Epilogue
“ A gnes! You rascal.”
That girl was going to give me a heart attack one of these days. Her frenzied clucks rang out across the yard as I gave chase, gumboots squelching in the mud. She flapped and squawked, zigging and zagging out of reach.
“Get back here!”
She ducked around the corner of the toolshed, and I scrambled after her. When I rounded the bend, she was trapped against the wire fence, clucking in distress.
“Gotcha!”
With a dive, I seized her flapping body and clutched her to my chest, cooing to settle her nerves. “Silly girl.” I stroked her glossy feathers. “You know you can’t be out running amok. Dexter plays rough.”
Speak of the devil.
A flash of gold streaked by, followed by a dark blur—Dexter and Evie. Those two loved tormenting the chickens whenever they got the chance.
“Dexy, Evie, settle down! You’re scaring Agnes.”
The golden retriever puppy and black kitten glanced at me, eyes sparkling with mischief, before scampering off.
With a sigh, I trudged towards the chicken coop. After depositing Agnes inside, I stood back with hands on my hips and stared across the grounds. Twilight always made our little slice of paradise look even more enchanting. The lush greenery took on an indigo tone, while the first faint pinpricks of starlight winked into view above the horizon. I drew in a long breath, filling my lungs with the fresh, salt-tinged air. Despite living here for almost two years now, the tranquil beauty of the place never failed to give me pause. I still couldn’t believe this was my home.
Muffled clanking from the house interrupted my peaceful interlude.
I wonder how dinner’s coming along.
Warm light poured from the open French doors, a gauzy curtain floating in the gentle breeze. I kicked off my boots on the stone patio before heading inside.
The herby, garlicky aroma of Neil’s lentil Bolognese greeted me as soon as I stepped into the kitchen. He stood at the stove, an apron tied at his waist, stirring the bubbling pot. “Did you detain the escapee?” he asked, not looking up.
“I swear that hen has a death wish,” I huffed.
Neil angled a wry look over his shoulder. “But she’s your favourite.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just because she’s adorable, it doesn’t make up for her bad behaviour.”
Chuckling under his breath, Neil went back to tending the sauce.
Across the threshold into the living room, Archie let out a wheezy snore from his dog bed by the stone fireplace. The old mutt didn’t let much rouse him these days. Meanwhile, Chichi and Bowey squabbled over the last scraps in their food bowls.
“Hey.” I nudged Neil’s hip. “You seem to be in a good mood. Did the call go well after all?”
A crease formed between his brows. “Actually, I have good news and bad news.”
I tensed. “Give me the bad news first.”
“The call didn’t exactly go well. They’re still dragging their heels on approving that contract. I was hoping they’d green-light it today so we could move forward, but...” He let out a frustrated sigh.
“Hey, let me deal with them tomorrow. I’ll call them and see if I can smooth things over. You don’t have to handle this on your own. We’re partners, remember?”
“Thank you, my love. What would I do without you?”
“And the good news?”
Neil’s face lit up. “I’ve had word from Ronnie—She and Tash are coming for a visit, and they’re bringing Ben with them!”
My heart leapt. We had been talking about this possibility for ages, and now it was happening. “Oh, that’s wonderful!” I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face in the soft fabric of his shirt. “When are they coming?”
“November. So, we’ll have another little troublemaker to keep away from the chickens.”
I swatted his chest, though I couldn’t keep the grin from my face. “Yeah, right. That boy’s an angel. The chickens will have nothing to fear.”
“That’s what you think.”
I shook my head in disbelief.
Neil smoothed my dishevelled hair behind my ear, gaze softening into something tender and profound. After all this time, he could still unravel me with the slightest glance or touch.
“What?” I asked, suddenly breathless.
Rather than answering, he guided me back against the kitchen counter and sealed his mouth over mine. My body hummed with sheer contentment as I surrendered to his kiss.