The noise cut out, and he turned, tugging down his face mask to reveal his bright smile through the dark hair of his beard. ‘Hello, love, everything all right?’
‘Oh yes, just admiring your handiwork.’ She cast him a fake-innocent look from under her lashes. ‘I think the bulb in the bedroom overhead light needs changing.’
His rich, deep laugh curled around her like a caress. ‘Behave yourself, woman. Did you come out here to admire the view?’ He lifted the bottom of his shirt to wipe his brow, giving her a flash of tanned skin in the process.
‘Ha! Now it’s your turn to behave.’ They shared a smile and the simple joy of the moment swelled in her heart. The art of flirting was yet another thing she’d assumed lost to her for ever when Jamie died. Such a little thing in the grand scheme, but each time they bantered like this, the bond between her and Daniel solidified a bit more. Learning what pleased the other, sharing a secret smile, using a codeword which meant nothing to anyone listening, but everything to them.
Covered in grime, damp hair clinging to his neck, clad in scruffy clothes and with his beard a few days past needing a trim, he looked a far cry from the pale, broken figure who’d landed on her doorstep five months previously. He looked fit and happy, with no trace of the shadows haunting his eyes, and if she could spend the rest of her days watching him grow and change, life would be good. Her stomach fluttered. Soon. She’d ask him soon. That was the deal between them.
Why not now?
She opened her mouth, but the question died on her tongue. Her guests were waiting, she had responsibilities and it seemed ridiculous to propose and run. Something as important as that should be done in a proper romantic setting, not a dusty barn. Calling herself ten types of coward, she rolled her eyes and imitated Mrs Chivers’ best put-upon sigh. ‘One simply can’t enjoy afternoon tea on the patio with this racket going on.’
Daniel frowned. ‘They’re back early then?’ She nodded and he shrugged. ‘We knew it would be a balancing act. I’ll finish up, then come and give you a hand with preparing dinner.’
Mia blew him a quick kiss. ‘I’ve saved you a scone.’
His eyes lit up. ‘And that’s why I love you.’
Her tummy fluttered and danced. It was still new, hearing those words from his lips, knowing them to be an echo of her feelings for him. After Jamie, she hadn’t expected, hadn’t wanted, this again. Loving someone, needing them, meant risking losing them, and she couldn’t go through that again. But Daniel had given her no choice. He’d stumbled into her life and into her heart when neither of them had their guard up. A pulse of blind fear struck. He’d been out here on his own, anything could have happened to him and it hadn’t occurred to her to check. Accidents happened. That’s what they said, and she damn well knew the aching, ugly truth of it.
Needing to break the spiral of her thoughts, she forced a wonky smile. ‘It’s my cooking you love.’
He closed the distance between them, no answering smile upon his face. ‘Don’t do that, don’t deflect.’ She tried to turn her head, but he caught her chin in a firm but gentle grip. ‘What is it, what’s put that look in your eyes?’
His features wavered through her suddenly watery gaze and she choked on the words. ‘Nothing. I’m being silly.’
He pulled her into his arms and she snuggled into his chest, not caring about the dirt and dust covering his T-shirt. ‘Talk to me,’ he murmured against her temple.
The words came easier when she didn’t have to see his face. ‘I got scared. What if you fell off a ladder or cut through a cable or something? I didn’t think to check and I should have, what if—’
‘Breathe, Mia. Take a breath, love, before you work yourself up over nothing.’ He stroked her back, rocking them both on the spot. ‘I never climb when I’m on my own in here, I promise, and all the power tools are battery-operated. Jordy would throw me out on my ear if he thought I was doing stuff like that.’
She nodded into his shoulder, knowing he was right. Jordy had given them all a serious talking to about what he would and wouldn’t accept if they took him on to run the project. ‘I’m sorry, I’m being silly.’ She sniffled, then laughed at the unattractive, wet sound. ‘I think I made a mess on your shirt.’
‘It’s destined for the wash, anyway. Look at me.’ He swiped his thumbs gently under her eyes to catch the tears shimmering there. ‘I’m not invincible, love, but I promise to do everything I can to be careful. Being with you is a gift I’m not going to squander if I can help it.’ He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose, tickling her skin with his beard. ‘So, you’re stuck with me.’
Stretching on tiptoes she caught his lips with hers, for a brief, hot moment. ‘I like being stuck with you.’
Keeping an arm around her shoulder, Daniel walked with her back across the yard. He left her with a quick kiss to take his shower, and she gave her hands and face a rinse at the sink. Setting out the tray, she hurried through the dining room and out through the patio doors. Her guests bracketed one of the wrought-iron tables she’d picked up at a local DIY centre. Daniel had glossed them brilliant white and the matching chairs were covered in thick, bright-red cushions, made by Madeline as a surprise gift. Her friend was an absolute marvel when it came to sewing and embroidery. Mia was learning, slowly, but she’d get there. One of the best things about refurbishing Butterfly House had been the chance to learn new skills, to challenge herself in a creative way. Her youngest sister, Nee, was the artist in the family, but it had been a surprise to Mia to find she had her own talents, too.
‘This is lovely, dear.’ Mr Chivers patted her hand then began to load his plate with sandwiches and scones. ‘And not just the food, though I’ll be on strict rations when we get home, won’t I, Jen?’ He winked at his wife.
‘Silly old fool,’ Mrs Chivers said, but there was real affection in her voice.
Undaunted, Mr Chivers continued. ‘You’ve made a beautiful home here, inside and out.’
Mia smiled as a warm glow started inside. ‘I can’t take credit for the garden, my thumb is more brown than green. Luckily my friends and my in-laws have plenty of talent in that department. The garden and grounds are down to them. You should have seen the mess out here before.’
‘In-laws?’ Mrs Chivers’ tone held a hint of something sly. ‘I didn’t realise you and your young man were married.’ She nodded at Mia’s naked fingers. ‘No ring.’
This was another of those things she hadn’t taken into account when she decided to open a guest house. Hotels were impersonal, anonymous places, but opening your home to people was different. They expected to get to know you, even over the space of a few days. No one had been rude, but she’d been surprised at how open people were, how much they shared with her, and the kinds of questions they asked in return.
‘I was referring to my late husband’s parents, Mrs Chivers. Daniel and I aren’t married, yet.’
The iron legs of her chair scraped back and Mrs Chivers descended on Mia to gather her into a fierce hug. Shocked, and not altogether sure what to do, Mia returned the embrace with a tentative pat on her shoulder. Mrs Chivers pulled back, ‘Oh, my dear, it’s an absolute sod of a thing to lose the man you love. And you so young as well. At least I had thirty good years with my Tony.’
Mia couldn’t stop herself from glancing between the older couple. She’d assumed they’d been together for years. Mr Chivers gave her a nod, his expression supremely unconcerned. ‘That’s right. I’m the also-ran. Jen and I had a