Ivy's Yorkshire New Year: A Small Town Romance: Sprinkle of Magic, #2

By Thea Monk

Enjoy a small-town holiday romance with a sprinkle of magic to help two perfectly matched souls reunite for a second chance at love.

 

Ivy Lane never expected to bump into Daniel Beckham at the train station. He was her first love and heartbreak. Now that she's returned to Settle, Yorkshire, she will have to do her best to avoid running into him. No small feat in a small town. Her sister, Holly, and an elderly kind visitor to the town have made the campaign for Daniel and Ivy's second chance at love a top priority. Will the new year usher in true love and new beginnings?

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Heat level: No graphic "adult" scenes or language.

• Language: English
• Publisher: That Joyful Spark, LLC
• Release date: Jul 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201416508

Book preview

Preface

Heat level: No graphic adult scenes or language.

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Chapter One

Ivy Lane wasn’t sure about a lot of things. But this Christmas would be the worst. Her parents had met an untimely death earlier in the year. And, her sister, Holly, had called, and through gut-wrenching sobs, shared the news about her breakup with Graham. No matter what, Ivy knew she had to return to Yorkshire and be at her sister’s side.

Plus, it was time.

Time to face her permanent move to Settle, a quaint, market-town located in North Yorkshire. And the move had nothing to do with her own failed romantic life. Nor was it because of the side-effects of another heartbreak. Nor was it because she’d reached the highest that she could go in her current job.

On that last point, breaking the reinforced glass ceiling in the corporate world no longer excited her. The passion to stay in the fight had diminished as her interest to be her own boss rose as a priority.

It was time for the next chapter of her life as she sat on the edge of thirty years old, hoping for a massive change.

Now on Wednesday’s first train of the day out from London, Ivy resigned herself for the long journey northward by way of two trains. Fingers crossed that there were no cancellations considering the spotty winter weather that could sabotage an on-time arrival.

Tickets, please. Have your tickets available for inspection. The conductor’s voice roared through the mostly empty train carriage.

She complied and got her ticket ripped and tucked into place above her seat. Now, she could go back to gazing out the window watching the urban sprawl of London whiz by in a blurry mix of red brick, terraced homes, shopping plazas, and clusters of multi-level flats.

Heading to the family for the holidays? her seatmate asked after settling into place.

Yes. And you?

Ah…I’m running from the family for the holidays. The woman chuckled with a twinkle in her eyes. I’m a mother of four, grandmother of ten, and who knows, I might be a great-grand in a few days. A few of my grandchildren fancy themselves adult enough to make babies.

She pursed her lips in a way that let Ivy know what she thought of that. But then her mouth softened in a rueful smile. Ah…to be young and lusty. My family loves to make a fuss over me… Her remark drifted off, ending with a heavy sigh.

And, you’re escaping because…? Ivy wasn’t one to pry, but her curiosity had latched onto the bait and wasn’t ready to let go.

The older woman nodded. They say people of my age are supposed to feel sad over the holidays because we’re forgotten by our families? She waved off the idea as if a nuisance. My house is never empty, and the holidays are sometimes quite exhausting. The edges of her eyes crinkled as a wistful smile hovered into place. I always wanted to spend Christmas in a cozy cottage in the countryside with my dear Harry, without the noise and fuss of the entire family.

Ivy recognized the onset of sad memories. She braced herself for a story that would pull at her heart.

My dear Harry’s gone now. We’d put off what we wanted to do until time robbed us. Three years without him. Still hurts…a lot. Christmas, especially, reminds me of that last promise to each other that we’d spend the upcoming holidays only with each other. This year, I decided there was no better time to honor Harry and that promise than with a trip to the countryside. Her sadness slid away to be replaced with the familiar twinkle in her eyes.

And what about your family? Ivy prompted, quite intrigued by her fellow traveler’s independent streak despite her age.

I left them a note. She chuckled at her gasp. Look, they are known for going off on holidays with only a farewell text to me.

But they may think you’re suffering from emotional distress. Maybe fearing that you are alone…you know what I mean?

She shook her head. After they left me lots of messages that started with concern and worry, I called to reassure them. When I wouldn’t budge with my decision, their calls turned annoying with silly threats to call the police and report me as an elderly missing person.

Oh my. Ivy could understand the family’s concern, but her fellow traveler’s desire for independence didn’t come with a time limit or expiration date.

I’m not feeble in body or mind. I go to the gym three times a week. I work on crossword puzzles. Probably could outwit my family at chess.

I bet you could. Ivy smiled. So where are you heading?

Settle. Rented a cottage for the week. Looking forward to long walks in the Dales and popping into the craft shops.

Coincidences on coincidences. I’m going to the same destination.

Ah…you’re running away too?

Ivy again looked out the carriage window. The fast-moving scenery of urban life shifted to longer stretches of green carpeted land between small bands of residential dwellings. She wanted a change. A safe place to start over. An oasis, of sorts, to rejuvenate.

But, was she running? She hadn’t thought so until asked by this friendly stranger.

Ivy turned away from the scenery. I guess I am…in a way. To something better…I hope.

Then, we’re partners in crime. The older lady laughed with a contagious heartiness. By the way, I’m Patricia Brighton.

Ivy Lane.

Oh, that’s quaint and memorable.

Too memorable. Wasn’t particularly helpful in school. Ivy scrunched her nose.

Patricia chuckled.

And my sister is Holly.

Holly and Ivy? The Lane sisters. Your parents sound like fun.

Ivy nodded and sighed. "Yes, they were quirky and outrageous. Dad attended his painting exhibitions dressed like the mature version of David Bowie’s fashion sense, while mum was more likely to pick through thrift shops for her vintage 70s outfits when not making her pottery.

Their personalities were bigger than life and, much to my embarrassment, at school meetings, they would go the extra mile to sear themselves into everyone’s memories. They lived unafraid of people’s opinions and sometimes tossed aside decorum to have fun. Our house was the place that our friends loved to come to and hang out.

Ivy pressed her lips together, needing to pause as the memories unfolded. They were gone forever, and the loss felt achingly fresh as if the news had been delivered at that moment. This Christmas marked the first time that she and her sister would endure the holiday season without their parents.

Ivy accepted Patricia’s hand, covering hers in a warm sign of solidarity.

They went to Peru to explore the ruins. The report said that they fell into a cavern. Maybe they died on impact, no one knows for sure. They were together. That matters, right? she finished in a whisper.

Sorry for your massive loss. That’s very sad, but poignant that their lives were so intertwined.

Ivy nodded.

Why Settle? Patricia asked.

My sister had moved here to be closer to my parents since she was learning the pottery craft from our mum. She knew from a young age what she wanted to do. Holly doesn’t have a brick and mortar shop but does quite well running her online business from home. Settle is like a second home for me. Might stick around for a bit this time until I know what I’m doing for the long-term.

Sometimes, in life, we get stuck in a rut. With a gentle nudge, we get our bearings and head off with a better sense of adventure.

Not sure what that nudge feels like. I’m coming from a dead-end job and dead-end relationships.

My dear, you aren’t supposed to feel it. Otherwise, you’d focus on that. There’s no need to look down or look back. Trust me.

The only looking back is that I wanted to make my parents proud that I had accomplished a real job with my art history degree, Ivy added.

They didn’t lecture about the disadvantages or shortcomings of the degree. As long as she had freely chosen her passion, they were on board.

And are you happy? Patricia asked with such tenderness that it stirred Ivy’s emotions.

She hesitated, pushing back against any signs of her self-pity.

Patricia’s question hung between them as Ivy considered her recent actions to walk away from it all.

So, was she happy?

Patricia continued, The pursuit of happiness can be exhausting and fruitless because we do it with purpose but not always for the right reason. I’ve decided that contentment is a better fit for me. Peace of mind, and all that comes with it.

I like that. I’m following through with an investment I made several years ago when Holly moved to Settle. Maybe I’d been magically guided to this piece of paradise all along. Ivy tucked in her chin and shifted her gaze, embarrassed at her own sentimentality.

Patricia patted Ivy’s hand. Here’s to peace and contentment.

And happiness, Ivy added.

They settled back for the remainder of the train ride to Leeds, where the first leg of the trip terminated.

By the time the second