Holly looked towards Libby with her fingers crossed.
‘I’d love to!’ replied Libby, noticing the smile hitch on Guy’s face as well as Holly’s.
‘Perfect,’ he replied. ‘Are you happy now?’ he said, smiling warmly at Holly. ‘I’ll walk you to the door,’ he added, looking back at Libby who then said goodbye to Holly and Cynthia.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot then. I know Holly can be a little enthusiastic. You can change your mind about the Christmas tree…’
‘Do you want me to change my mind?’ she asked quietly.
‘Absolutely not. Holly really likes you. She never stops talking about you.’
‘I really like her too.’
Guy took her hand, his fingers entwining around hers for a moment. ‘I’m looking forward to it.’
‘It’s a date,’ she whispered. Taking a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure no one was looking, she pressed a swift kiss to his cheek before leaving him standing in the doorway. Once inside her lodge, she caught sight of her reflection in the hallway mirror. The smile on her face said it all. She couldn’t wait to spend more time with Guy and Holly.
ChapterTwelve
Three weeks until Christmas
The following week was a busy one. The material had been chosen for Miranda’s wedding dress; David—now recovered from his bruised shoulder—had picked out his attire for the wedding and Miranda had chosen her bouquet from Florrie’s suggestions.
Thankfully, the press had decided there wasn’t a story to report, after Flynn invited them in and showed them Guy’s footage. There was no freak accident, just a falling over, which happens all the time on the ice.
This morning, Libby was working from the lodge but soon she would be meeting Guy and Holly to go and pick their Christmas tree. She hummed as she checked her emails, pleased to note that the RSVPs for Miranda and David’s big day were rolling in. She had begun to co-ordinate the list of confirmed guests and as soon as the majority of replies were back, she would send the bulk over to the printers for their names to be printed on place cards. Everything was on track and the arrangements for the wedding were coming along nicely.
Hearing her phone ping, she looked at the screen to see her father’s name. He’d sent her more photographs from his cruise and she was pleased to see he looked relaxed, his smile wide and his face tanned. Libby couldn’t wait for him to arrive home in time for Christmas. She thought back to the moment she’d told him she was moving to New York. He hadn’t flinched. Instead, he’d thrown his arms around her and squeezed her tight, telling her how proud he was that she was chasing her dreams and following her heart. She stared closely at one of the photos he had sent. Wilbur’s face was a map of wrinkles, each line telling a story or representing an adventure he’d been on. He’d lived a colourful life, enjoying every second of it, and that’s what he’d always encouraged her and Flynn to do. But he wasn’t getting any younger, and the thought that maybe she would only see him a couple of times a year was beginning to weigh on Libby’s mind.
At two o’clock, Guy and Holly were ready and waiting outside the lodge. As soon as Holly saw Libby open her door, she began to pull on Guy’s arm. ‘Come on, you two!’
‘I think someone is very excited,’ Guy mused.
‘We’ll be late! Granny said the trailer leaves in fifteen minutes.’
‘We have plenty of time,’ Guy reassured her.
Together, they took the short walk to Love Heart Lane where Drew’s tractor was waiting in the lay-by just outside the entrance to Foxglove Farm. As soon as he spotted Libby and Guy, Drew jumped down from the cab.
‘Good afternoon, what are you doing here?’ asked Drew. ‘Are you coming to choose a Christmas tree?’
‘We are. I’m staying in one of the lodges at Starcross Manor until Christmas Eve and as this one thinks it should have a tree, who am I to argue?’
‘Everyone has to have a tree, Dad, you’re so bah humbug.’
‘This is Holly,’ introduced Guy. ‘My bossy little human.’
‘Pleased to meet you,’ said Drew with a warm smile. ‘Let me help you up on the trailer. The first stop is the other side of the bridge where a few more from the town usually jump on board.’
There were numerous hay bales grouped in a horseshoe shape and a pile of tartan rugs scattered on them.
‘Wrap yourself in a blanket, it’s about a ten-minute ride to the Christmas tree fields,’ Drew said cheerily. ‘And be warned: it may be a little bumpy as we go over the track towards the bridge so hold on tight.’
Drew had been right. Holly sat in between Guy and Libby and as the trailer bounced over the uneven track she started giggling uncontrollably. Guy had slid his arm around her shoulders and exchanged a look with Libby that melted her heart. Just as Drew had anticipated, more people clambered on board on the other side of the bridge, but in no time at all he’d pulled the tractor into a designated parking spot, switched off the engine then jumped onto the trailer.
‘Welcome to the Christmas tree plantation. A place where there is a magical Christmas tree for everyone who loves Christmas.’ Drew smiled in Holly’s direction before he continued. ‘Put your hand up if you love Christmas,’ he insisted.
Libby and Holly’s hands immediately shot up in the air, making them both laugh. They looked at Guy and together they each firmly grabbed one of his arms and thrust it up into the air.
