4

 

Hattie sat in church with her brother, seven days later, exhausted. She hadn’t stopped all week. Every room was full, every bed taken and even with Steve and Penny working alongside her, the work never stopped.

However, half way through this week, Penny had gone to stay with her sister, Di, while her brother-in-law was away on maneuvers with the Territorial Army. One by one the children had fallen sick with chicken pox over the last several weeks, and now Di had gone down with it, too. Penny had had it, so she was the obvious choice to go and help. It just left them shorthanded.

The church was warm, and Hattie knew she’d be in serious danger of falling asleep during the sermon if she wasn’t careful. This wasn’t advisable, as Pastor Jack had a habit of randomly using members of the congregation as examples of his points. Never in a nasty way, but Hattie had a morbid fear of waking as he mentioned her name.

The previous Sunday evening, she’d stayed in and streamed the service over the internet. The service had gone seamlessly from Pastor Jack praying, to Pastor Carson preaching. The only problem was she hadn’t heard the two hymns and Bible reading that came in between the two. And although she knew Pastor Jack’s wicked sense of humor would love that, it was bound to end up in a sermon a few years down the line, if he ever found out. So it was best he never did.

Brown brogues appeared next to her black floral sneakers and she glanced up at their owner. Chocolate brown eyes sparkled at her and she smiled. “We must stop meeting like this. People will talk.”

“Let them.” He picked up her teasing tone and continued it. “I mean we see each other so many times a day as it is.”

“Exactly my point,” she said, trying not to laugh. “I do have my reputation to consider. This is a small town.”

“Not as small as the one I live in.”

His grin was infectious and oh so charming. They’d had celebrities stay at the guest house before, and she’d never been affected like this. What was wrong with her? She didn’t even like football. So why did her pulse race, her breath catch and her stomach do cartwheels whenever she saw him?

He leaned closer to her. “Besides, surely being seen with me will do wonders for your street cred and your reputation. Everyone will want to sleep in the same room as the famous Callum Trant.” He winked. “Although my brother would say that was infamous.”

She tucked the service sheet over the edge of the book rack in the pew in front of her. “And you’re so modest with it.”

Cal grinned. “Modesty is one of my faults, I’m afraid.”

Was he flirting with her? She found herself replying in kind. “Just one? How many faults do you have?”

“According to my sister, Jess, I have two. Sophie, on the other hand, said she stopped counting at one hundred and fifty.”

Hattie took off her cardigan and folded it before setting it on top of her bag under the pew in front of her. “Ouch. That’s a rather big difference.”

“That’s the difference between sister and ex-girlfriend.” He undid his jacket, revealing a white shirt and a plain navy blue tie with a crest of some kind on it. Not often these days you had a bloke wear a tie to church, unless he was preaching.

“Ah, yes, it would be. Not that I have a sister, except Penny.”

“Sister-in-laws count just as much. But then, thinking about it, Jess’s ‘only two faults’ is more of an insult than a compliment.”

“How can two faults possibly be an insult, when too many to count isn’t?” She furrowed her brow in confusion.

“Her favorite quote is ‘women’s faults are many while men have only two. Everything they say and everything they do.’ I get that at least twice a week, if not more frequently.”

Hattie laughed quietly. “I shall have to remember that line and wind Steve up with it.” She fell silent as the service began.

He’s so easy to talk to, Lord. My heart is running wild here reminding me he’s a man, a striking man at that and I’m a woman. I admit I’m attracted to him. I don’t think it’s the fame thing. At least I hope I’m not that shallow. And he can’t possibly be interested in me. Let my head overrule my heart here.

Concentrating on the service was hard, but not just because she was tired. She was aware of Cal’s every movement. The way his long tanned fingers held his Bible and turned the pages. The angle his head was tilted at and the strands of hair falling across his eyes that her fingers itched to push back out of the way. And the way his left ankle hooked over his right knee, cradling his Bible.

She pushed a hand through her hair. She was here to worship God, not the attributes of the man next to her. Even if he was the first man to notice she was a woman and not part of the furniture. That’s if they noticed her at all. She took a deep breath. If he was going to invade her thoughts this way, then she was going to pray for him.

As the service finished, she picked up her bag. All she wanted to do was go back home and sleep for a couple of hours before starting dinner.

Cal turned to her. “I was wondering if you had anything planned.”

“Right now?” She held his gaze.

“Right now,” he repeated. “Because if not, would you like to come for a walk along the river with me?”

“Me?” Flabbergasted, her mind froze and she was sure she had a stupid look on her face to match. And suddenly she wasn’t as tired as she had been a few minutes earlier.

Cal nodded. “I don’t make a habit of asking hoteliers out, but you’re here and I’m here, the sun is shining and—”

“OK, thank you. A walk would be nice.” She agreed quickly before he could change his mind.

“If nothing else it might enhance your street cred.” He winked and her heart melted into a gooey mass on the floor by her feet.

From the other side of her, Steve caught her arm and squeezed it, an unspoken message that he needed a word.

“I need to speak to someone first.”

Cal stood. “Sure. I’ll wait outside.”

Hattie smiled as he edged out of the pew and headed down the aisle. Then she twisted and raised an eyebrow at her brother. “Yes?”

His normally smiling eyes were hard and cold. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back in time to make dinner, don’t worry.”

“He’s a guest.”

“I know that. What’s your point?”

Steve’s scowl deepened. “You’re crossing a line. You don’t date the guests. It’s one of the rules, remember?”

“For crying out loud, it’s not a date. I don’t date anyone, do I? It’s a walk.” She reined in her irritation, remembering where she was. “Steve, is this just because of who he is?”

“Hattie, he lives differently to how we do. He’s doubtless used to having a pretty girl on his arm and getting what he wants.” He lowered his voice. “He’s probably only after one thing.”

“That’s more than a little judgmental, don’t you think? You don’t know the first thing about who he really is. He’s a Christian anyway.” She lowered her voice. “He can hardly take me back to his hotel room now, can he?”

She stood up, pleased at the shocked look on her brother’s face. “I thought you knew me better than that.” Shouldering her bag, she stormed down the aisle, blinking hard.

Her own brother didn’t trust her. Maybe she wouldn’t bother to go back to the guest house at all and let him cope on his own. She hadn’t even had ten minutes to herself all week, except when she slept, and he was begrudging her this?

But her sense of duty prevailed and kicked in hard. Just because Steve was being an idiot of the first degree, didn’t mean everyone had to suffer. She loved her brother, she always would, but he really could be thoughtless at times. With him it was himself first, then money. Or was it money first, then self? It was hard to tell sometimes. Despite being his twin, she seemed to rate bottom of the pile.

She headed out into the bright sunshine and put her shades on to hide her tears. She shook hands with Pastor Jack on the door then crossed over to where Cal sat. “All done.”

He nodded, sliding off the wall. “Shall we, Miss Steele?”

“Yes, let’s.” She glanced over her shoulder as she felt her brother glaring at her again, and then turned her attention to the bloke who wanted to spend time with her. Nothing would come of it, she knew that, but like he said, he was here and so was she. And it was just a walk. “And it’s Hattie.”

 

****

 

Cal smiled at her. “Then you must call me Cal.” He’d noticed the too bright and glistening eyes, as Miss Steele—Hattie he corrected— left the church, before she’d hidden them behind her shades. But being a gentleman he wasn’t going to mention it. He assumed her brother had said something from the look he’d given the pair of them from the doorway, but again he wasn’t going to ask.

“Cal?”

“Short for Callum. It’s what my friends call me. And I’d like to think you’re a friend, Hattie.”

“Thank you, Cal. Did you get lost on your way here again, this morning?” Her voice wobbled slightly before she managed to get it on an even keel.

He laughed. “No, I remembered the map this time. I’m one of the rare breed of men who learn from their mistakes.”

“Where are we going?”

“Along the river, if that’s all right? And I brought a big enough picnic for two. Although I’m not averse to eating it all if needs be.”

“Both sound wonderful.” She eased her shoulders slightly. “I could do with a break.”

“Busy week?”

“No more so than usual, but with Penny away since Tuesday, the work load increased a fair bit.”

“I didn’t think I’d seen her. She isn’t sick, is she?”

Hattie pressed the button at the road crossing. “No, her sister is though. Her brother in law has gone away on maneuvers with the TA. Penny’s gone to look after Di and the kids.”

“Did she have to go far?”

Hattie nodded. “Not too far away. They live about forty-five miles from here. Normally Di manages fine by herself when Brendan’s away, but with a small baby, and being sick, she needed a hand this time.”

“I can understand that.” He paused. “I know people sometimes mock the TA’s, but they are just as important as the regular army blokes.”

She nodded. “Yeah, they are. Brendan loves doing it. Says it gives him a focus outside of home and work and is a way for him to give something back to his country.”

The lights changed and they crossed the road. “How many children do they have?”

“Five, including the baby. Penny says Di’s rushed off her feet with the four little ones as it is, doesn’t know how they’ll manage with five. The oldest is eleven.”

“Wow, that’s a lot of kids.” Cal glanced at her. From the look on her face it was a painful subject so he changed it. “So, where does an hotelier go on holiday? Another hotel or is that too much of a busman’s holiday?”

“Definitely a busman’s holiday and not my scene.” She paused. “I was meant to go away fairly soon, but whether that will happen now I don’t know.”

“Oh?”

“Steve’s talking about going to go and help Penny, the week I wanted to go away. And he doesn’t like us all being away at the same time.”

He glanced at her. Her shoulders had slumped and she looked downcast at the thought of missing out on her trip. So much for picking a neutral subject, Cal Nice one. “Won’t that leave you on your own if he goes?”

“He’s talking about possibly getting someone in to help, but...” She shrugged. “I’ll just have to see how things go I guess.”

“Is your holiday booked?”

“I’m staying with my aunt so it’s flexible. As far as he’s concerned, it’s just driving to the coast and staying with family and not a holiday. Therefore it’s not booked in the proper sense of the word and doesn’t count.”

“If it was booked anywhere else, or you had flights or something, you wouldn’t be able to change it so easily.”

Hattie held his gaze. “I know. And yes, he does take advantage, but he’s my brother and—”

He nodded. “It makes it harder to put your foot down and insist on some me time, doesn’t it? But everyone needs a break. Even you. So pick another week, book it and don’t tell him where you’re going.”

“That’s an idea. Maybe I will.”

“You could still go stay with your aunt, just don’t tell him that until you get there.”

Hattie nodded. “I might just do that when I get home. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” A faint smile crossed her lips.

His heart leapt at the thought of having made her smile. The gravel path crunched under his feet as they began to walk along the river. He undid his jacket and checked his camera and phone were secure in the inside pocket. “I don’t remember the last time I had a holiday.”

“Really?” She sounded amazed. “Surely you’d have gone away during the off season?”

Cal laughed. He pulled off his tie and rolled it, before sliding it into his pocket. “There rarely is an off season in football anymore. Especially with all the European, and World Cup matches there are now. Not to mention the friendlies and even Olympics.”

Her grin lit her face. “Even when England always got knocked out in the first round?”

“Especially then.” He smiled back, moving aside to let a woman jogger pass them. “You may mock, but it’s not easy having the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on your shoulders all the time. Every British tennis player will tell you that.”

“True. It’s been a long time since we won any singles titles. At least on home soil.”

He undid the first two buttons on his shirt. “But winning isn’t everything. It’s the taking part that matters.”

Hattie looked at him, brows arched in shock.

“What’s that look for?” He stopped and sat on a bench. He patted the space beside him.

She sat, her perfume wafting over him. “I just didn’t expect to hear you say that. I thought winning would mean everything to you. The ‘be all and end all’ kind of everything.”

“At one point maybe. You get so caught up in the whole—” he gesticulated, trying to think of the correct word “—shebang, that it’s just a massive cycle it’s not easy to break out of. It’s like your whole life is dominated by being here simply to score and win matches. Some players are just so driven by the bonuses that they do anything to win.”

“Like cheat and dive all the time to get penalties and free kicks?”

He took a deep breath, looking back out over the river and the ducks swimming on the surface. “Some do, I never did. The whole ‘ref he tripped me up’ routine used to annoy me something chronic and it still does. In fact, when I was captain, I used to forbid the team to do it. I’d make a point of telling them that if they go down, unless they’re physically incapable of it, they get up and carry on.”

“Too right. That’s why I prefer rugby.” She paused and put her hand over her mouth, blushing in a most delightful manner. “Oops.”

He roared with laughter. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

She laughed with him. “Sounds good to me.”

Cal opened his backpack and pulled out the sandwiches he’d bought. He offered her one. “I hope cheese and tomato is all right.”

“Cheese and tomato is great, thank you. My favorite combination.”

He smiled and pulled out two bottles of juice. He gave her one and said grace. He opened his sandwich and turned his attention back to the river. “It really is beautiful here.”

Hattie followed his gaze. “It is. Have you seen the abbey ruins yet?”

“No, I haven’t.” He glanced at her. “I didn’t even realize Headley Cross had an abbey.”

“It was destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries. The stones gradually got used in other buildings over the years, but there’s still a fair amount left. The gardens are beautiful.”

“I will have to go and see them. Whereabouts are they?”

Hattie tilted her head and pointed. “See that stone bridge just over there? Go under there and you’re in the gardens. The abbey is just beyond them.”

“I shall go and see them tomorrow. Thank you.”

“Welcome. Then a little further downstream is the weir. That is really worth seeing, even on a calm day like today. During a storm it’s incredible.”

“I’m sure it is. How far along is it?”

“Not far. Five minutes if that. I’ll show you once we’ve eaten.”

“I’d like that. Have you always wanted to run a guest house?”

She sipped the juice. “No. I wanted to be a ballerina.”

“Really? You dance?”

“Not anymore. I loved ballet and even though I say so myself, I was pretty good at it and used to get the lead a fair amount. But I broke my leg when I was fourteen. I fell out of a tree and after six weeks in a cast, I couldn’t go en-point anymore. They didn’t know why. The break had healed perfectly, without the need for surgical intervention. I just didn’t have the strength in my lower legs any longer. I was heartbroken.”

“I bet you were. Dare I ask why you were climbing a tree at the age fourteen?” He took another bite of his sandwich.

“I was trying to impress my brother’s friend.”

He tilted his head. “Did it work?”

Hattie laughed wryly. “Oh it worked all right. He was so impressed by my inability to climb a tree that he never spoke to me again. Of course, it didn’t help that I landed on his brand new skateboard and broke it, either.”

He pointed his bottle at her. “His loss.”

“In more ways than one. I decided at that point that boys weren’t worth it.”

“Really?”

She finished her sandwich and rubbed her hands on her skirt. “Yep. I mean I ruined what could have been a glittering career.”

“And a skateboard,” he added, collecting the rubbish together.

“And a skateboard,” she said wryly, brushing the crumbs off her lap. “And for what? To attempt to get the attention of someone who never spoke to me again, even after we replaced it. I have remained uninterested in the male of the species ever since.” She stood. “Shall we go and see the weir?”

“Sure.” He dumped the rubbish in a bin and slid his back pack on again.

They started walking, his hand inches from hers. He had no compulsion to hold it, like the old Cal would have done. He was content simply to be with her, enjoy the moment and her company. “What did you do once your leg healed?”

“I left the dance academy and started at the local comprehensive school. I chose different exam courses, ones that didn’t involve music or dance or sport. Then I went to college and did catering, purely because I liked cooking and the teacher said I was good at it. Steve always wanted to run a guest house, and when the lodge came on the market, he bought it on a whim. As I was a qualified caterer, he asked me to help. So I put all my savings into helping buy it and started working there.”

Wait a minute…She cooked? Was she really responsible for all the wonderful meals I’ve had over the past few days?

“Do you enjoy it?”

“Most of the time. Some days I’d rather do something else, but I guess that’s like any job and here we are at the weir.”

“Yes, here we are.” He leaned over the barrier, looking down at the fast flowing water tumbling and pounding over the rocks. “That is amazing.”

“And it’s relatively calm today.”

“It must be awesome during a storm.”

“It is. And after a lot of rain, as well. The water comes off the Downs and pours through here.”

“Does it flood?”

“Sometimes, yeah. I’ve got some photos of the whole area under a good two feet of water that I took last winter.”

Cal watched two children playing along the water’s edge. Their parents stood close by, keeping tabs on them. He automatically scanned the riverside for lifebelts and buoys and shook his head as both marked posts were empty. “Someone should tell the council that the lifebelts are missing.”

Hattie followed his gaze. “The kids keep stealing them. They end up in trees or on roof tops, but I’ll call them when we get in.”

He nodded, deciding to do the same thing. The more people that complained, the better chance there was of the equipment being replaced. The problem was they needed to be accessible to everyone all the time and therefore couldn’t be locked away to keep them safe.

The two children ran along the edge, tossing the ball back and forth. The water thundered and twisted beneath them.

He pulled out his camera and took several photographs, wondering about taking one of Hattie without her noticing. Deciding against it, he shot her what he hoped was a winning smile. “Pose for me? It’d make a good picture for your wall in the dining room. I noticed there isn’t one of the weir there.”

“Sure.”

He lined up the shot and took several photos at differing angles. As he put the camera back in its case, there was a scream and a loud splash. Glancing down, he saw one child on the river bank and a brief glimpse of a dark head in the raging torrent below.

Instinctively he shoved the camera at Hattie, stripped off his jacket, and toed off his shoes. He climbed onto the railing, took three rapid deep breaths, prayed the water was deeper than it looked, and dived in.