Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
LUKE
S teven is regarding me with a serious expression, and I sigh.
“He wants a daily progress report. The schedule is jam-packed over the Christmas period and he’s conscious some of the players will need resting after the event. He told me he can’t afford to be without me for long and a broken ankle isn’t the end of the world.”
“To him maybe, but it could be to you if it doesn’t heal properly.”
Steven rakes his fingers through his hair and exhales sharply. “I’ll try to sort it. Just concentrate on your recovery and leave the business side to me. It’s what you pay me for, after all.”
I nod, but my heart is heavy as real life interferes with my new one.
“What are you going to do about the tax bill for the inheritance?”
Steven reminds me the government wants their pound of flesh and even though my aunt had several share accounts and savings that made my eyes water, we are still short of several millions of pounds.
“I don’t know.”
My face must fall because he smiles. “Perhaps Jessy will have a few ideas on how to raise some money. She seems keen. Perhaps she’s just what you need right now.”
“Perhaps.”
I don’t say much, but Steven isn’t stupid and will be wondering why she is suddenly the most important person in my life. I’m not even sure myself and I stare out of the window and note how tranquil this place is. If anything, I envy the villagers because they enjoy a simple life. They may be suffering with cold homes and disrepair, but it is still somebody else’s problem.
“You could sell some of the properties I guess.” Steven remarks, trying to be of some help and I sigh.
“I can’t. It’s all tied up in the estate and whoever did it knew their stuff because I can’t sell a field without going against some clause or another. Granthaven is Granthaven in the entirety, or not at all.”
Steven heads off to do whatever Steven does, leaving me with more problems than I can carry on my already burdened shoulders. I glance at the boot on my foot and wonder what’s happening underneath it.
Football has always been the most important thing in my life from a very early age. My father always encouraged me to follow my dreams and I picture my parents far away in their villa in Florida and wonder what they would think of Jessy. It shocks me that I’m thinking of her at all because I am Luke Adams. Premier league hotshot, soon to be engaged to the gorgeous influencer, Morgana. Women like Jessy don’t feature in my life at all, but in another life, one when I’m not any of those things, she is the kind of woman I could see myself settling down with. Pretty, clever, kind and sweet. The perfect wife, the perfect woman – for me, anyway.
I’m guessing she will marry a man who fits in with her way of life. They will work hard and have a family, filling their home with happiness and laughter. A simple life, one out of the spotlight. A life that is strangely appealing and one without millions of debt and hundreds, if not thousands, of people watching their every move and commenting on it.
“Hey.”
I glance up and Morgana smiles as she sets a mug of coffee before me on the battered wooden desk.
“You are deep in thought.”
“I am.”
I smile as she takes the seat opposite and leans on her elbows, her pretty face gazing at me with a hint of worry.
“Is it your leg?”
“Partly.”
She smiles reassuringly. “It will be fine, hun. Ankles heal and yours will be no exception.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Anyway–” Her eyes sparkle as she arrives at the real reason she’s here.
“Jasper tells me the production crew will arrive tomorrow. I’ve made up the beds with fresh linen this time and Mrs Sims – Karen – was a great help. When the crew arrives, most will be staying in their motorhome that we have decided to set up in the field behind the cricket pitch and filming will start the following day.”
“It sounds as if you have it all worked out.”
“I always do.”
She gazes at me with a thoughtful expression.
“Just say if you’re not okay with this.”
“Really?” I raise my eyes, knowing that if I did voice any concerns, Morgana would be crushed. This is what she lives for, thrives on, and my cooperation is the most important thing to her.
“I know I don’t say this often, Luke.”
I glance up in surprise as she says softly, “But I do love you.”
“I love you too.”
I smile, my gaze softening because I do love Morgana. With my entire heart. We are good together, work well together and, more importantly, are friends. Our lives are intertwined and most of the time I’m happy about that, but then a pretty face turned my head with sparkling blue eyes and a vulnerable edge that brought out the protector in me.
A woman I would never have met had it not been for my aunt and yet now I have, despite the mess my life is currently in, I can think of nothing else but working out ways to spend time in her company.
Morgana leaves me to my thoughts and heads off to do what she does best and as the door closes behind her, I stare out of the window at the peaceful view.
Tomorrow it will change when this world collides with my new one and Granthaven will be thrust onto the world stage. There will be nowhere left to hide and tonight is like Christmas Eve before Santa comes and Christmas chaos dances around our hearts like a lit firework.
The calm before the storm rages, and all the preparations come to fruition. The moment before a game where we all wait in the tunnel, praying that everything turns out the way we planned.
The night before everything changes.
The night before the mistletoe died.