‘I was hoping you had a room for a few weeks.’ The American accent sent a little shiver through her. The Christmas music playing in the background broke into something orchestral and it was like the moment she’d been waiting for all her life. Her brain suddenly transported her to her dream where she was dressed in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle to this American god. And had he said a few weeks? Nell almost jumped up and down on the spot. ‘Umm, yes, yes, I do.’ She went to her little reception desk and opened the laptop to process the booking. ‘It’s £130 per night, bed and breakfast. Is that okay?’
‘Sure, fine,’ he replied, giving a killer smile that showed beautifully even white teeth. ‘I’ll need it for three weeks initially but if my work can stay under control, I might need to extend. I’m here seeing family.’
‘Oh, how lovely.’ Nell loved a man who valued family and friends. ‘Can I take your name please?’
‘Harry. Harry Decker.’
‘Thanks.’ Nell typed his details into her computer booking system while her imagination swept her back to their wedding day, him saying his name during the vows, gazing longingly into her eyes. She pressed enter on the keyboard and chanced a glance to find him looking around.
‘This is a nice place. I’m surprised you’re not fully booked at this time of year. Is it yours?’
‘Yes. It was my parents’. I started running it after they moved away. I’m glad you like it.’ She didn’t bother telling him she was virtually empty in case he saw it as a reflection of quality, and she wasn’t going to mention the Langdon Mansion Hotel in case he decided to try there instead.
‘Awesome. I see you’re getting ready for the holidays?’ He nodded to the tree branch she’d placed next to her laptop.
‘Yes,’ she replied a little too loudly, regaining control of her voice. ‘Oh, yes. I’m a bit mad for Christmas.’
‘So, it’ll be up for Thanksgiving? I appreciate that.’
‘Well, that is the type of service we offer here at Holly Lodge. Is the room just for you or for you and your wife?’ She tried to keep her voice easy and free but almost held her breath waiting for his response.
‘My wife?’ He laughed, tilting his head. ‘No wife. Just me.’
She finished taking his details, saying silent prayers of thanks, and got the key for the room. She’d thought about getting those snazzy card jobs installed but the cost didn’t seem worth it for the nine rooms she had. There was just a good stock of spare keys, plus master copies in case anyone lost theirs.
‘Wow, an old-fashioned key.’
Nell flushed. ‘Sorry. We’re a bit low-tech here, but the beds are the most comfortable you’ll ever sleep in. I can promise you that.’
‘Then I’ll look forward to a good night’s sleep tonight. I don’t know about you, but I can never sleep on planes.’ Nell, who apart from some holidays to Spain and Ibiza hadn’t really travelled much, mumbled an agreement and showed Harry up to his room. He looked around appreciatively, admiring the deep sage-green accent wall behind the large king-size bed. Every room had been designed with relaxation in mind and as soon as you walked in it felt calm. ‘I can tell I’m going to be real comfortable here. Thanks.’
‘You’re very welcome. There’s tea and coffee over there by the window and the bathroom is through there. There’s a lovely view out towards the seafront as well.’
‘Wow. It’s beautiful. I love that you’ve kept the period features. You can’t go wrong with a big ol’ fireplace.’ She was just about to leave when his deep voice called her back. ‘Say, what should I call you? As we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, I should know your name.’ Her ribs vibrated in her chest with the power of his voice.
‘My name’s Nell.’
‘Nell.’ He repeated it, nodding approvingly. ‘That’s a pretty name. Thanks for the room.’
She backed out of the door, closing it behind her, then blew out a breath that lifted her fringe. Now that was the type of visitor she liked: tall, handsome and staying for at least three weeks. As she walked down the stairs, she wondered what his chest looked like under the heavy cable knit jumper he’d been wearing, imagining a scattering of hairs on smooth, tanned skin.
At the bottom of the stairs, Nell grabbed the branch she’d left on the reception desk when Harry arrived. Feeling the most positive she had in ages, she carried on with the tree and was just thinking how she’d need to decorate the fireplace when, as if by magic, Tom arrived bringing with him some willow branches that he’d made into a beautiful display to go over the fireplace, studded with dried apple slices and cinnamon sticks. It was the fanciest potpourri Nell had ever seen. ‘What’s this?’ she asked, as Tom secured it on the fireplace, resting it behind a couple of redundant bookends he’d grabbed from the bookcase.
‘You’re my guinea pig. And you always have something to go over the fireplace at Christmas. I thought this might be a nice change. I’ve gone along rather than up this year.’
‘It’s gorgeous,’ Nell replied, immediately noticing the perfume filling the room. Not only was the place beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it was smelling like it too. Last year, Tom had made her a stunning display in a vase using white and red flowers; this was even more exquisite and would last all the way through until January. She
