She shook her head. ‘I thought I did. I mean I considered it but… Josie and Brad… oh and old lady on a train, they made me see sense. Although I don’t feel things have worked out since we… sinceImoved in there.’
Greg took her hand and tilted her chin up. ‘That’s all about to change. Please don’t sell up. I really think you’d regret it. Sealladh-mara Cottage has your fantastic workshop. I saw some of your stuff in Colin’s shop and was so impressed and I think you could sell loads more here. Don’t give that opportunity up.’
‘I rejected the offer, Greg, and have taken it off the market. I maybe should’ve led with that, eh?’
Despite the swelling and bruises, a wide, handsome grin spread across his face. ‘Yes that would’ve been good.’ He huffed. ‘You do love that place though. And… so do I.’
She nodded. ‘I do but it’s lonely sometimes. And sometimes it doesn’t feel like my home. I kind of feel like a guest there. That probably sounds silly.’
‘Look, there are things we can do to make it feel like home. I can help. I want to help, okay? We can keep Sam’s memory aliveandmake it your home too.’
Touched by his words, she nodded her acquiescence.
*
The next few days were filled with hospital visits for Mallory, but she managed to squeeze in a visit to Easdale to sign the lease on the second branch of Le Petit Cadeau and couldn’t wait to tell Greg. By the end of the week they had mentally redecorated and kitted out the shop and she was excited to put their plans into place for real. Greg felt the same although he said his main priority was to get home and begin his relationship with Mallory in more private, comfortable and intimate surroundings.
On the day Greg was due to come home, Mallory arrived at the hospital in the Landy, figuring it would be easier for him to get in and out of in his current bruised and battered state.
She helped him down to the car and he grinned, clearly surprised when he saw his hunk of a vehicle there waiting for him. ‘Bloody hell, Mallory, you broughtmycar?’ he laughed, impressed at her bravery in driving the old boneshaker.
‘Yes, and boy that was a fun experience. It put a smile on my face that’s for sure.’
‘See, I knew I could convert you. We’ll need to get you one instead of that pocket-sized, pretend car you drive around,’ he teased. ‘Winters around here are a sight to behold, but my oh my, will you know about it if you try to go out in your toy car.’ He chuckled and she shook her head at his audacity.
He was really happy to be going home. And Mallory was happy to be taking him. She had been around earlier in the week to clean his house and stock his food cupboards. She even placed fresh flowers around the place to make the basic and mismatched surroundings of his bachelor pad more conducive to a homecoming welcome.
When they arrived at Greg’s house, she manoeuvred the rather stiff and achy six foot tall, broad, muscular man inside and onto the sofa, with great difficulty. He grabbed her and pulled her to him, wincing in pain as he did so. His hand found her hair and he pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was deep and passionate and made Mallory’s insides turn to jelly.
‘God I’ve wanted to do that properly for so long,’ he gasped. ‘And I’m willing my ribs to get better quickly. I’m not sure where we are on thetaking it slowthing, but I’d appreciate a heads-up ’cause I’m just about going to go crazy here.’ His eyes flashed and her breath caught in her throat.
‘Please, just get well, Greg; quickly.’ Unable to get enough, she kissed him again. When she released his mouth she stared into his hot, melted chocolate gaze, smiling. ‘You have the most amazing eyes, Greg. I could fall right in and drown.’
‘Feel free,’ he whispered.
How had she managed to hold back from this? How had she nearly let him go?
Suddenly a worrying thought crossed her mind. ‘I… maybe I should call Renee?’
‘To tell her about us?’ Greg asked.
‘Yes. Or is it too soon? I mean we don’t know what will happen do we? Maybe I should wait?’
Greg’s brow furrowed and he pulled his lips into a line. ‘It worries me that you think something will break us up again. You can’t think like that or you’ll always be waiting. I have no intention of this ending.’ He tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘But if you still have doubts maybe weshouldgo back to taking things slow until you can trust me again?’ He looked a little disappointed at the thought.
‘No… no, Greg it’s not that. This feels right.’ She gestured between the two of them. ‘Wedofeel right. I think I’m just scared because I was so in love with Renee’s son. What if the Buchanans decide they don’t want to know me anymore? That’d break my heart.’ Her eyes dropped to where her hand was entwined with Greg’s.
He tilted up her chin. ‘That won’t happen. You know they want you to be happy. I’m sure they’ll be fine. Just explain everything exactly as it happened.’
‘I may leave it a few days so I can figure out what to say. Is that okay with you?’
‘Mallory, you don’t need my permission. It’s entirely up to you.’ He squeezed her hand in reassurance.
‘Okay, well I’ll maybe ring after the weekend. Right, coffee?’ She jumped up off the sofa.
‘Oh no… areyoumaking it?’ he chuckled.
She pursed her lips at him and placed her hands on her hips. ‘Oooh, Greg if you weren’t injured already…’
