Page 63 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘Wow! This smells amazing!’

‘I hope you enjoy it; your opinion means a lot to me. I know you have high standards. Don’t forget, you’re the woman who makes the best beef burgers in the business.’

Hannah let out a laugh. ‘There’s no comparison, Lachie, between my burgers and this piece of culinary artwork. We both know I’m not in the same league.’

They sat themselves at a table, Lachie watching intently as Hannah took her first mouthful. As soon as she slid the fork into her mouth, her tastebuds came alive as they worked their way through the sophisticated levels of flavour the mouthful created. Glyn may have been good, but Lachie’s food was out of this world.

‘That’s fantastic, Lachie. I love pasta and I’ve honestly never tasted anything as delicious in my life. That sauce is sublime. It makes me want more!’

‘Then have more!’ He chuckled as he took her plate, ready to replenish it. ‘I remembered you telling me how much you enjoyed pasta two springs ago. Thought you’d like some tonight.’

His words stopped her thoughts in their tracks. He’d remember a throwaway comment like that? ‘You did?’

‘I did.’ He came back from the kitchen and placed the bowl before her. Sitting down, he said, ‘I’ve already told you how I felt, Hannah.’ His shoulders lifted in a sigh. ‘How I still feel.’

The atmosphere in the room suddenly switched from light-hearted and fun to being alive with electricity. Lachie reached across the table with his hand, placing it over Hannah’s, the bolt of energy that shot through her making her start.

Her eyes found his and her heart melted in an instant.

‘I know the timing isn’t right at the minute, but I want you to know my feelings for you are strong and true. And, if I’m not mistaken, I think you quite liked me two springs ago.’

Hannah nodded. ‘You’re not mistaken. I… I more than liked you.’ She figured if he was being honest, she should be too. ‘I still do.’

Her words triggered a smile that reached all the way to his dancing green eyes. He threw his head back and cried, ‘Woohoo! You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.’

Hannah clapped her hand over her mouth, laughing.

‘However, I think, as we’ve already waited this long to establish we both quite like each other, it’s not going to hurt if we take things slowly. Special things aren’t only worth the wait, they’re worth savouring, too.’

‘I agree.’ Hannah beamed over at him, relieved that he wasn’t going to push her into anything. There were still some of her walls that hadn’t tumbled all the way down just yet as far as matters of the heart were concerned.

FORTY

FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER

Hannah had woken with a knot of nerves in her stomach: opening night of The Pier at Micklewick Bay had finally arrived. The next thought that had filtered into her mind was Lachie. Her heart had given a happy lilt. They’d spent a wonderful evening together, eventually going their separate ways just after nine. Hannah had hoped they might share a kiss, but Lachie had been true to his word about taking things slowly and had pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her cheek. All the same, his touch had been enough to send her home happy that night.

First night nerves were tangible in the air, those in Hannah’s stomach creating havoc. ‘It’ll be fine, I promise. Try to relax and enjoy the moment, you deserve it,’ Lachie had said kindly.

‘Thanks, I think I’ll feel better once the doors are open and diners are being fed.’ She gave a nervous laugh. Hannah, in her role as maître d’, was dressed in a crisp white shirt, slim-fitting navy trousers and ballet pumps. It hadn’t escaped her attention that Lachie looked off-the-radar hot in his chef’s whites. It had been the first time she’d seen him in something other than his kilt.

It’ll be brilliant, boss. I can feel it in my bones,’ called Correy.

Before she knew it, it was time to open the doors and welcome in the restaurant’s very first customers: her Friday night friends, armed with an array of presents and cards. ‘Congratulations, flower.’ Florrie kissed her on the cheek, the others following suit as they filed in.

‘Thanks so much for coming, everyone. It means the world.’

‘Hey, we’ve got to support our buddy,’ said Stella. Though the birth of her and Alex’s baby was imminent, her bump was surprisingly neat – Stella had announced her unexpected pregnancy earlier in the year which had thrilled the friends.

‘It smells amazing,’ said Bear. ‘I’m starving!’

‘You’re always starving, Bear,’ said Maggie.

‘Come on, let me take you to your table.’ Hannah grabbed a handful of menus and led them across the floor to the largest of the booths. Birdie was sitting at a nearby table with Jean Davenport and Jean’s gentleman friend Amery Wallace, along with her son Jack and his fiancée Jenna. The group were chatting away merrily.

A buzz of electricity filled the air as the kitchen flew into action. Every table was booked, with those who hadn’t made a reservation being turned away disappointed. The flavours that filled the building swirled around the laughter and chatter, mingling with the gentle playlist creating nothing short of a celebratory atmosphere. Plates were cleared, puddings devoured, glasses clinked and all the while, outside, snow was slowly tumbling to the ground.

‘Oh my God, we did it!’ Hannah turned the sign to closed and slid the bolt across, leaning against the door, exhausted, blowing her hair off her face. Her feet were on fire from all the toing and froing. ‘Thank you, everyone. You’ve all been absolutely amazing. I think we’ve all earnt a drink on the house.’