Page 70 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
Zac broke into a grin. ‘The bit about me loving you?’
Polly nodded, unable to form any words.
Turning, he faced her before taking her hands in his. ‘I love you, Polly Burrows.’
He loved her. He had actually said he loved her.
‘I love you too.’
Bringing his hand to the nape of her neck, he leaned forward, their lips millimetres apart. ‘Then follow your dreams. Tell Declan you don’t want to resign. Accept the promotion.’
Pulling back, Polly shook her head. Didn’t he see that him telling her how he felt didn’t change anything? Not anything to do with the job, it only made her even more sure she’d done the right thing. ‘No, you take it.’
‘I can’t. I’ve already accepted a position back at HQ. They’re looking for someone to run the sponsorship accounts.’
‘No.’ Jumping to her feet, Polly began pacing up and down the path. This couldn’t be happening. He wanted her to go back to Meadowfield whilst he moved back here, back to Featherford, to work at HQ? He’d just told her he loved her and yet he was quite happy to live a two-hour drive from her? But then, if she took this teaching job, and he stayed in Meadowfield, they’d end up in the same position, both of them living at opposite ends of the Cotswolds. How was this going to work? She sat back down and sighed. ‘We’ll only see each other at weekends.’
Zac scrunched up his nose. ‘Apart from the fact that I made being able to work out of the Meadowfield Reserve offices a condition of me taking the job. Plus, the pay rise is enough to cover my gran’s nursing home fees so my parents don’t have to sell up.’
Turning to look at him, Polly grinned. ‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously. We’ll still both be working in Meadowfield. If you’re happy having me under your feet and taking up one of your desks, that is?’
‘Happy?’ Polly shook her head. ‘I can’t believe it. Everything is coming together. Is this even real?’
‘It sure is.’
Lifting her hand to his face, she cupped his cheek as she looked into his eyes. It felt real, he felt real, but… ‘Pinch me. Let me see if I wake up.’
Chuckling, Zac shook his head. ‘I’m not going to pinch you, but this should work just the same.’
Feeling his hand come to the nape of her neck again, this time she didn’t pull away as he leaned in, their lips touching as he kissed her. Bringing her hands to his head, she ran her fingers through his hair before resting them against the back of his head.
Yep, this was definitely real.
EPILOGUE
Weaving in and out of the people sitting on picnic rugs in the garden of Pennycress, Polly checked everyone had blankets and flasks of hot chocolate to hand before walking towards the back of the group.
‘Come on, sit down. Everyone’s okay.’ Shooting his arm up from where he was sitting on a picnic rug, Zac took her hand and nodded to the spot next to him.
Taking a final look around the small gathering, Polly nodded and sat down. Everyone looked happy and warm enough too, and Brian, the astronomy expert she’d sourced for the stargazing course she’d organised to take place over the next six weeks, was just finishing setting up a screen in front of them all and then he’d be ready to go. The first session, tonight, was taking place at Pennycress Inn after Laura had come to the rescue when Polly had realised the meadow at the reserve had been double-booked amidst a flurry of rewilding activity.
She grinned as she glanced back towards the inn which had become her and Zac’s temporary home. In a way, it felt fitting to be hosting the first event she’d planned as project manager here, where her new adventure had begun and at the heart of the community which had supported her so much.
‘Are they here yet?’ Zac rubbed Polly’s shoulder as he looked around the large garden.
Polly shook her head. She knew exactly who he was talking about – Stacey and Freddie. Polly had been so excited when Stacey had promised to come down for this event, and equally disappointed when her friend had rung to tell her they were stuck in traffic. She glanced at the time on her mobile. If they didn’t hurry, they’d miss it altogether.
‘Oh look, is that them?’ Zac pointed behind them towards a couple walking down the steps of the decking surrounding the inn.
Grinning, Polly jumped to her feet and held out her hand to Zac. Once he was standing beside her, she stepped over their blanket and hurried across to Stacey and Freddie. ‘You made it!’
‘Of course we made it. You didn’t think I was going to miss my bestie’s first big event as the boss, did you?’ Stacey flung her arms around Polly before stepping back and looking Zac up and down. ‘Glad to hear you’re treating my girl right.’
Dipping his head, Zac ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I try my best.’
‘Course you do! Only kidding! Polly tells me everything and I know how much you mean to her.’ Drawing him in for a hug, Stacey laughed before introducing her partner, Freddie. ‘Zac, this is Freddie. Freddie, Zac. I hope you two get along because you’ll both be enduring many, many, many double dates. Plus, of course, we’ll be coming and staying when you two finally get your own place.’
