Out in the Country (21 page)

“The Hardiwick Inn is open for business!” she called out, and applause burst out among the gathered crowd, along with several cheers. Lynne turned and grinned, seeing so many dear, familiar faces; even Agnes McCready was there, clapping along with everybody else. “Thank you,” she said, her voice hoarse with emotion. She cleared her throat and shouted loud enough for everyone to hear, “We couldn’t have done it without you!”

It was well after dark before most of Hardiwick managed to find their way back to their homes, so only family--and John and Mark--were left.

“Adam would be so proud,” Graham told Lynne as she took a tray of glasses into the kitchen. “You’ve done us all proud with this inn, Lynne. It looks amazing--better than I could have ever imagined from that old blueprint!”

“Speaking of that old blueprint,” Lynne said, “did you see it?” Graham shook his head and she drew him into the front hallway where Adam’s beloved blueprint was framed on the wall facing the front door. Graham gazed at the faded lines and carefully drawn angles and then his face broke into a big smile. He lightly touched the glass. “He
is
proud,” he said quietly. “I know it.”

“So do I,” Lynne agreed. She remained gazing at the blueprint even after Graham had gone, several different emotions tumbling through her. There was a little bit of sorrow, for the life with Adam she would never have again, but mostly she felt a deep sense of peace and joy. She’d never expected to have something like this... and to perhaps be able to share it...

As if sensing her thoughts, John stepped quietly into the hallway. He followed her gaze to the blueprint and smiled.

“He
showed it to me once, you know. He was so proud of this place.”

“He was right to be.”

They were both silent, the sounds of the inn settling around them. Then, deliberately, Lynne turned away from the blueprint.

“I didn’t put it here to keep the past alive,” she told him quietly. “Just to remind us of it.”

John stood in front of her, his expression serious and intent. Gently he touched her cheek with his thumb.

“Lynne...?”

“I’m ready to move on, John.” Lynne swallowed, smile. “With you.”

She smiled tremulously, and John smiled back. Then, with the night settling softly outside and the first stars pricking the sky, he bent to kiss her, barely brushing his lips against hers, a gentle promise of a kiss that made Lynne’s heart swell with peace and happiness and joy--and hope, for all that lay ahead of them.

THE END

Did you enjoy these stories? Discover these other anthologies and novellas by Kate Hewitt, all on Kindle for $0.99:

Love, Laughter & Lucky Marbles: An Anthology About The Funny Side of Falling in Love

Through The Years: An Anthology of Historical Romance

Bump: An Anthology About Babies, Motherhood, and Trying for it All

Sister, Sister: Stories About The Best Friend You Can’t Get Rid Of

Family Matters: An Anthology Of Kids, Craziness, and Holding it All Together

Tea and Sympathy: Stories To Stir The Soul

Before The Dawn: Stories of Hope in Hard Times

Follow That Star: A Christmas Anthology

Coming Home: A Novella

Out in the Country: A Novella

About the Author:

Kate Hewitt has been writing creatively since she was five years old. She wrote a lot of angst-ridden poetry in high school, and then moved onto writing and directing plays about the meaning of life while in college. After her first child was born she began to write short stories--the perfect amount of words to complete during nap time. After selling over 200 short stories to various women's magazines around the world, she started to write for Harlequin Mills & Boon, a long-held dream. She has written over 20 romances for Harlequin Presents, and has been both a RITA and Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice finalist. She has also written several historical novels for a UK publisher. After living in both Yorkshire and New York City, she now resides on the remote coast of Cumbria with her husband, four children, and a Golden Retriever puppy. To learn more about her books, visit Kate at
http://www.kate-hewitt.com