Chapter 3

　　All about our new inhabitant and the lack of your presence in town; will be nice to tell them all it’s a very pretty young lady.’ He continued smiling her way.

　　‘Be away with you now...’ She giggled at his obvious charm. ‘Young maybe, not sure about the very pretty!’ She gushed and decided she liked this man, there was something familiar about him in a very genteel way.

　　‘Oh, weesht now lassie, take a compliment! Here, I have something extra for you... Mr Munro has asked me to deliver this here personally.’ He held out the long golden envelope in his other hand towards her briskly, extending it to Rose, who took it politely with a smile.

　　‘Thank you.’ She took the long, smooth envelope, still frowning and still confused; the look all over her face.

　　‘It’s an invitation to the annual charity dance.’ he said as if in answer to her look. ‘It’s time they all met our newest community member.’ His smile was genuine and bright and Rose felt herself smiling back.

　　‘Well, thank you, Mr...?’ Rose lifted eyebrows towards him, to encourage a name at least, if she was going to see him frequently then a name would be nice.

　　‘Oh Hen, it’s Tommy. Call me Tommy. I’m the caretaker for the big house as well as the village postie... Well, the misses and I, we take care of the repairs like... And I’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 their faces and he bowed his head. Rose couldn’t help but notice the genuine reaction, guessing right that he’d known her aunt well and it explained the familiarness to her.

　　‘Well, thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you cared for this place... She was my aunt... I used to come here a lot in the summers. Did you know her well?’ Rose said gently, curious as to whether she had previously known this fellow in her childhood, even though her gut told her so.

　　‘Oh, my goodness!!! Miss Rose? Little Miss Rose Turner? You know I thought you looked a lot like Miss Olivia when you opened the door, and now you say it! Damn, I see it!’ He was almost jumping on the spot, pumping her hand enthusiastically again, his little red cheeks now overtaking his whole face. ‘Same exotic beauty she had, and those dark brown eyes!’

　　‘I am yes, I’m sorry I don’t...’ She was trying to get a word in edgeways, pulling her hand free from his hot embrace but his renewed energetic state had him cutting in over her.

　　‘Of course, you won’t remember me! You were such a wee thing, I never really saw much of you; just the odd glimpse in passing. The wife though, she used 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 was jarred to the forefront. A pleasant round lady who always brought her tissue paper wrapped confectioneries, whenever she had been here for holiday.

　　‘Oh yes, I do remember her. And those tarts! Of course, I remember her! ... Alice was her name, I’m sure, right? ... It’s such a small world, isn’t it?’ Rose could see his smile widening to a grin, obvious devotion to his wife and confirming her memory was accurate.

　　‘Yes! It’s Alice and it really is, I can’t tell you how made up I am that Olivia’s niece is our new member. We were all worried that some American had moved in as there’s been talk, you know? Of a Yank around here.’ He leaned in with a whispered frown as though spies could possibly here him insulting an American.

　　Rose laughed, knowing only too well the small-town mentality on newcomers, especially those they classed as foreign. Like children whispering in fear of a strange intruder to their lands. She shook her head and beamed at him a little more.

　　‘Well can you tell her that I said hello. And, I remember her tarts, and cakes, so fondly.’ Rose was feeling more relaxed in the presence of this man. Somehow, she knew this is what she had wanted, a reminder of the people she would soon get to know. Olivia’s people and the reason she had always felt so at home here.

　　‘I shall my lovely girl; now you promise me you will get yourself into town and start mingling. There’s an awfy lot of people eager to meet you and today is the church book sale. Prime sunny day for a bit of introducing, if you know what I mean.’ He winked at her knowingly and gave her shoulder an affectionate pat.

　　‘I suppose you’re right, I’ve been cooped up here long enough. A drive into town might be a good idea.’ She gratefully smiled back at him, the sudden longing for more human companionship, now she had a taste of it.

　　‘I’m guessing you’re here on your own, seeing as there’s no man sorting this mess out for you Hen?’ He was now frowning at her with a lot of fatherly concern, a lot like her own dad used to display. Rose sighed down the giggle once more.

　　‘I have my little dog with me, but no man. Completely single I’m afraid.’ She couldn’t help but smile at this, knowing how old fashioned this place was and it’s view on unmarried young girls living alone. Soon she would have half the town trying to mother her.

　　‘Well, that’s a shame, but I guess it may be a good thing too.’ He winked cheekily. ‘I hear Rob’s available nowadays and quite a catch according to all the town women.’ Winking her way, looking at the watch on his wrist and sighing. Rose was trying to ignore his imminent matchmaking, as really, love was not on her agenda anytime soon and for all she knew the guy Rob could be horrendous.

　　‘I’m sure he is really nice; I will definitely check out the book sale in town.’ She was now walking him back to his parked van via her open gate, dismissing his suggestion as easily as she could. No matchmaking for her.

　　Hell no!

　　‘Yes, make sure you do Lassie, will be nice to get some of the fellows up here to sort this out for you. This is 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 you and sort it out.’ He had now left the garden and paused to think about his offer, but Rose was quick to refuse.

　　‘It’s fine, really, I’m sure your friend Rob has other things on his plate, I’ll just look into hiring a gardener from town if it gets too much for me. I am more than capable of manual labour honestly.’ Rose had always been someone capable of doing things herself and even though she was ultimately turning down his offer, she didn’t relish doing much more of this on her own.

　　‘Rob is the laird, he oversees wee things like this, to keep the town happy and beautiful; he has a crew of full time gardeners for the grounds and would take a half day to do this. Let me talk to him.’ He gave her another affectionate beaming smile and all she could do was smile back.