‘To Keeper’s Cottage!’ Christie cheered back laughing, holding Emily’s hand by the patio doors. Emily couldn’t stop smiling. Exhausted, but happy, her eyes became heavy and she gave a loud yawn.
‘Come on, sleepyhead, time for bed.’ Daniel picked her up and carried her up the stairs. For once Emily didn’t argue; she was too tired and besides she was itching to get inside her princess bed.
Wandering through each room, Christie admired Daniel’s taste. He really had captured the spirit of the old cottage, whilst giving it a new lease of life. The logs piled in a great wicker basket by the wood burner, the jute rugs, polished wooden floorboard, open stone walls, even the brass planters bursting with greenery – it all fit together seamlessly. He definitely had an eye for design.
‘What do you think then?’ he asked, entering the kitchen and joining her by the breakfast bar.
‘It’s amazing. You’ve done a great job.’ She saluted him with her champagne flute.
‘Have you thought any more about my proposal?’ he asked.
‘Yes. Are you sure about investing in The Templar?’ Christie searched his face for signs of doubt. There weren’t any.
‘Absolutely sure. It’d be a sound investment.’ He took a sip of his champagne and eyed her. ‘Plus, it will be helping you out.’
‘Daniel, don’t do this out of sympathy.’
‘I’m not. Like I said, it would be a good investment.’ He stared at her. If she were to sell up and leave Treweham he would be gutted. Truth be told, he was prepared to put his money into The Templar for his sake, as much as hers. ‘Do you think Stephen will take it?’
Christie sighed. ‘I hope so. But who knows?’ Despite all her good intentions of keeping positive, tears started to swell.
‘Come here.’ Daniel pulled her into him and held her close. ‘Don’t worry, it’ll all work out,’ he whispered.
They enjoyed the last of the champagne whilst sitting in the garden. When dusk fell, Christie got up to leave.
‘Well, I’d better be going.’
‘Thanks for coming – it meant a lot, to us both.’
‘My pleasure.’ Her lips reached his and they shared a slow, sensuous kiss. Daniel longed to sweep her up and carry her up the stairs too, into his new king-size bed, but both knew that wasn’t appropriate tonight.
‘See you tomorrow,’ she said quietly and then made her way home.
Daniel watched her walk down the footpath and waved when she reached the end to join the main village road.
Christie had thoroughly enjoyed her evening at Keeper’s Cottage. Humming to herself she went through the back way into The Templar to be greeted by a serious-looking Dermot.
‘Christie, you have a visitor.’
‘Who?’ she asked surprised.
‘Stephen.’
