Cherry Blossoms (9 page)

Authors: Patricia Keyson

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Contemporary, #Romantic Suspense, #Inspirational, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense

BOOK: Cherry Blossoms

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Chapter Sixteen

Cherry felt slightly better after she’d been home with Jay, showered, and changed, but in need of some company. Jay had jumped at the chance of calling in to see Maurice and telling him about Mahjong.

“
You don’t look yourself,” Pat said to Cherry, ushering her into the cosy kitchen. “We’ll let them have the sitting room and we can have a good chat.” She busied herself, filling the kettle and putting coffee in mugs, while Cherry sat at the table and said nothing. “What is it then? You might as well tell me now you’re here.”

“
I’ve fallen in love . . .”

“
That’s not news. I know that. You two need your heads knocking together.”

“
Oh, I didn’t realise.”

“
We all know. You can’t keep secrets in a hotel. So what’s happened?”

“
The trouble is he keeps giving me different messages. One minute I think he likes me and the next he doesn’t seem to care for me at all and is seeing another woman.” Cherry was determined not to break down.

“
That’s not possible!” Pat was shocked. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“
I saw her at the hotel. They seemed very close and comfortable together. And he was embarrassed when I caught him talking on the phone to her just before she turned up.”

“
I still don’t believe it, he’s not that sort of man. He just wouldn’t do it. Anyway he’s crazy about you. Any opportunity he has, he talks about you, wants to know if I’ve seen you, where you are, what you’re doing, if you’re all right.”

“
Really?” Cherry was amazed. “But who was the woman?”

“
Do you know what I think? The best thing would be to go and talk to him, ask him a few questions and get some answers. It’s ridiculous carrying on like this when you could be enjoying being with each other. Why not go now? We’ll look after Jay. And if you’re late I’ll walk him home, see him to bed, and wait until you get back.”

Tears welled in
Cherry’s eyes. “You’re such a good friend. I couldn’t manage without you.” She stood up and went over to give her friend a hug. “I won’t go now, but tomorrow I’ll see Oliver. I told him I was resigning, but now I don’t know what to do.”

“
Don’t even think about it. Wait until you hear what he says. You’re indispensable. Everyone likes you, you cheer the place up.”

Cherry resolved to have a good
night’s sleep so that she could be strong when she faced Oliver the next day.

* * *

The following morning she found Oliver in reception huddled over a pot of strong coffee looking much the worse for wear. He was unshaven and wearing the same clothes she’d last seen him in.

“
So you’re back to hand in your notice?” he asked, barely looking at her.

“
I’m here to talk to you, Oliver,” she said, sitting next to him, taking the solitary cup and gulping down the scalding liquid. “I’m not sure about anything right now. Sometimes I think you like me and sometimes you can barely speak to me. When I caught you on the phone yesterday you . . .”

“
Shh,” Oliver said placing his finger to her lips. “Let me explain.” He took her hand and cradled it briefly before bringing it to his lips. Feeling his mouth brush her hand made her quiver.

There were so man
y questions she needed to ask. “I can’t keep quiet, Oliver. You were put out when you saw me with Alan, but then yesterday you were with another woman and you looked very close.”

“
You were jealous? That was Rebecca, you know about her. She’s happily married with twin girls. We’re great friends, but that’s it.” He ran his hands through his hair and said, “But she annoys the hell out of me when she calls me Olly.” Suddenly his eyes twinkled. “You didn’t have to expose yourself to get my attention!”

Cherry’s face grew hot
, then she laughed. “It wasn’t intentional. I’d been out in the rain working.”

“
Ah, yes, work. Are you still intent on resigning? I thought we had a future together, here at the hotel. It was going to be so vibrant and exciting, but I can’t do it on my own. I need you.”

She still
didn’t know what he meant. Did he simply want her to work at the hotel or did he need her to love him, be his partner in both areas of their lives?

“
As for the phone call. That was all to do with something I need to show you. It’s a big surprise I’ve been planning. But Jay must come too. It’s for him as well,” Oliver explained.

“
He’s at school until three, can’t we see it without him?” Cherry felt mean, but was curious to find out what this was all about.

“
Definitely not. You’ll have to be patient and wait.” With that Oliver kissed her quickly on the lips and left.

Cherry gritted her tee
th. She’d hoped she’d know where she stood by now. Just then Pat breezed through reception. “Come on, Cherry, six bedrooms have been vacated and need cleaning. But first, tell me the latest about you and Oliver.”

* * *

Cherry
didn’t have a good day, but she managed to finish her cleaning and work in the office. Thankfully Oliver wasn’t about, only appearing miraculously when Jay arrived home from school.

“
Ready, Cherry?” he asked, grinning. “Come on, let’s go.” As they left the building he took their hands and led them towards the river. Cherry couldn’t imagine what they were going to see. As they drew closer to the river Jay exclaimed. “There’s a boat on one of your moorings!”

“
I’m pleased for you,” Cherry said politely. She tried to sound happy, but was disappointed that Oliver thought this was a nice surprise for them. In fact it made her feel sad again because the roof of the boat, the only part they could see so far, looked very much like their old boat, Dream Maker.

Jay suddenly pulled his hand out of
Oliver’s and ran to the boat shouting, “It is, it is!”

Oliver gripped
Cherry’s hand firmly and started running with her.

“
Look, Mum, it’s Dream Maker,” Jay called back before leaping onto the boat to investigate. By the time Oliver and a breathless Cherry had reached it, Jay had disappeared into the cabin.

“
It’s yours,” Oliver said, proudly, “yours and Jay’s. I had it restored and refitted. I know how much it means to you both, but you seem happy in the cottage, so it’s up to you. You can do what you like with it, live on it, hire it out, use it for holidays.”

Cherry was speechless so Oliver
kissed her firmly on the mouth. This time it wasn’t a snatched kiss, but long and lingering, making her insides melt and her heart pound against her chest.

As they pulled apart, Oliver said, “
I’m always excited at the thought of seeing you or hearing your voice. I couldn’t bear it if you walked away from me. Please, Cherry, stay with me, I love you and I want to be with you. I want to know everything about you.”

Cherry wrapped her arms around him and responded with
surging passion.

“
Ugh,” Jay giggled, appearing beside them. Cherry guiltily sprang apart from Oliver.

“Come here, you two,” Oliver said, embracing them both. “Could
we have a future together? Do you think there’s room for the three of us on the Dream Maker?”

Cherry didn’t say a word, but as Jay bounded off
cheering, she hoped that the kiss she gave Oliver left him in no doubt as to what the answer would be.

THE END

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