26
Olive
The cutest wicker basket caught Olive’s eye inside the marquee. She could just see herself walking around with a gingham cloth draped over the top of her bread and wine. Although right now, chocolate and candles were more appealing.
‘I can buy that for you,’ said Zach, pointing at the basket she picked up.
It was nice of him to offer, but she really wanted to buy something for herself. ‘Thanks, but I’ve got this.’ The fact she’d just turned down the offer didn’t escape her. Old Olive would have allowed him to buy everything. She bit back her smile and paid for the basket.
‘It suits you.’
She smiled as she hooked it on her arm. ‘You can add some chocolate.’
Zach agreed and gestured at a sweet stall.
It was dark when they finally ventured back outside. The pony rides had stopped, and Nate had taken his cow home. Music was playing through speakers dotted around, and the delicious smell of barbeque filled the air.
Quite a few visitors had left, especially ones with younger children, and the rest lingered over by the food Finn and Fran were serving at a large outdoor grill.
Olive and Zach stood by fairy lights draped along some fencing.
‘Looks like a different place now the sun’s gone down,’ she said quietly.
‘We should get some fairy lights for the kiosk.’
Olive nodded. ‘Yes, and lighting down by the river. Those fisherman lanterns or something that fits the theme.’
‘Not sure about people out on the river when it gets dark, but it would still look nice lit up.’
Olive quirked an eyebrow. ‘We went out there in the dark.’
‘Yes, but if something happened to you out there, I’m sure you won’t try to sue me.’
‘I might.’
He pulled her under his arm, and Olive appreciated the cuddle. The temperature had dropped, and she was looking forward to heading home to sit by the fireplace.
‘Let’s get some food and find somewhere to sit for a while,’ said Zach, looking around to see the seating area outside the café fully occupied.
They grabbed a couple of burgers, then made their way to the flower field, where Olive knew of a bench tucked away by the old greenhouse.
Love songs were still playing in the background, and the sound of chatter was muffled in the near distance.
‘Quite nice here,’ said Zach, glancing at their nook.
Olive stared out at the field. ‘Next time, we can sit out front with the Christmas trees.’
‘It’s a date.’
She smiled at her burger before taking a bite.
‘Gets busy here at Christmas,’ added Zach.
‘I can imagine. Ooh, I hope no one expects me to cut down a tree. Don’t think I trust myself with a chainsaw.’
Zach laughed, and Olive leaned into his arm.
I’m looking forward to our next Christmas together. It’s going to be way better than the last .
Olive shook her head at herself. Had it really been just a couple of months ago? Nothing seemed real anymore.
‘I can’t wait for springtime, Zach. I’m excited to see the Boat Hut open.’
‘Yes, I’ve noticed how involved you’ve been.’
Olive dipped her head, hoping she hadn’t overstepped. ‘Sorry if I’ve been too much.’
Zach swallowed his food, then placed the empty napkin by his side. ‘Hey, that’s not what I meant. I’m pleased you join in. I hadn’t expected you to. Please don’t ever feel you have to do anything at the Boat Hut just because you’re staying at mine. I know you have your own life to focus on. Plus, you’ve—’
Olive placed her fingertips over his lips, silencing him immediately. It was only then that she realised what she had done. His eyes were on hers, then his hand curled over the one on her lap holding her half-eaten food. She swallowed hard, trying to form words. ‘Zach, I…’
‘Can we go home?’ he mumbled through her fingers.
Her stomach flipped at his eyes burning into her soul, and she could hardly concentrate with that going on, so she nodded, stood, and gathered their rubbish.
Zach took her hand, leading her to the car park.
‘Erm, you wanted to get some soil from the garden centre,’ she said quietly, reminding him.
‘It can wait.’
Olive was quiet on the drive home, as she wasn’t sure what was going on in Zach’s mind. His piercing eyes had darkened back on the bench, and now he hadn’t said a word. She knew they had been flirting for a while, but neither of them had made a move, and it had been quite nice just being friends, but did he want more now? Did she?
Zach zoomed off to the house as soon as they parked, leaving Olive dragging behind.
Should I say something? Should I kiss him? Should I just go to bed?
She dithered by the doorway, took a deep breath, then entered, closing the door behind her.
Zach was standing by the stairs. His head was dipped, and his back resting against the banister. He peered up when she turned his way, but he didn’t move or speak.
The energy in the hallway was charged, and Olive felt someone had to say something, but her heart had ideas her head didn’t, and before she had time to figure out a plan, she flung herself onto him and met his lips with her own.
‘Zach,’ she mumbled, curling a leg around his waist.
He quickly lifted her whilst kissing her with more passion than anyone had shown her in her life.
Olive showed him exactly what she wanted by reaching for the zip on his jeans, and as she tried to lower it, he started walking them up the stairs.
His hot breath was on her neck, and Olive closed her eyes, giving up on the zip for a moment. All that mattered was his mouth.
The next thing she knew, he had placed her on his bed, a place she hadn’t slept in since her bed had arrived for her own room a couple of days after they’d moved into the house. She quickly sat up.
‘I want to see all of you,’ she said, then cleared her throat, as her voice had hitched.
Zach stripped within seconds, and Olive stared opened-mouthed at him.
‘Tell me what else you want.’ The rasp in his tone had her butterflies freeze for a moment.
‘Make me naked too,’ she whispered, surprised she had any voice at all.
He leaned over her and slowly removed her clothes whilst keeping eye contact, sending shivers down her spine.
Olive reached up, trailing kisses along his neck, shoulder, chest. She was sure she was melting beneath him.
Zach started muttering her name as his hands explored her body, and as soon as he joined them, she came undone immediately.
Olive took some deep breaths before meeting Zach’s mouth once more. All she wanted was to stay in his arms forever, connected to his body, and he was showing her he wanted the same.
They made love well into the night, hardly getting any sleep, and as the sun started to rise, Olive was back in his arms again.
‘I’m not sure I want to get up today,’ she whispered close to his ear, adding kisses around his hairline.
‘That’s fine by me.’
‘Bed day?’
‘Bed week.’
Olive laughed, snuggling under his arm. ‘Bed year.’
Zach groaned. ‘I like your style. I can see now why you want a six-month honeymoon.’
Olive leaned up on her elbow. ‘Sounds good, doesn’t it?’
He pulled her to his mouth. ‘Uh-huh.’
The doorbell rang, followed by some loud thumps, startling them both.
‘Who the hell is that banging down the door this time of the morning?’ snapped Zach, looking out at the landing.
‘Ignore it. Probably a delivery. They’ll leave it around the side like they normally do when we’re not in.’ She pulled him on top of her and kissed him hard, but the doorbell kept chiming and the banging didn’t stop.
Zach shot up. ‘Sounds urgent. Might be Cody.’
She watched him grab a dressing gown and sprint off, so she jogged into her own room to wrap up in her own one so she could go downstairs to see what the emergency was.
Zach had slammed the front door as she hit the last step. His face was red, and his lips pursed.
‘What is it?’
Someone was banging on the door again, but Zach wasn’t showing any signs he was going to open it.
‘Zach, what’s going on?’ She marched to the door, but he stood in her way.
‘Don’t open the door.’
‘Why? Who’s out there?’ A flurry of nerves went straight to her stomach. Were they in danger? Did she need to call the police?
Zach turned to the solid lump of wood and swore at the person on the other side, telling them to clear off.
‘One quick statement, then we’ll go,’ said the voice on the other side.
Olive frowned and grabbed the handle. ‘Who is that?’ she demanded, throwing open the door.
Flashes of light momentarily blinded her, and it took a few seconds for her to see the five reporters on the doorstep, yelling questions her way.
Zach pulled her inside and slammed the door, shouting to them that he was calling the police to remove them from private property.
It went quiet outside, and Olive moved to the kitchen, where she flopped into a chair.
‘Are you okay?’ Zach asked, joining her.
Olive gripped her hands together in a bid to stop them shaking. ‘No, I’m not bloody well okay. Did you hear what they were saying? Asking me about my money, my dad, my life.’ She pressed her hands to her face. ‘Oh God, will this ever end?’
Zach paced. His breath heavy, and his voice loud. ‘They’ve got no right coming here, hounding you like that. Who do they think they are? I’m calling the police.’ And he did.
Olive went upstairs to run the shower. All she wanted was to wash away the nightmare that just happened. How on earth did they know where to find her? And why were they asking questions now? They’d printed stories about her family before, and they hadn’t bothered with her since her father’s death last year.
She went to the window on the landing that overlooked the front door. The reporters were still lingering, and they caught her watching.
‘Olive, is it true you now own a boating business?’ yelled one man.
‘Miss Farringdon, have you really fallen on hard times?’ asked another.
‘Rich bitch,’ she heard someone say quietly, then heard some laughter.
‘Come on, babe, it’s a good story. Tell the world how you went from riches to rags,’ shouted a female voice.
Olive ran to the bathroom and slammed the door.
There are no rags here, thank you very much. Horrible cow .
She dropped her dressing gown and drowned her sorrows under the showerhead, tears blending in with the hot water.