Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

24

Olive

Olive picked up a yellow rose bush and placed it on a trolley. She couldn’t believe they were in February already. Time was flying by. It had taken her ages to decide what to buy Zach for Valentine’s Day, and even though she didn’t have to buy him anything, she felt it the right thing to do. After all, love came in many shapes and sizes, and she was sure they had something between them that fitted into the category. He’d been good to her. He deserved a present on the day of love. At least that’s what she kept telling herself.

The garden centre was busy, and there was a lot going on in the marquee set up to the side of the building.

Olive left her plant by the till, then took a peek inside the marquee before heading home.

The youngest Silver brother, Tyler, who had returned with his girlfriend from Australia for Finn’s wedding, was getting everything organised with Fran and Willow for the Valentine’s fete taking place the next day.

Large love hearts were dotted around, and a tunnel that led to the giftshop had sparkling pink and red streamers dangling down. Everything looked so pretty, she felt sad she would miss out on the day by staying home.

Tyler came in with some chairs and started placing them around the tables that would be stalls for the day. ‘Hey, Olive. I’ve not had much of a chance to say hello yet.’

She gave a slight wave, thinking how alike the Silver brothers looked. Tyler wasn’t muscular like Heath, but his slimmer face still had the dark eyes and full lips. ‘Tyler, right?’

‘That’s me.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘I’ll introduce you to my girlfriend when she gets back from the café. Erin. I bet you’ve been bombarded with people around here. I know what the locals are like.’

‘I haven’t met too many yet. I tend to keep myself to myself.’

Tyler straightened a table before heading back to the door. ‘I don’t find that’s easy to do around here.’ He chuckled on his way out to get some more chairs. ‘Everyone’s too nosey.’

‘Who is too nosey?’ came Zach’s voice from outside.

Olive perked up and sprinted forward, stopping as he entered carrying some foldaway chairs.

Zach winked at Olive. ‘Friendly is the word he meant.’

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Thought I’d give you a lift home.’ He glanced up at a large pink heart. ‘You want to come here tomorrow for the fete?’

‘I was thinking I should stay away. Since I haven’t seen Florence, everything has been calm. I don’t want to antagonise her.’

Zach’s face was stern as he met her eyes. ‘Time she got a grip. There are lots of events on the island. You can’t miss out just because of her. I think it’s time you met everyone, and tomorrow will be a good day for that. The weather is due to stay dry. We can mooch around, say a few hellos here and there, and show them all you’re part of this community now.’

Olive warmed inside at how determined he was to include her.

He stepped to her side and grinned. ‘Check out the tunnel of love.’

Her stomach flipped a little as he took her hand to guide her into the streamers. ‘There’s a camera in here. You can buy a photo in the shop.’

‘Got my own.’ He whipped out his phone and held it aloft. ‘Selfie.’

Olive giggled as she moved her face so close to his, their skin almost touched.

Zach showed her the picture. ‘What do you think?’

I think we look like a couple in love, but I’m not saying that .

‘Frame worthy.’

‘Yes, we’ll definitely get a frame.’

She went to speak but music came on, and the love song filling the area made Zach spin her in a circle.

‘Don’t make me walk around here on my own tomorrow, Olive,’ he said close to her ear as they danced. ‘It’s Valentine’s Day.’

She rested her head on his as she laughed. ‘Okay, but there had better be chocolate.’

‘I’ll buy you some.’

She stopped giggling when she noticed Fran in the marquee. Nudging Zach out of the tunnel, she waved over at her boss.

‘Oh, I didn’t know you were in there,’ said Fran. ‘I was just testing the speakers for tomorrow.’

Olive narrowed her eyes, not believing that statement for a second.

Fran started laying tablecloths, and Zach went over to help, getting his hand pushed away. ‘You get off. You’re supposed to be here to take Olive home.’ She gestured at Olive. ‘And don’t forget your plant, lovely.’

Zach turned her way. ‘You bought a plant?’

Olive felt her cheeks heat, but that would never do. He was going to see the roses at some point, so it might as well be now. She waved him to follow her back to the garden centre. ‘I bought yellow roses for you.’

He tapped his chest and grinned. ‘For me?’

‘Don’t look so amazed. I buy stuff.’

‘Groceries.’

‘Well, now plants. The garden will need some, so it’s a start, and a yellow rose symbolises friendship.’

‘Uh-huh.’

She side-eyed him as she paid for the plant. ‘What do you think.’

He carried the roses to the car. ‘Love it. Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Zach opened the boot and put the plant inside. ‘Is this my Valentine’s gift?’

Olive chewed her lip for a moment. ‘Sort of.’ She ignored his laughter. ‘It’s a day of love. You should give gifts that day.’

‘I think that’s Christmas.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘No, it doesn’t.’

She smiled. ‘And you’re buying me chocolate tomorrow.’

‘I am.’

‘See, gifts all round.’

He closed the boot, then opened the car door for her. ‘Hey, be honest, do you want to go to the fete?’

‘I don’t want to cause any problems. When it’s just you and me, everything’s okay, and work has been good, but if I step outside that circle, well, I don’t know what will hit me.’

‘I won’t let anything hit you.’

‘That’s very kind, but we both know it doesn’t work that way.’

Zach’s hand rested on hers on the car door. ‘I don’t want to push you. I just don’t want you to hide away.’

‘I want to get to know your friends, and I want to join in with everything, I really do. I’m just…’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t want to bring trouble to your door. You don’t deserve that.’

‘Neither do you.’

She locked eyes with him, not wanting to look anywhere else. ‘I’m willing to give it a try.’

‘The fete?’

‘Everything,’ she said softly, as her heart was in her throat.

‘Best decision ever,’ he said, grinning. ‘And we can leave whenever you like.’

‘You really want a date for tomorrow, don’t you?’

They shared a laugh and he gave her hand a light squeeze.

‘Get in the car, Olive.’

She beamed as she put on her seatbelt. Life was so easy with Zach, and everything would be perfect if it wasn’t for her dad’s crimes haunting her, and Florence hating her.

Zach sat by her side and winked, causing a thousand butterflies to take flight. ‘Fish and chips?’

‘Ooh, lovely. And while I’m feeling confident, let’s eat at the pub.’

‘Now you’re just showing off.’

It was a hell of a lot different to how she used to show off. Her life had changed so much, and the memory of crying into her pillow each night made her feel grateful for just how happy she was now.

When Emilio had shoved her into a hotel she’d never stepped foot in before, little did she know there was a man working there who would change her life, show such kindness, and gift her a rowboat.

Olive burst out laughing.

‘What you laughing about?’

‘Oh, just thinking about my beloved Barney .’

Zach smiled. ‘Yeah, I think that rowboat loves you too.’

Olive’s heart skipped a beat.

I think I love you, Zach Sullivan .

She turned to gaze out the side window, hoping he didn’t pick up on any signs from her face, as she wasn’t ready for anything more than what they shared. Right now, life with Zach was good, and she was determined for it to stay that way, because, somehow, a hotel manager she’d met in London had become the most important person in her life, and she was going to do everything she could to protect what they had at any cost.