by Dawn Douglas
“I hope you’ll come back,” Dan said. “You see, without you the place really doesn’t amount to much. It’s just an old, shabby cottage. But when you walk through the door, suddenly it’s home. Please tell me you’ll come home, sweetheart.”
She nodded, smiling up at him, brushing away the tears.
When he kissed her, Zelda suspected the tears she tasted were not just her own. He held her so tightly it almost hurt. She didn’t care. She never wanted to let go of him again.
He lifted his head finally and they both laughed, for no reason at all.
“Of course, we can’t stay in Rose Cottage forever,” he said. “I want at least six kids, and it only has two bedrooms.”
“Six.” Zelda’s voice was faint. “But you said you didn’t want kids.”
“Changed my mind.”
She grinned.
“The kitchen is just as you left it. I had the chimney swept, and I’m looking into getting an extension built, so we can add a second bathroom, with a bathtub.”
“I can hardly wait to get back.” A rush of longing filled her.
“When shall we book our flights? I thought we could go back the day after Christmas.”
“That’s in five days.” She blinked at him in shock.
For a moment, Zelda thought of everything she’d be saying goodbye to—her parents, the city she’d grown up in, and the business she’d planned to be a part of. She knew her parents and Charlie would understand. She was going home.
“And one more thing,” Dan said. “Will you marry me?”
She froze.
The world seemed hushed for a moment, as if it was holding its breath, waiting for her answer, and Zelda sensed the future ahead. It wouldn’t be all sunshine and lollipops; there would be bills to pay and hard decisions to be made. There would be long rainy English days and babies with colic and cars that inexplicably broke down. And there’d be Dan, her best friend, her love.
He had gone very still too.
Zelda looked at him. Smiled slowly. Nodded.
“Yes.”
Chapter Sixteen
Five Months Later
“You’re going to live here?” Alex looked around in horror. “Cupcake, you cannot be serious. This is the worst kitchen I’ve ever seen.”
“Daddy, that’s not very nice.”
“Your mother and I would be happy to provide a little help so you and Dan can bring it up to date.”
“Not necessary.” Zelda stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Her parents had flown in from Denver the day before for her wedding, which had taken place that morning in Bagley’s small parish church. The sun shone kindly down from a cloudless sky. It was a perfect spring day, with wild roses blooming in the hedgerows and bluebells making their first shy appearance in the lane.
Dan walked into the kitchen and slid an arm snugly around her waist, tugging her close for a kiss. “Sweetheart, come and have something to eat. Elsie just arrived with more sausage rolls.”
The living room of Rose Cottage was crowded with guests. Mark Shawcross, his face flushed with enthusiasm, described the latest developments in information technology to Joanne, and Bernard jotted down his gooseberry jam recipe for Olivia, who’d driven up from London for the wedding. Maggie had drunk a little too much and was being persuaded down from the coffee table, where she’d just stood to belt out a stirring rendition of “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Vera and Elsie industriously buzzed back and forth from the kitchen, ensuring there was enough food and wine.
Zelda smiled as she took in the scene. She’d known such happiness in the past months, and her new life was just beginning. Dan led her to the center of the room and spoke up.
“Everyone,” he said. “Zelda and I have a few words we’d like to say.”
A quiet fell over the room.
“First, we’d like to thank you all for being here today,” he said. “You have helped make this day so incredibly special. Secondly, we want to let you all know...”
Zelda squeezed his hand and spoke in a low voice. “Do you want me to tell them?”
“No, I can do it.” He bent and kissed her. “Are you sure about this, Zeldie? About announcing it this way?”
She nodded, her heart fluttering with joy and excitement. Somehow, every time she thought she couldn’t be any happier, she was. “Dan, I love you so much,” she whispered.
“I love you, too. “He kissed her again.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, get on with it!” Maggie called out.
“We’re going to have a baby,” Dan said simply.
There was a brief silence before everyone spoke at once, bombarding them with questions. “When was the baby due? Would there be room for a baby in the cottage? Did they know the sex yet?”
The reception lasted another hour, and then with a flurry of hugs and goodbyes it was over. Zelda stood in the garden and waved as her parents disappeared up the lane in their hired car.
“Alone at last,” Dan murmured, and bent to give her a soft, lingering kiss.
Zelda knew she’d remember this moment forever, his lips on hers, the scent of the garden, the cottage waiting. Around them, the evening seemed to sigh. It was growing chilly.
Dan and Zelda turned and went inside, closing the door of Rose Cottage behind them.
A word about the author...
Dawn Wingfield is a native of England but now lives and writes in Colorado with her three children and two dogs. She has too many interests to list, including writing, reading, graveyards, fashion, and cooking.
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.