Page 35 of Rescue

He meets my gaze, something flickering behind his eyes. “Doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” I say gently. “You did everything you could.”

He exhales, a soft, weary sound. “That’s what I keep telling myself. Doesn’t always help.”

We stand there for a moment, his words lingering between us. Then, as if to break the tension, I force a small smile. “If it helps, I think you’re brave. Not many people would do what you did.”

He chuckles quietly. “Well, you’re biased.”

“Maybe,” I say with a teasing shrug. “But I’m usually right.”

The corners of his mouth lift in a real smile this time, and the tension eases slightly. “You are unusually stubborn.”

“Says the man who wouldn’t take no for an answer when it came to doing the dishes,” I quip, arching an eyebrow.

He grins, and for a moment, the heavy air lightens. “You can’t argue with my impeccable cleaning skills.”

“Oh, I absolutely can,” I retort, crossing my arms. “Layla still complains about finding flour under the toaster.”

“Details,” he says, waving it off. “I stand by my methods.”

The casual banter settles something in me, like we’re both trying to hold onto this moment before he goes. But then he steps closer, and his expression softens.

“I’m going to miss this,” he says quietly. “Miss you.”

I feel my breath catch, but I manage a smile, even though my chest feels like it’s tightening by the second. “I’ll miss you too.”

We both lean in at the same time, our lips meeting in a gentle, lingering kiss. When we pull back, his arms wrap around me, holding me tightly against him. I close my eyes, letting myself savour the warmth and comfort of him one last time.

After a long moment, he leans back, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Thanks for everything, Abby. For this. For you.”

I force myself to smile through the ache. “The B&B is always here if you need another break from the world.”

His smile returns, faint but genuine. “Careful. I might take you up on that.”

“Good,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “You’d better.”

With one last squeeze, he steps back, his gaze lingering on me before he turns toward the door. I watch him go, my heart already missing him even though he hasn’t quite left yet.

The door closes softly behind him, and I turn back to the sink, the room suddenly feeling far too quiet.

Chapter 13

Jon

The countryside stretches ahead,the golden fields and stone walls of Yorkshire bathed in the late morning light. The cottage is already miles behind me, but my thoughts linger there, caught between the warmth of the past few weeks and the ache of leaving. My hands tighten on the steering wheel, and I focus on the road winding through the familiar landscape.

The car’s Bluetooth chimes, cutting through the quiet hum of the engine. My mother’s name flashes on the screen, and I sigh, already bracing myself.

“Mum,” I answer.

“Jon!” she exclaims. “Finally! I was beginning to think you’d gone completely off the grid.”

“I told you I was taking a break,” I remind her. “Needed some time to myself.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” she says, brushing that aside as she always does. “And Tom mentioned you love that charming little B&B. What’s it called? Sunshine Cottage?”

“That’s the one,” I reply cautiously, already sensing where this is heading.

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