Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat

by Angela Britnell

  You’re The One That I Want

  Nashville Connections

  Novella

  What if you didn’t want to fake it any more?

  When Sarah, a teacher from Cornwall, and Matt, a businessman from Nashville, meet on a European coach tour, they soon find themselves in a relationship …

  Except it’s a fake relationship. Because Matt is too busy for romance, and Sarah is only trying to make her cheating ex-husband jealous … isn’t she?

  As Matt and Sarah complete their tour of Europe, they do all the things real couples are supposed to do – from visiting fairy-tale castles in Germany to recreating the scene from Romeo and Juliet in Verona. And, of course, for every picturesque destination there’s a loved-up selfie and Facebook post to match.

  But as their holiday comes to an end, Sarah and Matt realise that they’re not happy with their pretend relationship. They want the real thing.

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  Where heroes are like chocolate – irresistible!

  To the three angels who will make my Christmas sparkle

  – my beautiful grandchildren Franklin, Jemma and Sophie

  Acknowledgements

  I knew when I went on a fascinating tour of the Hensley Settlement from the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park it would definitely make its way into one of my books – and our guide genuinely was related to the Hensley family which made it extremely personal. When the story of Black Cherry Retreat began to emerge this captivating area of East Tennessee was the perfect setting and it’s possible that nestling in the hills and hollows of this beautiful area Pine Ridge might actually exist!

  Thanks go to the Tasting Panel readers who passed this manuscript and made publication a possibility: Heather P, Els E, Melissa C, Jenny W, Linda Sp, Ana A, Alison B, Lizzie D, Jo O, Hannah S, Heidi J, Hrund, Kirsty M, Cindy T, Alma H, Heather S and Linda W.

  Copyright information

  Copyright © 2018 Angela Britnell

  Published 2018 by Choc Lit Limited

  Penrose House, Crawley Drive, Camberley, Surrey GU15 2AB, UK

  www.choc-lit.com

  The right of Angela Britnell to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the UK such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Barnards Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1EN

  ISBN (EPUB): 978-1-78189-385-2

  Preview

  Love Me for a Reason

  by Angela Britnell

  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Nathaniel, you’re going to an art gallery not an audit. You take being a boring accountant to a whole new level.’ Sky made a grab for him, but Nathaniel seized her wrist mid-air. He managed to steer her glossy electric blue nails away from the perfect Windsor knot in his silk tie and took a step backwards to check out his sister. Sky’s neon orange outfit appeared to have been put through an office shredder.

  ‘Is there any chance you might buy the rest of the dress next week? Is it necessary for everyone to see your …’

  ‘Boobs, bosoms, breasts.’ Her loud, full-throated laughter filled the room and he fought against smiling. ‘You’re thirty-six, Nathaniel. I believe you know what they are by now despite your solitary existence. And, yes, I know I’m your little sister but I still have them. Plus, I’m an artist so this is as much part of my image as all that …’ She gestured at him. ‘… is yours.’ An unexpected tightness caught in his throat. ‘I thought if I came here first I could perhaps influence your choice of clothes but that was a dumb idea. I’ll give up and stop hassling you now. It’s time to escort me to the ball, Prince Charming.’

  She flitted away as fast as humanly possible on her towering gold sandals, disappearing from his apartment with a happy wave. He heard her yell at someone to hold the elevator door and of course they would oblige because no one could resist Sky. It was why he’d endure an excruciating evening listening to pretentious arty types drone on about the hidden meanings behind the work on display. That, and his rarely-expressed pride in his sister.

  When he got his first job after college he’d sworn to do anything in his power to help Sky get established in her art career and Nathaniel followed through on his promises. As a child he’d learnt the consequences of not doing so from his feckless father and determined never to fall into the same trap. Tonight he’d helped finance her first exhibition being put on jointly with two friends of hers and he had his fingers crossed it would be a success. If Sky could make a decent living from her art, instead of having to juggle overdue bills and constantly work odd jobs that ate into her creative time, he’d be happy.

  Nathaniel followed her out and locked the door behind him, checking it twice before hurrying towards the stairs. He’d walk down the six flights as something of an antidote to missing his usual workout.

  ‘Come on, it won’t do if I’m late to see my pictures exhibited in a real show,’ she declared as he met her by the entrance to the residents’ garage.

  ‘I do believe it’s the first time in your life I’ve ever heard you concerned about being late,’ he commented with more than a hint of sarcasm. Punctuality and Sky were two words never linked together in his head.

  ‘Yeah, well, this is a special night. I’ll be too excited to remember to thank you later but you’re an ace brother. We’d never have scraped up enough funding to put this on without your help. Cade and Marianne deserve the chance for people to see their amazing work.’

  ‘So do you, kid,’ Nathaniel muttered.

  Sky beamed. ‘Shut up and drive, big brother.’ She flung herself into the passenger seat and glanced around her with an exaggerated grimace. ‘I know this is an obscenely expensive Mercedes, Nathaniel, but it’s so boring. You’re rolling in money so why not buy a cute sports car to wow the ladies?’

  He ignored her carping remarks and knew if he mentioned the car’s safety rating it would only encourage Sky to rain down more abuse.

  Nathaniel drove steadily through downtown and ignored the waves of impatience radiating from Sky. She’d been stopped for speeding so many times it was practically a weekly occurrence. Luckily few of the Nashville cops could withstand her charm either so she usua
lly got away with it. ‘I’ll drop you off outside the gallery and go park.’

  ‘Thanks.’ She leaned over and kissed his cheek. ‘Mmm, someone’s been treating themselves to Armani cologne. At least you haven’t resorted to Old Spice so maybe there’s hope for you yet.’

  ‘A compliment? Careful, Sky.’ Nathaniel stopped the car. ‘There you go.’

  Daisy scanned the packed room and easily spotted Sky’s mass of platinum blonde curls. She’d offered to help her friend with the last-minute set-up but Sky insisted she spent the afternoon checking out the local Frist art museum.

  They’d crammed a lot of fun into the last few days and she’d miss Sky when she returned to her home in Cornwall. It had been their first chance to get together again since they’d met as art students in London over ten years ago and become firm friends. Daisy had taken Sky home to Cornwall with her on a lot of weekends and holidays but she’d never had the chance to visit Nashville in return, until now. Last week she’d attended a conference in Los Angeles for children’s book writers and illustrators and managed to scrape up enough money for a ticket to Nashville when it finished. She’d fallen in love with the interesting city, with its vibrant music and arts scene mixed in with the longstanding traditions of the old South.

  A tall, broad-shouldered man walked between her and Sky, glaring at the phone in his hand and cutting off her view. From his starched shirt and tailored suit, all the way down to his polished wingtip shoes, he stood out in the artistic crowd like a teetotaller at a brewery. She started to weave through the crowd towards Sky and seized a glass of wine from a waiter on the way.

  ‘Daisy!’ Sky screeched and everyone close by turned to stare, including the tall man whose quick, dismissive glance checked her out and turned away, all in less than five seconds. Arrogant so-and-so. Instantly Daisy was enveloped in her friend’s warm, perfumed embrace.

  ‘Isn’t this the coolest thing?’ Sky declared with a broad smile. ‘It’s so neat you could be here.’ She turned to include the tall man hovering over them. ‘Now I can finally get together my two favourite people. Daisy, this is my brother, Nathaniel, the stuffy accountant I’ve been telling you about for years.’

  For a second she felt sorry for him but his stony glare forced her to take it back.

  ‘Nathaniel, this is the famous Daisy Penvean, my English friend. Remember I told you she’s an artist too and does wonderful illustrations for children’s books? I’ve been showing her all around Nashville this week and I don’t know what I’m gonna do when she goes back to Cornwall.’

  Nathaniel slid his phone into his jacket pocket and reached out his hand to shake hers. The warm strength of his fingers wrapped around her own sent an unexpected bolt of awareness right through her.

  ‘Pleased to meet you.’ The dark, low timbre of his voice took her by surprise because it didn’t in the least resemble his sister’s lilting Southern drawl. Daisy took a guess that he’d worked hard to eradicate it.

  ‘Are you enjoying the evening?’ she asked. She couldn’t resist teasing him when it was so obvious he felt out of place but there was a sudden and unexpected hint of softness in his startling bright hazel eyes. The outer edges of the irises were rimmed in molten gold and she wondered how difficult it would be to capture them on paper.

  ‘I’m very proud of my sister and her work.’ His quiet, sure remark made her feel small and Daisy could only murmur that he was right to be.

  They were rescued by a waiter who appeared by the side of them brandishing a tray of canapés. Daisy selected an enormous golden fried prawn and popped it in her mouth.

  ‘Oh God, this is so good,’ she declared happily and noticed Nathaniel hadn’t taken anything. ‘You’re missing out, they’re delicious.’

  ‘I do believe my arteries will be content without the added cholesterol, plus seafood is always risky from an unknown kitchen environment.’

  Sky giggled over at Daisy. ‘My brother is very careful about what passes his lips, aren’t you, sweetie?’

  ‘You’d be wise to do the same,’ he retorted.

  ‘Don’t be such a bore. I’ll worry about all that when I’m as old as you.’

  ‘I doubt that very much.’

  His unexpected touch of dry humour took Daisy by surprise. ‘I’d like to have a look around, Sky. Would you give me a personal tour of the exhibition?’ she asked her friend.

  ‘Sure thing,’ Sky said, and gave her brother a mischievous grin. ‘Behave yourself.’

  ‘I can’t imagine he’d ever do anything else,’ Daisy joked but got no reaction from him, so she gave up and linked her arm with Sky’s. She allowed herself to be steered towards the paintings and as they passed the waiter she seized another prawn from the platter. Daisy glanced over her shoulder before popping it in her mouth and almost choked when she met Nathaniel’s solemn stare.

  Nathaniel shoved his hands in his pockets, something he usually never did because it spoiled the line of the suit jacket, but needing to hide their unsteadiness. When Sky described the English friend she had made when she attended art college in London, she hadn’t mentioned Daisy’s sparkling silver-blue eyes, her glossy ebony hair or adorable dimples. Maybe if she had he might have been prepared. Liar. Nothing could’ve protected him from the sucker punch to the gut that occurred when Daisy fixed her mocking attention on him. These days he gravitated towards well-dressed, ambitious women who fitted the lifestyle he’d created for himself. Daisy Penvean, who was dressed in typical hippy style with her floor length tie-dye layers and rope sandals, didn’t fit in with his plan.

  He made his way slowly around the room, paying scant attention to the other artists’ work but lingering in front of each of Sky’s paintings. As uncreative as he was himself, Nathaniel could recognise the obvious talent in her stunning, colourful works. Several times he overheard flattering comments from other guests and bit back the urge to brag on his sister.

  ‘You’re going to do us a big favour when we’re through here, Nathaniel, dear,’ Sky’s teasing voice next to him stirred him from his musing. ‘Daisy’s never been to Nashville before so we’re going to take her to the Wildhorse Saloon.’

  Instant refusal balanced on the tip of his tongue but crawled back down his throat as Daisy fixed her mesmerising eyes on him.

  ‘I’m sure Nate has better things to do.’

  The challenge, thrown out in her soft English accent, mixed with his anger at her casual shortening of his name, meant that all he could do was manage to shrug.

  ‘I believe we’ll take that as a yes,’ Sky proclaimed, with a yelp of glee. ‘I’m gonna leave you two alone while I chat up a few people. If I sell a painting the champagne’s on me tonight.’

  ‘Don’t consider doing anything sensible like paying your bills, will you?’ Nathaniel retorted and his sister’s smile melted away. He could’ve kicked himself and by Daisy’s furious glare he guessed she’d be more than happy to do the same. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured under his breath.

  ‘So you should be,’ Daisy proclaimed, wrapping her arm around Sky’s waist. ‘Take no notice, I’m sure he loves you really.’

  ‘Someone in the family needs to be sensible and he drew the short straw,’ Sky said kindly, rescuing him. ‘Try not to kill each other while I’m gone. I’m guessing it’ll be another hour or so before I’m done here.’ She gave out her orders and ran off, leaving Nathaniel alone with one of his worst nightmares … a beautiful, fearless woman who hated his guts. To achieve such a negative reaction in such a short space of time was a major achievement even for him.

  CHAPTER TWO

  She’d never wanted to ruffle a man so badly before, both literally and figuratively. The six feet plus of polished perfection now staring her down looked as if he belonged in a shop window display.

  ‘Let me take a wild guess, you’d rather chew broken glass than be seen dead in this Wildhorse Saloon, whatever it is?’ Daisy confronted him.

  ‘It wouldn’t be my first choice. An overheated club packed
three floors deep with loud, drunk people, obnoxious country music and line dancing isn’t my idea of fun.’

  Daisy heard her mother warning her to leave the poor man alone but something made her keep going. ‘I suppose a symphony concert would be more your scene?’

  ‘Do you have a problem with that?’ Nathaniel challenged.

  God, she hated anyone with the ability to raise one eyebrow in such a supercilious way. ‘Not at all.’ She considered admitting she preferred classical music herself but refused to give him the satisfaction. ‘Everyone to their own is my motto.’

  ‘I’m sure it is,’ he said, the dry edge to his voice giving her the distinct feeling she’d been insulted. The phone reappeared in his hand and he tapped it once to light up the screen then frowned at her. ‘Excuse me, but I’ve got a couple of important work calls to deal with. I’ll be outside when you and Sky are ready to leave.’

  Daisy could never understand people who considered themselves so important they refused to be parted from their gadgets long enough to enjoy an actual live experience. She’d bet money on the fact Nathaniel would keep his phone by the bed during sex. ‘Feel free, I wouldn’t want you to miss something earth-shattering.’

  He glanced down at her from under his thick dark lashes, long enough they should be illegal on a man, and the breath caught in her throat. A brief flash of fire lit up his eyes and his free hand raised towards her face. A second later it dropped back down to his side, leaving her to wonder what that had almost been.

  Daisy smoothed down her skirt, needing something safe to do with her hands. ‘Very kind of you, I’m sure. See you later.’

  Nathaniel gave her a dismissive nod as he turned away and strode off towards the open door.

  The air around her hummed with lingering scents of bergamot laced through with a touch of cedar from his tempting cologne and Daisy sighed. After her last romantic disaster with a schoolteacher who turned out to be married, a small fact he forgot to mention, she’d sworn off men for at least six months. Her eldest sister, Mags, bet her ten pounds she wouldn’t last out and so far it’d been three months, two weeks, four days and counting. Daisy intended to win even if it killed her in the process.