‘After Christmas?’ he replied in surprise. ‘So, you’ll be here until then?’
‘Yep.’ She beamed. ‘You’ll have to put up with us until then.’
‘I’ll manage.’ He smiled back.
Christie was the last to arrive. Reluctant to leave a busy bar, the staff eventually persuaded her to go. Daniel immediately saw her walking up the footpath. He opened the front door and met her halfway.
‘Hello, you.’ He kissed her lingeringly.
‘Hi,’ she replied after a long, sensuous kiss.
‘Christie, come with me.’ He caught her hand and walked her to the back of the cottage. A full moon shone on the secluded garden. Music and laughter could be heard from the house inside. Daniel gently sat her down on the bench by his studio. ‘Christie, I want you to move in with me—’
‘But—’
‘No, please hear me out. I want us to be a family together, not you working flat out at The Templar.’
‘I can’t give up The Templar,’ she replied, almost incredulously.
‘No, and I don’t want you to. But let’s employ a live-in assistant manager. You still have overall say on the running of the place, but you’d be here, with me and Emily.’
Christie was speechless. A lump formed in her throat. Then, that hollow, gutted feeling overwhelmed her. Taking a deep breath she looked directly at him.
‘Daniel, I can’t…’
He raised his head sharply.
‘You know I… may not be able to have children.’
His shoulders relaxed. ‘Christie, you and Emily are all I need.’ He took both her hands in his and stared at her. ‘I love you, Christie.’
Her heart leapt. Then it all fell into place, so naturally, so clearly, like night follows day;hewas all she needed. Simple as.
Looking into those gorgeous, pale blue eyes she gave a quivering smile back. ‘And I love you, Daniel.’
