‘Because … because I don’t think anything will. Not like that.’
‘Is that what you genuinely believe? Or are you just saying all this because you’re scared? I’m scared too, Kate. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. A long time since I had a serious relationship. But we don’t need to put any pressure on ourselves.’
Kate shook her head. ‘I … I just don’t think this is what I want. I … I wanted a rescue dog, not a man.’
‘Ah, yes. A dog is so much better than a man. I do agree with that to a certain extent. But is there any reason why you can’t have both?’
‘I told you my reasons. There’s just too much going on in my life right now.’
He studied her face intently and then he let out a long sigh, dragged a hand through his hair, and slowly shook his head.
‘I could continue to argue this point, but I can see your mind is made up. I’m sorry you feel like this, Kate, and if you change your mind, you know how to contact me, and where I’ll be. I’ll be happy to hear from you. I’ll get dressed and take you home.’ He tossed back the covers revealing his nakedness in all its glory.
‘No!’ Kate shrieked, turning away from him. ‘Please don’t. I’ll call a cab.’
‘You may not be able to get one.’
‘I’ll worry about that if it comes to it. I really am sorry, Raff. Good luck with everything.’
Seventeen
Fortunately for Kate, she was able to get a cab, and she had booked one for as soon as possible. The storm had blown itself out during the night, not that she had noticed. She was too engrossed with Raff to notice anything other than the hours of intense pleasure she was experiencing.
Raff had left the room while she got dressed and their good bye had been quick when the cab had arrived. Yet, at the same time, it had been exceedingly painful for Kate and she had almost run to him to beg him to ignore everything she had said and to take her in his arms again and never let her go.
But she knew she couldn’t do that.
She had never been so relieved to arrive at Granny Viv’s but she wasn’t ready to face the inevitable grilling she would get from her gran, so she rushed inside, shouted, ‘Hello!’ and fled upstairs and into the shower.
She had hoped that she could wash away all the memories of her time with Raff, but not even Niagara Falls had enough water to do that.
‘Good morning, darling!’ Granny Viv had beamed at her when she had entered the sitting room, as had Millicent. Kate had forgotten that Millie had spent the night.
‘Good morning, Gran. Good morning, Millie.’
‘Oh dear,’ Granny Viv continued. ‘For someone who has spent the night with an exceedingly handsome and lovely man, you are looking decidedly pale, depressed, and, I have to say, utterly miserable. What on earth has happened, sweetheart?’
‘Nothing. Everything’s fine. I’m just tired, that’s all. And more than a little hungover. I had far too much to drink last night. I didn’t get much sleep because … the storm kept me awake so I feel a bit like death warmed over this morning. I hope you two are okay. And Rufus? Where is Rufus?’ Her gaze darted around the room.
‘Don’t panic. He’s in the kitchen eating his breakfast.’
‘Oh, thank heavens for that. I’ll take him for a walk once his food has settled.’
‘So … other than the storm and too much alcohol, did anything else keep you awake last night?’ Granny Viv persisted.
‘No. Nothing. And before you ask, yes. I did have a good time. And no. I won’t be seeing him again.’
‘Oh? Why not? Does he have us all fooled? Isn’t he as nice as we all think he is? Surely that can’t be right?’
‘He’s nice. He’s very nice. But as I explained, I’m not looking for a man in my life. I know you want me to have one, Gran, but this is my life, not yours, and I really wish you would respect that fact and stop trying to set me up with men who … who will only bring chaos and hurt and pain. Please stop.’
‘Golly gosh. Well, darling, if you feel that strongly about it then of course I’ll stop. Far be it for me to think I know better than you what would make you truly happy. Even if it’s as plain as the nose on my face. No, no. I hear you. I won’t mention Raff Gale again. I mean, obviously I can’t ignore him. He’ll bemoving down here soon and it would be rude not to invite him here occasionally. I’ll treat him and his parents the same way I treat everyone else in this village. But as for trying to get the two of you to see that Fate clearly intends you to be together, no. I won’t do that at all. If he’sThe Onefor you, which I believe he is, Destiny will do what Destiny does best. Without any help from me.’
‘Okay, Gran. That’s enough, thank you.’
‘You must know, Kate,’ said Millie, ‘that Viv didn’t have a hand in the two of you meeting yesterday. Or arranging your dinner date last night. And she certainly couldn’t have predicted that storm.’
‘I realise that. And it wasn’t a date. But please can we drop the subject? As I said, I have a hangover. In fact, as the weather is so calm now, I might go for a quick wander in Prince’s Wood and see what damage the storm did. Then I’ll come back and take Rufus out for his walk.’
