r when she straightened herself and tried to smooth down her dishevelled, grubby clothes. Rose

ed at the friendly face, she had walked halfway down the path to meet the small man, who was now retrieving her post and

been a lot of talk, y

sence in town; will be nice to tell them all it’s a v

be, not sure about the very pretty!’ She gushed and decided she liked

o has asked me to deliver this here personally.’ He held out the long golden envelope in h

h envelope, still frowning and still

swer to her look. ‘It’s time they all met our newest community member

rds him, to encourage a name at least, if she was g

’m the one who was patching up this place in Miss Olivia’s absence.’ He patted the gate frame affectionately. The mention of her name caused a saddened look on both of th

. I used to come here a lot in the summers. Did you know her well?’ Rose said gently, curious as

pened the door, and now you say it! Damn, I see it!’ He was almost jumping on the spot, pumping her hand enthusiastical

rd in edgeways, pulling her hand free from his hot embrace

d to bring you her jam tarts, because you had a sweet tooth and always gave her such a warm welcome.’ As soon as he said it, the memory in Rose’s head

r name, I’m sure, right? ... It’s such a small world, isn’t it?’ Rose could see his smil

er. We were all worried that some American had moved in as there’s been talk, you know? Of a Yank around

cially those they classed as foreign. Like children whispering in fear of a str

ng more relaxed in the presence of this man. Somehow, she knew this is what she had wanted, a reminder of

n awfy lot of people eager to meet you and today is the church book sale. Prime sunny day for a bit of in

into town might be a good idea.’ She gratefully smiled back at him, the

ss out for you Hen?’ He was now frowning at her with a lot of fatherly concern,

help but smile at this, knowing how old fashioned this place was and it’s view on unm

catch according to all the town women.’ Winking her way, looking at the watch on his wrist and sighing. Rose was trying to ignore

town.’ She was now walking him back to his parked van via her open gate,

ll

a man’s work, not for someone as dainty as you. I’ll talk to Rob and see if the gardeners will come over for yo

f it gets too much for me. I am more than capable of manual labour honestly.’ Rose had always been someone capable of doing t

as a crew of full time gardeners for the grounds and would take a half day to do this. Let me t

ith an old man

and was pretty sure even then he had been married with children. Not her cup of tea at all. But then tastes among church g

ving her off with a shaking head, which meant he was ignoring her refusals. He slid into his little v

d the quiet and peace the last couple of weeks, but now she was craving people after that interaction. She was intrigued

th a nose in the air as though he had personally chased off the visitor. He turned his little white bushy butt and trotted back off to her ro

ith gold and brown scroll. It was announcing the event at Munro manor and was very classy. She frowned at the name Robert Munro under the Laird title and sighed, hoping to god

new wing on the hospital and extend the children’s ward to include long term c

ly going through the dresses in her wardrobe. She had never been to a dance that was so formal sounding befo

lly, while still mulling it over and shook her head. Sweaty and mucky,

’t do for a

ion. A little spruce up and a trip to town to meet her new neighbours would help. If she played it cool and mingled, then they

. No longer be the stranger at the dance, but

nsion at putting herself out there for the first time in years, hope