Seb reached into the pocket of his denims and pulled out a familiar set of long ornate keys, and he moved a few steps closer, so that his other hand was only inches from Ella’s.
Her head lifted and she focused on his face.
‘Nicole is building a new life for herself in Paris and London, so I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse, with the promise of a warm welcome any time she liked.’
Seb lowered the keys into the palm of Ella’s hand and slowly closed her fingers around them.
‘Nicole sold you the house?’
‘This is the home I always wanted to come back to. If I am honest, I carried it with me every step of the journey back here. Now I know that I couldn’t live anywhere else in the world.’
‘Why? Tell me.’
‘Because you are here.’
Seb’s hands came up slowly to support her face, his long fingers tenderly caressing her skin as he leant in towards her, his deep brown eyes burrowing into hers as their bodies touched.
Ella could feel his warm breath on her skin as he whispered the words she had longed to hear, his voice low and trembling.
‘I need you, Ella. I love you and I love Dan as though he was my own son. I can work anywhere. Go anywhere. And if you feel the same I’m happy to make my home right here. Just say the word. Are you willing to give us a chance for happiness together?’
Ella pressed her lips gently against his, desperate to reassure him. ‘I am. More than ever. I never thought that I would feel this way again, Seb. I love you. I love you and I want to share your life, no matter where that might take me. You have brought me so much happiness in these last few days.’
His broad grin made her heart sing. ‘This is a first for me. You hit me hard, Ella Jayne, and I’m still reeling. I don’t want to lose you, Ella. You or Dan.’
His forehead pressed against hers. ‘I have a new job. There will still be some travelling, but I can make sure that the dates match up with weekends and school holidays and we can make them family trips.’
His voice trembled with excitement and happiness. ‘Can you imagine taking Dan into the jungle or swimming on the Great Barrier Reef? Seeing kangaroos in the wild for the first time? And he would be meeting some great kids from all walks of life on the way. I’d love to have you both with me!’
She laughed out loud and grinned at him, crazy with wild emotion. ‘Dan and kangaroos! You might have to buy a farm for all of his new pets.’
His hand moved behind Ella’s head so that he could whisper the words.
‘Then be with me, Ella, and make my house a home again. We might even have a party to celebrate. Starting today.’
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8815-1
THE LAST SUMMER OF BEING SINGLE
First North American Publication 2011
Copyright © 2011 by Nina Harrington
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