***
When the grateful parents had taken the children home, and Jordan, Max and Chris had helped Allie to tidy up, she sat at one of the outdoor tables with a glass of red wine and sighed with contentment. Jordan and Max had taken themselves off to the pub, so she was left alone with Chris.
“It’s a beautiful evening,” he said.
“It is and I had a great time. I put on a goodbye-summer party last year, but it wasn’t as much fun.”
“Allie, nothing was as much fun for me until I came back to Heatherlea. You are everything I ever wanted.”
Allie sipped her wine, enjoying the spicy finish of the good quality Shiraz.
“So where do we go from here?” she asked. “Not that I want to rush things. I mean, you haven’t been back long and—”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.”
“You have?”
“Well now that the cottage has been emptied of my mother’s collection, for want of a better word, and had a fresh coat of paint, it’s looking pretty good there.”
Allie nodded. She’d been round to see how the decorators were getting on and encouraged Chris to keep the kitchen exactly as it was, although she had suggested he put in an island to match the rest of the units. He’d done so with the help of a local carpenter and had proudly shown her just yesterday.
“I was considering selling and buying something else local but I’d like to keep the cottage. It’s a good size and with some new furniture upstairs and in the lounge, I think it’ll make a great home to spend my twilight years.”
Allie snorted. “You’re not in your twilight years.”
“Not yet but always best to prepare.”
“Always.”
“There’s something missing though.” He sipped his wine thoughtfully and gazed upwards as if considering his wording.
“There is?”
“Most definitely.”
“What is it?”
“A cat flap.”
“A cat flap? Why’d you want one of those you haven’t got any ca… oh.” Allie bit her lip.
“Exactly.” He took her hands. “I want your cats to come and live with me.”
She burst into laughter.
“My cats?”
He nodded.
“And you can come along too if you like.”
“Chris, that is not the most romantic way to ask me. Although I am glad you removed the eye patch first.”
He shook his head then toyed with a few strands from his long black wig.
“This is itching like mad.” He pulled it off and rubbed his head. “That’s better. I’m teasing about the cats. I just got all embarrassed for a moment there. It’s the author in me; I’m terrified of using clichés. Anyway…” He took a deep breath. “I have something for you.”
He stood up and pulled something from his trouser pocket.
“Open your hand.”
“Why? What is it? Not one of those pirate hooks is it? Or a bottle of rum.”
“It’s not.” He hadn’t laughed at her jokes and she realised his expression was serious, earnest.
“Okay then.”
She opened her hand and Chris placed something warm and solid onto her palm.
She looked from the silver key to Chris, then back again.
“Allie, I don’t feel I’m rushing anything because I’ve waited my whole life to be with you.”
Her heart pounded and blood whooshed through her ears as emotion surged in her chest.
“My home is your home, Allie. I don’t want to be without you any longer. I don’t want to spend another night away from you. Ever.”
“Well we haven’t spent many nights apart this past fortnight.” Allie flushed as she thought about the times Chris had stayed over when they knew Jordan would be at Max’s. Even though Jordan knew about Chris now, she still felt a bit awkward when they were all together. It was as if part of her believed that she shouldn’t be dating anyone, let alone a man who’d known his father. But Jordan had insisted when she’d told him, then about thirty times more, that he was happy for her to see Chris, and always would be as long as she was happy. When she’d told Mandy on the phone, unable to get her daughter to commit to a trip home because of what she described as a very busy schedule – including a conference in Brighton for authors and agents – Mandy had gone quiet. Allie’s heart had stopped as she waited for her daughter to say something. And she had. Eventually. She’d told Allie that it was great news and asked if Chris was thinking of changing publisher any time soon, which had been her way of letting Allie know that everything was all right between them.
“So let’s not spend any more apart then.”
Allie turned the key over in her fingers, feeling its weight. It wasn’t just a key; it was a symbol of the life she could embark upon now with the man she’d always loved. This was the start of something special. At her age, she’d thought all that was behind her, but here she was with a wonderful second chance. She was still young. Her children were happy, her parents were happy – and delighted that she’d started seeing Chris – and her friends were happy. Everything seemed to be going right for once.
She held the key tight, feeling its reassuring weight.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Chris’s eyebrows rose.
“Let’s do it. I guess Jordan will be happy to have the extra space above the café now that he has Max. They were talking about finding somewhere together just yesterday, so this will work out well for them too.”
Chris pulled her to her feet then swung her round. “You won’t regret this, I promise. I’ll do everything I can, every day of my life, to make you happy. I love you, Allie Jones.”
“And I love you too, Chris.”
As he squeezed her tight, Allie peered over his shoulder at The Cosy Cottage Café and smiled. Her life had started over when she’d taken on the café. Chris had returned at a time when she was doing well, when she felt good about herself. And that was important. She’d proved something by setting up her own business; that she was a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders and a good heart. She’d created a small corner of the community where people could go when they needed a break, some sustenance or even just a friendly face.
And now that Chris was here, life would just be even better.
“I think we’d better go tell the cats,” Allie said as Chris released her.
“Probably for the best. Wouldn’t want those wily sisters finding out from someone else now would we?”
“And one more thing.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“When you said you wanted to get some new furniture, you meant old, right?”
“Whatever you want is just perfect. Like you.”
Allie held out her hand and Chris took it, then they entered The Cosy Cottage Café together, neither of them ever intending on letting go again.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Summer at The Cosy Cottage Café. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Did the story that made you smile, laugh or even cry? Did you care about the characters? Which ones and why? Who do you want to know more about in a future book?
If you can spare five minutes of your time, I would be so grateful if you could leave a short review. Genuine word of mouth helps other readers decide whether to take a trip to The Cosy Cottage Café too.
There will be another three books in this series, the next one is Autumn at The Cosy Cottage Café.
Wishing you all the best and hoping you’ll come back to Heatherlea soon!
You can find me on Twitter @authorRG if you’d like to connect with me.
With love,
Rachel X
Coming Soon
Autumn at The Cosy Cottage Café
A heart-warming holiday read about life and love
By Rachel Griffiths
Book 2 in The Cosy Cottage Café Series
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, thanks to my gorgeous family. Without your love, patience and inspiration, I wouldn’t be able to write. I love you so much! XXX
To my author and blogger friends, for your support, advice and encouragement. In particular, I have to thank Alice for telling me that this was possible. You helped me believe that dreams can come true. Also, in no particular order, thanks to Ann, Joanne, Andie, Katie, Kerry, Holly, Sarah, Helen, Heather, Kaisha, Elaine, Laura, Claire, Jessica, Ian, Rachel, Joanne, Rae, Ann, Alison, Clair and Suze – your friendship and support over recent months has meant the world.
Special thanks to the very talented Emma Byrne at The Felted Badger for the beautiful cover.
To all the bloggers, authors and readers who have interacted with me on social media – and supported me – huge heartfelt thanks. This is a crazy, exciting journey and I’m having a great time with you all!
To everyone who buys and reviews this book, thank you. Without you, there would be no Cosy Cottage Café.
Summer at The Cosy Cottage Cafe: A feel good second-chance romance Page 11