I thought I loved him before, but with each passing week it multiplied as he continued to surprise me with his kindness, and his determination in business, both on the farm and in his personal life. He was the strongest man I’d ever met, the most generous and the most insightful. He had a wonderful way of looking at the world. Any time I had a problem over the previous few months, regardless of what it might have been, he was the first person I turned to. His advice, friendship and support had become as valuable to me as his oceanic eyes and the strong comfort of his arms.
As we made the usual drive from the airport he was like an excited child, basking in the thrill of the welcome home ‘present’.
We parked outside the front door. As usual, it was lashing rain and absolutely freezing. There was no sign of the neighbours, no lights on around us at all.
‘I’m seriously reconsidering my decision to move to this climate,’ I warned him as he pushed open the front door and gently shoved us both into the warmth.
‘Welcome home,’ he said. The shrieking sound of a wailing cat emerged from behind the kitchen door.
My mouth formed a perfect open circle. ‘What was that?’
‘Go in and see,’ he said, his bright eyes glinting.
I pushed open the heavy cream wooden door, apprehensive as about what I would find. An adorable, tan coloured boxer puppy pounced on me. He licked my face with a long, scratchy tongue. I scooped him up into my arms and he took a mouthful of my loose hair and tugged at it with his tiny teeth. Six months ago, I never believed in love at first sight. Now it had happened to me twice in one year. His chocolate eyes gazed into mine, and he wagged his little tail with excitement.
‘Oh my God! He is just gorgeous,’ I squealed.
‘I’m glad you like him. He’s yours. Ours. But mostly yours.’ John leaned back on the island and took pleasure watchingme fuss over our first baby, rubbing his head as he nuzzled affectionately into my neck.
‘Was this where you were last night?’ I asked, relieved that it made sense.
He shifted awkwardly from left foot to right and bit his nail. ‘Not exactly… I picked him up this afternoon.’ He ran a hand over the back of his head and opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. I chose to ignore it. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Having a puppy together reinforced what I already knew, we were about to start our new life together – a proper couple with no more commuting.
‘What’s his name?’ I asked.
‘Whatever you want to name him. He’s yours. Another friend for you this side of the water.’
‘You’re good.’ I had to give it to him. He’d thought this one through. He should’ve written a book. He had so many tricks up his sleeve when it came to wooing women.
He shrugged and laughed.
‘He looks like a Harley to me,’ I said.
‘Harley? That is a shite name. What about Dillon? Or Max or Rueben?’ he suggested.
‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘You said I can name him what I like, he’s called Harley.’ I was adamant.
‘Oh look, Harley’s left you a present!’ John pointed to the floor and put his hands over his eyes in disgust as Harley peed on the previously immaculate kitchen tiles.
‘You’re as well to be getting used to it. I won’t be around during the week for a while.’ I headed for the kitchen roll with a little smirk on my face.
‘I have Mama Bear lined up for puppy sitting during the week, don’t worry about that,’ he assured me with a wink.
We made him a bed of an old tartan throw, placing it in front of the fire. Harley sprawled out on it like he’d been here with ushis whole life. While he snored loudly in front of us, we fell into each other’s arms on the couch. I was glad our new baby was asleep; he was way too young to learn about the birds and the bees.
Chapter Thirty-Four
SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER
The girls had brought me out for the afternoon to a hotel on the outskirts of Ballina called Mount Falcon. It was a beautiful spot, with lovely gardens and a lake.
‘Can you believe it’s December already?’ Trisha was even more excited than usual. Apparently, she loved Christmas, but I was yet to find something that she didn’t love. She was like a welcome ray of winter sunshine.
‘Don’t Trisha, I can’t even think about it yet. I have a million things to do first,’ I said.
‘Ah, well, it’s different for you.’
‘We’ll get there,’ I said, taking a scone from the delicate china platter and lathering it with strawberry jam.
