If he kept kissing her like that, most definitely.
‘Are you going to come in? I’m worried we might give George another funny turn.’
‘I’m sure it would take more than that to shock him. I’ve got something for you . . . in the car.’ His face lit up like a small boy with a big secret.
She followed him to the car, almost laughing at the definite spring in his step as he confidently led her down the path.
The back window of the estate car had steamed up, apart from one wet patch, where a black nose was pressed up against the glass.
Ella’s heart missed a beat as Devon opened up the boot.
A black blur leapt out and almost knocked Ella sideways, jumping up with overexcited joy, skittering about backwards and forwards, sniffing everything with unfettered delight. ‘Tess!’ She crouched down to hug the dog, almost knocked over by excited tail-lashing as Tess skipped about in crazy happy-dog circles.
‘Hello, you.’ Ella shot a teary look Devon’s way. ‘T-this is so kind. I’ve really . . . m-missed her.’ Tess dropped into a sit and nuzzled at Ella, licking her hand. ‘I thought she was in Kent. Has Mrs Bosworth come home?’
‘No. I’ve been to Kent,’ said Devon, gently pulling her up and putting both hands on her forearms, as if to make sure she was going to stay put.
‘You’ve been to Kent.’ Ella frowned, puzzled. ‘Why?’
‘I remembered the shape Tess was in when I first saw you.’ He paused as Ella raised an eyebrow, still stroking the dog’s ears with one hand as if unable to stop touching her. ‘I apologised for that.’
She laughed. ‘I know, just teasing.’
‘I went to check on her, see how she was doing, when Bets told me how much you were missing Tess.’ Ella looked down at the dog, who was gazing up at her with abject adoration. Her heart turned over at the expression in the amber eyes.
‘So you’ve . . . what? Borrowed her back for me?’
Devon cupped his hand under her chin and smiled gently down at her.
‘No, I’ve brought her home.’
Ella’s heart stopped.
‘You mean . . . ’ She stifled a sob, gazing up into his eyes, her pulse tripping at his serious gaze. Devon took both of her hands, holding them in his, squeezing her fingers gently. ‘Yes. She’s all yours. When I told her how close you and Tess were, Mrs Bosworth was delighted – she’d been toying with the idea of staying in Kent with her sister and moving into sheltered accommodation together, but the place they really like and can afford doesn’t take dogs. Tess is yours, if you want her.’
‘Of course I want her,’ breathed Ella, unable to tear her eyes from his.
‘There are some conditions.’ His face gentled and Ella bit her lip at his sudden solemnity. His pause made her heart thud louder.
‘She has to live in the village.’
‘She . . . ’ Ella stopped and for a moment couldn’t say a word; she didn’t think she could squeeze anything past the outsize lump in her throat, so instead she looked up at him and smiled and smiled and smiled.
‘Would that be OK?’ Devon’s quiet question had her heart expanding, until it felt as if it might just pop.
She nodded, still unable to speak.
‘I’m sure you could get a place around here.’ He scrunched up his face. ‘It’s a shame, Dad’s just let the other barn.’
‘Has he?’ asked Ella, with a sudden twinkle, thinking of the tenancy agreement on the kitchen table. ‘I wonder who to?’
Devon raised an eyebrow. ‘Ah, so that was why he was being so cagey.’
He lifted a hand and stroked Ella’s face. ‘I had a long chat with him. Realised I’ve been an idiot all round. I’m planning on staying here, too,’ his mouth curved, ‘if the village is big enough for the both of us.’
She gave a quick nod as he carried on. ‘With the money that Marinaowesme, I’m going to invest in the equipment andtraining I need, and expand the practice in partnership with Dad, who will work part-time. When Jack graduates he can join the partnership.’
‘I did tell you you were an idiot.’ She stepped closer to him, feeling the roughness of his favourite wool sweater graze her arms.
