‘Life is what you make it. You might not be looking forward to it but who knows, you might just have the best time. And even if you have a bad day at the office, you can always look forward to enjoying the scenery in the evening.’
‘That I can,’ he agreed, holding eye contact, his eyes sparkling and his stubble glistening from the spotlights shining up from the decking.
They exchanged smiles and stared at each other for a moment in a contemplative silence. When he finally turned and walked away, he looked back over his shoulder and Libby grinned. She watched him until he disappeared, then with a spring in her step hurried back into the warmth of the lodge. There was something mesmerising about Guy Hart, but Libby gave herself a little shake. The last time she’d found anyone intriguing, he’d upped and left when she needed him most. And she certainly wasn’t here to find a man.
Standing in front of the log fire, which emitted a welcoming warmth, she thought about the conversation she’d overheard and how Guy had openly admitted he wasn’t looking forward to the next few weeks. Libby was always up for a challenge, and now that she was fully aware of this fact, she was going to make sure that this was the best job he’d ever worked on. Whatever it took, shewouldput a smile on Guy Hart’s face.
ChapterThree
Libby was wrapped up in her favourite cosy sweatshirt and thermal fleece leggings with her feet snug inside her fluffy slippers. After all the travelling she’d felt tired and had fallen in and out of sleep on the settee for a number of hours. Now it wouldn’t be long before Julia arrived, and Libby decided to prepare some nibbles and chill a bottle of wine. Flynn knew her well and she was pleased to see that the fridge was full of all her favourites—a selection of cheeses, pickles and cold meats with fresh salad—and in the bread bin was a fresh crusty bloomer. This was just the kind of picnic tea she loved.
With everything laid out and ready for Julia, Libby glanced out of the front window of the lodge to see if she was coming. Thankfully, for the time being, the snow had stopped falling. The snow in front of the lodge was untouched except for one set of footprints and two long lines imprinted in the fresh dusting. Just a little further up the path she spotted Guy, shuffling along in the snow pulling a bright red sledge with Pickle sitting proudly on top of it. The sight of Pickle lording it up on the sledge made Libby laugh out loud. Guy stopped a little further on and lifted Pickle onto the ground. The snow was nearly touching her belly. Libby realised that Pickle must have needed the toilet but was refusing to walk in the cold snow.
‘The things you have to do,’ she murmured, still watching.
Guy turned around and began walking back to the lodge, and Libby quickly moved away from the window, not wanting him to catch her watching. Her thoughts turned to his personal life. Guy Hart was established and famous in his field yet the Internet provided information only about his career—nothing personal.
As she poured herself a glass of wine there was a knock on the door. Her heart began to beat faster as the first thing that popped into her head was that it might be Guy. She quickly checked her appearance, dabbed on a tiny amount of lip gloss and puffed up her curls before hurrying to the door.
Opening it, she came face to face with Julia.
‘Come on, it’s freezing out here!’ Julia’s hat was pulled way down low on her head and her scarf was wrapped tightly around her face with only her eyes peeping out.
‘Oh, it’s only you!’ exclaimed Libby, having forgotten their plans for a brief moment. Libby looked over Julia’s shoulder to see if Guy was anywhere to be seen.
Julia followed her gaze. ‘What do you mean, it’s only me? Who were you expecting? You look a little disappointed to see me.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ replied Libby opening the door wide. ‘Come on in. I’ve prepared us a few nibbles and the wine is chilling.’
‘Mmm.’ Julia waggled her finger round in a circle in front of Libby. ‘I know you, there’s something you aren’t telling me.’
‘I’m just excited at the thought of spending the evening with my favourite sister-in-law-to-be and of course catching up with all your gossip.’
‘And I need to catch up with yours.’ Julia handed Libby a bottle of wine, then held up the book she was carrying. ‘Here’s my wedding scrapbook,’ she said.
Libby took it from her as Julia took off her boots and slid her feet into a pair of slippers she’d brought with her. ‘Always have to be comfy.’
‘You sound like an old married woman already,’ joked Libby, taking Julia’s coat and hanging it on the hook.
‘Chance would be a fine thing. I just need to pin your brother down to set the date.’
‘With all this talk of weddings, let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later.’ Libby gestured towards a chair before poking the embers and throwing a couple more logs on the fire. ‘Take a seat. I’ll pour the wine and grab the food.’
With the wine poured and food laid out on the coffee table, Libby sat cross-legged on the rug in front of the fire. ‘This is blooming good wine,’ she said.
‘That’s the joy of having a fiancé who owns a hotel with the biggest wine cellar I’ve ever seen in my life.’
Libby laughed, then picked up the scrapbook and placed it on the rug in front of her. ‘I can’t wait to look through this.’
‘It’s been a work in progress for many years. I’ve never shown this to anyone before.’
‘I’m privileged. I can’t wait to see what you have in here. Before we start though, I know Flynn probably wants you to ask me if there’s anyone special in my life … because he’s always asking! Please let him know my strongest connection is with the Wi-Fi.’
Julia laughed. ‘You have so much to give and share with someone special.’
‘I do and I will when the time is right. For now, I’ve a job waiting for me in New York and that’s my main priority, along with spending Christmas here in Heartcross with my family.’
‘I have to say, you’re the only person I know who has escaped the Heartcross curse.’
