Caught in the storm: A steamy, forced proximity romance book (Wells Creek 1) by Marie Harper Wright

Author:Marie Harper Wright [Wright, Marie Harper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Stacy sat in a coffee shop in a local manor house sipping tea and enjoying the spill of sunshine coming through the huge single-pane window. There was the tinkling of cutlery and cups on saucers and a low mumble of chatter from its other customers.

She’d spent the week chilling out, exploring the local area and watching movies. And it had been…boring.

This break had been about her getting her head together. Figuring out her life that had all of a sudden changed. Planning her escape from her mum’s tiny spare room. Taking charge and making decisions that didn’t end in catastrophe. And so far, she’d spent a total of zero minutes thinking about it.

It was too hard. Seemed like too much. So she’d been putting it off for another day.

Stacy took a sip of her tea from her cup and placed it back on the saucer. Finding herself back at her mum’s house unexpectedly at the age of thirty-three was bad for her soul. She’d been miserable in truth. And she really did need to get out. This break had shown her that much. Yes, she might be bored by herself, but she was happy. Happier than she’d been in years.

A waitress appeared at her table. An older lady with a friendly smile and a flowery apron tied around her waist. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked.

“I really shouldn’t, that panini was more than enough to fill me up.”

Her name badge glinted Maggie as she bent to clear Stacy’s empty plate. “But you want to. Go on. We have a lovely apple cake that I could heat up for you with a scoop of ice cream.”

Her soul might love this break, but her waistband might end up regretting it. “Oh, go on then. You’ve tempted me with that.”

Maggie chuckled. “I’ll bring it right over.” And then she was gone.

Stacy looked out the window. The coffee shop overlooked one of the walled gardens, and in the middle of the week, it was beautifully peaceful. There was such history in this place, Stacy had loved walking through the rooms and imagining the people that once lived here in their big embroidered gowns and their smart suits. Even the gardens whispered of history, with its box hedgerows, gravel paths and secret nooks with stone benches to sit the day away. And although it was October the garden was alive and beautiful.

Maggie returned with a bowl ladened with slightly steaming cake and a large scoop of ice cream, and in her other hand was another small teapot. She placed it all in front of Stacy. “I brought you over another pot of tea in case you wanted more. Cake isn’t the same without tea. It’s on the house,” she whispered.

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” Stacy replied as Maggie went to check on the other customers.

She poured herself another cup of tea before trying the cake. Boy was it delicious. Warm and spicy, with sweet soft apples and delicious vanilla ice cream.

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