“Grapes are purple,” she informed him.
“Grapes are naturally purple. That,” he indicated the grape jelly with a jerk of his head, “is not a colour nature intended. Therefore, I amend my rule. I don’t eat chemically-induced purple food.”
Another giggle bubbled up inside her, it was softer, quieter and she let it free.
After she was done giggling but before she’d resumed eating, Jack’s hand came toward her again. This time it didn’t go to her jaw but around her neck. He pulled her forward, leaned forward himself and he kissed her.
It wasn’t long and it wasn’t hard.
It was soft, sweet and thorough.
When he was done, he let her go, sat back and resumed eating.
Belle studied him a moment then asked shyly. “Do you want to know more about my Dad?”
“Is it going to frighten me?” Jack asked back.
“Probably,” Belle answered honestly.
He looked at her and smiled. “Tell me about your Dad.”
So, she did.
* * * * *
Belle sat in the Jag as Jack drove them to The Point.
They’d showered at her place (as in, together, which she’d never done with a man and it was nice). But she didn’t have extra supplies of makeup and stuff for her hair (and he didn’t have anything), so he had to take her to The Point then back into town once she’d gotten ready for her day’s work.
Alone he’d walked across St. Ives to collect his car, leaving Belle at the cottage with orders not to leave the house even if she saw his car in front of it. He would, he informed her, escort her through the cameramen.
He drove back, parked in front of her house and collected her at the door.
Even though the street was narrow, her steps were right on it and it was about a ten foot walk, as he said he’d do, Jack escorted her to the passenger side, closing the door after she’d settled in.
Then he drove them out of St. Ives.
Belle watched the scenery and wondered what life had in store for her now that she’d taken this, what she considered the ultimate risk.
Then she decided not to wonder about it.
Whatever would happen, would happen.
This was so not Belle Abbot, it wasn’t funny.
But she had enough to worry about, what with a baby on the way and ghosts to send to heaven.
She’d worry about it later.
“Can we do that again?” she asked Jack.
“What, my love?”
“Stay at the cottage, just you and me?”
His reply was instantaneous. “Absolutely.”
“You’ll need to bring some clothes,” she told him and when he didn’t reply, she added, “and the dogs.”