Page 36 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘More than okay.’ Placing her hand on the nape of his neck, she pulled him back towards her, their lips touching again. How had they come to this? A few days ago, he infuriated her. Now, though, all she wanted was to stay in this moment forever.

19

After taking a sip of coffee, Nicola swiped at her phone screen again, rewatching the video she’d filmed of Charlie yesterday. Once they’d finished the filming, she’d sent it to herself so she could edit it at her leisure on her own phone. She needed to cut some bits out, mostly parts where she’d reshot after he’d muddled his words, or she’d told him he looked too grumpy.

Absent-mindedly, she ran her finger across her lips, grinning as she remembered the kiss they’d shared beside the campfire. He’d already messaged her and asked to meet at the pub later. At 7p.m. In six hours’ time. Six whole hours.

‘So, are you going to tell me or what?’

Startled from her thoughts, Nicola looked up and watched as Laura set another mug on the table before taking a seat. ‘Tell you what?’

Laura raised her eyebrow, a smile covering her face. ‘You know exactly what. Why you’ve been grinning to yourself all day today. Who is it? What’s his name? And how did you meet?’

‘I…’ Nicola lowered the phone to the tabletop, a warm heat rushing across her cheeks.

‘And don’t try to deny it.’ Laura took a sip of her coffee and peered over the rim of her mug, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

‘No, it’s…’ Nicola sighed. There was no reason to keep it from Laura. She knew she could trust her. ‘Is it that obvious?’

‘Uh, yes. It’s the first time I’ve seen you look like this since I met you.’ Laura grinned and rubbed Nicola’s forearm. ‘It’s a good thing. It’s nice to see you so happy. I know things didn’t end well with you and Nathan.’

‘No, they didn’t.’ Nicola frowned. They hadn’t ended at all well and she’d wondered for a while if she’d ever truly get over him hurting her the way he had, let alone be able to trust someone again, but from what she’d learned about Charlie, he was an honest person. He hadn’t even put on a polite front when she’d first gone to see him, so she had a feeling he might just be trustworthy.

Laura pointed to Nicola’s phone, the video still playing between them, and widened her eyes. ‘It’s not the grumpy farmer, is it?’

Nicola twisted the phone to face her again and smiled as Charlie’s face filled the screen. ‘He’s not actually that grumpy when you get to know him.’

Placing her mug on the table with a thud, Laura grinned. ‘It is, isn’t it?’

Meeting Laura’s eyes, Nicola smiled back, unable to resist the urge to talk to someone about it any longer. ‘Yes, it is.’

Placing her hands over her cheeks, Laura raised her eyebrows. ‘You and Charlie? You’re together?’

‘No, no.’ Nicola shook her head quickly. ‘We just shared a kiss or two, that’s all.’

‘A kiss or two? I want to hear all the details! Where did it happen? When are you seeing him next?’ Laura fired off the questions.

Leaning back in her chair, Nicola laughed. ‘It happened on his farm yesterday evening, after shooting this video. And he’s asked me to go to the pub with him tonight.’

‘Ooh, tonight. I’ll be there with the darts team tonight!’

‘Of course. You’ve got a match or tournament, or whatever it’s called, haven’t you?’

‘A match, yes. But don’t try to change the subject. Tell me all!’

‘Okay, I will.’ Nicola picked up her mug again, wrapping her hands around it. It was good to talk to Laura, someone who would understand and be able to pick apart what had happened.

* * *

Looking down at the list Laura had given her, Nicola mentally ticked off what she’d already bought. All that was left was to pop into the hardware store and pick up a small pot of paint to redo the patch on the skirting board Laura had accidentally scratched whilst moving furniture around in one of the guest bedrooms.

Hearing a small beep signalling a new message, she pulled her mobile from her pocket and grinned when she saw Charlie’s name.

Hey, just wondering if you want to grab dinner before the pub tonight? I’ve heard about this lovely restaurant over in Nettleford, if you do? C x

She pursed her lips together and swallowed a whoop of delight. He’d put a kiss!

Taking a breath, she looked around the village green. Groups of people were lying on picnic rugs enjoying lunch or sitting with their backs up against a tree reading whilst children played Frisbee and football around them. She loved Meadowfield, even more now that she was no longer working for Nathan and could enjoy a wander into the centre on her lunch break or, like now, running errands for Pennycress Inn.

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