Chapter 10
TEN
AJAX
I don’t want to open my eyes.
This morning feels like a dream.
After placing my hand on my chest, there’s no silky hair like I’m expecting, and my eyes fly open.
My shirt’s buttoned up, and there’s no sign of Ivy.
Did I dream her?
In the distance, the toilet flushes, and water starts running.
I sit up and blink a few times to wake myself up.
Ivy appears in the doorway leading to the bathroom.
“Hey. I hope you don’t mind me using the facilities.” She beams a smile so brilliant, it highlights the dimples in her cheeks.
I fall a little harder.
“They’re yours. When you move in, you can do what you want with them.”
She bites her bottom lip before stalking toward me. I hold open my arms, and she drops onto my lap just like before.
“You really meant that?”
I nod. “I did. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, and we don’t have to live together live together, but there’s space for both of us here, and we’ll talk to the others, but I can’t see why they wouldn’t be okay with giving you a job.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “I’d like that. Not just because I need the money, but I really like you.”
“Feeling’s mutual, babe.”
She kisses me softly.
I rub her thigh and glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s midday. Want some lunch? Cookie will have food ready.”
She nods. “Do you think it’s okay for me to join you?”
“Of course it is. Let’s go.” I peck her lips, and hold her hand while she stands.
Keeping hold of her hand, we walk out of my place and across the yard to the main house.
After pushing open the door, I walk into the kitchen.
“Hey.” Cookie looks up and smiles.
“Have we got enough for one more?”
His gaze drops to our joined hands, and his smile widens. “Of course we do. You know I always have more than enough.”
“Thanks.” Ivy leans against my bicep.
“You’re welcome, Ivy. Take a seat as it’s nearly done.”
I lead Ivy to the dining table, and pull out her chair. She smiles as she sits, and I take a seat beside her.
“Is this what lunch is like every day?” she asks.
I shrug. “Pretty much. Cookie makes food for the farm hands, but they eat in another building and we have privacy here.”
“I’ll be able to help him if he wants it,” she whispers.
I glance toward the kitchen. “He’s a bit territorial.”
Digby walks into the room, scratching his neck. He looks as shattered as I felt earlier. Some days on the farm are harder than others. “Ivy?”
“Hey, Digby.” She smiles.
He flicks a glance between us. “So …”
“Let’s have lunch and we’ll tell you all about it.”
He grins, and takes a seat. “I can’t wait to hear this.”
“Here we go.” Cookie places a platter of carved lamb in the centre of the table. It’s surrounded by roast potatoes, and he follows it up with a large bowl of steamed vegetables and a big gravy boat.
“Is this the kind of thing you usually have for lunch?” Ivy asks.
“Only during the weekends. Most days it’s toasted sandwiches or I’ll make pies or something. We usually have something simple and fast for dinner and then work out what we’re doing for the rest of the evening.”
“It’s so nice to have someone else cooking. It’s been … I don’t even know when the last time that was.” Ivy smiles.
“Cookie does all the cooking—it’s his thing.”
She laughs. “I kind of guessed that. I knew where the name came from. You guys told me once.”
“We did?” Digby asks before shaking his head. “Damn. Now we’re gonna get in trouble for any drunken confessions we made over the bar.”
Ivy grins. “I’ll never tell.”
I love this. I love how at ease she is with my friends. She’ll fit in perfectly around here—there’s only Shane and Jessie to go, and they’ll be fine with it, I’m sure.
“Ivy’s moving in with me.” I reach for her hand. “And we’re giving her a job.”
Ivy bites her bottom lip. She’s scared of what the others think, but she doesn’t know them like I do.
We’re family.
Digby nods. “It’ll be good to have another pair of hands in the mornings with the cows. Especially when Shane and Jessie aren’t here.”
She stares at him before turning her gaze to me. “Really?”
I grin. “Told you.”
“Honestly, Ivy. We know what a hard worker you are. It’d be great. Shane and Jessie split their time between here and the states, and we’re used to managing without him, but he’s away a lot more now,” Cookie says.
“I don’t mind hard work. And I can pitch in with the housework too.”
Cookie shakes his head. “We do our own here. What you do with Ajax in his place is your business.”
“Let us look after you for a while.” I slip my arm around her shoulders and place a kiss on the top of her head.
She sniffs, and I grasp her chin, raising her face toward me.
Tears well in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“Told you. Anything for you.”
I place a kiss on her nose, and Cookie chuckles. “Man, you have got it bad. We really screwed up setting you up on that site when Ivy was right under our noses.”
“I’m not going to screw anything up ever again,” I say.
Ivy pokes my arm with her index finger. “I’m sure you will.”
“Not on purpose.”
“I know.” Her smile is gentle and loving. I’m such an idiot. I could have had the love of this good woman ages ago, but my fear of being rejected beat me every time.
I won’t waste another moment.