Chapter 42
‘Definitely not,’ Blake said firmly. ‘We haven’t had the most conventional of beginnings. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Do you trust me? That I won’t leave? That my feelings are genuine? That we are real? Can you be happy with me too?’
Relief washed over me and I nodded firmly. ‘I trust you. And I am already happy. We’ve been real all along.’
He grinned, showing off his dimples. ‘So, it’s not quite as grand a question as we just witnessed, but will you be my girlfriend, Daisy Connor?’ Blake reached out to touch my cheek.
‘Yes. But what do we do after summer ends?’
‘We’ll figure it out; I just know that I want to be with you.’
‘Me too.’ I leaned in and we shared a long, lingering kiss. ‘I’ve actually had an idea about the future. Will you drop me into town on your way back home so I can speak to Mary? And I’ll explain what I’m thinking on the way.’
‘What are you planning, gorgeous?’
‘A way for me to stay in Birchbrook beyond this summer.’
Blake’s eyes lit up. ‘You want to stay around here? That makes me even happier.’
‘I was meant to come here,’ I replied simply. Somehow, when I left my wedding, I knew I needed to find my cousin and now I had found myself too.
‘I was meant to come home,’ Blake agreed.
Henry and Sarah probably hoped that their engagement might stop whatever was happening with me and Blake, but it had instead made us realise this was special. And something we both wanted to continue for a long time.
As we walked back inside the farmhouse together, arm in arm, I could hear the sound of cars leaving the drive, indicating that Henry, Sarah and their families were leaving. But I didn’t turn around to watch them go. Their future was nothing to do with me.
Mine was right beside me.
* * *
I found Mary in the flower shop, the door propped open as it had turned into such a lovely day. She was behind the counter working on a bouquet.
‘Hello,’ I said warmly, ‘do you have a few minutes to talk?’
Mary smiled. ‘Of course. This is a nice surprise; I didn’t think I’d see you until your shift later. Everything okay?’
I went over and leaned against the counter. ‘I couldn’t wait to talk to you. I have a business proposition for you.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘I’m really enjoying working here and I’ve been thinking about what might happen at the end of summer.
I am happy helping my cousin out on the farm but it isn’t really what I want to end up doing.
I’ve rediscovered my love for flowers and I think I’d be happy to work with them.
’ I told Mary about seeing a proposal of marriage in front of my flower arch, although I left out the fact it was my ex-boyfriend.
I’d fill her in on the gory details later.
‘It made me think there must be lots of people looking for a flower display like it. For engagements or weddings or birthdays, all kinds of events. Some people have balloon displays but I could offer flowers arches. And I know you said you’re often asked for displays for events but you lack the time and the help so I wondered if we could work together?
I could carry on helping out in the shop when you need me and I could take the lead for doing flowers for events with you helping me?
I have some money I could invest. We could offer flower arches and decorations and bouquets…
What do you think?’ I bit my lip, nervous she might think I was nuts to consider such a thing.
Mary stared at me for a moment then tipped her head back and let out a laugh.
‘I was hoping you would suggest something like that, Daisy. I love us working together and I think we could build a great business together. I have no children and have found it hard to find anyone as passionate as I am about my shop but I can tell you are, and will continue to be. And I might only have a few years until I retire so knowing this place would be in good hands…’
‘Oh.’ I felt a lump rise up in my throat. ‘Okay, I have to hug you.’ I bolted around the counter and we shared a tight hug. Mary let out a sob and my own eyes welled up.
‘Your mum would be so happy,’ Mary said into my ear.
I nodded, unable to speak for emotion. I just knew she was right. I had found Mary like my mum had. Maybe she had brought us together somehow.
After I had spoken to Mary, I walked back to the farm and into the house. Willow and my uncle were in the kitchen preparing lunch. I told them what Mary and I had discussed.
‘So, I was kind of hoping that there might be room for me to stay here beyond the summer?’ I asked hopefully.
‘Of course,’ my uncle cried. Then he looked at his daughter. ‘Sorry, love, it’s not my decision. It’s a habit; it’s your farm now.’
‘Don’t be silly, Dad,’ Willow said. ‘It’s yours too. And of course, Daisy, we’d love to have you here for as long as you want to stay. And we’ll rope you in to help out whenever you have a spare minute.’ She winked and I laughed.
‘Deal,’ I said.
‘What about Blake? Will he be around too?’ Willow asked eagerly.
‘I’m always in the way when you are having girl talk,’ Adam said with a chuckle.
‘I don’t mind at all,’ I said, and I nodded happily. ‘Blake is staying to help his family out so he won’t be far away. It’s actually down to Henry and Sarah. They gave me an idea for a business and made me and Blake realise for sure we want to be together. They wouldn’t want to know that, I bet.’
‘I have no idea if their love is real but this farm is magic when it comes to making people fall in love,’ Willow said, smiling as Dylan came inside with Maple.
She lit up instantly and for what might be the first time since I’d arrived, I was no longer envious to see it.
I knew what it was like now to know you’ve found someone that you connect with.
‘We were rattling around here on our own for so long,’ Adam said. ‘I’m glad we’re not any more.’
‘Maybe Taylor will move in too,’ Willow teased.
‘I’m too old for all that,’ he replied, but he blushed in a really adorable way.
We all sat down at the table for lunch and caught Dylan up with the news.
‘Someone just contacted me on social media to ask if we’d be opening for sunset visitors,’ Dylan said once we’d finished eating.
‘That’s a great idea,’ Willow said, her eyes lighting up instantly. ‘Think of the photos you could take at sunset.’
‘You could serve alcoholic drinks; maybe the landlord of the pub would do it,’ I suggested. ‘I bet you’d get even more proposals,’ I added jokingly.
‘We need to look into this,’ Willow said to Dylan.
‘You’re taking on so much, love,’ her dad said.
‘We can handle it,’ she replied. ‘Where is anywhere more beautiful than our farm at sunset?’
I thought back to when Blake and I had watched the sunset together and I had to agree with my cousin.
‘People will love it.’ I hid my blush behind my glass as I thought about what had happened with us out there after sunset.
I took a sip of homemade orange juice and listened to my family discussing how sunset nights could work.
It was crazy how long I’d kept away from them, and from letting myself love for fear I would lose people again.
I’d missed out on a lot, for a long time, but I was determined that that stopped from here on out.
I was going to stay with my family, build a business with Mary and fall in love with Blake.
Although if I was honest, I was head over heels already.
As if he could feel me thinking about him, Blake sent me a message then. I picked up my phone to read it.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of the summer with you. And every summer if you let me.
My smile matched the lightness in my heart.
Those words were everything to me. I had clung to Henry for safety and security, thinking that not opening my heart to him would give me both, but it just made me unhappy.
Now I had someone I wanted to open my heart to, and who was offering his in return.
Yes, losing people I loved would always be something that I feared but I didn’t want that to stop me loving.
Love was safety and security. And I never wanted to be without it again.
Me too.
I replied to Blake, thinking that the summer stretched out before us like a soft picnic blanket, promising more kisses as sweet as the strawberries here. And just like a sunset, it would be a chance to let go of what had come before and enjoy a brand-new day, and new beginnings, together.