Falling for You Read Online Free Page B

unable to speak through her mouthful of cookie.
    â€œIt’s OK,” said Jake. “I get asked this question all the time. Anyway, April was sixteen, and my dad thought she wouldn’t want to be buried in a plain coffin. He made one himself, a proper wooden one, and painted it pale pink, because that was April’s favorite color. Then the rest of us put our handprints on it, and Dad painted wildflowers and butterflies over the rest. April would have loved it.” He smiled briefly. “So there you go. That’s how it all started. I knew at once it was what I wanted to do. I left school at sixteen and set up the business. And here I am, almost ten years later, still here.”
    â€œIn a tiny place like this,” Trude marveled.
    â€œAh, but it’s my tiny place.” Spotting Marcella and Sophie heading toward them along Gypsy Lane, Jake waved and broke into a grin. “I’ve lived in Ashcombe all my life.”
    Moments later Sophie hurtled the rest of the way down Gypsy Lane and flung herself into his arms. It was like catching an exuberant, wriggling puppy. Swinging her around, Jake kissed the top of her neatly braided head and said, “I’m getting too old for this. What have you two been up to then?”
    â€œMaking daisy chains.” Proudly, Sophie showed him the bedraggled chain in her left hand before placing it around his neck. “This one’s for you, Daddy.”
    â€œNow everyone will think I’m a girl,” said Jake.
    â€œThey won’t, because you’ve got stubble on your chin.” Lovingly, she ran a grubby finger over his jawline. “Anyway, there’s a surprise for later. At six o’clock in the backyard, and you have to put a shirt on.”
    â€œWhat kind of a surprise?”
    â€œMe and Tiff are getting married.”
    â€œReally?” Jake raised his eyebrows at Marcella, who was leaning against the wall lighting a cigarette. “Mum, did you know about this?”
    Marcella gave a what-can-you-do shrug. “Darling, I tried to talk them out of it, tried to persuade them to wait a couple of years, but would they listen? You know how it is with young people today.”
    â€œFine.” Jake lowered his daughter to the ground. “Just so long as you aren’t expecting a wedding present, because I haven’t had time to get to the shops.”
    Beaming, Sophie said, “That’s OK. You can give me a check.”
    Behind Sophie, Trude was looking puzzled, clearly struggling to work out the dynamics of the family before her. Jake smiled to himself, because confusion was a fairly common occurrence and always a source of entertainment. He knew exactly what was going through Trude’s mind.
    â€œCome along, pet. We’d better start getting you ready.” Marcella held out a hand. “Every bride has to have a bath before her wedding.”
    â€œOh, Gran, why ?” Sophie pulled a disgusted face. “I just had a bath on Saturday.”
    â€œNo one wants to marry a girl with muddy knees.”
    â€œTiff wouldn’t mind. He hates baths too.” Rolling her dark eyes, Sophie gave up and made her way over to Marcella. “OK. And, Daddy, don’t forget. Six o’clock.”
    Jake shook his head in mock despair as Marcella and Sophie headed back up the road to Snow Cottage.
    â€œHow old is she?” asked Trude.
    â€œSeven.”
    â€œYou were very young when you became a father.”
    â€œSeventeen.”
    â€œShe’s beautiful. You must be very proud.” Trude hesitated, as he had known she would. “And the lady with her? You called her Mum. But she is your mother-in-law, right?”
    â€œNo, she’s my mum,” Jake said easily.
    Trude, confused all over again, said, “Please, forgive me if this is impertinent, but your daughter is…um, black.”
    â€œWell spotted,” said Jake with a grin.
    â€œAnd your mother, she is the