Page 108 of Someone For Everyone

When he drew back, she blinked up at him. ‘What was that for?’

‘It was that or shouting at you.’ His hands were still cupping her face. ‘If you’re done telling me why you’re not the woman for me, can I explain why you absolutely are?’

She managed a feeble nod, her tears dripping onto his soft hands.

‘I just know.’

She waited a beat. ‘That’s it?’

He nodded. ‘That’s it.’ He kissed her again, another slow tender kiss that fizzled right through her. She felt punch-drunk, as if she’d attended one of her aunty’s boxing sessions. Only, it was kisses, not punches, that were threatening to knock her out.

‘That’s hardly a compelling argument,’ she said, when he pulled away. ‘Even though you sell it really well.’

He smiled, his expression filled with tenderness. ‘Larry told me the story of how he met his wife, and despite all the obstacles in their way, and all the reasons why it shouldn’t have worked, he just knew deep down inside that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.’ He kissed the tip of her nose, his thumbs wiping the tears from her cheeks. ‘He asked me today if I loved you… and I told him I loved you more than I thought it was possible to love anyone.’

Her knees began to shake. ‘You did?’

‘I did.’ His eyes met hers. ‘When I look at you, I don’t see all those things you listed. I see a woman who’s funny, eccentric, compassionate and resilient. You’re incredibly thoughtful and unbelievably kind. You bought me Pop-Up Pirate, for crying out loud. You make me laugh more than anyone I know, and you understand me more than anyone I know. And in case you’re still thinking this is some kind of pity-love, I also really, really fancy you.’

The knee-shaking increased. ‘You do?’

His eyes dipped to her mouth. ‘You have no idea.’ His hands slid into her hair, creating a buzz in her blood. ‘Weren’t you paying attention Christmas night? There’s no way I’d do any of that with a friend.’ He raised an eyebrow and she felt a blush hit her cheeks. ‘It’s taking all my willpower not to repeat some of it now.’ His hands slid higher and she had a flashback of just how good last Saturday had been. ‘Is there any other reason why you don’t want to be with me, other than doubting how I feel about you?’

She shook her head. ‘I love you. I’m crazy about you. I want to be with you.’

His eyes drifted shut. ‘Thank God for that. You had me worried for a moment.’

‘But it’s going to be tricky, with us living so far away.’ Her voice had a wobble to it.

‘About that… How would you feel about living at Rose Court?’

She hadn’t expected that. ‘You mean, commuting to London every day?’

‘No, I mean working for yourself. Remember that law clinic in Ashford you told me about? Well, if you stayed at Rose Court and shared the library with Alex as an office, then you could set up as self-employed, without having to worry about paying rent for premises. You already have three clients lined up wanting tohire your services, and Rowan’s convinced you’d get a load more once word gets around the village.’

‘Three clients?’

He nodded. ‘Rowan, Geraldine and Natalie.’

‘But won’t you need the bedroom for extra staff? If you’re expanding the care home, you’ll need the room.’ Her mind was whirring, trying to take in what he was saying.

‘I’ve already offered Nelson a full-time job, so we’re okay for the time being staffing-wise. I want to get the repairs done on the building before we employ extra staff and take in new residents, so it’ll be a while before the room is needed. By which time, I’m hoping you might want to move downstairs with me. Where there are no bats,’ he said, with a wry smile.

‘You mean, living together? Like a couple?’

He unleashed the dimples. ‘Have I mentioned I’m in love with you?’

Oh, heavens. ‘And this is what you really want?’

He kissed one cheek, then the other. ‘Like Larry says… when you know, you know. And I know.’ His thumb trailed down her cheek. ‘So, which is to be? London and a job you don’t want? Or Pluckley and getting to be your own boss?’

She smiled, blinking away the tears. ‘When you put it like that, it’s a no-brainer.’

‘So that’s a yes to Pluckley?’

She nodded. ‘It’s a yes to you.’

He smiled with such tenderness, she wondered how she was ever going to recover. She was certainly very unlikely to get much work done with him acting as a distraction. ‘I love you, Cal.’

His rested his forehead against hers. ‘I love you too, Katiekins.’

And you know what?

She believed him.

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