Rowan and Atlas had walked him home after the ghost tour, and their conversation had flowed freer than it had since they’d met. Rowan had even told Marcus he’d pop into Ruff to Regal and help out again in the afternoon after he’d finished with his work contract schedule.
He continued on, his hands deep in his pockets, as deep as his thoughts as he dissected Rowan further. Before last night, Rowan had been impenetrable, but last night, something had shifted, it was as though Rowan had shed layers.
The smell of fresh bread on the back of a warm breeze caught Marcus’s attention, and he looked across the beachfront to Tammy’s Tearoom. Tammy was outside the tearoom, sliding up the parasols on the tables. She looked up, spotted Marcus andwaved, then started to walk towards him. Marcus waved back, and made a detour to meet her halfway.
‘Good morning, Tammy. Beautiful day already, isn’t it?’
They both looked up in unison at the cornflower blue sky, with just a couple of wispy white clouds floating by.
‘Yes, morning, Marcus. It’s going to be another scorcher by the looks of it.’
Marcus dropped his face to see Tammy studying him, a small smile on her lips. ‘I spotted you on Veronica’s tour with Rowan. You found a new friend? Mrs Calloway seems to think so. You were her favourite topic of conversation yesterday when she popped in for her usual midday cake collection.’
Marcus’s brow shot up, although he should have known word about Rowan helping out in Ruff to Regal would get through Seagull Bay faster than a wildfire if Mrs Calloway had anything to do with it.
‘Is that so? And what did she have to say?’
‘Nothing damaging, don’t worry. She was in fact singing your praises. Telling everyone about how well you treated her baby.’
‘Beau?’
Tammy laughed as she nodded. ‘Yes, Beau. But in her second breath, she couldn’t wait to tell whoever was listening about how Rowan may be taking over from Georgina.’
Marcus sighed and ran a hand down his face. ‘I need to text Georgina and put her mind at ease and explain that Rowan is just helping out, in case she gets the wrong end of the stick from Mrs Calloway’s meddling.’
Tammy nodded. ‘So,isRowan just helping out until Georgina returns? Mrs Calloway seemed convinced she’d uncovered breaking news.’
Marcus laughed, though heat crept up his neck. ‘He’s just helping for now. Georgina’s still very much part of Ruff to Regal.’
Tammy’s expression softened. ‘Well, whatever’s changed, you look brighter today. Less like someone carrying the whole dog competition on his back.’
Tammy’s statement fanned the warmth he felt in his chest, stoking the feeling into a roaring fire. In the brief time he’d known him, Rowan’s presence in his life was having a truly positive effect. If he was feeling like this already, what would it feel like to have him in his life every day?
His mind, traitorous thing that it was, began sketching out ridiculous little pictures: Rowan and Atlas on the beach, Rowan in his half-finished garden, Rowan sitting at his kitchen table while Marcus pretended he knew how to cook.
Good grief. He needed help.
‘Earth to Marcus!’ Marcus’s vision cleared to see Tammy waving a hand in front of his face.
‘Sorry, Tammy. I just remembered I didn’t get the towels out of the washing machine last night,’ he fibbed.
‘I won’t keep you then, Marcus.’ She looked back over her shoulder. ‘I’d better get back anyway, before Declan notices I’ve gone AWOL.’
Marcus smiled warmly. ‘Have a great day, Tammy. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pop in to grab some lunch today. I’ve had two bookings rescheduled.’
‘You too, Marcus. I’ll save you a slice of your favourite cake, in case you do.’
Tammy turned around and headed back to the tearoom. Marcus watched her for a moment, before fishing out his mobile phone, and quickly texting Georgina, before continuing on his way.
‘THERE YOU GO, LOVE.’ Christine placed a steaming mug of coffee down next to the appointment book.
Marcus hadn’t heard Christine enter the parlour. He’d been too busy changing things around, preparing the space carefully. After spending an entire day with Rowan, and reading his notes on the behaviour of the clients he’d had in the parlour, Marcus had decided a few changes needed to happen. He lowered the lighting, making it much softer, being more mindful of the smells the dogs would be greeted with, keeping the bottle tops on shampoo bottles and treatment oils. More water bowls had been placed strategically around the parlour and the grooming tables had been pushed back.
‘Oh, Christine. I was miles away. Thank you.’
Christine looked around the parlour, nodding with appreciation as she took in the changes. When she looked back at Marcus, she had a cheeky grin on her face. ‘Well,’ she said, her eyes sparkling. ‘Is it Rowan-ready now?’ she teased him lightly.
Marcus nearly spluttered into his coffee. ‘It’sAtlas-ready.’
