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Authors: Nicole Brightman

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BOOK: Room to Breathe
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Chapter 11

It has been three days since my conversation with Maggie in my living room. We have talked a little over text messages but not much. She has sent me a few text messages to tell me she had covered my shifts at the pub. After I told her I would be leaving today she sent me a message to tell me she had rented out the little flat to Patrick. This morning she sent me a message saying this was the last time she would contact me. She also said that if I change my mind to let her know.

As I stand here in my little living room I can’t help but be a little sad and apprehensive. The weight of everything I am giving up and everything I am risking settles around me. For a moment I consider calling the whole thing off. I close my eyes and take a deep breath picturing my future if I stay here. Then I picture the life I might have. A life where I am able to do good things and help people. A life with purpose. If that isn’t worth risking everything I don’t know what is. Of course, being able to spend my days with Eric is a wonderful bonus too.

He has been texting and calling me a lot over the past few days. It really kind of surprised me that he genuinely seems to like just talking with me.

He was really upset to hear about Maggie. He even offered to call and talk to her but I don’t think that would do any good. I have started to notice that I miss talking to him when it has been just a few hours since I have heard from him. The more I get to know him the more I want to know. That is really the part that scares me the most about all of this.

I have gotten used to him. I don’t ever let myself get used to having people around. People tend to bail on me as soon as it gets tough. I mean shit, look at Maggie. That is more normal for me than someone that will stick around when life gets tough.

I am worried that if I keep spending time with him I will get to the point I will want more than he is willing to give. The smart thing would be to tell him I have changed my mind and get on the first plane back to America. I really can’t handle the thought of going home now. I still have so much I want to do here. Also, even if it makes me sound stupid I want to be near Eric. Even if our relationship stays just friends with benefits.

I take one final look around the little apartment. Most everything in here belongs to my cousins since my aunt passed. My entire life in England fits into three suitcases and toiletry bag.

I hear a car pull up out front and look through the window to see the town car pull up and Angus get out. I am a little disappointed Eric didn’t come himself. I open the door before Angus can knock.

“Good afternoon, Miss Allen,” he says smiling at me. It is so nice to see a friendly face.

“Hi Angus,” I smile back.

“Are these your bags?” He asks as he points to my luggage.

“Yep that’s them.”

“Here, let me take these and I will right back for the others,” He says as he lifts the two largest bags and heads out the door.

I carry the toiletry bag and wheel the other bag out the door. Before closing the door I pause for just a moment to say goodbye to my old life. I then close and lock the door behind me. It feels like I am closing of the door on that chapter of my life.

“Here Miss please let me get those,” Angus says rushing to my side and taking the bags. “Are you alright Miss?”

“Oh, thank you Angus. Yes I am definitely alright,” I smile as brightly as I can.

The drive to Greenwood seems shorter this time. In no time we are pulling up in front of the main entrance. There is a shiny black Land Rover parked right in front of the door. As soon as we stop Angus is there to open my door and help me from the car.

I am grateful the break in rain has held out for the past few days. I was worried if it was wet Eric would cancel our trip to the castle. I start to walk towards the house when the front door opens and Eric steps out. He is wearing jeans again this time with a black sweater. His eyes meet mine and he smiles a smile that warms and relaxes me. The chilly breeze ruffles his dark brown hair for a moment as he starts to walk towards me. I am so busy admiring him that I stumble slightly. Thankfully Angus catches me by the elbow. I pretend I stumbled on a rock and straighten myself as Eric reaches for me.

“Are you okay?” He asks with a worried tone.

“I am fine. I just tripped. Thank you Angus,” I say as Angus heads to the car for my bags.

“Are you quite sure?” Eric questions me again looking down at me with a furrowed brow. I had forgotten how his voice affects me and how warm his brown eyes are. For a moment I am afraid I might lose my balance again.

“Yes, I am fine I promise.”

“Good,” he says with his smile returning to his face. He leans down and quickly kisses my cheek. “The car is ready to go if you are.” He gestures to the Land Rover.

“I think I am. Is what I am wearing okay?” I have the hardest time knowing what to wear around him. I have on my favorite pair of nice jeans and a cranberry colored cashmere sweater Maggie bought me for Christmas last year. It fits my curves nicely and has a fairly deep V-neck. I added a long silver necklace with a large Celtic knot medallion. Since I thought we might have to do some walking in the mud I wore a pair of flat boots. I also grabbed my vintage peacoat to keep me warm.

Eric scans me up and down a few times.

“What you are wearing is perfect. Your ass looks amazing in those jeans,” he says as he reaches down and brushes his hand over the aforementioned body part. I am so glad he noticed. The fact that he appreciates my body makes me feel so sexy.

“Thanks. You look amazing yourself.” I can’t help but give him a goofy grin. He opens the door to the car and I climb in. He says something to Angus and then gets in the driver’s side.

“Jefferson will see that one of the maids un-packs your bags in your room for you. Have you eaten yet? If not we can stop and get something,” he says as we pull on to the main road.

“I am good. I ate earlier but thank you.” He turns the volume on the music up to my surprise it isn’t the Beatles.

“I didn’t know you like Muse too.”

“They make good music. Why wouldn’t I like them?”

“I just figured you only liked music by people born before 1960,” I smile at him so he knows I am kidding.

“Well I am surprised you like them. I mean they are no Katy Perry,” he winks at me. I roll my eyes at him. He doesn’t need to know that Muse and Katy Perry are both on my favorite playlist.

We follow the signs heading towards a larger town not too far away. Even on this grey January day the country side is beautiful. I love the way the rural setting gives way slowly to the modern world and then back again. It is like they have been carefully blended with a paint brush.

We pull up to the car park in front of the visitor’s center for the castle. The ruins loom in the background silhouetted against the grey sky and green hills. The castle itself looks as old as time. About a third of the walls are crumbled but somehow some of glass is still in the windows. It is a strange mix of ruin and preservation.

“It is beautiful,” I say to Eric as he helps me from the car.

“I like to think so,” he responds walking towards the entrance.

He speaks for a moment with the young man taking admission before leading me towards the castle. It is a long walk to the actual castle entrance from the car park.

“This castle was completed in the thirteenth century”, Eric informs me as we walk along.

“It is crazy to think how long ago that was,” I say, genuinely in awe. We start up the steps leading inside. Once we are inside there is a clearly marked path we are supposed to be taking.

“I love this place,” Eric comments helping me down a flight of stairs. “We used to come here when I was a kid. We used to go to a lot of the historical sites, really. My mother really enjoyed them.”

“I can see why,” I respond carefully placing each step. “It is really fascinating.”

“I am glad you think so. We should visit some more of them once the weather warms up.”

“I would like that,” I say calmly even though I am secretly thrilled that he thinks we will still be spending time together in a few months. We climb up a spiral staircase in one of the turrets.

“I know this climb is a little mad but the view at the top is just brilliant,” he calls over his shoulder. I think I might die from all the stair climbing so this view better be as good as he says it is. “Ah and here we are.”

I step out on to the viewing platform behind Eric. He is right the view is stunning and totally worth the climb. You can see the surrounding forest as well as the river that runs nearby. It is prettier that anything I have seen in any movie.

Eric moves in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. There are only a few other groups of people visiting today. We are lucky enough to find ourselves alone at this moment. He hugs me tighter to him and leans down to kiss my cheek.

“Mmm, you smell so good,” he says nuzzling my neck.

“Thanks,” I respond. I could stand here for hours but the noise below tells me we are about to have company. Sure enough in just a few seconds an elderly woman steps out on to the platform. She ignores us and continues to talk to the younger woman following her that must be her daughter.

“Let’s head back down,” Eric smiles at me. He descends the stairs first and I am close behind him. “Watch your step. There is a loose stone there,” he calls a few steps from the bottom.

“Where?” I ask and a moment later I pitched forward. I am lucky that Eric seemed to anticipate my fall. Fortunately, he catches me before I tumble down the remaining stairs. “Son of a...” I stop myself short as a family with small children comes around the corner.

“Are you alright?” Eric asks still hold me against him.

“I think so,” I answer pulling away from him. “Ouch! I think I may have hurt my ankle again.”

“Come here,” he says as he lifts me easily into his arms. He carries me over to a bench and gently lowers me. “Do you want me to have a look? Or I can carry you back to the car if you want to leave.”

“No, just give me a minute to rest,” I ask as I stretch my legs out. Eric sits on the bench next to me.

“I am starting to think we should get you some safety equipment.”

“I will be fine honest. Maggie used to joke that the insurance on the pub doubled after I started there because I am such a klutz.”

“How are things with Maggie? Have you heard any more from her?”

“Just a text message this morning telling me she doesn’t want to talk to me again.”

“I am sorry to hear that. She will come around. Just give it time.”

“I guess we will see,” I say as I smile up at him. I know he is wrong but I don’t think I need to tell him that. I don’t want him to feel like this is his fault at all.

“How is your ankle?”

“It is good. I just needed a rest. Where to now your Lordship?”

“Hmm,” he puts his arms around me and pulls me close. He leans down and kisses my lips briefly. “You are cold. Why didn’t you say so?”

“Because we were having fun and I will live.”

“You should have told me. Let’s go. There is a tea shop here that has wonderful soup.”

“That sounds really good.” I am surprised what an appetite I have worked up and the truth is I am freezing.

We walk back the way we came. Eric has his arm around my waist like he is afraid I am going to fall again. We enter the little tea and gift shop that is near the car park. It is warm an inviting. We sit at a small table just big enough for the two of us. Before I even have my coat off an older heavyset woman has come over to the table. She is wearing an apron and her light strawberry blonde hair is pulled back into a messy bun. She has a round face with rosy cheeks. She greets Eric like he is a long lost relation.

“Hello, Aggie. How are you?” Eric greets her back, standing to kiss her cheek.

“I am better than I could’ve expected,” she says beaming at him. Clearly he comes here more than I thought. “I wish you would have phoned first. I would’ve whipped up something special.”

“Aggie everything you make is something special,” he gives her one of his heart stopping smiles. I can see the color rise in her cheeks.

“Well aren’t you just full of flattery,” she responds playfully swatting at his arm. “It is enough for me to forgive your poor manners. Who is this lovely young woman with you?”

“Oh of course, I apologize. Aggie, this is Cora Allen. Cora, this is Aggie Thomas.”

“Please to meet you,” I say offering my hand which she takes right away.

“You too, my dear. Oh goodness, you’re American,” she smiles broadly at me. I am not sure if she thinks that is a bad or a good thing. I have found about an even mix here in England.

“I hope that is okay,” I smile back nervously.

“Oh it is wonderful. It means there is a better chance of you having enough spunk to deal with his Lordship here. I had been hoping he would meet a nice girl that was strong enough for him.”

“Aggie, you won’t be happy until you have me married off,” Eric responds shaking his head.

“I am sorry to disappoint you, Aggie, but we are just friends,” I say as lightly as possible.

“Well maybe for now,” she replies with a wink at me. Eric scowls at me slightly across the table. “I take it you would like a bowl of soup,” she motions to Eric.

BOOK: Room to Breathe
11.22Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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