After a while, he drew back with a sigh. “Time to talk about the future and make some plans before we forget why we’re here.” He leaned back against the rocks and stared at the burning embers pensively.
Melanie cuddled against his side, a tingle of unease dimming her pleasure. She had only thought as far as the book burning. Now that was done, she would have to prove to Jack that she had moved on. “So where are we now, then, you and I?”
He cast her a wry sideways glance. “That depends on whether you’re planning to run away from me again.”
She sniffed the delicious fragrance of his aftershave and kissed his shoulder. “You smell too good for me to leave you,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood. It didn’t seem to work.
He put his arm around her and looked into her eyes. “I want everything or nothing, Mel. No half measures, no excuses. Everything or nothing.”
She swallowed as she thought about his ultimatum. “What exactly does that mean?”
“I want you to marry me.”
“Or?”
“Or nothing. I’m not prepared to go back to square one.”
“And if I say yes?”
“You come back to Greyfriar House and move into the Gatehouse with me.”
A shiver of disquiet ran through her. “Before we’re married?”
“This is the twenty-first century, darling. Nobody cares.”
Melanie rested her head more carefully on his shoulder and stared out at the black-velvet sky curving like a star-spangled bowl above their heads. “What if I move back into my flat for a few weeks, just to get my bearings again?”
“I’ll agree to that for a couple of weeks, but when we get engaged you commit one hundred percent and live with me.”
Melanie breathed consciously in and out, tasting the tang of smoke on the pure moorland air, trying to ignore the tiny niggle of fear deep inside. “You know I love you, Jack.”
“You would have left me.” The echo of pain in those words pierced her heart.
She remembered their last meeting before she was going to leave. How subdued and withdrawn he’d been. “I’m sorry I hurt you. Really sorry.” She turned her face against his shoulder and he cupped the back of her head, pressing her close.
“All or nothing,” he whispered.
Chapter Twelve
Melanie and Ryan moved back into the flat in time for the start of Ryan’s new school term. Jack had been busy with work most of the week, and she’d barely seen him since the night of the bonfire. But she’d had plenty of time to think about what she wanted out of life—and she wanted a happy future for herself and Ryan. With Jack.
As she walked past Jack’s house after dropping Ryan at school, the front door opened. “Mel, I’ve been watching out for you.” He beckoned her over. “I want to show you something.”
A flash of nerves ran through her as she turned up the short path to his front door. He put a hand on her back and guided her into the living room. “Moment of truth, Mel. Are you ready to marry me?”
She framed his face in her hands and smiled up at him. “I love you, Jack.”
“I know. That’s not what I’m asking you. I want to settle down and have kids. I want to wake up each morning without worrying if that’s the day you’ll pack your bags.”
He wanted a family! She’d given up hope of having a brother or sister for Ryan. She imagined Jack with their baby cradled in his arms. A powerful surge of love nearly swept away her legs. “Yes, darling.”
“I’m not asking you to marry me tomorrow. I’m asking you to get engaged. We’ll set a date later.
“You’re not listening to me, Jack.” Melanie laughed at his bemused expression. “I said yes.”
“You did?”
She nodded.
“I thought I’d have to persuade you.” He swept her up in his arms and hugged her so tight her feet left the ground. His lips came down on hers, gentle and sweet at first then more demanding. After long minutes lost in the bliss of the kiss, he drew back. “Two weeks,” he gasped, breathless from the kiss, “then you move in here.”
A strange swirling started in Melanie’s stomach. Excitement, fear and a hefty dose of disbelief that it was possible to be happy again.
“Come upstairs. I want to show you something.” He took her hand and led her to the first floor. Although she’d been in his house many times while Ryan played with Jack in the garden, she’d never been upstairs. He pushed open a door into what was obviously his bedroom, revealing a pine bed and matching furniture, the walls and fabrics shades of autumn browns. “Redecorate in here however you want.”
The sense of disbelief swelled, leaving her lightheaded. This would soon be her room as well. “This is a lovely room. I don’t want to change a thing.”
“When we have a baby, we’ll move out of town to a bigger place with a decent-sized garden where we can have a small football pitch with fixed goals.”
“You want the back garden to be a football pitch?”
“Not the whole thing.” Jack scrunched up his nose like a little boy who’d been put on the spot. “You can have some plants and a laundry line and things as well.”
“Hmm.” Trembling inside with the poignancy of her feelings, she linked her fingers through his, and he pulled her out of the room and pushed open another door. The second bedroom was slightly smaller, but still a good size. “This’ll be Ryan’s.”
“This one definitely needs redecorating.” She laughed at the thought of Ryan’s face if he had to sleep in a room with rose-pink walls and flowery curtains.
“Ryan and I can decorate it together. Bring him over and we’ll let him choose the colors himself.”
He pulled her towards him and rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Mel. In two weeks’ time, Ryan can go and stay with Emily for the night, then I’ll give you back your diamond and we’ll celebrate.”
* * *
She’d said yes.
Jack stood at his front door and watched her flowing stride and bouncing chestnut hair as she walked up the drive to the hotel and disappeared through the entrance.
He stepped back inside and closed the door, then stood in the hallway, staring at nothing and remembering the look on her face when he’d called her in. He hadn’t been sure she’d accept his proposal. He wouldn’t relax until she had his ring back on her finger and she’d moved into his house.
Now he had two weeks to arrange the next stage of his plan and organize an engagement party.
* * *
Melanie spent most of the next two weeks sorting out problems that had cropped up at the hotel while she was away and packing for the move to Jack’s. So much for getting back into a routine.
Ryan chose his bedroom colors and spent evenings helping Jack decorate. Or that was the theory. In practice, he seemed to be painting himself rather than the walls.
She’d taken Friday off work to finalize packing in readiness to move over the weekend. A few favorite pieces of furniture she’d had in storage since she left Littlechurch were being delivered on Monday. Everything in her life was coming good. She’d never felt more excited or more nervous.
Standing after a long spell bent in a cupboard extracting boxed toys, she stretched and grinned to herself. How strange it would be to spend so much time with Jack. To share everything with him, go to sleep with him, wake up in the same bed. Have someone to talk over problems with, someone to lean on. It had been so long since she’d h
ad anyone but her grandmother to depend on, the idea took some getting used to. And to tell the truth, along with the anticipation she was a little nervous.
She checked her watch and started with surprise. How could so much time have raced past? She’d be late collecting Ryan from school if she didn’t hurry.
She changed shoes, grabbed a jacket and hurried out the door to jog down the hill. As she rounded the final bend and saw the green school railings in the distance, there were still a few cars parked outside as parents collected children, so she wasn’t too late.
Ryan had a new form teacher this term, a woman she hadn’t met but knew by sight. The teacher was standing outside talking to another parent as Melanie approached.
The teacher glanced at her and smiled.
“Hello,” Melanie said, offering her hand. “I’m Ryan Marshall’s mother.”
“Nice to meet you.” The woman shook hands, frowning. “A man has already collected Ryan.”
“What!” She froze, hardly daring to breath. “Who?”
“I assumed it must be his father.”
“What did he look like?”
The woman’s cheeks pinked. “I’m sorry, it was during the first rush of parents when the gates opened. I didn’t really notice.”
It had to be Jack. Ryan knew not to go with a stranger. Melanie mumbled something and turned away. She grabbed her mobile phone from her pocket and dialed Jack’s number. As she waited for him to answer, awful memories flashed through her mind of the night Marcus took Ryan from his cot before he drove his car into a tree. The call went through to voicemail so she cut it off. Damn. Where would Jack have taken Ryan? If he had wanted to pick her son up, why hadn’t he mentioned it earlier?
After the shock, she didn’t feel up to walking back, and the bus she hopped on took forever to make its way through the rush-hour traffic. She dialed the hotel and tapped her fingers on her knee in agitation as it rang. When the receptionist answered, Melanie confirmed that Jack was there.
Eventually she disembarked a short way from the hotel gate. Her legs were wobbly, but her desperate need to see her son carried her up the hotel drive. The car park was packed with cars. She blinked at them, confused. There was no function booked that evening. As Melanie entered the front doors, a waitress strode out of the dining room with a tray of empty wine glasses. The murmur of voices punctuated by the odd laugh spilled out of the room into the reception area before the door swung closed.
Melanie hurried forward. “Where’s Jack?” she asked, directing her question to all the staff.
The waitress looked at Melanie with a frown, then nodded over her shoulder. “In there.”
“Is my son with him?”
“Of course.”
A surge of relief propelled her to the door and into the throng of people. She stood on tiptoe and scanned the crowd. Jack’s golden head was visible on the far side of the room.
Melanie threaded her way through the people, her gaze fixed on Jack. Imelda’s distinctive laugh broke over the background rumble of voices, making Melanie pause for a moment and look around. What was Imelda doing here?
When she got a clear view of Jack through the crowd, she was surprised to see Emily at his side. Then she noticed Sam and Matt as they ducked under arms and around legs droning like cars on a racetrack.
Jack saw her and lifted a hand. “Melanie.”
After a quick glare at him, she went straight to Ryan, who stood at his side wearing a smart gray suit and red tie. She knelt, caught him up in a hug and closed her eyes.
“Baby,” she whispered. Ryan squirmed to get away. “Don’t ever do that to me again, Jack. I nearly had a nervous breakdown when the teacher said a man had collected Ryan.” Gripping Ryan’s hand tightly, despite his protests, she stood up to face Jack. “Why did you dress Ryan up?”
“You obviously didn’t listen to the phone message I left you. I wish you’d answer the phone instead of always letting it go to voicemail.” Jack shook his head. “Ryan’s a guest of honor.”
“Congratulations…again,” Emily said, raising her glass. “Second time lucky, I hope.”
A shudder of foreboding passed through Melanie as she glanced around at the people. Now she had stopped worrying about Ryan, she noticed many of the guests were watching her. Stephanie approached with a dark-haired man. A camera flashed in Melanie’s face. Too late, she raised a hand to shield her eyes.
“Don’t you remember what’s happening tonight?” Jack said.
“We’re getting engaged.” But Melanie had imagined an intimate dinner at Jack’s house. Not a packed room of onlookers.
“Melanie, pet. Her grandmother emerged from the crowd beside her and kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations, darling. I hope you’ll both be very happy together.”
“Melanie.”
At the sound of her mother’s voice, she swung around and stood staring like a rabbit trapped in headlights.
“Jack invited us,” her mother added defensively when she saw Melanie’s expression. She looked pale and much thinner than she had been. Melanie felt a twinge of remorse that she had cut them out of her life for so long. “We were very pleased to get your letter and hear you’ve moved on. It’s about time.”
Behind her mother, Melanie’s dad hovered nervously, a tentative smile on his lips.
Jack shook hands with her parents and accepted their congratulations. Jack and her dad started talking about football, accompanied by some mutual backslapping and laughter.
Another camera flashed and left a dark halo in Melanie’s vision. Somewhere a glass shattered. Her ears started buzzing. Her heart raced and sweat prickled her skin. How could Jack arrange an engagement party without telling her? Surely he knew she wouldn’t like this type of surprise.
“Mel.” Jack took her hand. “Are you all right?”
Sweat trickled down her neck. She looked for Ryan, couldn’t see him. Then the three boys wove through the crowd towards her. Her mother bent down and ruffled Ryan’s hair, handing him a small wrapped present.
Suddenly Melanie couldn’t catch her breath, as if the air had been sucked out of the room. After years of keeping her head down, being anonymous, this was too much too soon. She couldn’t handle it. She pulled her hand away from Jack and caught the back of Ryan’s jacket. “We’re going home.”
“No.” Ryan struggled and wriggled. The people around them stepped back, leaving her in a small clearing ringed by curious faces. She hauled Ryan into her arms, ignoring the pain as he kicked her legs. “Mummy, let me down.”
The crowed parted as she raced to the door. Behind her, Jack called her name, but she didn’t pause or look around. She had to get out of there.
Ryan started crying as she headed along the path towards her flat. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks. “Jack, Jack,” he sobbed as she carried him.
Somehow she managed to make it up the steps to her front door, but had to put Ryan down to dig the key from her pocket. As soon as she loosened her grip on him, he escaped and raced back the way they’d come. Melanie sagged against the door, too exhausted to go after him.
Fumbling for the key, she finally unlocked the door and made it to a kitchen chair. She put her head in her hands. First Jack had collected Ryan from school without asking her, then he’d arranged a party without consulting her. And he had invited her parents! She’d wanted her reconciliation with her mum and dad to be in private. Her world was descending into chaos and she had no control. Even Ryan
wouldn’t do what she wanted anymore.
The telephone answering machine blinked. That must be the message Jack said he’d left. Melanie leaned across and pressed Play. “Hi, Mel, I guess you’re not there. I’ll pick Ryan up from school today because we’ve got a surprise for you. Put on your party frock,” Jack said jauntily with a smile in his voice. “Tonight is the first day of the rest of our lives. I want it to be memorable. Love you, darling.”
Oh, it was memorable all right. Everyone at that party would think she was crackers after the way she had stormed out.
* * *
Jack stood alone outside the front of Greyfriar House, rested a shoulder against the wall and hung his head. He’d done everything he could think of to help Melanie leave her past behind, but she just wouldn’t let it go. Her poor parents had looked desolate when she ran out, and he imagined his expression had been equally bleak.
The pounding of little feet heralded Ryan pelting back around the corner of the hotel, tears pouring down his cheeks. Jack stooped and the boy ran into his arms, pressing a wet cheek against his neck.
“Hey, there, little guy.” Jack stroked his hair, keeping an eye on the corner of the hotel expecting Melanie to be right behind her son. “Where’s Mummy?”
Ryan shook his head. “Don’t want Mum. Want to stay with you.”
Alarm coursed through Jack. Melanie doted on Ryan. If he’d rejected her, she’d be devastated. “Mummy loves you.”
In response, Ryan hugged Jack’s neck harder. “She’ll make me leave you.”
Jack pushed Ryan far enough away that he could see the child’s tear-stained face. “Has she just told you that, Ryan?”
He shook his head miserably.
Jack released a breath of relief.
Melanie’s mother thought she had suffered a panic attack. Apparently, she’d had them in the past. A few months ago, Jack wouldn’t have believed that possible of his coolly competent hotel manager. Now he knew her, he realized how fragile she was inside. He ached to go after her, but if he went to her now, he’d be giving in and letting her slip back into her old habit of running away.
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