Fragrance of Violets Read Online Free PDF

of the village has brought in more visitors, and shop owners like your mother have benefitted from the increase in trade.”
    Irritated by the way he’d turned the whole argument around and made it personal, she shrugged. “Many people here also think we shouldn’t lose sight of our heritage. That’s why there’s a thriving local history society.”
    Jack nodded. “We need to find a balance between the tourists and the residents, at the same time as preserving this area’s natural beauty and its history.”
    “Which your article didn’t address.”
    “I agree.”
    Her eyes widened. “You agree?” She took a mental step back from the argument in which they’d almost become embroiled. It reminded her vividly of when she and Jack discussed, and argued about, so many different topics. The echoes of the boy he’d been were still there, but the man she was talking to was different. More mature, more confident, more secure in everything he said.
    He lifted his glass to his mouth, took a quick drink, and nodded. “Yes, I agree with you. I didn’t address that balance in the article. I wrote what I felt as a twenty-two year old who’d grown up here, but I wouldn’t write the same today. Some of my views have changed in the last eight years. Anyway, how is your Mum?”
    Abbey realised he’d steered the conversation in a different direction to avoid the continuation of their argument. Satisfied that she’d held her own, she conceded it was better to keep to casual pleasantries. Relaxing slightly, she smiled. “She’s fine. The shop’s doing well, and she’s involved in several local groups, as well as the history society.”
    “And Louise and Ellie? Where are they now?”
    “Louise flits from job to job, and from boyfriend to boyfriend. She was married when she was twenty but divorced him three years later. Ellie finished university last year and is backpacking around the world.”
    “And your father?”
    Abbey stared at him. That wasn’t a casual pleasantry. Jack knew exactly how she felt about her father. “I haven’t seen him for years,” she said, averting her gaze from those penetrating blue eyes.
    “You haven’t made your peace with him?”
    “No.” Resolutely, she met his eyes again and forced a smile. “How are your parents?” She could steer a conversation equally as well as he could.
    His eyebrows lifted slightly, but he returned her smile. “They’re doing okay. They love life in France and will probably retire there eventually.”
    That put paid to her hope that he might have home temporarily to prepare the house for his parents’ return. “May I ask you the same question you asked me earlier?”
    “What question was that?”
    “Why have you come back to Rusthwaite after all these years?”
    Jack swirled his drink and took another long mouthful before he replied. “My fiancée was killed two months ago, in a pile-up on the freeway in Los Angeles.”

 
    CHAPTER 4
     
    Abbey stared at him until she finally found her voice. “Oh God, Jack, I’m so sorry.” All the other issues between them seemed unimportant in the face of such a heart-breaking loss. “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “Possibly someday, but not now.”
    “Okay.” Without thinking, she put her hand on his arm which rested on the bar and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Jack,” she said again.
    He nodded and gulped some more beer. “What about you?” He glanced down at her hand, and self-consciously she removed it from his arm. “No rings, so you’re not engaged or married?”
    “No way.”
    “No special man in your life?”
    “No.” The word came out like a bullet, and she met his gaze with a stony glare, defying him to ask any more.
    “Okay, we won’t go there.” He paused. “Tell me about your drama club.”
    She relaxed again, relieved he’d opened another topic of conversation. “It’s quite small, about twelve teenagers. Remember Sally’s little brother, Sam? He’s fifteen now,