Epilogue
JIMMY
Flynn hugs the folder he’s prepared to his chest and looks at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure we can afford this?”
I squeeze his shoulder. “Yes. I’ve been promoted to assistant manager, remember?”
I’ve spent the last year loving my job, picking up extra shifts when needed, and doing as much training as I can.
I even suggested we should turn one of the smaller rooms we use for classes into a sports massage room.
My boss loved the idea and sent me for the training for it.
When the assistant manager handed in his notice a month ago, my boss pulled me aside and told me to apply for the job.
“How could I forget when you remind me every five minutes.” Flynn teases.
"Want me to stop?"
"Not yet. You can stop when you get promoted to manager.”
I shrug. “That’s a way off. My boss isn’t going anywhere. But that’s okay. I’m going to be the assistant manager.” I do a little happy dance, knocking my knees against the steering wheel. It’s a good thing we’re parked in the farm courtyard. “I can’t wait to start.”
Flynn leans over and kisses me. “You’re going to be amazing at it.”
“Yeah, I know.”
He chuckles and rolls his eyes. “So modest.”
“It’s why you love me.”
“One of many reasons.” He kisses me again and then sits, staring straight forward out the windscreen, holding the folder tighter. “What if Tony says no?”
“What if he says yes?”
Flynn has been working his arse off for Tony, using his knowledge of modern farming methods to boost productivity and profits.
The farm’s doing so well that Angus’s mum dragged Tony on holiday for a fortnight, leaving Flynn in charge.
He had help from a couple of students looking for summer work.
We spent that week living on the farm. The commute to the gym wasn’t so bad.
I also slept well. Who knew being away from endless traffic noise would lead to better sleep?
With a bit of help from the bank manager, Flynn created a business proposal to become a partner in the farm. Twenty per cent ownership to start with, increasing over the next fifteen years to full ownership, just as Tony will be looking to retire.
He has a few more business proposals up his sleeve, too, including offering apprenticeships to train the next generation of farmers. My boyfriend has a big dream, and I love him for it.
“It will change things,” Flynn says.
“True.”
“I won’t be able to take the same two days off every week, or any at all, some weeks.”
“We’ll cope.”
He glances at me. “Will we?”
“Yes. This is your dream, Flynn. I’ll support you any way you need.”
“Thank you.”
I point at the car driving into the courtyard. “Here’s Angus to back you up.”
Flynn blows out a breath. “I can’t believe he’s willing to help.”
“Are you kidding? He’s ecstatic that you want to get more involved with the farm.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The last thing Angus wants is to be left to run this farm. He’s more likely to sell it if that happens.”
“That would be a shame.”
“You're his knight in shining armour. Or his cow farmer with a pitchfork.”
Flynn grimaces and laughs at the same time.
“My point is, he’s been grateful to you since the day you showed up to help on the farm. This isn’t the life he wants, but it is the life you want.”
“What about you?”
“Eh, I don’t care as long as I get to wake up next to you every morning.”
Flynn nibbles his lip. “Sure?”
“Positive. I love you. I support you. Nothing is going to change that.”
He threads his fingers through mine. “Same.”
Angus gets out of his car and jogs over to mine, knocking on Flynn’s window. “Ready?” he asks when Flynn winds the window down.
Flynn glances at me.
I put my thumbs up. “You’ve got this, baby.”
He takes another deep breath. “Ready.”
He gets out of the car, and he and Angus head in through the back door. There’s nothing I can do except wait, so I turn the radio on and sing to some tunes to pass the time.
The wait is excruciating. I expected Flynn and Angus to waltz in there, put the proposal to Tony, and come out five minutes later, grinning.
Half an hour later, I’m still waiting. I turn the music off, get out of the car, and wander around the farmyard, breathing in the country air. The scent of cow dung isn’t so bad, once you get used to it.
I sit on the open gate, my feet resting on one of the metal rungs, doing the typical film-thing of chewing the end of a piece of straw. It doesn’t taste great. Why do farmers in films always chew straw?
The back door swings open, and Flynn and Angus wander across the yard to join me. Their expressions give nothing away, leaving me to fret and worry. Tony can't have said no. He’d have been a fool to. Flynn is the best thing that’s happened to this farm.
About two steps away, Flynn’s composure breaks, and he grins from ear to ear.
I jump off the fence. “He said yes?”
“He said yes!”
I pull Flynn into my arms, lift him, and spin him around. “I told you he would!” I set him down and kiss him. “But what took so long?”
Angus rolls his eyes. “Dad takes forever to make decisions. He asked me about a million times if I’d be upset if he didn’t leave me the farm in his will.”
“And you said—?”
Angus snorts. “I’d be happy not to end up with the farm.” He pats Flynn on the back. “You’re looking at the new part-owner of Taylor’s Farm.”
Flynn blushes. “Not quite yet. We need to speak to a lawyer about drawing up contracts, and get the loan finalised to pay for—”
I silence him with a kiss. “None of that is going to be a problem, babe. Congratulations.”
He strokes my jaw. “You’re sure you’re good with this?”
“One hundred per cent.” I let him go and take a step back, pulling a small box out of my pocket. “Besides, I’ve always dreamt about marrying a farmer.”
“You—?” Flynn blinks. “What?”
“I’ve always dreamt about marrying a farmer,” I repeat. I go down on one knee, hold out the small black box, and open it, revealing a plain band. “This is me hoping you’ve always dreamt of marrying an assistant manager of a gym. No rush,” I add, in case he’s not ready.
“Yes.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Yes?”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Yes, I have. Yes! I’ll marry you. Now stand up and kiss me.”
Holding the ring box in one hand, I stand, scoop him into my arms, and kiss him repeatedly. By the time I’m done, we’re giddy with laughter.
I take his hand and slip the ring onto his finger. “It’s titanium, so it won’t scratch while you’re doing farm stuff.”
“It sounds expensive.”
“I’ve been saving. Besides, you’re worth it.”
We hold each other and kiss.
After a few moments, Angus clears his throat. “Congrats, guys.” He edges away backwards, towards his car. “I’m going to leave you two love birds to it. But, uh, you might want to get a room.”
I point at him. “Be my best man?”
“With pleasure.”
“You and Richard had better hurry and get married, or we’ll beat you to it.”
“I’ll tell Richard.” He waves, gets into his car, and drives away.
I stroke Flynn’s nape and lean my forehead against his. “Where were we?”
“We were going to get a room.”
“Sounds like a great plan to me.”