Page 67 of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft

‘Good night last night?’ Fizz asked me, a big grin on her face.

I glanced up at Joel and he shook his head, chuckling.

‘The best,’ I admitted.

We were led to a rectangular table and Imogen plonked herself down opposite me at one end, with Joel beside me opposite Darcie.

‘Who was that man with you last night?’ Imogen asked after we’d given our food and drink orders. ‘How do you know him?’

It made me laugh when children blurted out direct questions like that.

‘That was Phil and he used to be my husband but we split up several years ago and now we’re just good friends.’

She frowned. ‘Mummy and Daddy split up but they’re not friends.’

‘That’s probably more common than staying friends with your ex.’

‘Oh. Okay. So would you like to be my daddy’s girlfriend?’

I burst out laughing. No filter whatsoever!

‘Imogen!’ Joel cried. ‘You can’t just come out with something like that.’

‘Why not? You like Poppy. You were dancing with her last night, and you told me you think she’s beautiful.’

My cheeks flushed and my stomach tingled as I caught Joel’s eye.

‘Well, she is,’ he said, his voice tender, ‘but I think it’s time we changed the subject, young lady. We’re embarrassing Poppy.’

‘It’s fine,’ I said, not wanting her to think she’d done something wrong. ‘Imogen, I hear you’re learning to ride…’

All too soon, breakfast was over and I knew I was going to have to say goodbye. I wished I could stay here forever, encased in this bubble of happiness with these wonderful people. We were about to leave when Joel’s parents appeared and paused by our table to say hello. Joel introduced me which prompted Imogen to make another matchmaking attempt.

‘Daddy really likes Poppy and so do I. I think they should go out.’

Ten out of ten for persistence and it gave me a warm glow to think that I already had Imogen’s seal of approval which would make things so much easier if Joel wanted to see me again after I went home. I already knew I wanted to see him. Distance was going to be an issue, but it wasn’t like we lived at other ends of the country to each other.

‘I think that’s your daddy and Poppy’s decision,’ Joel’s mum said, smiling at us both. ‘Nice to meet you, Poppy.’

Imogen asked if she could stay with her grandparents while Joel packed up the room so I said goodbye to her and was rewarded with an unexpected hug. I swear she took a little piece of my heart with her when she ran off to join Joel’s parents.

I thanked Fizz and Phoebe for making me feel so welcome which triggered more hugs and hopes that I’d visit the area again. Then, as we left the restaurant, we passed Amber and Barney, so I had a chance to thank them too. Amber made me promise to stay in touch and said I was welcome to visit anytime. By the time I’d hugged them both, I was on the verge of tears. They’d all been so friendly and welcoming and I hated having to say goodbye.

Joel said he’d walk me back to my room so we stopped off at reception to pick up his clothes which thankfully bore no evidence of last night’s disaster.

‘Sorry about Imogen’s interrogation,’ he said we approached my bedroom. ‘If I’d known she was going to do that, I’d have plonked her down at the other end of the table.’

‘It was fine. It made me laugh and it was nice to be wanted.’

We paused by the door and Joel took my hand in his. ‘I’m conscious we were interrupted last night and we haven’t been able to talk about what happens next. And I’m conscious thatnextis complicated because you don’t live here, you’ve got a business to run, bees to attend to and the heartbreaking situation with your dad, but I can’t help thinking there’s something special between us. I hope we can spend some time this evening exploring whether there’s any way to uncomplicate things. If that’s something you’d like to do, and I haven’t been friend zoned.’

‘Believe me, you’re nowhere near being friend zoned. I don’t do what we were doing last night with any of my friends.’

‘Pleased to hear it,’ he said, laughing.

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand. ‘Itiscomplicated and it’s not going to be easy but I’m feeling like it isn’t impossible, so let’s talk later and see what we can come up with.’

He released my hand and slipped his arm round my waist, pulling me into a tender, heart-melting kiss.

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