by Jenny Frame
After a silence Quade said, “You like unicorns?”
Penny laughed softly. “Yes, I love them. It was a bit too warm tonight for the onesie, especially since I’ve got the fire going strong. Come in, and I’ll get you some more muffins. You said you liked them…in your note.”
Quade smiled. “I loved them. How’s your ankle?”
“Getting better. It’ll be fine.” Penny walked to the kitchen but could feel Quade’s presence following her.
She picked up a box of muffins and handed them to Quade. “Here you go, they’re nice and healthy too. I haven’t many boxes left. I’ll need to make you some fresh ones, maybe a different flavour?”
“I’d love that. Thanks. Would it be all right to come by each night and take Princess for a walk? Dougal really loves the company. He’s been alone for a long time.”
The way Quade gazed at her, and the way she said that, made Penny think she wasn’t only talking about Dougal. Quade being alone in her farmhouse made her sad. Someone so good-looking and as good-natured deserved someone to love, and she hoped Quade would find it one day.
“Yes, that would be nice. Princess is like a different dog here in the country. She wants to walk, and run, and dig. I suppose you think I treat her like a fashion accessory.”
Quade smiled and shook her head. “No, you love her, I can see that. You and Princess have a very different life in London, I suppose.”
Penny’s heart started to beat hard. That question felt like it had a much deeper meaning.
“Yes, we do, and we won’t be here for long,” Penny said, mentally putting up a safety barrier between them.
Quade nodded. “Okay, I’ll be off then. I’ll call for Princess tomorrow.”
As Quade walked off, Penny said, “Quade, you know the video I took of you, about making a fire?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you mind if I posted it on my channel?” Penny wasn’t sure of the reaction she would get.
Quade raised a questioning eyebrow. “Why would anyone want to watch me teaching you about making a fire?”
You’d be surprised. “It’s part of my country experience. This is why I’m down here.”
“I’ll give you a deal. You can use the video if you keep those daft shoes off Princess.” Quade smirked.
“They are not daft,” Penny snapped. Then she realized it was silly. “Okay, you have a deal.”
When Quade left, Penny set to work on Quade’s video, and before too long she had it ready.
She uploaded it and named it Sexy Farmer makes fire…
Chapter Six
One week later, Bridge and Annie were in the Axedale ballroom finalizing plans for Bridge’s wedding. Staff came and went as they set up tables and chairs around the perimeter of the ballroom. The staff at Axedale were used to preparing for weddings. While Harry, Annie, and Riley lived in the east wing of the house, the west wing had been transformed after refurbishment into a space available for special functions—weddings, special parties, business conferences—and Annie, along with her staff, catered for the events. It was Annie’s baby and a good source of revenue for Axedale’s upkeep.
Annie held a clipboard and was checking off information with Bridge. “Are you happy with the tables, Bridge? You sure you don’t want a top table for the wedding party?”
“No, this wedding is non-traditional. I want everyone just sitting around the dance floor and having fun,” Bridge said.
“And the cake before speeches?” Annie asked.
Bridge smiled, thinking about the naughty things she was sure Harry would say in her speech. Bridge and Finn decided they would each have a good friend stand with them as witnesses. Bridge chose Harry of course, and Finn chose Quade.
“Yes, get them over with quickly, I think is best,” Bridge said.
Annie wrote on her clipboard and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve warned Harry not to embarrass you too much in her speech.”
Bridge laughed. “I’m sure she will, but it’s the length I’m concerned with. I want to get to the wedding night as quickly as possible.”
Annie play hit Bridge on the arm. “Oh, Bridge. You have plenty of time for that, but you have to celebrate with your friends first. I can’t tell you how happy Harry and I are that you’re getting married.”
They walked into the centre of the ballroom and Bridge let out a happy sigh. “I never in a million years thought I’d get married, Annie. It’s more than I ever hoped for. Someone who completes me.”
“You must be missing her,” Annie said.
Bridge felt a lump come to her throat. She was never given to being gushy and over-emotional, but her love for Finn had changed her in some ways. Being apart from her was so hard. Finn’s love made her reconcile her vocation with that part of her that was Mistress Black, and that made her a better person in her day-to-day life.
“I really do. Even though she only goes on tour for a few weeks. I hate sleeping apart from her, and she has offered to retire. It’s not as if we need the money, but I think performing is essential to who she is. If Finn gave up performing, I think she would lose part of herself. You know?”
Annie nodded. She couldn’t imagine being apart from Harry even for two weeks. Even though Harry retired from her professorship at Cambridge, she still consulted on dig projects, and when she did have to go away on digs, they went as a family. Axedale and the village were Harry’s job now.
“We’re both lucky, Bridge.” Annie thought of Quade. “I wish Quade had the same.”
Bridge grinned. “Speaking of Quade—have you seen Sexy Farmer?”
Annie chuckled. “Sexy Farmer?”
“It’s Quade. Penny posted a picture of her and a video, and Penny’s followers have gone crazy for her.”
“Well, no wonder, she is gorgeous. Wait, if Penny called her Sexy Farmer, do you think she likes her?”
Bridge crossed her arms with a conspiratorial smile. “I think it’s something we should investigate. Maybe there could be romance on the horizon.”
Annie wasn’t sure. “Do you think we should? I mean, do you think Penny wants a relationship? I would hate poor Quade to get hurt.”
“Let’s find out,” Bridge said.
* * *
Quade stood at the side of the river watching Princess and Dougal play in the water. Since she first took Princess out with them two weeks ago, she had come alive, rediscovering her dog skills, and Dougal loved having another pal, apart from Caesar. Dougal had really taken to Princess, taking care of her and helping her.
If only Princess’s owner was as open to help and socialization. Quade had hoped that she would get to know Penny better by dropping by each evening. It was stupid, and she knew that Penny was so out of her league, and only here for a short time, but she couldn’t stop thinking about her, and worrying if she was okay, coping on her own in a very new environment.
Quade had been embarrassed when the estate boys had shown her the Sexy Farmer video and picture on Penny’s social media and teased her with the name, but the title had at least given her the hope that Penny liked her.
She thought that maybe if she could be a friend to Penny while she was here, it would be enough, but since the first night she had taken Princess out, Penny had been quiet and didn’t engage in much conversation with her. It was like a barrier had been put up between them.
Quade whistled, and the dogs came running from the riverbank. Princess was wet and her pretty pink jacket was covered in mud.
“Your mummy is not going to be happy. Let’s go and face the music then.”
They walked back home to the cottage, and as was her routine, she knocked on the door and walked in. “Penny? We’re home.”
The room was in darkness, and there were lights on stands, surrounding the kitchen door, pointing inwards. Penny was standing by one big light in a pretty pink skirt and a frilly apron, and was tinkering with one of the lights.
She kicked the base and said, “Bloody stupid things.”
&
nbsp; “Penny?” Quade said again.
Penny turned around and her eyes went wide when she saw Princess. “What happened?”
“They were playing on the riverbank. It was a bit muddy after the rain last night,” Quade said.
Penny hurried over and stripped the muddy coat off Princess. “My poor baby.”
“It’s only a bit of water and mud,” Quade said.
Penny glared at her. “Only a bit of mud? Before I came here, Princess didn’t even walk on the pavement without shoes. You convinced me to take them off and look what’s happened to her.”
Quade was getting annoyed now. “Nothing’s happened to her. She had a whale of a time getting mucky, and it’ll wash off. She’s not a handbag, Penny.”
Penny scowled at her, hurried off to get a towel from the cupboard, and wrapped Princess up in it.
“This is the last thing I need,” Penny said with frustration. “I was trying to record a video while Princess was out walking, and suddenly all the lights went out. I’ve got to have this video recorded by tomorrow.”
“The fuse has probably just blown because you’ve plugged in so many lights. Let me check the fuse box,” Quade said.
Penny looked panicked and rubbed her temple with her fingers as if she was in pain. “I don’t know where the fuse box is. Why did I ever think the country was a good idea?”
“Don’t panic. I’ll find it. It’s probably under the stairs here.”
Quade walked over to the cupboard under the stairs and squeezed in. It was full of junk that hadn’t been cleared out in a long time. She saw the fuse box and confirmed one was blown.
“Yeah, it’s a fuse, all right. The wiring’s old in this place—your equipment was probably too much for it.”
“Can you fix it?” Penny asked, still with panic in her voice.
Quade got a warm glow inside. It wasn’t much, but this was the first time Penny had asked her for anything.
She got out of the cupboard, rubbed the dust off her hands, and then looked Penny in the eyes. “I’ll take care of it. I promise you’ll be back in business in no time. I need to go and pick up some tools from the farm. Why don’t you give Princess a quick dry off, and I’ll be back in a flash.”
“At my London flat I just pressed a button when the lights went out. My brother showed me that.”
“That was a modern fuse box, but this one is a little more complicated,” Quade explained.
“I need to get this video done. I have a deadline,” Penny repeated.
Quade instinctively reached out and put her hand on Penny’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll fix it.” Penny looked down at Quade’s hand on her bare arm and then back up to Quade’s eyes. She couldn’t read the strange expression in Penny’s eyes. “I’ll be back in ten minutes or so. Dougal, stay with Penny and Princess. Look after them, all right?”
Dougal licked her hand. Penny still hadn’t said anything since she touched her, so she left.
* * *
Penny rubbed a towel over Princess with vigour. “You’re not to go paddling with Dougal, Princess. I know you’re enjoying this country experience, but there’s no need to get dirty, no matter what Quade says.”
At the mention of Quade’s name, Princess jumped down from the couch and ran to the front door.
“What is this power Quade has over dogs and Instagram followers?” Her picture and video of Quade were fast becoming two of her most popular posts. That annoyed her, not because she was sharing the limelight—anything or anyone that brought extra traffic to her social media was only good for her—but because of the comments that her followers had left. Mainly asking if Quade was her new girlfriend, and if not could they have her? Both questions annoyed her.
Whatever effect Quade had, she’d felt it herself when she’d touched her arm. Her touch sent heat into her body and made her shiver, but that wasn’t the most miraculous thing. The most surprising thing was that Penny didn’t flinch, or pull away, her usual reaction to another’s touch.
It was unnerving.
Dougal walked to her and licked her hand, possibly sensing her uncertainty. He was such a nice dog—reassuring, safe, and steady, just like his owner.
Penny heard Quade’s Land Rover pull up outside and couldn’t help but feel that unmistakable excitement bubbling in her stomach.
She sighed. Here she was hoping to find that flaw that would give her the excuse to dismiss her intense attraction to Quade, and the opposite was happening. Quade was coming to her rescue like a knight in shining armour.
Penny opened the door and Quade walked in with a large tool bag. Great. Another one of her fantasies. A butch with tools.
“Everything okay?” Quade asked.
“Yes. You do have a lot of tools,” Penny said.
Quade walked over to the cupboard under the stairs. “These are just my hand tools. I have a lot more back home. There’s a lot of jobs need doing around the farm.”
“Tell me you don’t have a tool belt in there.” Penny held her breath. That would just be too much. A gorgeous hunk of a butch with tools and a tool belt? Her hope of a flaw would die right there and then.
“Not in here, but at home I do. I only need screwdrivers and fuse wire for this job,” Quade said as she opened her bag.
Bloody hell. Penny grasped her silver medical warning necklace and tried to remind herself why she didn’t let people close.
“Can you point this torch for me?” Quade asked, breaking her from her thoughts.
She pointed it at the box and Quade set to work.
“So, tell me about this intuitive eating thing you do. I’ve never heard of it,” Quade said.
“I’m not surprised,” Penny said. “You hadn’t even heard of nut milk.”
Quade chuckled. “I’ve not seen any nut milk farms around here, no.” Penny let the torch fall a bit. “Keep the light on me, or we’ll never get you back in business. Help me understand about what you do.”
Normally Penny was happy to discuss her philosophy, but she got the feeling it would sound silly to Quade’s ears. “You probably wouldn’t be interested.”
“Of course I would. I’m always happy to learn, and I’m open-minded. Explain.”
Penny watched as Quade cut lengths of wire. She had no idea what Quade was doing. “Well, clean eating, like I told you before, is non-processed, eating as close to nature as you can—”
“I’ve got that bit. Organic, in other words. And intuitive eating?” Quade said.
“Intuitive eating helps people have a better relationship with food. You make food choices without experiencing guilt, you honour hunger, respect fullness, and enjoy the pleasure of eating.” Quade was silent, but Penny could see the corners of her mouth going up. “You’re trying not to laugh, aren’t you?” Penny could feel her annoyance growing.
Quade cleared her throat and was trying and failing to keep her face neutral. “No, not at all.” Quade laughed as she said, “Next time I have a bacon sandwich, I must remember to honour it.”
“I knew it was a waste of time to try to explain it to someone like you,” Penny said.
Quade laughed some more and said, “Someone like me?”
“A small village cattle farmer who probably doesn’t have a care about the animals or the quality of meat you produce.”
As soon as Penny said it, she regretted it. Quade’s face went stony and Penny knew she had blown it. “Quade, I didn’t…”
Quade turned away from her and popped the repaired fuse back in its slot. The lights all came back on, and in the bright artificial light Penny felt even worse. She didn’t know what to say to make it right. Quade slammed her tools into her bag and stood up.
“For your information, I raise grass fed organic beef, all the farms on Lady Harry’s land are organic, and I won’t let anyone say I don’t take care of my animals.”
“Quade…” Penny tried to talk but Quade just walked out. Penny slammed her hands against her forehead. “What is wrong with me?”
The headache that had been bothering her just made things worse.
Chapter Seven
The next day Quade was out on her quad bike with Tom, one of her farmhands, driving around fields, checking her cattle, making sure they looked healthy and happy. She was happy with them and pulled up alongside Tom.
“If you can check the top field, I’m going to head on up to Axedale. I have to meet with Lady Harry.”
“No problem, boss,” Tom said.
As she drove back to the farmhouse, last night ran through her head for the millionth time this morning. What Penny said had hurt. Quade took the welfare of her animals very seriously, but on reflection she realized Penny said what she did in anger.
She should have never laughed at what Penny said. Quade might find it a bit strange, but if it was important to Penny, then she should have respected it.
Quade heard Dougal barking loudly as she neared the field gate. She drove the few hundred yards up to the farmhouse and saw Dougal running for her. He was barking wildly, and then she spotted Princess at her doorstep, barking and shaking.
She knew instinctively that something was badly wrong. Quade parked the quad, and Princess and Dougal ran over. She picked up Princess and felt the tremor that little dogs got when they were stressed.
“What are you doing here? Is your mummy okay?” Quade pulled the Land Rover keys from her pocket and ran to it, carrying Princess. “Dougal, let’s go.”
Quade’s heart pounded, and she felt real fear about what she would find. She drove as fast as she could, but the journey seemed to take so much longer than usual. Especially when she got stuck behind a tractor.
“Come on, come on,” she shouted.
Eventually Quade was able to pass and she quickly turned into the driveway of Northwood Cottage. As she got closer to the front of the house, she saw her. Penny was lying in the doorway of the cottage, fitting.
“Shit.”
She stopped the car and ran over as fast as she could. Her heart sank when she saw blood coming from the sides of her mouth, meaning she had bitten her tongue, as well as injuries to her arms as they flailed and hit the sides of the door.