Page 5 of Eternal Love
Julia cleared her throat and set about putting the kettle on, pulling two mugs out of a cardboard box. He stood over the table, poring over the plans for the house. She took the opportunity to steal another glance at him, tilting her head to the side. Running away from her life, mainly love, and men in general, and what’s the first thing that should happen? She runs into the most beautiful, well-spoken man she’d ever seen. She shook her head, biting back a smile. Fate sure had an odd sense of humor.
Julia brought him a cup of tea, which he accepted with a smile. She joined him in looking down on the plans. An easy, comfortable silence spread between them, like they’d been together for years and were comfortable in each other’s company. She picked up her own cup of tea, happy to have something to do with her hands, allowing her fingers to curl around the warmth.
“So, have you lived in Applewood Village for long?” she asked, stealing a glance at him.
A muscle in Theodore’s jaw ticked. “All my life,” he answered.
“And your family? Still down here?” She tried to sound casual, but she wanted to know everything about this mysterious handyman. She found herself wishing she could simply hand him a questionnaire and have him answer them all.
“No, they’ve ... moved on.”
“I lost my parents when I was young.”
“I’m sorry. It’s hard at any age,” he said softly. “So, you wanted a fresh start? Is that why you moved here?”
She bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a smile. Guess it was his turn to ask the questions.
“Something like that.” She sighed. No point in holding back. “After my breakup I decided I wanted to do something new, so I sold my bookshop, and happened upon this place at an auction. Something in my soul just called to it, stupid as that sounds.”
“No,” he said, eyes full of something like longing. “Not stupid at all. If you feel that ... pull, then you should listen to it.”
The air between them had gone taut. She realized how close he was, how close his face was to hers, his gaze, his lips. It was like they both instinctively moved forward toward...
A knock at the front door sent them both reeling from each other. Julia untangled herself to go toward the front door. When she looked back into the kitchen, he was gone.
****
Heart still thumping, she opened the creaky wooden doors. A man greeted her, who looked to be in his early sixties, with wiry gray hair and black-framed glasses. He was also in a suit, although this one looked more modern.
“Ah, Miss Jones, I’m Mr. Finely. We spoke on the phone.” He offered her a tight, professional smile.
“Yes, please come in.”
She made herself another cup of tea and one for the lawyer. She went to grab a third mug, but Theodore was nowhere in sight. She shrugged and sat down. Maybe she’d imagined her fairy-tale prince and he’d returned to rule his kingdom. Oh God, she needed to get out more.
Mr. Finely already had the paperwork ready and was putting check marks at all of the sections that required her signature. She glanced through the papers while he sipped his tea. When she was satisfied, she signed and pushed the papers toward him. He drained the last of his tea and smiled. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order. You are officially the owner of Maywood Manor.”
He stood up, readying himself to leave.
Julia’s hand fell over her chest. She could’ve sworn she felt it swell with pride. It was official! The fizziness subsided quickly, like the coming of the tide. She was all alone. She had no one to celebrate with.
No matter. Nothing a glass of bubbly and a call with Camilla wouldn’t fix.
“Thank you. I’ll walk you out.”
They reached the door, her hand curling around the handle, when she realized she didn’t have any alcohol. “Am I right in thinking there’s a food store in the village?”
He looked back, already a few steps out onto the gravel drive.
“That’s right. There’s a corner shop, school, pub and a few shops.” He furrowed his brow. “But this is a small village, very ... traditional. You might not find what you’re looking for here. Your best bet would be to head on into town. It’s about half an hour’s drive.”
“Oh, well, I don’t have a car, but thank you.” Julia smiled and gave him a brief wave. He looked as if he might have wanted to say more, but he nodded and got in his car.
****
Afew hours later,nightfall had painted the sky in hues of pinks and purples. She admired it from her kitchen window, not bothering to turn on any of the lights. After three failed FaceTime calls to Camilla, a glass of bubbly in hand, she decided that she would celebrate on her own.
The trip into the village had been ... interesting. She’d gotten a few looks here and there from villagers, but it was to be expected. This was their turf, and she was a newbie. She bet they thought she was here to tear down the manor, maybe build a block of apartments. She wanted to reassure them, but their faces had looked so unfriendly, she couldn’t envisage herself talking to any of them. Even the woman behind the counter in the shop had seemed to throw her change at her.
