Page 36 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘I didn’t mean to sleep the whole way and leave you to it. I’m sorry.’
‘Really not a problem. You clearly needed the rest and it’s nice to get out for the day anyway.’
Both of us peered out at the blackening sky and the odd large raindrop that had now started bouncing intermittently off the windscreen.
Cal laughed. ‘You sure about that?’
I shrugged and chuckled. ‘I am. I’ve notactually been outside the village since I got home. It’s good to get a change of scenery.’
Cal nodded and rubbed his hands over his face, trying to wake himself up. ‘OK. Let’s go and check out the car before this scenery – and us – start getting distinctly soggy.’
‘Oh. I was just going to wait here.’
‘Don’t you want to come? I thought you might be interested?’
‘Of course. I just didn’t wantto overstep or get in the way.’
Cal shook his head. ‘Get your arse out of the car and come help me decide whether this is a good buy or not.’
I pulled a face. ‘That I can do.’
Cal shot me a grin through the glass as he closed the door and before I knew it, I’d returned it, full wattage. Walking around to the front of the car, I looked up at him.
‘Cute hat,’ I echoed unthinkingly as I tookin the fleecy beanie he’d now rammed down to try and protect his ears from the vicious wind that was swirling around and nipping away at us.
I couldn’t see them thanks to the hat, but from the expression on his face, I was pretty sure his eyebrows just shot up. The laugh that followed confirmed it. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, gave a squeeze, and hustled me towards the porch of thehouse.
***
Cal had been right not to delay seeing the unloved classic car. It was apparent that with some skilled TLC, he’d more than recoup his money on it at auction and should make a very healthy profit. The bulk of the rain had held off as we’d loaded it onto the empty trailer I’d been towing behind us. We then made sure it was well covered with a tarpaulin.
But now, as we sat in the cosywindow nook of a pub, the nearby fire warming us through, the temperature had fallen and the earlier threat of rain had turned into very real snow. Large flakes tumbled in the wind, bumping against the wibbly, leaded glass of the window, and settling into a pile in the corners of each small pane. We’d ordered food and now sat with our drinks at the table, stomachs growling. It was hard not to noticeCal’s eyes regularly flicking to the car outside. He’d let me choose where we wanted to sit but had seemed pleased – and perhaps relieved – when I’d chosen this table.
‘It’s all right. It’s still there,’ I said, as his eyes drifted again.
He gave a half-smile, as if he were a little embarrassed at being caught. ‘I’m sorry. It’s incredibly rude of me to keep looking out of the window when you’resat in front of me. Especially as you’ve given up your free time to help me!’ My arm was resting on the table and Cal covered my wrist with a large, warm hand. ‘I am grateful. I hope you know that.’
I flapped my other hand. ‘Don’t even worry about it. I totally understand. There’s a lot of money sitting under that tarp. I’d probably be the same. And besides, you don’t have to apologise to me.It’s not like we’re on a date or anything!’
His fingers contracted with just the slightest pressure on my wrist and I felt a tingle in places I’d known to be tingle free for quite some time. I took a sip of my drink and gave my own glance out of the window, glad of the warmth of the fire to excuse any flush in my face. His hand moved from my wrist to his drink.
‘No. But that’s not the point.I’m enjoying your company and yet I’m blowing it by staring off out the window. It’s pretty rude.’
I shrugged. ‘You’re still paying more attention than some actual dates I’ve been on so don’t be too hard on yourself.’
‘Then they were idiots.’
I smiled. ‘No, not really. I just don’t think I was exactly what they were expecting.’
He tilted his head. ‘What were they expecting then?’
I stirredmy drink and stabbed the lemon slice with the straw a few times. ‘Not a tomboy.’
‘You don’t always dress like a tomboy.’
‘I know. Sometimes I dress up as an elf.’ I grimaced. ‘But … well, they were dates set up via Giselle, and I think these blokes thought that as I was her friend, I’d be similar.’
‘It’d be boring if everyone were the same.’
