Chapter 14
14
SKYE
‘Thanks for today, Joe,’ Skye said as she got out of the car as soon as he had parked up in the yard. ‘I had fun.’
‘I’m glad.’ He stepped out of the car and walked with her towards the front door. ‘Any time you wish to go out again, just let me know.’
‘I definitely will.’
She unlocked the front door and had to grab hold of each side of the doorframe when Spud, then Derek ran into her, wagging their tails with delight.
‘Someone is happy to see you back at the farm.’ Joe laughed. ‘You OK?’
Skye nodded, wondering why she felt so emotional after such a perfect time out with Joe. ‘Just about.’ Wanting to gather herself before saying anything further, Skye bent down to ruffle the dogs’ fur, then she gave them a cuddle. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had such a warm welcome before. I could get used to this, boys.’
There was an awkward silence between them she wasn’t sure how to fill.
‘Let’s go and change,’ Joe suggested. ‘We can see to the animals and then plan what we’re doing for supper.’
Grateful to him for changing the subject without questioning her, Skye nodded. She really had got the wrong first impression of Joe and was glad they now got along well. Feeling a rush of enthusiasm, Skye took the first two steps up the staircase. ‘Last one up to the attic has to muck out the cow barn.’
‘Hey.’ Joe laughed. ‘You cheat!’
She took off up the rest of the stairs, sensing him close behind her, enjoying feeling carefree for the first time since her return from travelling. As much as she loved seeing her gran again when she was in Edinburgh briefly, something had been missing for her. Skye wondered whether she would ever feel at home anywhere, or if she would need to keep going away to feel fulfilled. She pushed the thought aside, determined not to overthink at least for today. She reached the first floor, then, taking the slightly narrower stairs to the attic, she heard his footsteps right behind her and couldn’t help laughing as she arrived slightly out of breath when she reached the top landing.
‘I’ll remember not to fall for that one again,’ he grumbled, attempting to frown but failing miserably.
Skye went to her bedroom, unable to stop grinning. She sat on the bed getting her breath back. It really had been a pleasurable day and she hoped there would be several more before her time here at the farm came to an end in a little under four weeks. She heard Joe singing something to himself and tried to work out what it was. Unable to recognise the song, she walked over to her window, opened it and leant on the sill, gazing out at the glorious view of the fields with the animals grazing happily. She really loved it here and was grateful to Melody and Zac for thinking of her and arranging for her to come to Hollyhock Farm.
Hearing Joe leave his room, Skye thought she had better hurry and change to go and help him with the rest of their chores. As she slipped off her jeans and replaced them with an old pair of cargo pants she had brought with her, Skye wondered whether she would get to meet Lettie’s parents, Lindy and Gareth, before she left. She would love to know the people who had spent their lives building up this beautiful place. How lucky they were to have spent their working life on land as beautiful as this.
She heard Joe calling her name. Smiling, she went back to the window and peered down to the yard, her heart fluttering to see him looking up at her, Spud standing next to him.
‘Are you going to come and help, or should I do your bit too?’
She knew he was teasing but, pressing a forefinger up to her lips, pretended to give his question some thought. ‘Let me see. Would I rather recline on my bed in my boudoir and read the latest book by my favourite author, or come and help you muck out stinky stalls in the barn?’
Joe laughed. ‘I know I lost our unplanned race but you did make up the rules.’
‘So I did. I suppose it was a little mean catching you unawares. Fine, I’ll be down in a minute.’
‘We’ll get started while we wait.’
Skye watched amused as he and Spud ambled over to the barn. Joe hummed something and Skye couldn’t help but watch him, admiring the way his sweatshirt, as loose as it was, still somehow accentuated his muscular arms. She sighed as he disappeared into the barn and turned away from the window. If only her time here was for longer than four measly weeks.
‘Behave yourself,’ she murmured, remembering she was trying to stay upbeat. Anyway she was here to work not drool after Joe, and as far as she knew he might have a girlfriend somewhere who would not appreciate the latest farmhand at Hollyhock Farm following her boyfriend around the place like a lost sheep.
Anyway, the last thing she needed to do was fall for him and end up having a fling and going home pregnant like her mother had done. Skye shivered at the thought. Not that she had any intention of sleeping with him or anyone else while she was here, and if she did she would ensure they used protection.
Why hadn’t her mother been more careful about not falling pregnant? From what she’d gathered from the odd comment her mother had made, the relationship with Skye’s dad had been brief, even though the one thing her mother had said about him was that she had loved him very much. Poor Mum, Skye thought, wishing she could spend just one day with her to hug her and ask a few questions about him. She didn’t know all the facts about what had happened between her parents. Hell, she knew barely any at all. She had no intention of judging her mum for her choices, Skye just wished she had left some indication about who her dad was.