Page 48 of Starting Over at Halesmere House
‘It was weird, like seeing a stranger and yet one who I knew hated leaving dirty washing on the floor and snored when he slept on his back.’ Alice huffed out a laugh. ‘It sounds funnier when I say it out loud.’
‘But it’s not funny, not in the least.’ Zac’s voice was a low rumble against her hands resting against his chest.
‘No.But it’s over and I’m done with looking back.’
‘Me too. Serena won’t contact me again. I pointed out a few truths about our relationship and why they might not sound so great if I ever decided to talk about my career. There were rumours she was seeing her husband before we split and I didn’t want to believe it at the time. I needed a different perspective to see our history for what it was, and I’ve found that here. Life’s a bit simpler. That’s why you’re here too, isn’t it? Because you’re healing as well.’
‘Yes.’ Alice loved that he understood without needing her to explain every detail. That he knew what Halesmere and making a new life meant to her. Her fingers found the tag on his necklace, and she picked it up. ‘Is this a date that’s important to you?’
‘It’s the day I qualified as a tree surgeon, the start of my life after racing. I’ve done more courses since then, on woodland management and tree health. I was never a good kid at school, but I want to keep learning.’ She sensed, rather than saw, his smile. ‘I’m not just into cutting trees down.’
‘That’s good, because I’m all about the planting.’ Alice couldn’t hold back a quick yawn. ‘Sorry. It’s been such an emotional day.’ Her arms around Zac slipped away and she eased herself back into bed.
‘Do you want me to go? I know I should but I…’ Zac was staring down at her and she saw the reply he wanted. She pulled the duvet back and he slid beneath it.
‘Can I hold you?’ she whispered, and he nodded. He turned over and she snuggled against his back, wrapping an arm around him. He felt so unfamiliar, his chest broad and firm, and she caught the moment when his breathing slipped into sleep, his hand over hers on his heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Alice opened her eyes, barely awake until she realised an arm was around her waist and Zac’s chest against her back. He was still asleep, and she held her breath, loath to wake him up. Carefully, she reached for her phone to check the time. It was six thirty and he was due at work around eight. She didn’t need to rush out this morning and planned to catch up on the admin she’d missed yesterday.
‘Morning.’
The single word was a breath on her neck, and she whispered back, ‘Morning. We should get up.’
‘Should we?’ The arm around her waist tightened and she slowly turned around. A smile lingered on those full lips, dark curls tousled by sleep, brown eyes somehow tender and teasing. She curled a palm against his cheek.
‘I didn’t realise your nose was freckled.’
‘So’s yours.’ He touched his lips to it. ‘And your shoulder. Both of them, in fact. How far do those freckles go?’ His smoothed her top out of his way, mouth following, and she closed her eyes.
‘Zac, your dad…’
‘I know, I’m sorry.’ He raised himself on an elbow. ‘I didn’t mean to make my staying here awkward for you.’
‘It’s okay, you haven’t. It’s my house and I’m glad you didn’t leave last night.’ Alice’s smile was wistful. ‘And Ella and the baby, it’s so wonderful.’
‘It is; I bet Stan didn’t go home until he’d heard.’ Zac paused. ‘Alice, I’m not going to say anything to my dad, not unless you want me to?’
‘I don’t. This is just between us.’
‘Agreed. He can think what he thinks.’
Her gaze wandered to the tattoo on Zac’s arm, and she traced its outline with a finger. ‘It’s beautiful.’
‘I love it. The symbolism of the leaves, the different colours changing through the seasons. A reminder that life keeps turning, spring follows winter. Light after dark.’
‘You got it after you’d finished racing?’
‘Yeah.’ He tucked the hair falling to her face behind one ear. ‘I knew you’d get it.’
‘You don’t mind?’
‘You’re asking me that? Now, in your bed, after what we talked about last night and I fell asleep next to you?’ He laughed. ‘No.It’s too late for that.’
‘So who’s getting up first?’
‘Me. I’ve got to get to work.’
