Page 46 of Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn

‘The doorframe?’ Nicola frowned, checking his skin beneath for any cuts.

‘Yes, the metal is a little, umm, rough, I guess, something must have been knocked into it and pulled it out of shape slightly. Another job I need to fix.’

Looking up, she met his gaze and smiled. ‘So, you fell into the doorframe? You weren’t mauled by the vicious fluffy white cloud that is Claudette the sheep?’

‘Well, no, I wouldn’t use the word mauled, but it was up there.’ His lips twitched with a smile.

Placing her hands on her hips, Nicola looked him over, taking in the jeans and the now-ripped checked shirt. ‘You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.’

‘Oh yes, should I be afraid?’ He raised his eyebrows.

‘Haha, no, I don’t think so. You seem to have so many of these checked shirts, you know, like proper farmer’s shirts, and yet I can’t imagine you rocking up to your office in the city in one of them. Did you go out and buy a ton of them when you learned you’d inherited the farm? Like a bulk order from Farmer’s Clothes Warehouse or somewhere?’

Throwing his head back. Charlie laughed. ‘I’m not even sure such a place exists. Although if it does, I’d certainly be up for checking it out.’

‘So, these are the fashion in London too?’

‘Haha no.’ Charlie wiped his palm across his face and smiled ruefully. ‘They were my uncle’s. When I turned up, I didn’t really have anything suitable to wear, save a couple of T-shirts, and so I borrowed one of his shirt’s, and I’ve been wearing one every day since. It sounds weird, doesn’t it?’

Nicola tilted her head. Charlie hadn’t been born with the same fashion sense as his uncle then. Shaking her head, she took hold of his hand. ‘Not at all.’

‘It sounds daft, but even though I rarely have a clue what I’m doing on the farm, wearing one of his shirts helps me feel closer to him, gives me a little confidence in my abilities.’

‘That’s not daft.’ Stepping closer, she wrapped her arms around his waist. ‘I think it’s really sweet, actually. You want to honour your uncle’s memory and that’s exactly what you’re doing.’

‘Oh, I hope so. I hope the old boy would be proud of me.’ Hugging her back, he leaned his chin on her shoulder, his breath tickling her ear as he spoke. ‘I doubt myself every day, but I’m trying. I’m trying to learn these new skills. I’m trying to do the right thing.’

‘I know. And you are.’ Her voice cracked as she thought about him leaving. With every accomplishment Charlie met at the farm, even down to fixing the doorframe, it all took him closer to the time he’d put the farm on the market. And she had to remember that. However close they were growing, however much her feelings for him were developing, she couldn’t let the reality of him leaving Meadowfield slip from her mind.

Pulling away, he turned to look out across the garden. ‘Anyway, this looks amazing. A world away from the chaos of the forest school yesterday.’

‘Thanks.’ She smiled. Did he feel it too? The uncertainty, the worry of where their relationship would lead? He’d changed the subject pretty quickly. Shoving her hands in her pockets, she forced the thought from her mind and instead reminded herself to focus on the here and now, to focus on today.

25

After serving the last plate of dessert, Nicola held the empty tray to her chest and walked back up the decking stairs before turning and looking down at the wedding party below. The weather was holding. There wasn’t even a wisp of a cloud in the brilliant blue sky and the temperature was balmy, but not scorching. It was the perfect weather for such a perfect day.

She grinned. They’d pulled it off. Suzy and Owen’s family and friends had all oohed and ahhed over the decorations, marvelling at how romantic and whimsical the garden at Pennycress Inn had become and were now enjoying the wedding breakfast as Meadowfield’s brass band played from their position next to the dance floor. It almost looked as though they’d hosted a million weddings before this one!

‘It’s looking fab, isn’t it?’ Coming up behind her, Laura touched Nicola on the arm and nodded towards the wedding party below them.

Glancing at her, Nicola smiled. She hadn’t seen Laura looking this relaxed since they’d begun on the wedding preparations. ‘Yes, it really is. I’ve already taken some photos for the website and social media and will take some more before the day is out, too.’

‘Thank you. It’s kind of scary thinking about offering a wedding package, but I guess that now we’ve done one, the next won’t be so stressful.’

‘Exactly. We know what we’re doing now. And that we can get everything organised too.’ Nicola smiled as Jackson walked out onto the decking and stood behind Laura, wrapping his arms around her waist as they both looked out over the lawn.

Hugging her middle and holding Jackson’s hands, Laura leaned back against his chest. ‘And we’ve got all the props, the fairy lights, statues and everything else.’

‘Yes.’ Nicola glanced from Laura to Jackson and back again. ‘So, has this given you any ideas for your own big day?’

‘Just a few.’ Jackson’s voice was soft as he met Laura’s eyes. ‘We’ve spoken about having the reception here, too.’

‘You have?’ Nicola grinned. ‘I wondered if you would.’

‘It would make sense, wouldn’t it?’ Laura glanced over her shoulder at Jackson. ‘I mean, this is home now, so it would be the icing on the cake to celebrate our wedding here.’

‘I think that’s a lovely idea.’ Nicola smiled and nodded towards the tray in her hand. ‘I’d best get on. Catch you in a minute.’

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