Chapter 47
TASHA
She gazed into his eyes as she thought about what he had said.
‘I think…’ What did she think? The only thing Tasha did know for certain was that she didn’t want to leave Callum.
She also knew she had enjoyed her job immensely, apart from the past couple of years when Riley had become far too full of himself and as a result his manners deteriorated, and his rudeness increased.
If only he’d find a way to revert to the boss she had known that first year and been so excited to work for.
‘I want to stay here,’ she admitted. ‘I hate the thought of leaving you. Of leaving this. Waking up in your arms is blissful.’ She thought of the previous night and the one before it and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. ‘But I need to find a job.’
‘You love what you do,’ he said, sounding sad but understanding. ‘Do you think it might help to talk to Riley about this?’
‘If only it was that easy.’
‘What do you mean?’
She shrugged. ‘I’ve broached the subject many times but he doesn’t take me seriously.’
Callum frowned. ‘He might, now that you’ve actually left. He’s had more than a week without your help, don’t forget. I’m sure he’ll have missed you and might be able to find a compromise that will work for you both.’
‘Are you trying to persuade me to stay or go back to Riley?’ she asked, only half amused.
‘I want you to do what’s best for you, that’s all.’
She thought of her parents and how different their reaction had been to Callum’s.
He was such a good man. Kind, loving, fun.
If only she had the financial means to take time off work and spend the next few months there, or find a different job on the island.
Not that it would solve much if she then had to leave him after getting used to living this way. No, it would be far harder to bear.
Frustrated, she kicked back the bed sheets.
‘I don’t know.’ Then it came to her. She had always worked, been sensible, at least as far as she was concerned; and never completely gone with her heart, especially in a relationship.
She loved Callum and had enough experience in her failed relationship with Toby to know that he was worth giving some things up for.
‘I’ve made up my mind about something.’
He looked anxious. ‘You have?’
She nodded. ‘I’m going to postpone my flight for a couple of days and enjoy being here.’
‘With me?’ he asked before laughing. ‘Sorry, silly question. That makes me really happy.’
She liked that he didn’t assume what her reaction would be. ‘Yes, of course with you. If the offer is still open, that is?’ She wished she could commit to staying on permanently but she needed to be practical.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately, leaving her almost breathless. Letting go, he said. ‘Does that answer your question?’
Tasha laughed. ‘It does.’ She got out of bed.
‘Where are you going?’ he asked, disappointment on his face.
‘To change my flight, unless you want me to wait and do it later?’
He shook his head. ‘No, you do that while I shower and think of ways to reassure you you’ve made the right decision.’
Tasha couldn’t wait to find out what he would plan.
An hour later as Callum drove along the east coast of the island, Tasha stared up in awe as the car passed Mont Orgueil Castle.
‘It’s such a beautiful day,’ she said, glad she had thought to wear a cotton T-shirt and shorts. ‘Where are we going? Surely there isn’t much further we can go before we come to the end of the island?’ she teased.
‘Ahh, but there’s still so much you haven’t seen out this way.’
‘Such as?’
‘Tiny bays, woods we can walk through, St Catherine’s pier and the café at the beginning where you can eat, then buy a delicious creamy ice cream afterwards, or take a seafari to the Ecrehous.’
‘We’re going to one of those places then?’
He shook his head and laughed. ‘Nope.’
‘Then where?’
He didn’t reply straight away, but indicated right, slowing the car before turning down what seemed like a short lane. Even before they parked, Tasha saw they were right by the sea.
‘Is this one of those bays?’ She looked to her left, noticing a round granite tower painted with thick red and white stripes.
‘This is Archirondel,’ he said, getting out of the car.
He took her hand and walked to the edge of the pebbly beach with bright flowers in planters and palm trees next to a seating area for a small, but busy café to their left.
‘It’s magical down here.’
‘I’m glad you like it.’ He led her to a free table and pulled back one of the heavy wooden chairs, waiting for Tasha to sit before sitting opposite her. Callum pointed out to the sea. ‘Look, a couple kayaking. We could do that if you like?’
She recalled trying that sport once before while on holiday with her ex. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Something tells me you might have tried it before.’
‘I did. Not only wasn’t I very good, but I also got seasick, and the instructor had to take me back to the shore past all the other kayakers. I was mortified.’
Callum reached out and took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. ‘That’s not why I brought you here anyway.’
‘That’s a relief.’ She saw the waiter carrying three plates of food that looked delicious. ‘I was hoping we were here to eat breakfast.’
‘And that’s what we will do.’
The waiter spotted them and took their orders.
‘This is one of the prettiest spots I think I’ve ever been to,’ Tasha said, after finishing the last mouthful of her full English breakfast. She took a sip of tea before gazing at him.
‘And there are so many more I plan to show you now we have time to see some of them.’
She smiled. ‘I love that idea.’
‘It’s getting hot,’ Callum said. ‘And I might have the perfect way for us to walk off our large breakfast and stay cool at the same time. Do you fancy visiting St Catherine’s Woods?’
‘I’d love that.’
After paying for their meal and not wishing to take up the small amount of parking when they would be moving on from Archirondel, Callum drove a short distance away to a small parking area before walking with Tasha past tall Jersey pines on one side and the beach on the other as they made their way to the pretty woods with its stream running through it.
‘This is beautiful,’ Tasha said as they stood in the dappled shade holding hands, as she took in the space around them.
‘I’m glad you think so.’
‘Do you come here often?’
He shook his head. ‘I’ve just realised I haven’t been back here. My parents used to bring Erin and I here for walks after Sunday lunch sometimes. We’d run around climbing on fallen tree trunks and paddling in the stream while they strolled and chatted.’
‘Your childhood sounds idyllic.’
He nodded. ‘Looking back, I now realise how lucky I was. I love living here. I know a lot of my friends moved away, preferring big cities, and I did try that for a time but couldn’t wait to come back.’
‘And I’m lucky enough to get to stay here for a bit longer.’
He looked down at her. Tasha felt that immediate flip in her stomach. He was so hot and she couldn’t believe how lucky she was to be seeing a man this decent and gorgeous.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her. ‘For as long as you want.’
Tasha beamed up at him. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,’ she admitted.
‘I don’t think I have been either.’