Daisy sighed happily as the warm breeze from the sea tickled her face. The sun shone down on her and she was surrounded by happy people. An unusual emotion flowed through her. Peace. It had been a very long time since she’d felt peaceful. She sighed happily as she gazed out at the blue horizon.
Her peace shattered as she was abruptly knocked off her feet by a hairy brute.
Chapter 4
JACOB
“MALCOLM! GET OFF!”
Jacob raced along the beach and pulled his dog off the woman who was lying on the sand with a shocked expression on her face. Oh great. It would be Daisy, wouldn’t it? He was hoping he wouldn’t have to see her again.
Malcolm’s tail was wagging like crazy, and he was licking Daisy’s cheek. To Jacob’s surprise, Daisy was laughing. Most people would be shoving Malcolm away and threatening to have him locked up. But not Daisy. She had her arms around Malcolm’s neck now and was laughing even louder.
Jacob reached out and pulled Malcolm away. Then he held his hand out and helped Daisy to her feet. He said, “Sorry about that. He went off running down the sand before I knew what was happening. I didn’t even know he could run that fast. Are you ok?”
Daisy smiled and brushed sand from her clothes. “I’m fine. I had a soft landing.” She stroked Malcolm’s head. “I’m pleased to see you too. Are you out for a walk? Me too. This is a lovely beach isn’t it?”
Jacob frowned. “Are you talking to me or Malcolm?”
Keeping her eyes on the dog, Daisy answered, “Malcolm. I daren’t say another word to you in case I offend you again.” She looked up and gave him a defiant look. “I didn’t mean to upset you earlier, but if you don’t mind me saying so, you get offended very easily.”
Jacob ran a hand across the back of his neck. “I suppose I do.”
Daisy’s face screwed up in annoyance. “Do you know what happened after the second time you stormed out of my office?”
“Your office? I didn’t know it was an office.”
“Well, it is. And I’ll be spending a lot of time there. Anyway, getting back to what I was saying.” Daisy’s face was flushed with anger which made her look even prettier. “After you stormed out, I was overcome with doubts.”
“Doubts about what?”
“About why I was here.” She shook her head at herself. “I can’t blame you, I suppose. Those doubts have been with me for months. But knowing I’d upset you made those doubts increase. I felt like running back to London and never returning to Holly Blue Bay.”
Jacob was shocked at the disappointment her words caused him. He swallowed. “Are you going back to London? I hope it’s not because of me. You shouldn’t listen to me. I’m a bad-tempered goat, according to most people around here. Ask Roberta Wainwright what I’m like. I shouldn’t have shouted at you like that. It was rude of me.” He gave her an apologetic smile.
“It’s okay. I’ve been shouted at before. I can handle it.” Daisy ruffled Malcolm’s fur on his back. “I should thank you for what you did. I had those doubts, but I got rid of them. I’m convinced more than ever that I should stay here. The fish and chips helped, and so did the butterfly I talked to.”
“The butterfly you talked to?” He gave her a closer look. She didn’t look crazy.
Daisy started laughing. “It didn’t talk back. But the butterfly reminded me of why I’ve come to this town. And it made me determined to stay.” She looked away. “You don’t want to hear about that. I’ll say goodbye and let you get on with your walk. Sorry to disturb you.”
Jacob said, “I do want to hear more. I’d like to know what your plans are for this town. I’ll even keep my opinions to myself.”
Daisy’s eyes twinkled as she looked at him. “I’m not sure you’d do that. I think you’re someone who’s very vocal about his opinions. But I like that.”
Jacob let out a laugh. “You might regret saying those words.”
“I’ll take the chance. Let me show you what I’ve worked on so far.” Daisy reached into her pocket. Her smile dropped. “My phone. It’s not there.”
“Have you left it in your apartment?”
“No. I take it everywhere with me.” She checked two other pockets, and then tried them all again as if her phone would magically appear. “I must have dropped it somewhere.” She examined the area around her feet. “I can’t see it anywhere.” Her voice rose in panic.
Jacob looked along the stretch of sand. “I’ll help you find it.”
“Can you ring my number? It’ll help us locate it.”
Jacob took out his phone. “Course I can.” He almost dropped it when Daisy broke into noisy laughter. “What’s wrong? What’s so funny?”
She pointed to his phone. “What the heck is that? Is it a house brick? It looks like a museum piece.”
Jacob gave her an offended look. “This may be old, but it works perfectly well.”
Daisy came over to his side. “I have to get a closer look at this.”
Her shoulder brushed Jacob’s and his heart missed a beat. She reached out and put her hand on the top of the phone. Her warm fingers rested lightly over his, and his heart missed another beat. Any more of this and he’d be having serious heart problems.
Daisy’s eyes were wide with astonishment. “I have never seen anything like this. It’s so big and chunky. How long have you had it?”
Jacob shrugged. “A while.”
“A while? This must be over ten years old. Or even older. It doesn’t even have a touchscreen. Can you send a text on it?”
“Yes. It takes a while, though,” Jacob admitted.
“What about taking photos?”
“If I wanted to take a photo, then I’d use a camera.”
Daisy took a step back and gave him a sorry look. “It doesn’t have access to the internet. How do you manage without the internet?”
“What do I need the internet for? People manage without it.”
Daisy shielded her eyes with her hand and looked up and down the beach.
Jacob asked, “What are you looking for?”
“Your time machine.” Daisy lowered her hand. “You must have come from the last century with your strange talk about the internet and this chunky phone. Everyone uses the internet in this day and age.”
“Not everyone.” Jacob cast a grin her way. “You aren’t using the internet because you’ve lost your flimsy phone.” He waved his phone in the air. “I still have my phone. I’ve never lost it in all the years I’ve had it.”
“It would be impossible to lose something that big. I bet you can see it from outer space.”
Jacob laughed. “Possibly. Do you still want my help locating your phone?”
“Yes, please.”
Daisy gave him her number and he pressed the keypad. He could see she was trying not to laugh at how long it was taking him. He couldn’t help it if some of the buttons were a bit stiff with age. Jacob eventually pressed the dial button, and a moment later they heard the sound of a phone ringing.
Daisy and Jacob turned their heads in unison at where the sound was coming from.
Jacob declared, “Malcolm! You’re standing on Daisy’s phone. Move out of the way.”
Malcolm stared out to sea and ignored Jacob.
Daisy laughed. She did a lot of that, Jacob noted. Daisy said, “Look at Malcolm’s face. He’s trying to look innocent. Or is that just my imagination? Do dogs express emotion?”
“I think Malcolm does. Let me get your phone.” Jacob gently lifted Malcolm’s paw and retrieved Daisy’s phone. He shook the sand off and handed it to her. “I hope it’s okay. If it’s been damaged, I’ll buy you a new one.”
Daisy looked at her phone and swiped her finger over the screen a few times. “Everything’s fine. Would you like to see the website I made for the town? Promise me you won’t storm off when you see it.”
“I promise,” Jacob said with a smile. “I might not be able to hold my thoughts in check, though.”
“That’s ok
ay. I want to hear them. If there are any objections to my plans, I’d rather know about them. I want everything to be perfect for this town.” She smiled but there was a troubling expression on her face.
Jacob asked, “Why Holly Blue Bay? Why have you picked this town? Not that I’m complaining. It’s nice having you here.”
Daisy’s eyebrows shot up at his last comment. “Really?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. Malcolm likes you.” He did too, but he wasn’t ready to admit that.
Daisy gave him a wistful smile. “It’s the butterflies. You’re going to think I’m mad.”
“Perhaps. Go on.”
“My dad is a workaholic. He never rests. He thrives on work. When I was little, we hardly ever took holidays together. But one year, Mum insisted we go on a family holiday. She found a cottage for us here in Holly Blue Bay. She ordered Dad to come with us. Mum seldom got angry, but when she did, Dad listened. On the first day of our holiday, we came to this beach. Dad was grumpy and kept telling us he should be back at work.” Daisy broke into a smile. “He was having a big moan when a butterfly landed on his nose. It was one of those holly blue ones. It totally took him by surprise and his mouth fell right open. Mum and I started laughing. He looked so funny with that butterfly on his nose!” She began to laugh at the memory.
Jacob found himself joining in with her laughter.
Daisy put her hand on her stomach. “We laughed until we cried. And then Dad started laughing. I’d never seen him laugh so much before. We must have looked crazy as we stood there laughing non-stop. After that, Dad stopped moaning about work and he threw himself into the holiday. He made a game of spotting those blue butterflies as we explored the town. I counted over six hundred!”
“It sounds like you had a great holiday.”
“We did. The best ever.” A sadness came into her eyes. “But Dad went back to his workaholic self when we returned home. We never had a family holiday again. Up until yesterday, I worked for Dad’s company. I was as bad as him for working long hours. I wanted to impress him with how hard I could work. I wanted to make him smile again, maybe even laugh. But it never happened.”
Jacob’s heart twisted as Daisy’s eyes filled with tears. He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
Daisy went on, “I never forgot about Holly Blue Bay and those butterflies. I read anything that came up about the town online. When I saw the town needed help, I knew I had to do something. I reached out to Roberta, and things began to happen. Plans were made. Dad didn’t approve. He thinks I’m a fool to move out here and start my own business.”
“I didn’t know you were starting your own business.”
She gave him a wry smile. “In for a penny, in for a pound. That’s what they say isn’t it?” Her smile faded. “I’m scared. And worried. But still hopeful. I want my plans to work. I want to help this town. I might fail, but I’ll only fail if I at least give it a go.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away.
Jacob gave her a long look. She seemed so vulnerable standing there, but he could sense the strength in her. She was a remarkable woman.
He said, “Let me buy you an ice cream and you can tell me all about your plans. And I’ll come back to your office tomorrow and do the work that’s needed on the building.”
“You will?”
“I will.” He pointed to a kiosk further along the sand. “Ben runs that kiosk. He’s a grumpy old thing, worse than me, but he does make excellent ice cream.”
“Grumpier than you?” Daisy teased.
Jacob gave her a serious look. “Yes. But you should meet his brother, Jerry, he’s worse than the both of us put together.”
Daisy grabbed his arm. “Wait. Ben has a brother called Jerry? And they make ice cream? Are you kidding?”
Jacob broke into a grin. “Of course I am. You’re not the only one who can make a joke. But I wasn’t lying about Ben being a miserable so-and-so.”
Jacob bought Daisy a huge ice cream and they walked along the sand. Daisy chatted about her plans, and Jacob listened without voicing his opinions too many times.
They stayed out walking and talking for hours and Jacob was sorry to see the day end. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed someone’s company so much. As he drove home later, he whistled happily all the way. He was still thinking about Daisy as he fell asleep that night.
Chapter 5
DAISY
THE NEXT MORNING, DAISY woke up early to the sound of the sea gently lapping at the sand not far away. A smile came to her face as soon as her eyes opened. What a wonderful sound to wake up to. She threw the covers back and eagerly got out of bed. She was excited for the day ahead. When had that last happened? Normally, she’d press the snooze button on her alarm clock and pull the cover over her face, not ready to face another day at the office.
But today was different. Her day at the office would start with a short commute down the stairs. And her view from the office window would show her the lovely town of Holly Blue Bay, and not the grey skyscrapers she was used to. She was so lucky.
She headed to the living room and opened the balcony doors. A delicious aroma of toast and bacon tickled her nose, no doubt coming from the café along the street which she had noticed yesterday. Oh, that did smell good. She’d brought some cereal with her, but the thought of a bacon sandwich was too tempting.
Daisy quickly got washed and dressed and then headed down to the café where she was greeted with a huge smile.
The man behind the counter insisted on giving her a bacon sandwich and coffee for free. He explained, “It’s a thank you for what you’re going to do for our town. Roberta’s been sharing your plans with us.”
Daisy gave the man a smile, but a knot of worry began to grow in her stomach. She’d have to speak to Roberta about the plans for the town. Not all of them could come to fruition, and Daisy didn’t want the residents to be disappointed.
Despite her worries, there was a spring in Daisy’s step as she headed back home. She was eager to get on with her plans. But that wasn’t the only reason she was keen to get back. Jacob Smythe was going to call in this morning and make a start on the work which needed doing. Thinking about Jacob made her feel all warm and happy. She was glad they’d had a good talk last night. Jacob had listened to her plans and only given his opinion a few times. He’d also made some suggestions which Daisy hadn’t even considered. She had thoroughly enjoyed being with him. And enjoyed being with Malcolm too, of course. That dog had claimed her heart the moment she’d met him.
Daisy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Jacob’s van parked outside her office. Jacob was standing on the pavement and leaning against the passenger door with Malcolm sitting at his feet. Wow. He looked even more handsome this morning in that blue T-shirt and torn jeans.
Daisy raised her hand in greeting. “Hi! Morning to you both.”
Malcolm leapt to his paws and ran towards her. Daisy steeled herself for Malcolm’s hearty greeting. His front paws landed on Daisy’s thighs and almost knocked her over.
Jacob ran after the dog. “Malcolm! Have some manners.” He arrived at Daisy’s side and gave her a warm smile which suddenly made her feel hot and bothered.
She held her paper bag up. “I’ve got bacon sandwiches. You’re welcome to share them. There’s plenty. The kind man at the shop gave me two lots. He said I needed fattening up.” She let out a laugh. “I think I’m fat enough after eating fish and chips yesterday, and all that ice cream you bought me.”
Jacob gazed into her eyes. “You look perfect to me.”
To Daisy’s mortification, heat rushed to her cheeks. Why did she have to blush so easily in front of Jacob? He must think she had a medical condition or something.
Jacob indicated his head in the direction of his van. “I’ve brought you some supplies from a local farm. Just bread, butter, milk, that sort of thing. I didn’t know if you had anything in your kitchen yet. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don�
��t mind at all. Thanks.”
Daisy smiled at Jacob.
Jacob smiled back at Daisy.
Malcolm started barking as if to say, “That’s enough smiling, thank you very much.”
They headed towards Daisy’s office. She said, “I’ve got coffee too in the bag. It’s a large cup, and you’re welcome to share.”
“That’s okay, you have it all. I’ve brought my breakfast smoothie with me.”
Daisy stopped in her tracks. “Your breakfast smoothie? Are you joking?”
“No. I always have a smoothie in the morning. I snack on fruit during the day. And I pack a salad or soup for my lunch, depending on the weather.” He puffed his chest out in an exaggerated manner. “Being a stripper means I have to keep my body in tip-top shape.”
Daisy gave him a gentle push. “You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”
“Never.”
There was a wicked glint in his eyes which made Daisy blush even more. She decided that as soon as she had a minute, she was going to look online for make-up which would cover up her blushing cheeks. This constant blushing was getting ridiculous now.
Before they entered Daisy’s building, Jacob reached into his van and then handed her a bag of provisions which he’d brought for her. He refused any payment and said a cup of tea would be sufficient. Daisy quickly took the items upstairs and put them away. After making a cup of tea for Jacob, she returned to her office area and found him measuring the walls. She tried her best not to ogle his strong-looking forearms as he stretched them out against the wall while he skillfully wielded a tape measure.
“Here’s your tea.” She placed it on the window sill. “Can I tempt you to a bacon sandwich or are you still having your smoothie?”
Jacob looked at the bag in Daisy’s hands. “That does smell good. I suppose my smoothie can wait awhile.”
Daisy looked over at Malcolm who was asleep in the corner of the room. “Should I get something for Malcolm? A drink maybe?”
A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay Page 3