Christmas at Conwenna Cove
Page 23
‘You’ll soon warm up.’
He gently released her and she swam around for a bit until her skin grew used to the water and it was refreshing rather than shocking. They played with the children, splashing one another and taking it in turns to help Tom to float on his back. He could already swim quite well, but Oli was keen for him to become more confident. He said it was important with them living so close to the sea,
‘Are you hungry yet?’ Oli asked Grace after they’d been in the water for about twenty minutes.
‘Starving.’
‘Kids, let’s go and see what Simon’s got for lunch shall we?’
They headed up the beach and towelled off, then eyed the amazing spread that Simon and Louise had prepared. There were warming, spiced Cajun chicken breasts, harissa sardines, whitefish lemongrass skewers, halloumi and mixed pepper pitta breads and a large wild rice and mixed bean salad. Grace ate enthusiastically; her appetite for good food enhanced by her swim and by the lovely fresh air of the cove. The children drank rose lemonade with their food, and Simon pulled out a bottle of pink champagne for the adults.
‘What’s the occasion, Dad?’ Grace asked as she held out the plastic champagne flutes.
‘Oh, you know, every day is an occasion, Grace.’
When their glasses were full, Oli raised his in a toast.
‘This summer has been perfect so far and I just want to thank you all. My wonderful children, for being the light of my life, Simon and Louise for making our family even bigger and happier – and, of course, for all the fabulous food you make – and Grace…’ He paused and gazed at her. His skin was golden after weeks of being outdoors, even when he’d been coated in sun cream, and he had a spattering of light brown freckles over his nose and cheeks. The bright blue-green of his eyes was enhanced by his tan and Grace knew she’d never tire of looking into them and wondering at how lucky she was. ‘Thank you for making us all so happy. You are a wonderful woman and I love you so much.’
‘Let’s go over to the rock pools, Daddy!’ Tom blurted.
Oli glanced at him, and Grace thought she saw something warning in his expression.
‘Right now, Tom?’
‘Yes, Daddy, I think we should too.’ Amy nodded.
‘Okay then…’ Oli held out his hand.
Grace went to put her champagne down but Oli said, ‘Bring it. It’ll be fine.’
They got up and strolled to the rock pools. Tom gestured at one and called Grace over. When she got there, she peered into the water of the pool with Tom, their heads so close she could smell the salt and sun cream combination on his skin.
‘What’re we looking for?’ she asked.
Tom shrugged. ‘Um… anything.’ He glanced behind her and as she went to turn around, he grabbed her arm. ‘No, Grace, look into this one.’
‘Oh… okay.’ She knew in that moment that something was going on, but she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Whatever it was that her little family had concocted now. They were always doing lovely things for her, like the time when Amy and Oli had gone out shopping and returned with a beautiful new throw for the sofa in her writing room, and the times when Tom and Oli had made her breakfast in bed because she’d been writing late into the night. They were always doing things to show her how much they loved and cared about her.
‘Tom!’ Oli called, then beckoned them towards a rock pool further along.
‘Come on, Grace.’ Tom took her hand and led her towards his father and his sister.
‘Grace…’ Oli smiled at her, ‘look in this pool.’
‘Yes, Grace, there’s something in there.’
She looked from Oli to Amy, then to Tom; they were all smiling.
When she leant forwards and peered into the water, she saw the same as she had in the last rock pool: some slimy rocks, a few small transparent fish that darted from one side to the other and some seaweed. But there was something else in there too. Something sparkly and silver.
She met Oli’s eyes.
‘I’ve wracked my brains about how to do this and with the children’s help, I decided upon this way.’
Grace stared at the diamond ring.
‘You mean you’re…’ Her throat ached as the reality of what was happening washed over her.
‘Yes, Grace. If you’ll have us, that is. We three love you so much, and we want to keep you forever. So will you marry me? Or should I say us?’
Grace reached into the water and lifted the ring. The large square diamond glistened in the sunlight. ‘It’s perfect.’
‘Like you.’
Grace held the ring up.
‘Are you sure about this?’
‘More certain than I’ve ever been about anything.’
‘Come on, Grace, say yes!’ Tom clapped his hands.
‘I can’t think of anything I want more than to be with you all forever. I love you three so much too.’
Oli took the ring from her, then slid it onto her finger.
‘Grace, I promise to love you and cherish you for the rest of my life.’
‘And I promise to love and cherish you, Amy and Tom for the rest of mine.’
‘Give her a kiss, Daddy.’ Amy nudged her father.
Oli opened his arms and Grace moved closer to him. It wasn’t how she’d thought this might happen, caked in sun cream and sand with her hair tangled from the sea and the wind, and the salt drying on her skin. But it was absolutely perfect.
‘What did she say?’ Simon called from their picnic spot.
‘Let’s go and show your parents.’
They returned to Louise and Simon.
‘Mum and Dad, I take it you were in on this?’
‘I asked your father’s permission.’
‘Permission?’ Grace laughed.
‘Well, you know, I ran the idea past him and he was quite happy with it. Your mother too.’
‘Let me see!’ Louise held out her hand and Grace showed her the ring that fitted perfectly. ‘Oh, it’s gorgeous. Congratulations both!’
‘This calls for more champagne.’ Simon topped up their glasses. ‘And I have something special for dessert.’
After they’d eaten the melt-in-the-mouth strawberry meringues with soft white ice cream from Foxglove Farm, they all sat under the umbrellas enjoying the afternoon. Amy and Tom worked at a word search in a bumper book that Grace had bought for them and that had proved very popular, even in this day of technology. She knew it was also good for their spelling and vocabulary, but hadn’t let on that it was an educational prop too.
Simon and Louise were both reading, Louise had her e-reader and was going through the first draft of Grace’s latest book, which she’d emailed to her mother earlier, and Simon was reading the latest psychological thriller that had hit the top of the charts that summer.
Grace was leaning on Oli as they finished their champagne. His skin was warm next to hers and his scent was one of summer at the beach. Sea salt, sun cream, and his own delicious smell, the one that always made Grace’s stomach flip. Next to her, Hope was roaching on the picnic blanket, her tongue lolling from her mouth and her legs in the air.
‘Oli…’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you for making me so happy. I have more than I could ever have imagined.’
‘You’ve made us happy too. Not many women would want to take on a widower with two children.’
‘Well, I’m not sure about that because you, Amy and Tom are amazing. But for me, this is perfect. I never thought I’d have a family of my own.’
‘I never thought I’d be happy again.’
‘I love you, Oli.’
‘And I love you.’
Happiness flowed through Grace and she gazed at the beautiful engagement ring on her left hand.
‘One more thing.’ Oli sat up and took her hand, his expression turning serious.
‘Yes?’
‘Would you be happy to adopt the children? You know, to make things more official.’
�
�Really?’
He nodded. ‘It’s the right thing to do for us and for them. I know they’d be delighted and it would make things more secure for them too.’
‘That would be amazing.’ Her vision blurred and her heart swelled so much she thought it might burst.
And as the seagulls swooped into the sea, the waves lapped at the shore, and her family sat around her, with her husband-to-be at her side, Grace knew that she was very lucky.
Some days, she couldn’t believe that her life had changed so dramatically. It was so very different to the one she’d been living for all those years. Now she was happy, fulfilled and loved.
Now she had the perfect life.
And it had all come about because of one very special Christmas at Conwenna Cove.
Acknowledgements
My thanks go to the following:
My husband and children, for your wonderful support. I love you and you are my world. XXX
My three writing buddies: Spike, Freya and Zelda. You provide me with laughs, love and inspiration.
The fabulous team at Canelo, for helping me to develop the Conwenna Cove series. I am always grateful for your enthusiasm, your kindness and your patience, especially when I bombard you with emails and ask numerous questions. In particular, thanks to Louise Cullen, for your dedication and hard work on my books, as well as the lovely things you say about my stories and my characters. You understand what I’m trying to do, but you help me do it better!
My agent Amanda Preston. Thank you for your support over recent months. I am excited about working with you on future books!
My author friends. Your support is always appreciated.
The blogging community, because you are amazing!
My readers who come back for more. I love you guys!
And special thanks go to Greyhound Rescue Wales and its supporters.
First published in the United Kingdom in 2017 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
57 Shepherds Lane
Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU
United Kingdom
Copyright © Darcie Boleyn, 2017
The moral right of Darcie Boleyn to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781911591443
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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