They had met, at Helen's request, and he'd willing acquiesced. It was a gloriously sunny day. Yorkshire at it's best, James mused. Clear and bracing. Perfect for a walk in the hills. And they both knew he was almost incapable of saying no to her. All Helen had to do was say "please, James?" with that hopeful expression, and James was done for. "Jenny says you've been going for lots of walks," James said to Helen as they walked and she considered him for a moment. "I suppose I have," she demurred, hands firmly shoved into her pockets and James grimaced slightly. "I'm sorry," he began and Helen sighed. "I'm sorry too," she said softly and James frowned. "This isn't your fault, James," Helen said "it was my decision not to marry Hugh, and I have to live with the consequences." They glanced at each other and James swallowed hard. "You don't have to keep punishing yourself though," he muted and Helen sighed. "I know," she owned and James nodded. "I have missed you though," Helen said and they smiled at each other.
As they'd walked together Helen had held out her hand. James had taken it, entwining their fingers easily and they'd smiled at each other. A silence sat comfortably between them and when they'd reached the summit of their stroll up the fell, it had felt like the most natural thing in the world to wrap his arm around her shoulders and draw her back against him as they took in the view. After a few minutes, Helen rested her hands over his and they entwined their fingers again, silence still sat easily between them. James closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying having Helen in his arms after such an absence. The relief of seeing her again after four months was palpable. He leant his cheek against the side of her head and felt Helen smile and relax more against him. "I've missed you," James said softly, against her hair and Helen squeezed his hands. "Oh Jim," she replied, a slight rawness to her voice and James smiled to himself. After a few more minutes of silence had passed between them, James squeezed Helen's shoulders. "Tell me about the view," he said easily and she smiled. "This is one of my favourite views," Helen said, "in the vale, further than we can see is York, and the countryside meanders its way out. When the sun sets over this vale, it's absolutely breathtaking." She paused. "Do you see that tree down there?" Helen pointed to a sizeable oak in a field further down the fell and James nodded. "I used to climb that tree whenever I got a chance when I was a kid," Helen told him and James looked amused. "I tore so many dresses climbing trees," Helen said and James laughed "I can imagine," he replied amiably. And he could. He could imagine Helen as a small child, all tousled curls and laughter. "There weren't many trees to climb on the docks," James said thoughtfully "we made our mischief in other ways." Helen glanced up at him for a moment and they smiled at each other. "I'm sure you did," she demurred and James laughed.
Their gaze met again and James' stomach flipped. Helen turned her face up towards James' and they smiled at each other. "James," she said softly, and he gazed at her. "I really want to kiss you, sweetheart" he told her and Helen's smile widened. "I really want you to kiss me," she replied and he grinned at her. In the milliseconds before James kissed her, Helen tried to absorb everything about this moment. The sensation of his fingers tangled in her hair, the faint hint of his aftershave, the weight of his hand on the curve of her waist and finally, the softness of his lips against hers as they kissed. Helen sighed contentedly as he deepened the kiss and she turned, brought her hands to his waist, pressing herself against him as they kissed and resting her hands on his waistband, sneaking her fingertips under his jacket and into the small of his back. In turn, James traced his fingertips through her curls, cradling her against him. Helen couldn't have said how long they embraced for. The novelty of being kissed with such tenderness by James would take some time to wear off. When they eventually drew apart for breath they smiled giddily at each other. "Helen," James breathed and she tiptoed up for another kiss. "I'm falling in love with you," she murmured to him and he closed his eyes for a moment before kissing her again. "Oh sweetheart," he said softly "I feel the same way." They rested their foreheads together, smiling at each other and holding each other close. "Helen," James murmured to her and she smiled. "I've wanted to kiss you for months," he told her and Helen kissed him sweetly. "Thank you for your patience," she demurred and he smiled at her. "I'd have waited forever," James replied and Helen blushed at the compliment. James kissed her cheek and she smiled, still ensconced contentedly in his arms. "I really have missed you," Helen owned, looking up at James and he nodded. "I've missed you. Especially those pep talks you're so good at giving me," James replied and Helen laughed. "Can I see you soon?" He asked and Helen nodded. "I'd love to go out with you James," she replied and James smiled broadly. "I could meet you tomorrow if you like," Helen said and he nodded. "I'd like that very much," James replied and Helen smiled.
At length, they walked back towards the farm, hand in hand, conversation passing easily between them. "You know I'm in this for the long haul, Helen?" James said softly, and they looked at each other. "James, I turned another man, a good man, down at the altar," Helen said pointedly "it was your hand in mine when I left church on Christmas morning. I feel it too, you know. And it's overwhelming, and terrifying and wonderful." James kissed her forehead and she smiled to herself. "We're neither of us mucking about here," Helen continued and James smiled in turn. "We'll work it out sweetheart," he murmured to her and she nodded, smiling as he pressed his lips to her cheek. "With a little time, and patience, we'll get there," James said and Helen smiled to herself, a feeling of ease settling within her as James held her close. She felt safe, content to be held so like him. Knowing for sure that he felt it too was such a relief. Helen knew that James liked her, but to have him say the words out loud to her, to be enveloped in his arms just felt right. "Your Dad will be wondering where you are," James observed and Helen sighed. "He will," she agreed and they smiled at each other. "So I suppose this is goodnight," Helen said, toying with the lapels of his jacket and looking up at him. James smiled wryly. "Aye," he agreed and Helen sighed. "I'll see you soon?" He prompted and Helen nodded. "Tomorrow" she said and James smiled. "Tomorrow," he said and Helen smiled in return. "Goodnight," she said softly and James ducked to kiss her tenderly. "Goodnight," he replied and they kissed again, before stepping apart and gradually allowing their fingers to drift apart. Helen stepped through the kitchen door, and James raised a hand in farewell. She smiled, waved in return and James turned and walked down the driveway, smiling to himself.