let out a hearty laugh. Her beating heart began to calm. In the water, looking like it was having the time of its life, was a dappled Dachshund paddling and diving under the water. It gave an excited bark while swimming around in circles.
‘Aren’t you the cutest thing! Where have you come from?’ Libby looked all around but couldn’t see anyone. She was just about to climb back into the water to rescue the puppy when she heard Guy’s voice shouting from his lodge.
‘Where the hell are you?’ he bellowed, his voice getting louder. ‘You’ll be the death of me.’
The posh accent and angry tone made Libby smile. Hearing Guy’s voice the dog barked and immediately she heard footsteps.
Guy appeared on the other side of the picket fence and Libby met the eyes of the handsome stranger. She swallowed, then her mouth fell open. She knew she was catching flies but she couldn’t help it. She was too busy getting lost inside the dark hazel eyes that were staring back at her. The photos on Google Images didn’t do him justice. He was the first man in a very long time that had stopped her dead in her tracks.
‘Breathe,’ she murmured to herself, thankfully quietly enough that he didn’t appear to hear.
He walked through the gate. ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here,’ he said apologetically, averting his eyes as he hurried forward and passed Libby her robe. ‘I can’t have anyone dying of hypothermia on my watch.’
