‘I thought you’d gone.’
‘I’m not going anywhere, Bella.’ Noah moved a little closer. ‘I bought Paddy a double Scotch and asked him to look the other way so I could come and tell the talent how great she was.’
Despite herself, Bella smiled. ‘He does like a decent whisky.’
‘He’s also very fond of you. Before he’d let me get back here, he made me promise I wasn’t going to make you cry.’
‘And are you intending on keeping that promise?’
‘I hope so.’ Noah looked down at her, and Bella’s heart, already dancing a jig, seemed to speed up even more. ‘You were incredible out there. You do know that, don’t you?’
Bella nodded. ‘I’ve had a lot of people say so over the years. I know I’m good, yeah.’ There was no room for false modesty. Her talent had never been the issue.
‘So are you going to go back to it?’
‘I don’t know. Tonight was nice. I’d forgotten how much I actually enjoy it.’
‘Look.’ Noah paused, and Bella noticed how nervous he was. ‘I’m sorry. About everything. I should have levelled with you about the cottage and my brothers. I know this has all been a massive mess. But I can’t walk away from here tonight without telling you something, Bella.’
‘Yeah?’ Still on a high from the adrenaline, Bella was finding it difficult to come back to earth and articulate proper sentences.
‘I meant what I said the last time we talked in the cottage. I’m in love with you. And not the singer, not the cat sitter, but you, Bella West. I don’t want to lose you. This wasn’t about Grandpa’s cottage, or wanting to hold onto something, it was about finding something new. Loving someone. I don’t know if you feel the same way, Bella, but if you do… let’s try again. Please?’
Noah had moved even closer to her as he spoke, and as she looked into his dark brown eyes, so sincere and full of love, she knew she had to be honest. Not just with him, but with herself.
‘Noah,’ she began softly. ‘I hear you, I do.’ She paused and swallowed hard. ‘And we have a lot more to work through.’
‘I know, but if you’ll let me?—’
‘Hush.’ She put a finger to his lips. ‘I’m talking. You don’t interrupt Isabella Indigo.’ Delivered with a glint in her eye, it did the trick.
‘I fell in love with you weeks ago,’ she said. ‘I never would have written a new song if I hadn’t. When the words started singing in my head, I knew for sure. Looking after Monty and living in Jack’s cottage were just a part of that journey. Becoming Isabella Indigo for the night reminded me that life is about taking risks and being brave. Maybe it’s the adrenaline talking, and maybe there’s a lot of work to do, but yes, I do want to try again. Honestly this time. With no irritating brothers jumping in and shouting the odds, and no less-than-honest stories about where I can and can’t live.’
Noah’s smile of relief made Bella lean forward and wrap her arms around him. ‘I’m so glad,’ he murmured. ‘I never want to lose you again, Bella.’
‘Oy, you two, no canoodling!’ Jason, having finished the encore, had materialised a few feet away. ‘I don’t know about you, Bels, but I could murder a pint.’
‘Allow me.’ Noah disentangled himself from Bella’s arms and grinned at Jason. ‘You were great out there.’
‘Thanks, mate.’ Bella saw Jason regarding Noah curiously. ‘So, are you and Bella, you know… a thing?’
Noah’s glance at her prompted Bella to answer. ‘You might say that,’ she grinned at them both. ‘After all, it’s not everyone who can get me writing new material.’
Jason laughed. ‘Well, I can’t say I’m not gutted, but fair play to you both. As long as I can do the odd musical number with Isabella Indigo, I’m happy for you.’
‘We’ll talk about that later,’ Bella replied. ‘For now, let’s have a drink, shall we?’
‘That sounds like a great idea.’ Noah slipped his arm around Bella’s waist and all three of them headed into the bar for a postmortem and to meet with some of Isabella Indigo’s most devoted fans.
64
‘I can’t believe you booked a room in the pub when you can see your own cottage from the bedroom!’ Bella undid the catch on the sash window and leaned out.
‘I didn’t want to crowd you,’ Noah said softly. ‘I know how important having that security is to you, especially after Joel came crashing in. And I didn’t want to presume that, well, that we’d end up where we are now.’
‘In a room above a pub, you mean?’
‘No. Looking out of the pub window together, hopefully about to make very good use of that comfortable bed!’ Noah’s tone was playful, and as she turned back from the window, she felt her stomach disappear when he walked towards her. Sliding into his arms, she leaned back slightly so she could see him properly.
