‘Me neither!’ Libby whispered. ‘This is going to be the best Christmas ever!’
ChapterTwenty
Walking back through the snow to the lodge, Libby wondered how Guy’s afternoon had gone. She’d checked her phone several times throughout the day but there had been no word from him. If he didn’t get in touch within the next hour, she was going to drop him a text. Arriving at her front door she found an envelope addressed to her. She tore it open to discover a note from Guy.
Meet me at the deer observation tower 7pm.
Allowing herself a discreet smile in case she was being watched, Libby let herself into her lodge. She glimpsed herself in the mirror. The crisp air had reddened her nose and enhanced the pink glow of her cheeks. She didn’t know what Guy had planned but it wouldn’t be long until she found out.
* * *
After a lovely soak in the bath, she frantically rummaged through her clothes, trying to find something to wear for the evening. She wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived at the deer observatory but knew that the dress code would be warm.
So, wearing her thermals and with an hour to go until she met Guy, she settled down on the settee with a cup of tea and willed her phone to ring. Right on cue, she saw her dad was FaceTiming her. Quickly picking up the phone she was greeted by his familiar cheery smile.
‘Dad! It’s great to see you!’
Wilbur was wearing his favourite straw hat and held up a cocktail. ‘Cheers!’
‘You’re having the time of your life, aren’t you?’
‘Absolutely I am. You have to do what makes you happy and a cruise on the ocean waves with a cocktail in my hand is right where I want to be. Now, how are you? What is it you want to talk to me about?’
‘Dad, I don’t know where I want to be. I’m in a mess. I need your advice.’
Wilbur put up his hand out to flag down a passing waiter. ‘Something tells me I might need another.’ He smiled warmly at his daughter. ‘Tell me all about it.’
* * *
An hour later, with a fizz of excitement, she grabbed a torch, locked the door and followed the snowy path towards the observation tower. Wilbur had given Libby the lift she’d needed and a scenario for her future, which she was keeping close to her chest for the time being. She couldn’t wait to hear everything about Guy’s afternoon. She was hoping his day hadn’t been too traumatic and that they could relax together this evening.
Walking fast she discovered lanterns lighting the way through the woods. With a huge smile on her face, she approached the observation tower. She couldn’t wait to see what Guy had planned. Fairy lights were wrapped around the wooden rail leading her up the gritted steps to the door. Opening it, she discovered two chairs either side of a table in the middle of the room, the red linen tablecloth topped with two wine glasses. Dozens of tealights were dotted over the floor. Guy was sitting on a chair in the corner. Her heart was beating nineteen to the dozen. He looked drop-dead gorgeous.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘What’s all this?’
‘Dinner,’ he replied, standing up and kissing her on her cheek. ‘Well, more of a picnic and a glass of wine.’
The air was charged between them.
‘It looks lovely. Are we celebrating?’ she asked, noticing a bottle of champagne.
‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘It’s been a very eventful day.’
‘I’m not sure who is going to win in the most eventful day stakes.’
‘I can’t wait to hear all about it, but come and look at this first.’ Guy took her hand and led her to the window. Feeling his presence so close, and the way he looked at her, gave Libby a jittery feeling in the pit of her stomach, and goosebumps all over.
‘It’s a very different view from daytime.’
Libby gave a tiny gasp as she looked out. The observation tower delivered a spectacular unobstructed view of the village of Heartcross with the castle standing tall above it.
‘It’s the best night-time view of the town from up here.’
Houses in the distance had lights shining from their windows, cars snaked along the roads, and the lights of Starcross Manor twinkled brightly.
‘Drink?’ he asked, draping a warm blanket around her shoulders.
‘Yes please, that would be lovely.’
