Page 58 of Finding Home in Hartfell
‘Just tell me.’
‘Yes. Every word.’ His own voice was rough, and she heard the honesty in it. The admission he’d tried to hold onto and couldn’t, the reality he’d hoped to keep on denying, just like her.
Breath escaped in one slow exhale, and she clung to the understanding that he felt the same for a few moments more. Relief was easing the tension in her shoulders and she slid one finger over his, the sound of his own breath catching giving her confidence, sending away the nerves and igniting a fire that blazed across her skin. Her aching head and fears that she’d made a fool of herself were gone, banished by this first, exquisite touch.
Gil’s eyes were hitched to hers and his hands went to her shoulders, turning her to face him and letting his gaze drift to her mouth. Her lips parted as he cupped her cheeks, lowering his head to hers. She closed the distance between them and curled her body into his, winding her arms around his neck.
‘Put her down,’ a voice boomed irritably. ‘It’s far too early for that sort of thing.’
‘Dorothy!’ Pippa sprang back, face scarlet and heart clattering as she pressed herself against the worktop. She caught Gil’s wry smile and the promise in his eyes, that they’d find another moment. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘What do you think I’m doing here? Probably not the same as you, from the look of things. Got a stray, that’s what.’ Dorothy was behind the counter and gently rattled a cardboard box. ‘Ferret, a jill – that’s a female, if you’re wondering – left outside my door last night. Can you give it the once over, Gil, make sure it’s all right before I set about finding out where it belongs? Think it might’ve cut itself, but I can’t keep hold of the little bugger long enough to find out. Need another pair of hands.’
Pippa had already caught the smell of the ferret and nearly retched. It was way too much after last night’s shenanigans in the garden and the remnants of a hangover. Still dazed by Gil’s revelation and those few moments alone with him, she tried to think back to what she’d been doing before. Making coffee, that was it. And clients – more would be arriving any minute.
‘Go through, there’s no one here yet.’ He pointed to the consulting room and Dorothy marched off with her stinky patient. He turned back to Pippa, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to him looking at her this way. ‘Can we continue this later?’
‘I hope so. Dorothy’s timing was terrible.’
‘For sure.’ He squeezed her hand and disappeared into his consulting room just as the client with the injured collie appeared. Pippa offered a greeting and booked them onto the system, her mind caught on when she and Gil would find more time alone.
Dorothy was back with the ferret in a few minutes and Pippa didn’t bother asking for payment; she knew Gil’s aunt had a long-standing arrangement of invoicing with the practice. Dorothy nodded, and at the door she paused and gave Pippa a look that could’ve stripped paint.
‘I know you’ll say this is none of my business and quite right too,’ she said firmly. ‘Don’t want to see him get hurt, that’s all.’
‘Neither do I, Dorothy, I assure you.’
‘Good.’ She eyed Pippa beadily. ‘Then you’ll tell that pipsqueak land agent to bugger off and do the right thing.’
‘And what do you mean by that?’
‘Ask your father,’ was all Dorothy said. Then she was gone, and Pippa was relieved to see the back of her as much as the ferret.
It was a busy morning of consultations and she dealt with clients and their pets with quiet efficiency. Harriet had uploaded some images to the family group chat, and Pippa was thrilled she was having so much fun. Unusually, Gil left his room after each appointment and she felt herself lighting up at every look, the brush of his hand on hers, shoulder bumping shoulder as he bent to examine something on the screen. Once the last client and patient had left, Pippa closed down the system and he reappeared.
‘Hey.’ He grinned at her as Lola ambled over and Maud rushed to follow. He made a fuss of both dogs, staring up at him adoringly. ‘I’m heading into town. Got some tests to run in the lab and a shedload of paperwork to catch up on.’
‘Okay. Hope you get through it.’ Pippa’s phone lit up and she smiled at the daily message from Harriet reminding her it was time that Posy was returned to her stable. ‘So I’ll see you later, then?’ She hadn’t meant to make it a question but he was nodding.
‘I hope so.’ Maud had returned to her bed, but Lola was at his heels, expecting to go with him. ‘Anything you’d like to do?’
‘Er, well, maybe we could have dinner?’ Was he expecting a more assured reply, something other than a meal, seeing as they’d shared dinner before. But tonight it would be different. Their relationship was altering again since the admission of their feelings, bending with their desires, and changing the landscape of her life in Hartfell. ‘What would you like to do?’
‘I thought maybe we could try out your birthday present.’ His smile was a lazy one and for a moment her mind was blank, sluggish after the champagne.
‘Oh! You mean the hot tub?’
‘I do.’ He spoke those two short words very slowly and longing was already curling in her stomach.
‘But I didn’t bring anything to wear in a pool.’
‘Oh, Pippa.’ Gil shook his head as he laughed. ‘You’re not very rock and roll, are you?’
‘No,’ she replied in a small voice. ‘That’s my dad’s department. He’s quite rock and roll enough for the both of us.’
‘And if it was Dave Grohl suggesting it?’ Gil’s grin was wicked, and she was wide-eyed.
‘I’d run a mile,’ she said, aghast. ‘I’ll always love Dave but there are some things that don’t belong in the real world, and him and me in a hot tub is one of them.’
