Epilogue
James
Some Weeks Later
J ames stood on the plot of land by the loch, hand in hand with Dagmar. The sun was out, and it was warm. Brann and his team were raising the walls of the cabin that would soon house the new Cosy Bean Café.
‘This is going to be wonderful.’ Dotty’s eyes shone brightly. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’
‘Don’t thank me.’ James patted her on the back. ‘Just keep making the best pastries in town.’
‘I’m dying to taste them,’ Sherri said. ‘So’s Laurence. He’s very partial to a cinnamon Danish.’
‘Indeed I am.’ Laurence gave James a stoic nod. ‘This looks like a solid investment, after all. You know I had my doubts, but you stuck by your guns, and it’s paid off.’
‘I decided to go back to the way you used to be – and judge people on their qualities, not their bank balance.’ James eyed his dad, catching his sister grinning as she sorted baby Alfie out in his buggy.
‘Yes, yes.’ Laurence pulled a face, obviously not appreciating being called out, but James had had enough. If he and Eloise were going to make Duchan Fayre a successful legacy, it would be without the kind of snobbery their parents had adopted, though his father’s attitude had softened considerably since meeting Dotty and Dagmar properly, and discovering they were nice people.
‘I’ve got some champagne on ice for the dinner tonight,’ Sherri said aside to Dotty. ‘We’re looking forward to having you over.’
James put his arm around Dagmar’s shoulder and smiled. She returned it, her eyes glossy and bright.
‘I have some good news to share too.’ Laurence rubbed his hands together and leaned closer to James. ‘We spoke with the countess of Dairvin, and she’s agreed to keep the sponsorship deal with Duchan Fayre going for next year’s horse trials.’
James huffed out a laugh. ‘Well, that’s something.’
‘I think Ophelia helped,’ Dagmar said. ‘She’s got a way with the countess, and I think the countess respects her, as Ophelia is one of the few people who stands up to her.’
‘That was nice of her,’ Sherri said. ‘I thought she was a bit bolshy when I first met her, but she’s actually just good at business.’
‘Yeah. She can be a bit scary sometimes, but her heart’s in the right place.’
‘How’s the new girl working out at the stables?’ Sherri smiled at Dagmar, and James breathed more easily to see these pleasant interactions.
‘She’s great. She’s Brann’s daughter, you know?’
‘Is she? Gosh, he must be older than he looks.’
‘I think he is.’ Dagmar smiled. ‘And Caitlin is such a hard worker. It’ll be a relief not having to work such long hours, and she’s so enthusiastic. She still has to wait for her exam results to see if she can do the training she wants, but even if she doesn’t, we have a plan to get her on another course. So either way, it should work out.’
James nodded, his heart full to burst. Now they could focus on their shared dream and find a new place to live. Somewhere they could keep horses of their own. He squeezed Dagmar’s hand. This was the best feeling.
‘Here’s to a fresh start.’ He raised an imaginary glass.
‘And lots of cakes,’ Dotty added.
Everyone laughed, raising their own pretend glasses.
Later that day, James and Dagmar made their way back to the stables before they were due at his parents’ house for dinner.
‘Shall we go for a quick ride?’ James asked. ‘I miss being in the saddle.’
‘Sure, why not?’
James winked at her. Their first few months together had been such a whirlwind. They were adjusting to new ways and the joy of seeing each other almost every day.
They led the horses out of the stable and mounted up, heading towards the bridle path. James finally had the woman he wanted by his side. She was the one he’d like to marry and, when the time was right, he would ask her, but for now, they were just enjoying life together.
As they rode side by side, James grinned. It was kind of a permanent feature on his face these days. ‘You know’ – he glanced over at Dagmar – ‘starting riding lessons this year was possibly the oddest thing I’ve ever done. But also, one of the best. Not only did it reconnect me with you, but it gave me a new thing to enjoy. I can’t imagine life without horses and riding now.’
Dagmar’s eyes sparkled. ‘That’s music to my ears. I never thought I’d meet anyone who’d like horses as much as me.’
‘I love them… Not as much as I love you, but then, I don’t love anyone else that much.’ He winked. ‘There’s something incredibly freeing about being on horseback. It’s become a part of my existence.’
Dagmar smiled. ‘You’ve taken to it so well.’
‘Riding lessons were the best investment of my life so far.’
‘Come on.’ She and Zephyra trotted off. Conker waited placidly, and James felt that wonderful affinity with him he’d had from the start. He urged Conker forward and Conker set off, his hooves beating a satisfying rhythm on the ground. James focused on the motion, finding his balance and attempting to rise in the stirrups like Dagmar, though it would take more practice to get it right, and he’d probably never be as elegant as her.
‘You’re doing great,’ Dagmar called.
James laughed, moving up beside her. He slowed to a stop. ‘Would it be dangerous for me to lean over and kiss you?’
‘Yes.’ She glanced around. ‘But I could do it.’ She pushed out, and he leaned in and kissed her.
‘I love you so much,’ he said as she moved safely back onto the saddle.
‘And I love you. I never thought I’d say those words to anyone… Well, except my mum. But I really do love you.’
‘You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me…’ He squinted into the canopy of trees above where sunlight was spilling through, and he shielded his eyes. ‘And I feel like this afternoon is the perfect time for us to ride off into the sunset together.’
She reached over and took his hand. ‘Then let’s do it.’
With a shared smile, they urged their horses forward, walking along the bridle path towards the stables and a new and exciting future.
The End