Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (a court of thorns and roses ebook free txt) 📗

‘Sounds good.’

‘Umm…’ Tom laid a hand on Helen’s denim-covered legs. ‘I’m sure Dylan will tell you about it tomorrow.’

Helen’s body melted under Tom’s touch as she battled to stay focused. ‘Should we tell everyone about us before Dylan arrives tomorrow, or once he’s settled in?’

‘Maybe we should tell Dylan first. But we have to tell everyone soon! Sitting across the room from you and not touching you is driving me nuts.’

Helen laughed. ‘And there I was thinking army boys were taught patience and self-restraint.’

‘Only when there’s a possibility of being shot. Rest of the time, we’re as impatient as the next man… especially when sat next to someone we have the serious hots for.’

 Returning Tom’s kiss, Helen caught sight of a child’s reading book out of the corner of her eye. It was one of Dylan’s. ‘He will be okay with it, won’t he?’

‘You and me, you mean?’

‘Well, umm… if you are in my room with me sometimes, won’t he want to come in and stuff?’ She blushed at the thought of them being interrupted, ‘I adore Dylan, but I’d hate to embarrass him or…’

‘For him to catch us in flagrante delicto?’

‘Well, yes.’ Even Helen’s freckles blushed at the thought.

‘Umm…’ Tom pulled a curl out, curious to see how far it would straighten before pinging back into a tight spiral.

‘Are you with me, Tom?’

‘Oh God, yes.’

Helen gulped as she saw the lust in his eyes. ‘Tom, I was talking about not compromising your son!’

‘Sorry, yes. Of course.’ Letting go of the curl, Tom gave himself a shake. ‘That settles it, we need to tell Dylan and everyone tomorrow, and see if there is a key that fits your bedroom door.’

Helen’s already red face lit up like a beacon. ‘No way! They’ll all know why we want to lock the door.’

‘But they’ll know we’re having sex anyway.’

‘Yes, but—’

Tom reached out a hand. ‘It’s okay, I get it. Them knowing is one thing, but advertising the fact is something else entirely.’

‘Yeah.’ Helen took his hand as they stood up, ‘I did wonder… I mean, not if you don’t want to or anything, but…’

‘What?’ Tom wrapped her close. ‘What is it, love?’

‘Well, if you wanted, just while I’m here, umm…’

‘Umm?’

‘You could share with me. If you wanted… I mean, I don’t mind if you don’t want to and…’

Silencing her with a kiss, Tom whispered, ‘I want to. Very much.’

‘And Dylan, he won’t mind? I mean—’

‘For such a confident woman in the workplace, you’re adorably shy when it comes to, what my nan called, “shenanigans”.’

Helen gave him a playful shove. ‘I told you, I’m out of practice.’

‘Then let’s practice some more.’

Friday April 3

rd

The Mill Grange team waved enthusiastically as the people carrier, taking the week’s guests back to Tiverton Parkway, wound its way down the drive.

Sam nodded in satisfaction. ‘Another good week. Thanks everyone.’

Spinning around to the house, ready for a debriefing session, Tina gestured towards the backdoor. ‘I’ll grab some hot drinks and cake. See you in the garden?’

‘I thought we’d aim for the bench by the fortlet if that’s okay.’ Sam turned to Helen. ‘It would be good to have a report on progress. After all, it isn’t long until you leave us.’

Feeling guilty that she hadn’t told Sam if she was staying or not, Helen led the way across the gardens. As she walked, a voice at the back of her head asked why she hadn’t said anything to Tom about Sam’s offer to stay yet.

What are you waiting for? Last night you asked Tom to move into your room, so why haven’t you said you’ll stay at Mill Grange?

She thought again about the job she was contemplating giving up, her house in Bath and all the people she knew there.

But they’re just people I know. Here I have friends.

Another thought collided with the others as she caught Tom’s eye.

If we tell everyone we’re a couple, Sam will assume I’m staying anyway.

Pulled from her introspection by their arrival at the bench, Helen saw Tom pat the seat next to him, so they should sit together. Sam hadn’t appeared to notice, or if he had, hadn’t thought anything of the gesture.

‘How’s the book thinking coming on, Helen?’ Sam slid into his seat, laying his ever-present clipboard of lists and notes on the table between them.

‘The chapter headings are planned. I’ve sent an outline sketch to the publisher. If they okay it, then it’s just a case of gluing my butt to a chair and writing it.’

Tom looked at her proudly. ‘Of course they’ll like it. It’s going to be amazing.’

‘I agree.’ Tina smiled as she lay down the tray of refreshments.

‘Thanks.’ Helen tried not to meet Tina’s eyes, which plainly stated that if Tom hadn’t declared himself, he was a fool because it was damn obvious he was in love with her.

Tina knows. We’re going to have to tell Dylan soon.

Oblivious to the subtext going on around him, Sam pulled a piece of paper from his notes. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but there is so much happening at the moment, I’ve prepared some formal minutes for this meeting, rather than the usual catch up and check in.’

‘Good job I brought cake then.’ Tina sliced up some lemon cake as Sam made a start.

‘We have had some excellent feedback from the week’s guests once again.’ Sam held up the questionnaires they asked each guest to complete before they left and passed them to Tina. ‘Once again we have some wonderful endorsements we can add to the website, and we’ve had more interest in the archaeology skills certificate we’re running from next July.’

‘Is Landscape Treasures still up for sponsoring that?’ Tom pulled his notebook from his jacket pocket.

‘Absolutely. Once Shaun has finished in the Cotswolds, he has a month before filming again. He’s agreed to use that time to work out the requirements with you Tom, and Thea of course.’

Helen shifted on her seat. She could feel the words ‘but not with Helen’, hanging unspoken over the bench. She’d have to