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Esme didn’t know why her modeling career had caused such a reaction in Wyatt, but she wasn’t sticking around to find out. She’d faced enough disdain over the years for relying on her appearance to make a living. She didn’t need to accept any from a man she barely knew.
In those early days, her earnings had paid for Nans to have the best care, and she would never apologize for that.
She wasn’t a bobblehead who relied on her looks.
She’d worked damned hard as a model. The lifestyle only appeared glamorous; it had been challenging physically and mentally.
She wasn’t ashamed of a single thing she’d done.
Whatever had gone through Wyatt’s head, it wasn’t true. It probably wasn’t even about her. That kind of reaction spoke to a history.
It wasn’t Esme’s job to fix his misconception.
His release of her hand and step back stung, probably more than it should. They’d only known each other for a day, yet his rejection of her felt personal. It hit deep, definitely deeper than it should. Which was her insecurity, her issue, not his.
Walking through the orchard helped Esme settle. She didn’t want to show up at the inn flustered and upset. She also didn’t want to answer any questions about why she was on her own. Not until she had a reasonable answer that she could tell without lying.
It wasn’t like she and Wyatt were a couple, and this was a breakup. No one would care how long their tour of the farm had lasted.
And no one knew her well enough to know she was upset. Between living with her mom in her early years and her career, Esme was able to control her facial and body language reactions.
Since she’d left the hospital and stopped modeling, she’d eased back on her attempts to keep her thoughts hidden. Nans had taught her to experience the joys of life. Esme continued to do that through her videos.
More than one commenter had mentioned they loved hearing her delight in the towns. It was one reason the sponsors gave her when offering to support her online presence.
Esme studied the trees around her. Full of apples and life. How were they harvested? What happened to the fruit after it was removed from the trees? She had so many questions.
Focusing on those rather than Wyatt’s rigid response to her career helped Esme settle further. Not enough to record a video, but enough to handle seeing people.
She left behind the area of the orchard where the trees grew in groups and entered a section where they were mostly in rows. That had to make harvesting easier. Were the grouped trees older? Who had planted them and how had they harvested? More things other than Wyatt to think about.
Following the rows would help her find her way out back. She hadn’t paid much attention to direction when she’d walked with Wyatt. She’d relied on him knowing the property. All she had to do was follow the trees, and she’d find the other farmhouse, then the inn.
A happy bark from her left had Esme turning to see a large white dog heading her way. She hadn’t met him yet, but Amber told her a Great Pyrenees named Fox lived on the farm. He preferred the outdoors to being indoors and had become a member of Thea and Knox’s family. He wasn’t a threat.
Sure enough, the dog bounded up to her, tongue lolling as he sat at her feet.
Grinning, she let him sniff her hand. “Hello, Fox. It’s nice to meet you. I hear you’re named after Amber’s grandfather.”
The dog sniffed her and then batted her hand until she petted him. He wasn’t content with a simple pat. Soon she was kneeling on the ground, rubbing his belly while he lay on his back.
She pulled out her phone and turned it on while she continued patting the dog. “Hi, everyone. This is Esme with a new friend. Isn’t he the most gorgeous boy?”
She’d always wanted a dog, but she hadn’t lived a life conducive to pet ownership. It wouldn’t have been fair to own a pet when she was never home, if she even had one.
One day. Once she found her forever home. Even a for-now home.
“Dogs are amazing. They’re great judges of character and will do anything for people they consider family. This guy here has kept his family safe from nasty people on a couple of occasions.”
She laughed as Fox bounded to sit and stare at the camera.
“As you can see, he’s friendly as well as handsome. I hope you have someone in your life who loves you as much as this dog loves his family. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Until next time.”
She blinked back tears as she wrapped her arms around Fox. He leaned into her shoulder for a long moment before bounding off into the orchard again.
Esme clambered to her feet and watched him until he disappeared the way she’d come.
As soon as she had a home, she was getting a dog.
Esme’s steps were lighter as she moved forward. She sent a mental thanks to Fox as she walked out of the trees and around the side of the farmhouse where Wyatt and several of the others lived. It was almost as big as the inn itself.
When she rounded the farmhouse, her heart lightened again. She would spend some time exploring the huge garden.
Tall bushes, blooming trees, and gorgeous flowers filled the space. Vivid reds and deep pinks gathered together. Bright yellows contrasted with strong purples.
Esme didn’t know the names of more than the basic flowers, but she wanted to learn more.
Wyatt could likely name them all, but her opportunity to learn from him was probably in her past.
Because she’d been a model.
She shoved off the mood with a physical shrug. There was more to love here on the farm than one sexy man with a drawl that caused her skin and heart to light up.
Esme wandered the paths, enjoying how the garden’s style changed as she moved. Fun and bright, soft and romantic, aromatic and relaxing.
She walked far enough to find a veggie garden, then one filled with herbs that had her drooling. What would Seth make tonight? Whatever it was, she was sure it would be delicious.
Esme turned and headed back into the flower garden. She found a bench by a pond with a rocky waterfall.
With a happy sigh, she sat to watch the water flow over the rocks and into the pool below. Some plants floated on the surface. Lily pads?
The peace of the scene helped her settle completely. She was proud of how hard she’d worked over the years. Nothing Wyatt felt could change that. She didn’t need his approval.
She wanted it, but she didn’t need it.
Laughing at herself, Esme lifted her head at movement to the side. Not Wyatt.
Amber and Boomer strolled the paths. This was another gorgeous dog who made her yearn for a companion of her own. Boomer had already spotted her. He nudged Amber’s hand and alerted her to Esme’s presence.
Amber smiled and walked over. “Hi, Esme. Enjoying the gardens, too?”
“I think I could spend days here.”
Amber smiled. “Me too. It was a field of trampled weeds when I arrived. Gray somehow saw beyond the mess and created our oasis from the world.”
Esme gestured to the bench, and Amber sat with a smile. Boomer walked over to set his head in Esme’s lap.
She ruffled the fur on his head. “You’re a beauty, Boomer. I met your friend, Fox, a few minutes ago.”
Amber smiled. “He’s another great dog. Have you met Hemsworth yet? He helps Jolie and Ford with the ducks.”
She’d heard about the Australian Shepherd and his tasks. “Not yet. I’d like to see him in action.”
“He rounds them up without ruffling a single feather or upsetting any of the birds, even when he’s pulling them from their nighttime snacks.”
Esme tilted her head in question.
Amber grinned. “If you have a queasy stomach, I wouldn’t suggest checking it out. Jolie’s ducks help control the snail population. Snails aren’t good for the trees, and ducks like to snack on snails.”
The image made her laugh and shudder. “That’s incredible. A little unsettling, but cool.”
“Exactly. Nature doing her thing.”
“From what I’ve seen so far, this farm is wonderful about letting nature take the lead.”
Amber smiled. “Most of that is thanks to Thea and Jay. He hired Thea as a soil consultant, and he was the one who left the farm to us. He was our grandfather’s brother, but we never met him or even knew he existed. We still haven’t solved the mystery of why Fox and Jay were estranged.”
Sadness showed on her friend’s face. Boomer immediately left Esme to snuggle up with Amber. “Thanks, buddy. I’m okay. I think both Fox and Jay would be happy with what we’re doing here on the farm.”
“I’m sure they would. It’s impressive and beautiful. I’ve already taken a dozen videos, and I could do a hundred more without stretching for ideas.”
Amber smiled. “Maybe I can get you to help me with ideas for social media while you’re here. It’s not my forté.”
“I’d love to help.”
Before she could offer any suggestions, Boomer straightened and growled. His entire body moved to alert as he moved to station himself between Amber and whatever he sensed.
A chill shot through Esme.
Amber pulled out her phone as she touched Boomer’s head with her other hand. “Boomer’s gone to full alert. I’m with Esme at the waterlily pond.”
The stress on her face eased. “We’re fine. We’ll wait for you here.”
Amber blew out a breath and offered Esme a small smile. “Boomer is a trained protection dog. He doesn’t like whatever he senses out there. Gray will alert the others, and he’s on his way.”
Another chill shot through Esme as she searched the garden for a clue as to what had upset the dog.
Amber’s phone chimed, and she answered. “No change. Yes, I’ll stay on the phone with you.”
Boomer’s growl intensified, and he barked.
Esme couldn’t see anything other than trees and blooms. She pulled out her own phone, not that she had anyone to call. Did 911 work out here in rural Vermont?
Boomer moved forward a pace, his growl deep and fierce.
Esme didn’t want to move, didn’t want to distract the dog from his job.
Following Boomer’s sightline, Esme spotted leaves moving. She opened her video and recorded. Maybe the phone could capture something she couldn’t see.