Page 36 of Clara's Secret Garden
‘Right.’ He flips onto his back, hands behind his head, andstares up at the moon. ‘The thing is, I’m not really interested in going afterwealth. I know I could, in the industry I’ve chosen, but I’d rather spend mylife doing something I really enjoy. Like... owning asmallholding, growing crops, having chickens scratching around with room tobreathe. I’ve always liked horses. I used to ride when I was young. So I couldsee myself running stables.’
‘I love it.’
He sits up. ‘You do?’
I nod, smiling. ‘It sounds like a lovely life. I’m notsaying it would be easy. Being in business is never straightforward. But to bedoing something you love... that has to be the goal, doesn’tit?’
‘I agree. Trouble is, I’m going to be disappointing people.’
‘Who? Your parents?’
He nods. ‘They helped me through university and were proudas punch when I graduated. I hate the thought of letting them down.’
‘But surely they just want you to be happy?’
‘They do. They always impressed upon me that as long as Iwas happy,theywere happy.’
‘The best kind of parents.’
He smiles fondly. ‘Yes. I’m lucky.’
‘So you should do what you feel is right for you. Don’t tieyourself to a desk if you’re just going to resent it. Not if you have theopportunity to do something more fulfilling. I know that’s not possible foreveryone, but if it means a lot to you, you owe it to yourself to at leasttry.’
He studies me, smiling. ‘Thanks.’
‘What for?’
‘For understanding? Most people would think I was cracked tobits not using my law degree and rearing chickens instead.’
I shrug. ‘Not me.’
‘I feel so relaxed with you, Clara. I’ve really enjoyedthese past weeks, working in the garden with you. You’re so easy to talk to.’He gazes up at the sky as if he’s debating whether to go on, and just for amoment, my heart stands still and I hold my breath, waiting for him to speak.
He looks me in the eye. ‘Okay. Here’s another shocker foryou. Don’t judge me. My other dream is to settle down and have a family. Loadsof kids. At least three.’
‘Really?’ I laugh, gazing at him in amazement. ‘Gosh, therearen’t many guys who’d admit that.’
‘Well, there you go.’ He shrugs sheepishly. ‘Just oneproblem. I need to find the right girl. Someone who doesn’t mind animalsinvading her space and preferably really quite likes it. Any suggestions?’
He smiles into my eyes, and my heart practically leaps outof my chest.
I swallow hard. ‘You’re a lovely guy, Rory,’ I blurt out. ‘Idoubt you’ll be short of volunteers.’
‘Thank you, Clara,’ he murmurs. ‘You’re pretty amazingyourself.’
Now I really can’t speak, so I smile and look away...just as he leans towards me, I guess to kiss my cheek. I turn back, surprised,and our lips accidentally meet.
His mouth is firm and warm, and the shock that zings rightto the core of me at the contact is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
‘Sorry,’ he murmurs a second later, as we draw back, lookinginto each other’s eyes, taken aback at what just happened.
‘It’s okay,’ I whisper, my throat as dry as a parchedriverbed. ‘I know you were aiming for my cheek.’
We both start laughing at the same time, breaking thetension, although I’m finding it hard to pull myself together after that kiss.Accidental or not, I’m still feeling the delicious after-shocks...
The ring of my mobile bursts into my confusion.
‘Gran?’ I’m listening to what she’s telling me but themeaning of the words isn’t registering immediately.
