Chapter 3
3
L una pulled into her mother’s drive after the sun had set. She sat for a few moments in her truck, listening to the sounds of the crickets chirping and watching the first fireflies of the season blink and flit in the long grass out beyond the barn. It relaxed her to listen to those sounds as she tried to process the day.
She had settled her business with her office, collected a fresh specimen of the feed and watched as Roan and his farm hands as they did the evening milking. The herd’s production was lower than the log book from a month ago.
It was clear the animals were sick and it worried her.
When she first graduated from university she wanted to be out in the field with animals. She had been for a short time, until Michael got a job in Toronto and she took an office job at the corporate headquarters of Meadowland.
Watching Roan with his cattle, working them so gently, made her long for working out in the field again.
She envied him.
When her clothes were ready after being washed and dried, she changed and headed for home after she dropped the feed sample off at her office. She hoped she could help him solve it.
Roan had a right to be worried. His milk quota was indeed in threat. She hoped it wasn’t the feed causing the mastitis infection, but it wasn’t unheard of.
One wrong thing could completely cause an imbalance in an animal.
Tomorrow, he had promised to take her through the pastures his cattle had been grazing on, the one that they had been using when this whole problem started. He had moved the herd, but she planned to walk the field to see if there was something growing that might affect the production is well. Something the cows were ingesting that they shouldn’t. She also planned to comb through the last nutritionist’s files.
A herd of good breeding, well looked after, didn’t all just suddenly develop mastitis. It was a conundrum and it was a mystery she intended to solve. Only that wasn’t the only thing on her mind.
Roan occupied her thoughts most of the day and she could still feel his fingers on her pussy, making her come. It felt so good to let loose like that, especially with him. Neither of them attached and it was so easy to slip right back into his arms.
Just like it had been the first time.
You’re not staying though. You’re leaving again.
And she had to remind herself of that but, then again, maybe a summer fling wouldn’t hurt? She may not be staying in Huron County long-term, because she had a life back in Toronto, but a lustful summer romance might be the thing to help her move past her divorce and carry on.
Carry on with what?
She shook that thought away as she locked her truck, taking the wooden porch stairs with ease before opening the screen door and heading inside her parents’ century stone farm house.
Her mother was sitting on the couch, watching television and knitting. She looked up the moment the screen door slammed shut.
“There you are,” her mother exclaimed, setting down her knitting. “Working late?”
“Something like that.” It was the truth, but then, if she hadn’t fallen in the mud and taken that shower with Roan she would’ve been done a heck of a lot sooner. “Sorry I didn’t call. I had to head back to the office and get a sample ready to send to the lab.”
“It’s okay. I was married to a farmer who worked at all hours during planting and harvest, I get it. I have dinner saved for you. It’s in the fridge.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She dragged herself into the kitchen and pulled out a plate.
It was her mom’s special fried chicken, potato salad and a green salad. And her mom’s chicken was good enough to eat cold, which was perfect on a hot summer day and today was a particularly scorching one.
A cold plate dinner was perfect as far as she was concerned.
Her mother came into the kitchen as she poured herself a glass of water and sat down at the large oak table, sitting in her usual spot, which was next to where her dad always sat. A lump rose in her throat as she stared at her father’s empty spot at the table.
He’d been gone a month now and it was still raw, because he’d been taken so fast. Everything about her life in the last couple of months had happened quickly. Her Dad’s death, her marriage ending.
It still felt a bit surreal to be back in her hometown.
“So, whose farm were you at?” her mother asked, casually.
“How do you know I was on a farm visit?”
“I called the office to talk to you, ask you what you wanted for dinner and they told me you were on site at a client.”
She chuckled softly. “You are nosey.”
“It’s a small town. Word gets around.” Her mother made herself a cup of tea. “So?”
“Roan Van der Berg’s dairy farm. That’s all I can say.”
“Oh, that’s not far from here. He rents out our fields for his crops.”
“A detail you forgot to mention to me,” Luna remarked. “Why didn’t you tell me Roan owned that dairy farm and that he’s the farmer renting our fields?”
Mom frowned. “I didn’t think it was terribly important. Why?”
She opened her mouth to say more, but then she remembered that she never did tell her parents about who she was dating. Roan and her were together, but it was all so secret back then because that’s the way he wanted it.
He felt like it would tarnish her reputation being with him. It was so silly, because who the hell cared about all that now? She didn’t.
“Roan is an old…friend,” she said cautiously, because she really didn’t want to talk about her first time with her mother right now. Or the fact she was late because they got into the shower together and he got her off. Just thinking about how his hands caressed her, his rock-hard body against hers, his breath hot on her neck made her quiver in anticipation. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been so aroused.
She couldn’t recall the last time she wanted someone so much.
“I forgot you two were friends,” her mother replied, interrupting her erotic thoughts. “I’ve always thought he was such a nice, polite boy. His grandparents were good people, taking him in, and he’s worked so hard for all he has. Your father was always impressed by him. Even when he worked part time here as a farm hand.”
Gooseflesh broke out across her skin. “Dad was impressed by Roan?”
“Your Dad always valued hard work, and Roan worked hard to get that farm. Relatives made him sell off his grandparents’ old place, but he worked hard on other farms and in the salt mines to save every last penny and buy that old dairy farm, and each year he expands. Your dad really liked Roan.”
“He didn’t like Michael too much,” Luna remarked, amused.
“Well, he didn’t hate Michael, but he didn’t think Michael was right for you.”
“I wish he would’ve said something.”
Her mother poured the hot water out of the kettle into her teacup. “Would you have listened to him?”
She snorted. “Probably not.”
“Exactly. You wanted to be with Michael and your dad wanted you to be happy. You’re our only child, and he would’ve done anything to make you happy.”
A lump formed in her throat. “Well, I’m happier now. I really am. I’m glad the divorce is done.”
Her mother smiled and then came over to gently touch her face. “I’m glad and I’m thrilled you’re here. Though, I wish you’d stay longer.”
“I have to go back to Toronto. I’m only here until Meadowland can find another replacement.”
“I know, but I do like having you around.” Her mother sighed. “I’m going to watch my show in bed with my tea. Can you lock up?”
“Sure. Night, Mom.”
Her mother kissed the top of her head and disappeared from the kitchen. Luna finished her dinner and then washed the dishes. It was ten, but she couldn’t sleep, so instead she headed out onto the porch to sit on the swing that overlooked the fields.
There was a gorgeous, soft breeze and from the porch swing she could watch the fireflies fluttering about. She sat on the swing, her bare fee t dragging on the smooth wood floor, and she could see Roan’s house across the field. It was just a collection of lights, but she knew it was his place and she couldn’t help but think of him.
And think of what could’ve been if she hadn’t been so keen on getting out of Clinborough all those years ago.
Fuck. It’s hot.
It was sweltering and it felt like she was going to melt into a big pile of goo as she walked through the pasture that Roan had taken her to. The cows had been moved, but this was the pasture they were using when the whole thing had started. The food sample had been taken off to the lab for more analysis and she had requested the digital file from head office before she headed over to Roan’s farm to do her walk-through.
Luna thought if she got it done earlier in the day then she could head back to her office and maybe beat the heat of the day. At least her office was air conditioned, unlike this field. Roan had lent her an ATV so she could get to the back field with her gear.
She was a little disappointed he didn’t accompany her, but he had chores and animals that took priority. She understood that, but she hadn’t stopped thinking about him all night.
She squatted down to take a sample from a cow patty but, so far, she wasn’t seeing anything out of the ordinary growing in the field that the cattle would’ve ingested.
“Hey.”
She stood back up slowly and saw Roan walking through the field. He was back in his work coveralls and his heavy work boots, but his sleeves were rolled up, showing off his tanned forearms and she remembered with keen precision how it felt to run her hands over his rippling muscles, water dripping off him as he touched her, making her come.
“Hi,” she replied, hoping her voice didn’t break.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“It’s…going.”
“You don’t sound optimistic.” A smile played on his lips, but she could tell he was worried too. Even after all these years she could always tell when Roan was a bit anxious. He always tried to put a brave face on, but she could sense it.
Funny, she knew him so well but never really ever could read her ex-husband. Maybe that’s why she’d been the last to know he cheated on her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Roan pulled up a piece of long grass and twirled it between his thumb and forefinger shrugging. “Vet’s come to administer more antibiotics.”
“Another cow?”
His lips pressed together in a firm line as he nodded. “I won’t make my quota at this rate, which means next year I’ll take a hit. This was my first year at this level. It took me a long time to get here.”
Her heart sank. “I’m sorry. I have the feed sample being analyzed and I’ve requested the files of the former herd nutritionist.”
“I saw you brought over a new feed.”
“No charge. A gift from Meadowland. It’s trustworthy. It’s a premix I helped develop.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”
“I’m good at what I do.”
“That I do remember,” he said deeply, causing a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. His deep brown eyes locked on hers.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, I took some samples from the pasture, but I don’t see any obvious issues with the vegetation.”
“Not surprising. I take time to walk the fields as well.”
“You have a beautiful spot here. I’m trying to remember who owned this farm before.”
“Sharpe,” Roan responded. “Bachelor brothers. Distant nephews sold it off, but the Sharpes bought it from my family, who cleared this land.”
“So you returned it to your family?”
He beamed proudly. “My grandpa always lamented the loss of this place. His grandfather sold it off. When it went up for sale the house was in disrepair, as was the old barn. It was a bargain. I’ve expanded and I rent pasture lands as well.”
She smiled. “Like my father’s land.”
His expression softened. “It helps keep them, the original families, on the land.”
That struck a chord with her. She was an only child and she’d been so eager to leave. The farm she grew up on had been in her father’s family since the land was settled and she’d walked away from it.
Ran away more like it.
It was one of her regrets.
Then stay. Don’t leave this time.
“Well,” she said, trying to end this conversation. “I better get back to my office. I promise we’ll find an answer.”
Roan took a step forward, tossing the long grass he’d been fidgeting with to the side. “I know. I trust you.”
Heat flushed in her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“It’s Friday,” he remarked, offhandedly. “There’s a festival in the village tonight. Are you…are you going?”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but my mother is quite insistent that I go with her. She’s running a bake sale table for the festival’s charity. She’d like me to help. Are you going?”
He nodded. “There’s a bachelor auction as well. The charity is trying to raise money to bring an MRI to the local hospital.”
“And you’re up for auction?” she asked, hoping she didn’t stutter because the thought of him going in a bachelor auction and someone else winning him made her see green.
“It’s for a good cause.” There was a devilishly cunning smile playing on his lips. “Perhaps you’ll bid?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay, then I might see you there.” Roan winked and walked away slowly toward a further pasture where some of his cows were grazing.
She took a deep, even breath, trying to calm her racing pulse, as she watched him saunter away. She had planned to pop into the festival tonight to support her mother and maybe reconnect with some old friends. Now, maybe she would stay longer and bring her cheque book with her.
It was for a good cause after all.
Luna had spent the day going through the previous nutritionist’s files, which were not well kept. As she dug deeper, she wondered how many other dairy farmers had been affected by the food the former nutritionist had assigned.
All she could do was wait for the lab to send back the analysis.
She would usually work late and solve this problem, but she had promised her mother she’d go to the festival tonight. And she wanted to check out the bachelor auction.
Clinborough’s center was full of lights, music and tents, she was trying to avoid all the familiar faces who wanted to drag her into endless conversations, especially about her ex, Michael.
She knew it was just them being nosey. There was no real concern for her and she didn’t need to feed the fire of town gossipmongers who wanted to question her about her failed marriage.
Instead, she found the pub where the bachelor auction was going to take place. There was a board outside with information on all the bachelors and the date they were offering. She recognized a few of the men, but she only had eyes for Roan.
“Need a paddle?” a friendly voice asked, startling her.
She turned to see a young woman seated at a table with a dwindling pile of paddles next to her.
“Pardon?” she asked the woman.
“The auction starts soon and it’s a twenty-dollar fee to get a paddle. All proceeds go to the new MRI!” The young girl smiled.
“Sure. I’ll take one.” Luna paid her.
The woman handed her a paddle. “Good luck!”
The bar was packed full of ladies and a few men, which made her very happy as it was an inclusive auction.
She found a small table to stand at and ordered a glass of wine. At least, off to the side, she could observe what was going on. The music started and the house lights went down. The owner of the bar, Colin Storey, stepped up onto the makeshift stage.
“Good evening, everyone! So excited you’re all out for the Sun Summer Fest. All proceeds from tonight’s bachelor auction and drinks go into the fund for the new MRI. Once our local hospital gets an MRI we can stop travelling so far to get a test in the city.” Colin paused as people clapped. “Paddle boards ready? Let’s bring out our first bachelor, a local man and now prosperous dairy farmer, Roan Van der Berg!”
Her pulse began to race as Roan stepped up onto the stage. He was dressed in tight starched jeans, a fitted baseball t-shirt which didn’t hide any of those hardened muscles she knew all too well. He looked extremely uncomfortable, but was trying to smile bravely. She understood why he was so uneasy up there. A lot of the people in this room had treated him as a second-class citizen when they were growing up.
They didn’t know the Roan she did.
Now, all these women were panting after him like he was a prize stud, and it pissed her off. Since he made a name for himself, he was worth something to them? Ridiculous.
“Fifty!” A woman shouted holding her paddle up, waving it, and Luna realized she’d missed the starting bid.
She didn’t recognize the blonde woman in the skimpy outfit who just bid, but there was no way she was going to let her win.
“Sixty,” she bid, holding her paddle up. Roan smiled as their gaze locked across the darkened room.
“Seventy,” the woman responded.
“Seventy-five,” another piped up.
“Eighty,” Luna shouted, flashing her paddle again.
Her competition turned to look her in the eye and smiled sardonically.
Oh honey. You have no idea , Luna thought. She grinned right back at her. Now it was even more personal and there was no way she was going to let her win.
The woman turned back and raised her paddle. “One hundred.”
“One fifty,” Luna countered.
“Two hundred.”
“Three,” Luna shot back.
There were a few audible gasps, so she had a feeling that this might be the highest bid anyone had ever gone for something like this. Meat draw fifty-fifties usually topped out at three hundred, but she’d seen other fifty-fifties that go up higher. Only, this wasn’t a fifty-fifty. There was no pot of money to win tonight, only a date with the man of her dreams.
“Five,” the woman countered.
Luna took a deep breath. “A thousand.”
Colin’s mouth dropped open, as did Roan’s.
Her competition put down her paddle, her shoulder’s slumped.
“A thousand going once? Going twice? Sold to paddle three seven six.”
There was clapping as she grabbed her glass of wine and went to pay. Roan came down off the stage and followed her to where she wrote a cheque to the hospital foundation. The thousand had been in her vacation slush fund. She was saving it to take Michael on a vacation to Mexico in celebration of their anniversary, but then she found him celebrating with someone else. It was only fitting to spend it so frivolously on another and for a worthy cause.
“You know,” Roan whispered against her ear. “You could’ve had me for free.”
She chuckled as she handed in her paddle and a cheque. “I’m aware, but I am competitive by nature and couldn’t let her win.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’m very grateful for that. Didn’t really relish a date with Nancy. She’s been after me for months.”
“Then I rescued you,” she teased. “I guess you owe me one. Does that cancel out my debt to you?”
“No.” He winkled at her and a shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. “The date isn’t until tomorrow, but would you like to get out of here?”
“Yes.” She finished her wine and took Roan’s outstretched hand as they left the bar.
Roan couldn’t quite believe he’d been talked into doing a bachelor auction by Colin Storey in the first place. He had to remind himself it was for the good of the community. When his grandpa had a stroke, they couldn’t do a lot of tests locally and had to ship him to London. If they got to him faster, he wouldn’t have died. He was willing to do almost anything to improve the community’s hospital, but he had been floored when Luna had bid a grand on him.
He was relieved, but it had surprised him how high the bid had gone.
They walked around the festival, checking out all the booths and then finally over to the bake sale. He stood back as Luna spoke with her mom and then came back. Mrs. MacKenzie waved at him and he waved back.
“Mom needs my truck, so can I cash in on my favor?” Luna asked, batting her eyelashes. She was so damn cute.
“You need a ride?”
“Home. I need a ride home.”
He grinned. “Well, I can provide all sorts of rides.”
“No doubt.”
He took her hand they walked away from the village center to where people had parked on the side streets. He was all in support of festivities and definitely was pro on the side of getting medical equipment for the hospital, but crowds were never his favorite. Maybe because of the way he and his grandparents were always treated as second-class citizens.
They may not have had a lot, but they had each other.
He had two regrets in his life. One was not being able to buy the farm until after his grandparents had passed on, but at least he was able to provide for them in their final years, and the other was letting Luna walk away. But, again, he hadn’t wanted to hold onto her and keep her in Huron County when she’d been so eager to spread her wings.
His father had done that to his mother, and it had turned out bad. Both of them addicted to drugs, both them leaving him behind. Now they were dead.
Tonight, he didn’t want to think about them.
He’d buried them a long time ago.
He glanced over at her, their gazes locking, and she smiled, squeezing his hand. It made him forget all about those regrets in an instant, because Luna had always made him feel so good. They approached his truck, he unlocked it and held open the door for her.
“Thanks,” she said, brushing past him as she climbed up into his new black Ford pickup truck. He was thankful he’d washed it. Once she was in secure, he climbed into the driver side and started the engine.
“Home?” he asked.
She nodded. “You can take some back roads if you want.”
His muscles tensed. “Back roads?”
They used to take the long way home after every date. Gravel roads and dirt tracts through fields so they could hide away and make out.
The thought of making out with her in his truck made him hard in anticipation.
“It’s a beautiful night.”
“Your date is not until tomorrow.”
“I believe the date included was a dinner out at Marshall’s by the lake.”
“You’re right. It was.”
“You offered to drive me home,” she whispered gently, hotly, against his ear. “And I don’t have a curfew anymore.”
He let his gaze travel down the length of her. Her tight jeans, molding to the shape of her curves. Her red hair loose over her shoulders, and the tight summery blouse that accentuated her breasts. It reminded him of all those nights they spent in his old truck, making out in the back. Tonight held that same kind of magic and crackling sexual tension, just like it had in the past.
So yeah, he could take a backroad or two tonight.
He might’ve regretted not holding onto her back then, but the past was the past. Luna was here now and wanted to be with him. She said it was just for the summer, but he still planned to show her a summer she’d never forget, because this time he wasn’t going to let her go if he could help it.