7. Katie
7
KATIE
By the time Dallas and I are finished with the day’s work I’m hot, sweaty, filthy and exhausted . My top has gone crusty with lamb afterbirth and I cannot wait to have a scalding hot shower to wash the day’s grime off. We just have one more job to do on our way back to the house.
I’m pretty sure I’m being tested. Maybe Dallas is hoping I won’t come back tomorrow.
He’s wrong. It doesn’t matter how much my entire body hurts.
I’ll be here, working my ass off to help Olivia.
Henry Austin, Olivia’s dad, died suddenly four months ago. It was so shocking—so out-of-the-blue—that I still haven’t processed it. He was fit and healthy, still in his prime.
His passing has left a massive hole in both the family, and the running of the farm. A hole Olivia is desperately trying to fill.
When finances became an issue in the city, coming back to Wildflower Ridge made the most sense for me. I have a house to live in and a job I can rely on.
I didn’t come back for Henry’s funeral and I regret not being there for my best friend. I had my reasons, but I still have regrets.
I’m determined I’ll never let her down again though, so regardless of what Dallas thinks of me, regardless of whatever shit jobs he gives me, I’m not going anywhere.
I don’t know what Olivia told Dallas about me, but it can’t have been much, which is unlike her. I can tell she’s told him next to nothing about me because he picked tasks for today to gauge my competency and show me the property—obviously not realising I already know it like the back of my hand.
A little bit has changed over the years, but not very much. The only thing that’s really new to me is the function venue which was once a barely standing old barn.
Now, it’s fully refurbished and already has a full booking calendar for this coming summer.
I haven’t seen it completed, only in its early stages of the renovation on my last visit back. The visit that caused me to make my now-broken vow.
We’ve been using the side-by-side this afternoon and I climb out of it as it rolls to a stop in front of the building.
Dallas heads for the toolbox on the back and while I should be finding out what we’re doing here and help, all I can do is stare up at my best friend’s dream come to life.
The barn is still rustic, showing its original nature, but it’s also beautiful. Huge sliding doors seal off the inside that I’ ve only seen in photos. I can imagine this place in the middle of summer, filled with people and fairy lights, joy and love.
A huge wooden sign is mounted above the doors. Wildflower Ridge is carved into it in a simple script font. It’s almost an exact replica of the one hanging over the farm gate, which was a handmade gift from Henry to Violet on their wedding day.
Tears suddenly blur my eyes, right as Dallas stops beside me. He’s probably here to hurry me up and scold me for lagging. But I don’t care.
“I’m so proud of her.”
“It’s pretty amazing,” he says, to my surprise. I was expecting a telling off. “She does an incredible job.”
“It’s always been her dream. When we were sixteen it was all she could talk about. She wanted to get married here herself, like her mum and dad did. We’d talk about it for hours. The flowers we’d choose, the dresses we’d wear, who we’d invite.” I let out a bitter little laugh, then let my voice soften. “I can’t believe she did all this, but then, it’s Liv so of course she did it.” I turn to Dallas and find him looking down at me, a funny look on his face. “What’d she tell you about me?”
A crease forms between his brows at my abrupt change of subject. “Not much to be honest. Just that someone was starting.” He runs a hand through his hair. “It’s not like her. Normally I’d get a full run down of experience and often I’d meet the person at the interview, which obviously you didn’t have.”
“It’s not like her at all, you’re right,” I murmur, turning back to the building. I take a deep breath. “Are they doing okay? Liv and Violet? Are they okay?” I end on a whisper, terrified of his response.
Dallas is quiet for a moment and I appreciate that he’s taking time to think about his answer instead of just throwing out the first thing that comes into his head. “I think,” he says, voice soft and smooth, “they’re okay. They’re probably doing better than expected, considering.”
Considering.
Considering the love of Violet’s life dropped dead from an aneurysm right in front of her.
Considering Olivia got nearly the full responsibility of the farm thrust upon her in a matter of moments, instead of the gradual succession over years, like had been planned.
Considering I refused to come home when it mattered.
Despite all that, they’re doing okay. I don’t think Dallas would lie to me, especially not about this.
After working with him for a day I can see he’s practical and down-to-earth. After seeing him with his daughter and the lamb, I also know he’s a bit of a softie. I have photo evidence to prove it.
It makes me wonder how much of his cocky cowboy persona from last night was an act. Or maybe now we’re co-workers I’m treated differently to how he acts around women he wants to take to bed.
It’s easier to think about Dallas’s behaviour than me letting Olivia down, but as I stare up at the sign all I feel is heartbreak and regret.
I clear my throat, sniff and swipe at a tear that’s spilled over, hoping Dallas thinks I’m simply shooing away a bug. “Righto, cowboy, what’s left to do?” I hope he can’t hear the waver in my voice.
It doesn’t take long to finish the job, repairing some of the railing fence that leads up the driveway, and head back to the farmhouse.
I climb out of the side-by-side. “Guess I’ll see ya tomorrow, cowboy,” I say over my shoulder as I head for my car to grab the bag of spare clothes I’d brought with me.
Dallas rolls his eyes and it makes me grin.
I kick my boots off at the front door and am barely inside before Olivia accosts me. “Bathroom’s all yours. I’ve just got to catch up with Dallas for a minute, then I’ll come find you.”
“Sure thing,” I say, then head straight up the stairs, turning into the massive bathroom at the top. I love this room. It’s all white tile, timber and a massive bath. I don’t know what Violet uses in here, but it always smells incredible too.
I stare longingly at the deep bathtub. Another time. Not my first night back.
I twist the shower handles to allow the water to heat, then strip, dumping my clothes in a filthy pile.
I have a quick shower, scouring off the day’s sweat and grime and am just pulling on the dress I packed to wear for dinner when the door slams open.
“Geez, Liv! Give a girl some warning.” I gasp in shock.
“You put Sadie on a horse ?” She says horse like it was some monstrous beast, not Scout .
“Just on Scout, for a walk around the arena,” I say with a shrug, wiping steam off the mirror so I can attempt to do something my hair.
Olivia closes the door behind her. “Sadie doesn’t ride,” she says, her voice low.
“Why not? She’s plenty old enough to be learning.”
“She just doesn’t ride, okay?”
“Okay, sorry,” I say, holding up my hands, but not really feeling all that sorry. That kid loved her five minute ride on Scout. “I didn’t know it was a problem. Dallas didn’t say anything.” I narrow my eyes. “He said something to you, didn’t he? Told on me to the boss?” Ugh, this is so typical of him.
“No, he didn’t,” Olivia says, leaning against the bath and running her fingers through the end of her ponytail. “Sadie told us. Luckily Dallas is okay with it—this time. But please, not again. We need him.”
“I won’t. I didn’t realise it was a thing. But, Liv, she loved it. She’s old enough to ride. It doesn’t make sense not to let her when she has the opportunity right in front of her.”
“Yeah, but it’s not my call. If Dallas wants her to ride, one of us will happily teach her, but he doesn’t want her to, and as her dad, that’s his call.”
“Fine,” I say, but I still think it’s ridiculous. “You’re not going to make me apologise to him are you?”
“No,” she says with a smile. “I’ve done it on your behalf this time.” Her expression shifts. “Sorry I couldn’t introduce you properly, or see you at all since you’ve got back.”
“It’s okay, Liv. I understand.” I reach out for her and she steps into my arms, leaning her weight onto me .
“I’m so exhausted,” she says, her voice a soft whisper in my ear.
“I know, Livvie. But you’ve got the dream team now. Me and that cowboy will have everything sorted in no time.”
She pulls back from our hug and raises her eyebrows at me. “Cowboy?”
“Yup.”
“You hate cowboys.”
“Yup.”
“Oh, god, what have I done?” She groans and drops her head back onto my shoulder. “Be nice to him,” she mutters.
“I’m always nice.”
I can almost feel her roll her eyes at me. "You are not.” Her voice softens. “I need him, Katie.”
“Don’t worry, Liv. I know exactly how much he can handle.”