26
‘Come on, Emily, eat up,’ encouraged Daniel, watching Emily dawdle over her breakfast.
‘Daddy, do I have to go back today?’ His heart broke as he looked into his daughter’s sad blue eyes.
‘It’s only for a short while, Sweet Pea, then I’ll be picking you up again.’ Emily looked down. ‘Mummy will be missing you,’ he said with a forced brightness.
‘Will JonJo be there?’ He froze for a moment. Did he detect a touch of wariness in her tone?
‘I expect so, why?’ He tried to appear as casual as possible, which was excruciatingly hard.
Emily shrugged.
‘Don’t you like JonJo?’ Should he be asking her this? He’d always got the impression she did, which was a relief in one respect, but mildly annoying too.
‘Yes, but I want you, Daddy.’
Daniel’s eyes instantly filled. He gulped back the emotion. For a moment he was speechless, then on cue, Christie appeared, making Emily perk up.
‘Look what Daddy’s bought me!’ she said excitedly, pointing to her rag doll sat on the spare chair at the table.
‘Oh, she’s lovely!’ What’s her name?’ Christie bent down to Emily’s level, making Daniel smile to himself. She had a real way with children. Another huge box ticked, his inner voice told him. His attraction to Christie was increasing by the day. He was desperate to touch and kiss her again.
‘I haven’t thought of one yet,’ replied Emily, then turned to Daniel. ‘Daddy, what shall I call her?’
‘Any name you want.’ He laughed, then looked to Christie. ‘Any suggestions, Christie?’
‘Well, I used to have a doll called Polly once.’ Christie smiled at them.
‘I like that,’ Emily declared. ‘I’m calling my dolly Polly too.’ Then, noticing Dermot walk into the dining room, she grabbed the doll to show him, leaving Daniel and Christie alone.
Seizing the moment Daniel spoke first. ‘Christie, I’m taking Emily back today. Are you free to start working on the bedrooms tomorrow?’
‘Yes, I’ve got some suggestions to run past you. I’ve put together a few mood boards.’ Daniel seemed impressed, she noticed, judging by the expression on his face.
‘Great. I’ve been collecting ideas too, mainly from visiting the area.’
‘Excellent!’
‘Tobias Cavendish-Blake’s agreed to see me later this afternoon, about Keeper’s Cottage.’
‘That’s good.’ Christie’s face lit up. ‘I hope he agrees to sell it to you.’ The thought of having Daniel permanently around as her neighbour was a warm one that made her feel good inside. She took in his physique. He was wearing a black T-shirt that hugged his muscular arms and shoulders. Christie experienced a rousing that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Swallowing, she suddenly realised how blatantly obvious her assessment of his body had been. Looking into his pale blue eyes though, what she saw was a similar look from him. There was a definite connection. Kissing him proved that, the way their lips urgently sought and explored each other’s was sheer magnetism that neither could ignore. She so longed to share another breathtaking kiss like that again.
‘So do I.’
Christie blinked. Had he read her thought? ‘Sorry?’
‘I hope he agrees to sell Keeper’s Cottage too.’ Daniel laughed.
‘Oh, yes…’ They were interrupted by Emily running back to the table.
‘Come on then, Sweet Pea, let’s get a move on.’ Daniel picked her up with gusto. Emily wrapped her small arms round his neck and cuddled into him, dropping her doll as she did so.
Christie bent to pick it up. ‘Don’t forget Polly.’
Emily turned to face Christie and suddenly reached an arm out to her. Christie allowed herself to be pulled in. ‘Bye-bye, Christie,’ she whispered.
