The Next Chapter (Sequel to A New Story)

15 ~Katie & JP~

Katie packed up her bag and made it out into the living room to find Maria and Daniel standing with JP, waiting on her.

"Have I mentioned how much I'm going to miss you?" Maria said, opening her arms to Katie as she approached.

Katie hugged her friend as tightly as she considered safe with her ribs still healing. "It'll just be a week, then you'll be back home and enjoying the English countryside."

"And have you back to keep me on the straight and narrow."

"No getting into trouble while I'm gone," Katie said with a grin. "I've given Daniel strict instructions that you aren't to misbehave while I'm gone. No running laps around the block."

"Oh, I don't think you have to worry about that," Maria said with a chuckle. "Now, JP, you take it easy and don't give Katie too much of a hard time while you two are on your own for the week."

"I'm fairly certain she might request a raise after suffering through it," Daniel grinned.

"Hey, I'm easy to get along with!" JP said, feigning innocence.

"You two be safe and keep in touch. Let us know as soon as you land, and when you make it to the house," Maria said as one final goodbye before they headed out, making their way to the hotel lobby and on to their taxi ride to the airport for the long flight to London.

**--**--**

The taxi pulled up in front of a large stone farmhouse that sprawled out before them. It appeared to be two stories with two wings which spread out to the sides of the main house. From this side of the driveway, they could see a large garden at the back of the house and orchards that went on for several acres.

"Wow," Katie said as she looked over the estate.

"Agreed. Wow," JP said in equal astonishment.

Katie then frowned and looked around. "The caretaker was supposed to meet us here, right?"

"Yes, but I don't see any other cars."

"Well, let's get our bags out of the taxi and pay. Hopefully he'll be here soon."

As JP pulled the last of their luggage out of the back of the taxi and Katie was just finishing paying the taxi driver, they heard a ringing bell. They both looked up at the same time and saw an old man on a bicycle rolling down the driveway, ringing a small bell on the handlebar.

"You've got to be kidding me," JP said as he stared at the elderly man as he waved, then grabbed ahold of the handlebar again before losing control.

Katie giggled. "He is just too cute."

JP's eyebrow raised. "So that's your type?"

Katie scoffed and elbowed him. "Ha ha. No, thank you."

About that time, the man wheeled up in front of them. "Hello there, young folk. Are you Jeremy Pruitt and Katie McKinnon?"

JP nodded and shook the man's hand. "Yes sir, but please, call me JP."

Katie's smile turned wide at the man as she held her hand out. "And yes, I'm Katie."

The old man leaned over and kissed her knuckles. "Ah, such a beauty, it's a pleasure to meet you, my dear." He straightened up. "But I thought you came from the States, my dear; however, I detect the accent of our Scottish brethren."

Katie's smile grew wider. "Your hearing hasn't failed, sir, my family came from Stornoway. I lived there for thirteen years before we moved to the States. I never lost the accent."