Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

“I have the paperwork that you need to fill in to obtain permission to renovate the castle.”

She held the paperwork out towards Josh, who sat opposite her on a matching sofa. The ankle of one of his legs was perched on the knee of his other leg. He was watching her. No, studying her—in a way that was almost predatory.

“I’ll take that.” Mitch reached for the paperwork.

Caroline smiled gratefully. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Josh was still staring at her. She wriggled uncomfortably before picking invisible fluff from her skirt.

“So, what do you plan to do to the place?” She flicked a glance at Josh before turning to Mitch for the answer.

“We’re going to convert this room into a sound studio,” Mitch said.

Caroline felt the blood drain from her face. “You’re going to convert the grand room into a sound studio?”

Mitch shrugged. “It seems to be the best space for it.”

Caroline bit her tongue as anger bubbled inside her. It made her feel sick to think that the castle was now in the hands of people who didn’t recognise its value.

“Well, if that’s all.” Caroline stood. “I’ll get back to work.” And start proceedings to stop you messing up the castle any further. She flicked through her contact list in her mind, planning what strings she would pull to save the castle. “Thanks for the tea.”

She took a step towards the door.

“Actually.” Josh stood up. “There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss.”

Mitch shot him a pointed look. “Don’t you want to think about that first, buddy?”

“Nope.” Josh grinned widely. “I’m sure.”

Caroline didn’t know whether to sit or stand. Mitch sighed and rubbed his face. Caroline’s stomach clenched tightly. Whatever was coming, she wasn’t going to like it. If he told her he was going to replace the lead windows with aluminium, or paint the exterior pink, she’d have to resort to violence.

“It’s like this,” Josh said in that melodious voice of his, before peering out from under lashes that were thicker than hers. “I’m looking for a wife, and I think you might be it.”

Caroline looked at both men in turn. Mitch shrugged, like this was out of his hands. Josh thrust his hands deep into the pockets of his worn jeans and rocked back and forth on the spot. He flashed his megawatt smile.

“So what do you say, Caroline Patterson. Do you want to marry me?”

Caroline swayed before sitting back down with a dull thud.

Josh shot a worried glance at Mitch. His friend had one of those “I told you so” looks on his face. So maybe he’d rushed things a little? When he’d opened the door and saw her standing there looking like Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film, it was as though he’d been punched in the gut. He knew she was the one—with a certainty that had shocked him. She was perfect. All buttoned up and proper in her grey polyester suit, without even a dab of makeup on her smooth, creamy skin. She was screaming out for someone to come along and ruffle her a little. And he itched to be the one. He’d made up his mind on the spot. He’d found his wife. Unfortunately, from the bewildered look on Caroline’s face, it seemed she didn’t agree.

“You want to marry me?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

She tucked a strand of her perfect blond bob behind her ear.

“Yes.” Josh sat on the edge of the sofa opposite her.

She looked at Mitch, then back at Josh. “Is this a joke?”

“I’m dead serious.”

She turned to Mitch, who sighed heavily. “He’s telling the truth. He’s serious.”

Caroline swung back to Josh. “Why on earth would you want to marry me?”

Okay, so not the response he was looking for, but he could work with it.

“You’re exactly what I’m looking for.” He gave her his best charming smile. The one that usually made women swoon.

“You’ve been looking for an ordinary Scottish woman who works in a community centre?”