Page 19 of The Wisteria Tree Cottage

Bear sighed. ‘She wants the big love story.’

‘And why do you doubt you can give her that?’

‘She wants excitement and passion. We’ve known each other forever, I’m like putting on a favourite old sweater. I’m the carousel, slow and steady, she’s looking for the rollercoaster.’

‘Why can’t you be both? I can’t think of anything more exciting than two people who have loved each other their whole life finally getting together. I think your love story could be amazing if you’re brave enough to go after it.’

Just then Heath walked back in, carrying a huge plank of wood over his shoulder. He looked at them both standing by the window. ‘We having some kind of tea party here? If River is going to marry Indigo here before the baby is born, we need to pull our fingers out.’

Bear nodded and moved over to the opposite wall to put up some lights that looked like brass lanterns. He glanced around. Meadow was making her dreams come true with this place and with being brave enough to go out and look for love. Maybe it was time he made his own dreams come true too.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Meadow caught up with Amelia as they wandered round the different stalls that were being set up, although they wouldn’t open officially until the next day. Star was a little way ahead, fascinated by someone whittling wooden animals.

‘I saw you chatting to that dashing gentleman earlier, so are you looking for love too?’ Meadow said.

It felt good to turn the tables on her for once, Amelia was always interfering in her grandsons’ lives.

‘I’m… seeing what’s available,’ Amelia said, as if perusing a menu in a restaurant.

‘And was he?’

‘Oh very much so, but I’m not sure if he is to my taste.’

‘Too chewy?’ Meadow teased.

‘Too… eccentric.’

‘Says the woman who walks around here in gold hot pants and sparkly red wellies.’

‘That’s simply fashion, my dear. I’m not sure a cloak is the in thing, unless you’re at a fancy dress party.’

‘So what are you looking for?’ Meadow asked.

‘I’m not sure I am. But I’ve been on my own for far too long, I feel like it’s time to get back in the saddle again. Just like you, it seems.’

Meadow smiled at how quickly Amelia had turned the tables back on her. ‘I’m not sure I’m ready either but I do have a date tonight.’

‘With Bear?’ Amelia said.

‘No. He will be there but on his own date with someone else.’

‘Why would you bother with someone else? You two are crazy in love with each other.’

‘I don’t think it’s as simple as that.’

‘Love is simple, there’s nothing more simple in the world than two people being in love with each other.’

‘And terrifying and heartbreaking and—’

‘Wonderful and exhilarating,’ Amelia said.

‘When it goes right.’

‘I have never been so certain about anything as I am about you and Bear. You were made for each other, any fool can see that.’

‘So I shouldn’t bother dating anyone else, I should just divorce one brother and marry another?’

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