Chapter Fifty
One Week Later
All too soon it was Hogmanay, the final day of the year.
Lily and Gillian had both texted several times to make sure Jessica was coming to the New Year’s Eve party at the Rowan Bay Inn.
She had reassured them she would be there, but hadn’t yet told them that Reuben would be her plus one.
She thought she would leave that as a surprise.
Though something told her Gillian would be anything but.
She was sure Gillian knew exactly what had been going on.
That was the gift of a friend who knew the real you.
That afternoon she and Reuben were curled up on the sofa at Primrose Cottage watching a movie.
She still couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt wrapped in his arms and had to pinch herself as a reminder that this wasn’t a dream.
As she looked up at him, his mouth curled into a smile.
He cupped her chin in his hand and kissed her, his stubble grazing against her face.
She didn’t think she would ever tire of being with him.
Their connection was different to anything she had experienced before.
As clichéd as it was, he felt like home.
The days between Christmas and New Year seemed to slow down and Jessica felt as though it was only her and Reuben who were lost in this magical pocket of time.
Murray, Carolyn and Lexi had gone to Edinburgh for a few days to visit family, and her dad had insisted that he would take over the caring duties for Catriona so Jessica could have a break and make the most of her time with Reuben.
They had pretty much spent their time holed up at Primrose Cottage, making the most of each other’s company without any distractions.
With the bakery also closed, Jessica was enjoying the slower pace of life, hiding away without any expectations or pressure.
She had no idea what lay ahead but what she did know was that she felt hopeful and excited again about the future.
‘You look very thoughtful,’ he said huskily in her ear. ‘What are you thinking about?’
She squeezed his arms which were wrapped around her waist. ‘London,’ she said, turning to see the look of confusion on his face.
‘What about it?’ He untangled his arms from her and turned her round to look at him properly.
They had talked about how they would make things work between them.
Reuben said he was happy to visit her in London but Jessica knew that wasn’t enough.
She didn’t want to have a long-distance relationship with him.
She was ready to come home for good. Even if Reuben hadn’t come onto the scene, life in London as she knew it was over.
She didn’t want to go back to that way of being.
‘I’ve decided to resign.’
Reuben grabbed the remote control and paused the movie. ‘You’ve what?’ He shook his head incredulously.
She nodded and pressed her lips firmly together. ‘I’ve made my mind up.’
‘That’s a really big step, Jessie. I’d hate you to rush into anything.’ He stroked the hair away from her face, his eyes full of tenderness. ‘You need to do what’s right for you.’
‘Please don’t try and talk me out of it and don’t take this the wrong way, Reuben,’ she said with a chuckle, ‘but even if we weren’t seeing each other, I would still want to come home.’
‘Cheers,’ he said jokingly. His gaze roamed across her face. ‘What will you do though?’
She shrugged. ‘I could do consultancy work . . . let’s face it, everyone needs employment law advice these days. And I want to help with the bakery buyout. I don’t think I’ll be sitting around twiddling my thumbs. It just feels like the right time for me to move on and do something different.’
He nodded, his expression thoughtful as he listened.
‘And it will be good to be nearer my parents. Murray and I have been lucky that they’ve been so healthy. But you saw what my dad was like when my mum broke her arm. He went to pieces. I’d like to be closer to home.’
‘You shouldn’t feel responsible for them though. They wouldn’t want that,’ he said, leaning in to kiss her. ‘They’re still fit and healthy.’
She sighed in contentment. ‘I know that. As I said, it’s been on my mind for a while. But I feel like I belong here back in Rowan Bay. Obviously, the fact you’re here is like the cherry on the cake.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘That’s not something I’ve ever been compared to before. But I will take it as a compliment.’
‘What I meant to say is that I love you.’ Jessica’s hands flew to her mouth. Why on earth did she just say that? ‘I mean I love being with you.’
Reuben’s eyes were now twinkling with mischief and he pulled her hands away from her mouth so he could kiss her again. ‘I know what you mean and it might help you to know that I think exactly the same.’
She smiled coyly at him then glanced at her watch. ‘We’d better go and get ready for the party.’
He nodded then grinned lazily at her. ‘There’s no rush is there? Let’s just stay here a wee while longer.’
She grinned, knowing exactly what he had in mind, and she pushed him back and shifted her body closer to his, laying a trail of kisses on his neck.
He shifted beneath her and she leaned in again, brushing her lips against his.
Jessica had come to Rowan Bay to hide away from everything and find solace and peace in her home village.
Yet she’d somehow managed to find love when she least expected it.
Reuben put his finger on her lips for a moment. ‘Do you know what, Jessie? I never make New Year’s resolutions, but I think you’re changing my ways.’
‘What’s your New Year’s resolution?’ she said, intrigued to hear what his answer would be. The moment was charged with emotion as she waited for him to expand.
‘To take a chance, Jessie . . .’ His lips curved into a playful smile. ‘With you.’
‘I think your most important resolution has to be never to call me Jessie, ever again,’ she said firmly. ‘Or you can forget your chances, mate.’ But a spark of excitement and hope rippled through her. ‘Let this be your final warning,’ she murmured.
‘That’s a deal,’ he said, taking her face in his hands and kissing her softly.
THE END