Page 97 of Chasing Dreams in Eversley Village

Mitch moaned deeply, kissing her ear, his warm breath tickled her as he spoke. Picking her up, he carried her into the bedroom. He stopped by the bed and placed her on her feet, slowly pushing down the straps of her dress.

‘So gorgeous, Holly.’

‘Only when I’m with you.’

Later, as they lay entwined. Holly felt as if she had breathed out for the first time in years.

Mitch layon the bed as the morning sun streamed through the window. Standing up, he lifted the latch and a breeze blew the long voile curtains into the room. He watched Holly as she slept peacefully, wishing it could always be like this, wishing he could keep her there in that room forever. He eased back into the bed gradually, taking care not to wake her, as he gently pushed a strand of hair off her face, remembering how she had been the night before. Passionate with a level of intensity he had not experienced before. He drifted off to sleep, consumed by the peace of his surroundings.

Waking later to the smell of coffee, Mitch squinted as Holly came into view. She wore a robe and Trixy passed her, jumped on the bed and licked his face.

‘That’s not the wake-up kiss I was dreaming of.’

Holly laughed and made no effort to get Trixy off. ‘Rita dropped her in. I thought we could go in search of breakfast.’

‘That’s a great idea.’ Mitch heaved himself out of bed.

‘I’ll have a shower first,’ she said.

Mitch stared at Holly, thinking how naturally beautiful she looked. He could feel the familiar urge. He took the coffee cup out of her hand and placed it on the bedside table. Then pulled her onto the bed. ‘I need to do something first.’

Holly giggled as he kissed her and Trixy yapped.

‘Hang on.’ Mitch quickly put Trixy out of the bedroom. Holly grinned at him and they were soon entwined.

After his shower,Mitch called to Holly.

‘I’m just off to see Rita, I won’t be long.’

Trixy followed as he left the lodge, walking up the grassy slope to Rita’s house. He found Rita in the kitchen.

She held a pot of filtered coffee. ‘Want some?’

‘Yes please.’

Trixy sat under the table and settled down.

Rita handed Mitch the steaming cup. ‘How long have you been seeing each other?’

‘It’s complicated.’ Mitch leaned back against the worktop.

‘Isn’t it always?’

‘We’re neighbours and friends and business associates and she’s a Loveland. We’re setting up the farmers’ market I told you about, together.’

‘That would be a very good resolution. I have the launch date in my diary, I’m looking forward to finding out more. This could be good for business, if you two got together.’

‘If we’re not cursed, that is. It’s not been a great history.’

‘Surely you’re not superstitious?’ Rita said as she filled a bowl with water for Trixy.

Mitch placed his coffee cup on the kitchen table. ‘No, but it’s not been easy. This is the first time we’ve spent together, as two normal people.’

‘Normal doesn’t exist, my love.’

‘Life certainly hasn’t been normal for Holly. The nursery, including the cottage she lived in, burned down, and her ex is suing her for half of the remaining land.’

‘Wow.’

---