The Beekeeper’s Cottage by Emma Davies

Author:Emma Davies [Davies, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786818447
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

14

Amos wasn’t one for fighting but when he’d heard the shouts from halfway down Grace’s garden he had raced across the lawn fully prepared to do battle. His heart was pounding by the time he reached the patio just in time to see a tall figure leaving the kitchen. He hadn’t stopped to think about how his own presence might be construed and so he was quite relieved to see the man walking away as he neared the house, avoiding any confrontation.

Preoccupied by this thought, he was completely unprepared for finding Grace in his arms and, surprised, he instinctively pulled her close. His emotions reeled. Her hair smelled of apples, her skin was warm and soft, her body firm and yet yielding to his as her head rested snugly against the dip of his shoulder. Amos had spent a lot time away from home, but in this moment he had never felt more like he was home. Every fibre of his being wanted to stay the way they were forever, just as much as every fibre of his reason told him he had to move. But Grace was upset. Whatever had just occurred had left her stricken and her need for comfort from him was as instinctive as his desire to give it. To withdraw that now, just when she was feeling at her most vulnerable, would surely only compound her pain, and Amos really didn’t think he could do that to her.

Just at the point when he thought he couldn’t wrestle with his emotions any longer, something shifted within Grace and she tore herself from him, gasping as she pushed herself away, her eyes wild, staring. Her hand went to her mouth. She made no move to wipe away her tears, but instead stared at him as if seeing him for the first time.

‘I’m so sorry,’ she stammered. ‘I’ve never…’ And then she trailed off, peering at him. To his immense relief, she suddenly started to laugh. ‘Oh, my God, the look on your face.’ Her hand moved to her cheek. ‘Is that what I look like? Oh, that’s bad… No, it must be worse because I’ve been crying…’ She rubbed her palms across her face, catching the drips on the end of her chin and then wiping her hands down her jeans. She sneaked another glance at him and giggled. ‘I’m such a mess.’

She wasn’t. She looked beautiful.

‘And even though I am sorry, I’m going to make you take some of the blame. That was spectacularly bad timing on your part, Amos.’

‘Some would argue my timing was no less than exemplary.’

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Well I suppose you did save me from smashing every piece of crockery I possess. That, or hurling a chair through the window…’ She smiled. ‘So perhaps it was good that you turned up when you did. I don’t think I’ve ever been that angry. And I don’t know why I’m laughing, it’s really not funny at all.’ She sniffed and Amos fished in his pocket and pulled out a tissue.

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