Page 97 of Surprises on the Scottish Isle

Then she guessed that her mum wouldn’t allow her to slip back into her old ways. And neither should she. She’d survived having her heart broken once; she could survive it a second time. But she vowed never to let it happen again. No more falling in love, and no more relationships. How could she give herself to another man whilst she loved someone else? Her love for Cal wasn’t going to go away. But even if it did and she found herself able to love again, she wanted a man who was prepared to go to the ends of the earth for her, who would fight tooth and nail for her, instead of letting her walk out of his life with barely a murmur.

Reluctantly, she forced herself to get out of bed, smiling sadly when she saw that her cases had been brought up. Goodness knows where she would put the rest of her stuff, but no doubt she’d find a spare corner to store it in until she felt up to making doll’s houses once more.

She staggered to the bathroom on stiff legs, and hoped she’d feel better after a shower. Unsurprisingly she didn’t, although she did look marginally more respectable with her hair freshly washed and clean clothes on her back.

Despite having consumed very little food yesterday, Tara didn’t feel hungry. Aware she should eat something, she ventured downstairs to head for the kitchen, but paused in the hall when she saw a vehicle pull up in front of the office. She noticed the make. Her heart clenched, missing a beat before thumping again as it caught up with itself.

Tara gave herself a shake. There must be thousands of black Range Rovers in the country, and quite a few with similar number plates. Cal was going to haunt her for quite some time to come, and although there might be fewer triggers here on the Isle of Wight, there would inevitably be some. She would never escape them completely, just like she would never escape her memories. Huh! Even the guy getting out of the car looked like him.

Tara caught her breath, her heart hammering. The guy didn’tlooklike Cal. ItwasCal.

She saw him stretch, glance around, and then head inside the office.

Rooted to the spot by indecision, Tara didn’t know what to do. She put a hand on the newel post for support, breathing in short gasps, and sank onto the last but one stair, her legs unable to bear her weight. Her treacherous heart leapt, joy sparking through her, but she quickly dampened it, beating it down with the pain he had caused her not once, but twice.

Closing her eyes, fearing she was about to pass out, she inhaled slowly, held the breath, then let it out. On the third repetition, her eyes snapped open as she heard the front door open, and saw her mother enter the hall.

Cal was with her.

Her mum was livid. ‘He won’t leave without speaking to you. Should I call the police?’

Tara hauled herself to her feet. Her voice unsteady, she said to Cal, ‘Say what you’ve got to say, then go.’

He glanced at her mum, looking worried. And so he should. Her mother wasn’t a woman to be trifled with. He also looked haggard, exhausted and dishevelled, and Tara assumed he must have been on the road all night.

To his credit, he didn’t ask to speak to her alone. Or maybe he sensed that her mother intended to stay put.

With another cautious glance at her mum’s resolute face, he said, ‘Tara, I’ve been an idiot. I love you with all my heart and I should never have let you go.’

Her mum snorted. ‘Yet you managed tolet her gotwice.’

‘I know.’ Cal’s cheeks glistened. His eyes were on Tara and she realised he was crying. ‘If I could spend eternity making it up to you, I would.’

‘It’s OK, Mum. I can take it from here.’

‘No police?’

‘Not yet.’

‘I’ll be in the office if you need me.’

Tara waited for the door to close, then said, ‘I’m not sure an eternity would be long enough.’

‘You’re right. I don’t have eternity, but I do have the rest of my life. I want to spend it with you.’ He got down on one knee, and she gasped. ‘I don’t have a ring to give you, just my heart. But you’ve already got that. It’s yours. It’s always been yours, and it always will be. Marry me, Tara.Please. Let me show you how much I love you.’

She stared at him as he balanced awkwardly on one knee, his expression pleading, adoration in his eyes, and she knew he meant every word.

Could she bring herself to give him another chance? Ten years ago, she would have said yes in an instant. A week ago, her reply would have been the same. Now, though…

But if she didn’t, she had a feeling she might always regret it. Hewasfighting for her. He hadn’t allowed her to walk out of his life. He was here, now, begging her to be his wife. And when she imagined all the years to come, years without Cal in them, she didn’t like the look of them one little bit.

‘Yes, I will.’

He didn’t appear to hear her at first. He looked puzzled, a frown creasing his brow. Then his face lit up with the widest of smiles, and he got to his feet and walked slowly towards her.

Tara’s heart skipped a beat and thousands of butterflies took flight in her tummy. She was shaking from the force of her love for him, and as she looked into his eyes, he gently took her face in his hands and kissed her.

Epilogue

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