Chapter 43
Brodie’s irritation with his sister shot up. Maddie knew better than most how hurt he’d been after his previous relationship ended and that he wouldn’t want anything to disrupt his growing closeness to Lettie. Not caring which paint was on his walls, he held one towards his sister. ‘You can return this one to the supplier. I’ll keep this tin here so you know which one to use on the walls.’
Maddie rolled her eyes and took the tin from his hands. ‘Fine. Personally though I would have chosen the other colour, but it’s your cottage and you the one having to live with it.’
Brodie clenched his teeth together to stop from snapping at her. Not wishing to give her any excuse to stay for a moment longer than necessary, he refrained from arguing and began leading her towards the front door.
‘What are you playing at?’ he whispered as soon as they were out of earshot from Lettie.
Her expression changed and she seemed a little shame-faced. ‘I feel a bit mean now,’ she admitted. ‘But sometimes I can’t help myself.’
‘Didn’t you see her car outside?’
‘Yes, which is why I was tempted to come in.’
‘Really?’
Maddie stared at him thoughtfully for a second. ‘You’re so secretive when it comes to relationships, and I just wanted to meet her properly.’ She lowered her voice further. ‘You were so hurt by Tiffany and I was concerned about you. Is that so bad of me?’
He could tell she was feeling guilty but wasn’t ready to let her off the hook. ‘You embarrassed me and I imagine Lettie too.’ Seeing her amusement vanish, he relented. ‘I’m sure Lettie and I will laugh over it once we’ve had a chance to talk.’ He stepped back. ‘Now, if you’ll bugger off I’d like to get back to my food.’
‘And your girlfriend,’ she teased.
‘Goodnight, Maddie,’ he said determined not to be riled by her. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow if you need to ask me anything else about the decorations.’
‘Spoilsport.’
He went inside and closed the door behind him.
‘I’m so sorry about that,’ he said relieved to find Lettie finishing her food. ‘My sister can be a little bit…’
Lettie smiled. ‘Annoying?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s fine. Zac can wind me up too, so I know how that feels only too well.’
He let out a relieved sigh. ‘Good. Well, not good, but at least you understand.’
‘I do.’ She patted the sofa next to her. ‘Why don’t you sit down and eat the rest of your food and we can forget that Maddie ever interrupted us.’
He smiled at her, thinking how incredibly lucky he was to have found someone as calm and kind as Lettie. Seeing her relaxing in his living room, a plate of food in front of her and their dogs settled on the rug in front of the fireplace, Brodie realised he wanted this as his future. That he loved her. The realisation struck him hard.
‘Are you all right?’
He closed his mouth, aware that he must look ridiculous. ‘Fine, thanks.’ He needed to tell her. Tonight. He scanned the messy room. This wasn’t the place he wanted Lettie to picture when she remembered tonight. Needing to think, he sat down and slowly began to finish his food. It tasted of nothing.
‘Is something the matter?’
Brodie knew he had to take his courage in both hands and admit his feelings for her. If she didn’t reciprocate them then he would have to deal with that, but nothing would be worse than her thinking he didn’t want to see her any more.
It was a beautiful evening. He had an idea. ‘Shall we go for a stroll on the beach?’
‘Now?’
‘Yes. It’ll help our food digest. What do you say?’
‘Do you want to go to the beach, Spud?’ Lettie asked, laughing when both dogs immediately sprang to their feet and barked excitedly. ‘I think that’s a unanimous yes.’
Ten minutes later, they strolled hand in hand as the dogs ran back and forth with each other. The moon was full and its light cast a pearly glow on the slowly rolling waves.
‘This was a perfect idea,’ Lettie said, resting her head against his shoulder. ‘We should do this more often.’
‘I was thinking the same thing.’
Lettie stopped walking and looked up at him. ‘Is something troubling you, Brodie? I’d like to think you know you can speak to me about anything.’
He smiled. ‘So says the most independent woman I’ve ever met.’ He leant down and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
‘You seem very thoughtful though. Is there something wrong?’
He didn’t want her to get the wrong impression about his reasons for their romantic stroll. ‘Only that I like you, Lettie. A lot. In fact, I’m falling in love with you.’
‘You are?’ Her hand fell from his and she covered her mouth with it.
‘Yes. I love you, Lettie Torel.’ His stomach lurched when he saw her eyes widen. ‘I know, you probably think it’s far too soon. Damn, now I’ve gone and ruined what we had.’ He took her hand in his. ‘I understand if this is too fast for you. Or, that you don’t feel the same way.’ He felt his breath quicken. ‘It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way, or if this isn’t what you want from our, er, friendship.’
His anxiety increased the longer she was silent. ‘Lettie? Please, say something. Anything.’
‘Sorry. I’m trying to think.’
If she was needing to think about things then surely she didn’t reciprocate his feelings. His heart ached at the thought.
‘Let’s walk to the water’s edge,’ he suggested, desperate to change the subject and try to rescue their evening somehow. He began walking, reaching the edge of the sea, his breath catching in his throat when he felt her hands slip around his waist and her head rest against his back. Unsure whether she was trying to reassure him or let him know she felt the same way, he rested his hands on top of hers He felt her warm breath on his back and then her head resting between his shoulder blades.
‘Dare I let myself believe that you might feel the same way?’ he asked slowly turning to face her.
She stared into his eyes for a moment, her face lit by the moonlight. ‘I do.’
Her voice was barely more than a whisper. He rested his hands on each of her cheeks. ‘You do?’
Lettie blushed. ‘I said so didn’t I?’
More relieved than he had ever felt before, Brodie pressed his lips against hers in a kiss before taking her tightly in his arms and showing her just how much he loved her.