Page 35 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘Thanks.’ Taking the stick, she held the marshmallow over the flames in front of them, listening to it fizzle as it heated. Did she dare ask him this? Was it too a personal question? ‘When you were talking about the farm for the video, you spoke with passion, as though you loved the place – the farm, I mean.’

‘That’s because I do. It may have been years since I last visited, but the memories I hold of this place and Meadowfield are good ones.’ He looked around him, taking in the fields surrounding the grassy area they were sitting in behind the farmhouse. ‘Really good ones. Memories I’ll forever hold close.’

She shifted position, bringing her marshmallow, the fluffy sweet now charred, from the fire towards her and picked a little of the burnt pieces off, rolling it between her finger and thumb. ‘Then why are you selling?’

Charlie sighed, staring at the fire as the flames danced in the dim evening light. ‘Now that’s a tough question.’

She scrunched her nose up. ‘You did say I could ask you anything.’

‘I know.’ Rubbing his hand over his face, his skin coursed against his stubble. ‘It’s not so easy to relocate, just like that, is it?’

‘I can imagine it would be difficult. Not impossible though, if that’s what you wanted to do.’ She spoke quietly. She could see from the glazed expression in his eyes he was still thinking about how to answer her.

‘No, not impossible.’ He took a deep breath in and straightened his back, holding his own marshmallow away from the fire. ‘I have a life back in London. A life I love, the freedom I’ve always wanted. And a damn good job, too. One I’ve worked hard for and dedicated my entire adult life to. I can’t uproot and move on a whim.’

‘Oh, okay.’ She nodded. That made sense. Of course, he couldn’t just jump ship and move. Not many people would be able to if they were in the same situation.

‘It sounds shallow, doesn’t it?’

‘What? No, of course not. Why would it sound shallow?’ She frowned as she looked across at him. He felt guilty for not taking over the farm. That much was evident.

‘Because I’m choosing my own life over something my uncle, my grandad and his dad and grandad before him built for us. The family farm stops here. With me.’ He closed his eyes momentarily.

‘Hey, it’s not shallow, not at all, and nobody would think any such thing.’ Carefully placing her mug on a nook in the log next to her, she slid across closer to him and laid her hand on his forearm. ‘Look at me.’

Charlie turned, a furrow forming in his brow.

‘Your uncle was a brilliant man. He cared for others so, so much. He gave back to the community by helping to found the carnival, he let local residents into the orchard to help themselves to apples, he didn’t bat an eyelid when me, my friends or the other kids from Meadowfield hung around in the orchard or hay fields. I’m sure he’s the last person who would have wanted you to give up everything you’ve worked for and be forced to lead a life you didn’t sign up to.’ She frowned. A few days ago she’d felt so strongly that he shouldn’t sell, but seeing him now, getting emotional over the very thought of selling, she could see it hadn’t been the flippant decision she’d assumed it had been.

‘Then why do I feel so damn guilty about it?’ His eyes were intense, his gaze on her unwavering.

‘Because you’re a good man.’ She shrugged.

‘I am?’

‘Well, yes.’ Taking her hand away, she began picking at the marshmallow again, this time instead of rolling the sticky burnt fluff into a ball, she popped it in her mouth. She’d forgotten how good these tasted. After swallowing, she continued, grinning. ‘If you forget how grouchy you were to me, Miss Cooke and the poor under fourteens’ netball team.’

‘Ah, I was, wasn’t I?’ He grimaced.

‘Oh yes, you were. I shouldn’t think poor Carrie or Harper will ever be brave enough to step foot on the farm again, and if they do, they certainly won’t go wandering off.’ She laughed.

‘Ah, I do feel bad about that.’ He chuckled.

‘Nah, I’m only joking. I can tell you’re one of the good ones, because if you weren’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation at all.’ She picked at another piece of marshmallow.

‘About me terrorising unsuspecting villagers?’ He raised his eyebrow.

‘Exactly that.’ Nicola looked back at him; his eyes were still fixed on hers. She watched as he reached out towards her, his fingers gently brushing her lips.

‘You have a little marshmallow…’

‘Oh, do I?’ She rubbed at her lip, her fingers brushing against his. ‘Has it gone now?’

‘No. I can deal with it, if you like?’ He spoke quietly as he leaned in towards her, their lips centimetres apart. ‘May I?’

‘Uh-huh.’ She nodded. She could smell his woody aftershave as he leaned in closer. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips brush against hers. She felt him take the stick from her hand before reaching up and tucking his finger beneath her chin.

‘Is that okay?’ Leaning back, he studied her face.

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