Cleo put an arm around her friend. ‘Perfect sense, and I’m so happy for you both.’
‘What about the name?’ Amelia asked. ‘The Chestnut Lodge is quaint, I like it.’
‘Actually, we have a new idea for the name,’ Darcy admitted.
‘Tell us!’ Cleo did a shuffle on the spot to keep warm and rubbed her hands together as the snow began to fall again, dusting the porch rail in front of them and the roof of the soft-grey colonial home with its matching grey sign depicting its name hanging from a white post on chunky silver chains that groaned in the breeze.
‘What do you think to…The Inglenook Lodge?’
‘Love it,’ said Holly.
‘Perfect, given it’s in Inglenook Falls,’ Cleo agreed.
‘From the Inglenook Inn to the Inglenook Lodge,’ Amelia smiled. ‘You’ll make it wonderful, I’m sure.’
‘I have so many ideas,’ Darcy beamed. ‘I can’t wait to get going.’
‘I’m desperate to see it,’ Cleo urged.
‘Then shall we go inside?’ Darcy had the keys in her hand and anyone could see she was aching to step within the walls of her new home and business.
‘Lead the way,’ Holly encouraged, following after her along with Cleo and Mitch, who’d reappeared to join them and was already recommending having a wood store built at the end of the porch.
Amelia was about to step up to the entrance to see how beautiful this place was inside when Nathan wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck. ‘Not so fast.’
She turned, nestling into his chest. ‘You finished talking structure with the men?’
‘I’ve left Myles and Dylan talking websites.’ He pulled her onto the porch as the snow began to fall more heavily.
‘I wonder how Kyle and Scarlett are doing.’
‘Making plans when I left.’
‘Plans for what?’
‘To see each other in a few weeks’ time.’
‘And you’re OK with that?’
‘She’s growing up. I have to let her.’
‘You’re a good man.’
‘I know,’ he grinned. He’d managed to find a way beneath her scarf and the kisses he’d planted on her neck were making her wish they were somewhere a little more private. He’d done the same in the chalet on Christmas Eve, he knew her weak spot, and they’d barely left one another’s side since.
He was still kissing her neck, making his way slowly towards her mouth, when Cleo opened up the sash window and called out, ‘Get a room!’
Laughing, Amelia told her, ‘We will…Darcy…’ she called in through the open window, ‘book us in for next Christmas would you?’
‘Done!’ she called back from inside the Inglenook Lodge.
‘It’s a date,’ said Nathan, and this time, ignoring any comments from anyone else, he pulled her in for a kiss that warmed her all the way through.
THE END
