Secrets (25 page)

Cha
pter Sixty-Two

When the Canada Companions’ minibus pulled up outside the hotel foyer, Garth was waiting. Janey spotted him almost immediately standing under the exterior glass canopy. To the side of the hotel, an enormous cruise ship was partly visible. The sidewalk teemed with disembarking tourists.

As Janey stepped off the minibus, Garth found himself walking towards her, arms automatically opening. As if drawn by a magnet, Janey rushed forward. Suddenly she was engulfed in an enormous bear hug.

‘Oooh, can I have one of those?’ said Amanda trotting over. ‘I need a pair of manly arms to tide me over until I see my Brian again.’ She butted in, squashing up against Garth’s hard torso. ‘Did Janey tell you we saw one of your cousin’s at Grouse Mountain? He was just like you, except covered in brown fur.’

‘Hello, Amanda,’ Garth grinned. ‘I’ve missed your subtlety so much. So, not long until you’re back in your own hubby’s arms, eh! Bet you can’t wait.’ He gave Amanda a quick squeeze before firmly wrapping his arms around Janey again.

‘You’re right. We have a lot of – ahem –
catching up
to do, if you get my drift,’ she chuckled mischievously. ‘Anyway, don’t let me hold you two lovebirds up.’ Janey cringed. ‘I’m going to start packing my suitcase. I’ll see you soulmates later.’ And with that she gave them both a huge wink and disappeared through the hotel’s revolving door.

‘Sorry about that,’ said Janey looking up at Garth. ‘She’s hell bent on trying to get us both together, even though I’ve told her about you and Emma.’ Janey’s face suddenly registered horror. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to break a confidence. I was just desperate to shut her up and–’

‘Janey?’

‘Yes?’

‘It doesn’t matter what Amanda thinks.’

‘Right,’ Janey nodded.

‘The only thing that matters is what
you
think.’

‘Me?’

Garth nodded. ‘Yes, you. I’ve missed you.’

Janey blushed. ‘I’ve…I’ve missed you too.’ She felt her stomach start to dance.
Don’t get excited. He’s simply missed your friendship – not having somebody to unburden to about Emma, and all the drama about who is Anna’s real father
.

‘No, I mean I’ve
really
missed you.’ Garth was looking at her with a soft light in his eyes. If Janey hadn’t known better, she’d have mistaken it for tenderness.
He’s just being kind
, she told herself.
That’s what good friends are like. They’re affectionate with each other
. ‘Come on,’ Garth took her by the hand. ‘I have a table for two booked at a little Italian restaurant not a million miles away. The Canada Companions know nothing of its existence, so I’ll be able to talk to you without interruption.’

Garth led her away from the hotel with its bustling sidewalk and new arrivals. He still had her hand in his and Janey didn’t do anything to remove it. Instead she enjoyed the sensation of his skin against hers, even if it was only the palm of his hand. Leaving behind the pearl-grey light of early evening, they walked into a restaurant that was all flickering candles and soft music. They stood in the small entrance, waiting to be seated.

‘This is nice,’ Janey whispered.

‘Why are you whispering?’

‘Well,’ Janey cleared her throat, ‘no reason I suppose.’ She spoke up a little louder. ‘It just doesn’t seem the sort of place to shout.’

‘We’re not going to shout, are we?’ Garth teased.

‘No, of course not.’

A waiter glided over. With much bowing and scraping, he led them to their table. Chairs were whisked out, and linen napkins placed on laps with a flourish. As if by magic a wine list appeared. Garth waved it away.

‘Champagne,’ he said without hesitation.

Janey raised an eyebrow. ‘Are we celebrating?’

‘Absolutely,’ Garth smiled.

Janey’s heart sank.
Oh no.
He’s going to tell me he’s Anna’s father and there’s going to be a grand reunion with Emma
. ‘So!’ she smiled bravely. ‘Tell me all about the last few days.’

The waiter reappeared with the champagne, an ice bucket, and two fluted glasses. He made a great show of setting everything out ‘just so’. Tucking one arm neatly behind his back, he made a great show of pouring the bubbly. Janey could feel her nerves starting to fray.
Go away
, she silently pleaded. As soon as Garth had sipped the champagne and nodded his approval, the waiter melted into the background.

‘It went really well,’ Garth began, only to be interrupted by the waiter reappearing with two menus. Janey wanted to scream.

‘Thank you,’ she murmured, accepting the menu.

The waiter inclined his head. ‘Some bread and olives for you and your husband?’

Janey reddened. ‘Um, we’re not–’

‘The menu is fine for now,’ said Garth pleasantly. Janey could sense he wanted the waiter gone too. The waiter inclined his head and reversed away from the table.

‘So, you were saying how well the visit went regarding Emma,’ Janey prompted.

‘And Adrian,’ Garth added.

Janey took a sip of champagne and nodded. Ah yes, let’s not forget the prodigal brother in all this. ‘Did Adrian take the news well?’ At Garth’s look of confusion, Janey took another glug of champagne. Emboldened, she decided to take the bull by the horns. ‘You
are
Anna’s father aren’t you?’

‘Nope,’ Garth shook his head. ‘I’m not Anna’s father.’

Now it was Janey’s turn to look confused. ‘I’m so sorry. I thought you said the visit went well.’

‘It did.’ Garth put the champagne flute to his lips. ‘Mm. Nice.’

‘So…so…,’ Janey struggled to think how Garth could possibly perceive his visit going well after hearing such a bombshell. ‘So the good news is…you don’t mind too much and you and Emma are still going to reunite?’

Garth’s eyebrows knitted together. He put the flute down. ‘Why do you keep thinking Emma and I are reconciling?’

‘Because you love her. Obviously.’

‘Who said I loved Emma?’

‘You did!’

‘I most certainly did not. Where on earth did you get that idea?’

‘Because,’ Janey paused, trying to think specifically what Garth had previously told her. The memory was elusive. She frowned. ‘Well I’m sure you’ve hinted at it.’

‘No I haven’t.’

‘You jolly well have,’ Janey protested. ‘What was all that about in the designer handbag shop? You made me choose a bag for…,’ Janey almost said
that woman
. She caught herself in the nick of time. ‘Emma,’ she finished lamely. ‘You bought a hideously expensive gift for her.’

Garth shook his head and sighed. ‘I think we need to get a few things straight.’

‘I’m all ears,’ said Janey indignantly.

‘Let me start at the beginning.’ Garth fingered the stem of his flute and looked at Janey thoughtfully. ‘I’ll keep things as brief as possible. Firstly, Anna is most definitely Adrian’s daughter. Secondly, Emma and Adrian have patched up their problems and are very loved-up. Thirdly, Adrian and I have reconciled our differences. Fourthly, I am firmly in the role of doting uncle.’ Janey stared at Garth, her mouth a perfect O. ‘Finally,’ Garth continued, ‘I bought the handbag for you.’

‘Me?’ Janey squeaked.

‘Yes, you. I was going to give it to you tomorrow at Heathrow…when we say good-bye to each other. Except…,’ Garth faltered. ‘Except I’m hoping it won’t be good-bye.’ Janey went very still. Suddenly she was holding her breath. Garth reached across the table for one of her hands. ‘I want to see you again, Janey,’ he murmured. ‘And I’m hoping you might want to see me too.’

Janey found herself staring deep into Garth’s eyes. They were mesmerising. She nodded slowly. ‘Of course. I…I’d love to see you again too.’

‘No, I mean see you as in…,’ Garth paused. He was looking at her intensely, searching for the right words. ‘You’re not making this easy for me. I want to see you again,’ he ploughed on, ‘because somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you.’

Janey thought her heart was going to stop. ‘You can’t seriously mean that?’

‘Oh but I do.’ Garth was now reaching for her other hand. The tension whooshed out of Janey. Her face split into a wide grin. Happiness was fizzing through her body, from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. She glanced down at her hands caught within his, and then looked back up again. Garth cleared his throat. ‘I think I lost my heart to you on the flight from Heathrow to Montreal. You were in a palaver thinking the plane might fall from the sky. When I started talking to you my world shifted on its axis, and it was nothing to do with air turbulence. I knew in an instant you were the woman for me.’

Janey’s eyes were shining. ‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this. For the last couple of days I’ve been in Hell. I imagined you and Emma rediscovering each other and falling madly in love again.’

‘Never,’ Garth murmured. ‘The only woman I love…is you.’

‘I love you too,’ Janey gasped.

Upon hearing her words, Garth’s whole face suffused with joy. The expression was short-lived. Seconds later he was solemn again. ‘There’s just one thing I need to clear up while I’m being honest with you.’

Janey’s smile faded. Her tummy constricted with anxiety. Uh-oh. Here it was. A ‘but’ of some kind. ‘What?’ she croaked.

Garth gave her a level look. ‘On that flight to Montreal, I was lying. I’m actually terrified of flying.’

Chapter Sixty-Three

At midnight a newly loved-up couple strolled hand in hand along the pavements of Vancouver. Janey’s eyes were sparkling. Everything felt surreal. She was experiencing a rush of heightened emotions. A part of her felt like she was floating on air. But it was another part, somewhere deep inside her, that felt transformed. It was as if somebody had flicked a giant power switch within her so she was glowing from the inside out. The last few hours had been spent eating heavenly food and discussing how they would see each other once home. Garth lived in the pretty Kent village of Speldhurst. It wasn’t a million miles from Little Cobbleton. As the pair of them walked into the hotel foyer and stepped into a waiting elevator, Garth pressed just one button – the one to her floor. Janey began to quiver with anticipation. She was on the threshold of a brand new future. It was like opening a fresh notebook, smoothing the paper with one hand and then enjoying the page filling with its story. She looked up at Garth.

‘On the flight to Montreal you told me you were collecting ideas for your next book. You called it “novel fodder”. Have things developed since then?’

‘Oh yes,’ Garth nodded as the elevator moved upwards. ‘They’ve been developing throughout this break.’ The doors slid open.

‘Does the story have lots of romance?’ Janey asked as she followed Garth out of the lift.

‘That rather depends,’ he answered, leading her along the corridor.

‘You can’t write a romance without including lots of mushy stuff,’ Janey laughed. They were now standing outside her room.

Garth looked at her in amusement. ‘There’s plenty of
mushy stuff
,’ he assured.

‘Good,’ Janey said. Having stated the obvious, she felt a bit foolish.

‘Throughout this trip, I’ve been making notes on my iPad. In fact,’ Garth looked deep into Janey’s eyes, ‘my hero is at the point of properly kissing his love interest for the first time.’ Janey mentally gulped. Was it her imagination or were things hotting up? Chemistry was sizzling backwards and forwards between them. She was standing very still, her own eyes locked on Garth’s.

‘That’s nice,’ she quavered.

‘Nice?’ Garth dropped his voice to a murmur. ‘When an author is writing a grand romantic scene,
nice
is such an inadequate word.’

‘Is it?’ The question was little more than a whisper.

‘Definitely.’

‘What word will you be using then?’

‘Oh, lots of different words,’ Garth said softly. ‘It depends on how that first kiss unfolds.’ One arm was encircling her waist, drawing her closer. ‘The kiss might be slow and steady.’ He put up a hand and lightly touched her chin, tilting her head towards him. As Garth continued to stare at her, Janey felt mesmerised. His aftershave was invading her senses, adding to a heightened sense of giddiness. She found her own arms reaching around Garth’s torso. Beneath her fingers, the fabric of his shirt was soft. She wondered if his skin was the same. She had an overwhelming urge to tug at the shirt tails and run her hands up and down his bare back, but another part of her couldn’t move. She was locked in the moment, enthralled. ‘If the kiss is slow and steady,’ Garth murmured, ‘then it will be gentle, indicating a slow-burn of passion.’

‘I see,’ Janey gasped. Her breathing was going to pot. She seemed to be inhaling great lungfuls of air, but unable to properly exhale.

‘Or it might be that the hero closes in fast so the kiss is hard – especially if there has been lots of sexual tension between them.’

Janey nodded. She was incapable of speech. The simple act of breathing was taking all her concentration. Perhaps she should just launch herself at Garth? She was pretty sure there was a bucket of sexual tension going on right now, so much so it was becoming unbearable. A part of Janey’s mind fragmented and detached, whizzing back to Little Cobbleton and her best friend. How would Susie have dealt with this moment? Janey instantly knew the answer. By now Susie would have had her lips glued to Garth’s. Janey looked at Garth’s mouth. His lips were smooth and inviting. She was just contemplating the mathematics of how to plant her mouth onto Garth’s, given his great height, when he lowered his head to hers. His lips were merely an inch away.

‘Next,’ he whispered, ‘there would be lots of other words to describe the touch of the kiss…and its taste…and even whether the hero is a good kisser.’

‘And is he?’ Janey’s voice was barely audible. Her breathing was in serious trouble, coming in great chuggy gasps. She wondered if fainting might be on the agenda.

‘You can decide the answer to that question,’ said Garth as his lips finally brushed against Janey’s. In that moment she was lost in the most exquisite kiss ever.