Sweetly Isolated (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 1)

Face the Consequences

"It was lovely, thank you," Tina said mannerly and started taking off her jacket. She cringed bending down to unlace her boots. She needed a hot bath. "Have you eaten?" she asked.

Maybe she'd have some nosh first. She was quite peckish, to think of it.

"I have. Why are you limping?"

Tina looked at him over her shoulder. "I'm not."

He raised one eyebrow, and Tina gave out an exaggerated sign of exasperation.

"I dropped August's hamper on my foot, remember?" she said.

"Wrong foot. You're favouring your right leg right now." He pointed at her hip with his eyes. Damn it. "Did you fall, Clementine?"

Oi, mate, naff off! She scowled at his patronising tone.

"You need a hot bath," he said softly. "Do you want me to start you one?"

Tina gave him a suspicious look.

"Why are you so nice to me all of a sudden?" she asked.

"I've always been nice to you," he answered, with a properly innocent expression on his face.

Well, actually– he has.

"I'd rather eat first," she muttered.

"There's a container of yesterday's curry in the fridge," he said. "Do you want me to warm it up for you?"

"No, I can do it." No, something's definitely fishy. Her chicken alarm's blaring! "Don't want to interrupt your reading."

"I've read this one before," he said with a shrug and looked at the cover. "He wrote it in Italy at my place. Gemma was pregnant with their second one, and they stayed for a couple of months."

"Must be nice to have a place in Italy," Tina drew out sarcastically.

"I'd believe your 'bitter scorn,' but something tells me that that 'skint spinster' act of yours is just that - an act," he said, giving her a sardonic look. "This cottage is easily worth half a million, and that's before the renovations you've done. I've also seen how hard you work, so I don't think that it's your Daddy's money you're spending. I mean, the Ravenscroft in your lounge is an original, isn't it?"

Bloody hell, what else has he noticed?! Panic, panic! He's going to put two and two together now, and–

"Could you actually start that bath for me?" she asked. "Please?" She gave him puppy-dog eyes. "You're right, I could use a nice long soak."

"Of course," he answered, still watching her attentively.

"Just make it really, really hot, please? Maybe start it in a few minutes, so it doesn't cool down. I like them hot - really, really hot."

His lips twitched.

"Let me see if I get it right," he drew out. "You want a hot bath. Right?"

Tina snorted.

"Yeah, ta."

"Epsom salts?" he offered.

"Lovely."

And now run, Tina!

***

She sank in the - glorious, almost boiling, 'makes your skin bright pink in three seconds' - water and moaned in pleasure.

Wow, what did he add into it? Her muscles immediately relaxed, and the pain in her hip, elbows, and toes was almost gone. Magic! The smell was unfamiliar, something fruity and citrusy at the same time. Raspberry lemonade? Mmm. Her Nana had that amazing raspberry and lemon éclair recipe. They'd always been Tina's favourite.