Wooing the Farmer

by Jenny Frame

  Harry smiled and crossed her arms. “There’s enough for two. You won’t go hungry either. How is she?”

  “I’m not sure. The after-effects of the attack aren’t great. She can’t use her right hand, but she says that always happens,” Quade said.

  Harry’s eyes went wide. “That’s awful. I’m glad she’s got you here. Annie wanted to come, but I told her Penny didn’t want any visitors.”

  “No, she doesn’t even want me here, but she hasn’t got the strength to throw me out. I’m not going anywhere.”

  The corners of Harry’s mouth lifted into a grin. “You like her, don’t you?”

  “Of course I like her. I mean, she would rather I didn’t, but she can’t get rid of me,” Quade said.

  “No, I mean like her.” Harry winked at her and she finally caught her meaning.

  Quade’s throat went dry and she found it difficult to form her words. “Penny? No, no. Don’t be daft,” Quade said a little too quickly. “Anyway, she’s out of my league. She’s from your world, not mine.”

  Harry patted her on the shoulder. “My world is Axedale, just like yours. Don’t do yourself down. I’ll leave you to it then, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Once she saw Harry out, Quade took the meals through to the kitchen. The dogs were lying together contentedly with full bellies.

  She thought about what Harry said and felt her heart pound like it never had. She couldn’t court someone like Penny, could she?

  * * *

  Penny woke up slowly and went to stretch. It was only when she felt her arm was numb that she remembered what had happened to her, and the reality of her situation engulfed her. The fear, the frustration, the impotence.

  She sighed and shuffled as best she could to sit up. When Penny looked over to the window, she was shocked to see Quade sleeping in the armchair, with her socked feet up on the edge of the bed.

  No matter how harsh she was, no matter how much she pushed Quade away, there she was at every turn to save the day. Like some lesbian version of Superman. If it had been anyone else, she would have assumed it was because of who she was, but Quade knew nothing about her other than her famous family name.

  Annoyingly, Quade’s continued assistance was a kindness, a rare commodity where she came from. Everyone wanted something from her, but not Sam McQuade. The strange thing was, she didn’t feel scared or panicked now that Quade had got past her bedroom door. No one had ever done that, and yet here Quade was with the two dogs snuggled together on the bottom of the bed.

  No amount of counselling had ever done what Quade had just achieved. Why was that?

  Since Quade was asleep, she allowed herself the luxury of openly appraising her. Quade was not only good looking and kind, but she was solidly reassuring. Penny couldn’t remember a time anyone had made her feel safe. Perhaps only her beloved father when she was a child, before epilepsy crashed into her life.

  Why Quade didn’t have a wife, she didn’t know. She looked like she should have a wife to come home to, someone to lavish all that love, that kindness, and her gorgeous strong body on.

  “I wish it was me,” Penny said out loud.

  “What? Where? I’m awake.” Quade awoke with a start. “Sorry, I fell asleep. Are you all right?”

  “Yes. My head feels a bit better. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be on my feet. You didn’t have to stay.”

  Quade rubbed her sleepy eyes. She hadn’t had such a relaxing sleep in a while. It had just been too cosy with the fire, the dogs sleeping, and the beautiful Penny lying contentedly asleep.

  “I told you. You’re going to have to kick me out. I’d only be sitting at home worried about you, anyway.”

  “I don’t need anyone to worry about me. I’m a grown woman,” Penny said.

  “I didn’t say you needed anyone to worry—I said I would worry. I fed the dogs while you were asleep. Oh, and Harry came around.”

  Penny looked worried. “She hasn’t told my parents, has she?”

  “No. I asked her not to. She and Annie are worried about you, but I put them off from visiting today,” Quade said, slipping her feet back into her boots.

  “Thank God. It’s bad enough having you insist on looking after me.”

  Penny’s remark was sharp and meant as another jibe to push Quade away. So Quade just smiled at her and said, “You’re very welcome.”

  Penny stuck her tongue out at Quade. “You do insist on being so bloody helpful, don’t you? I don’t know what I ever did to deserve it.”

  Quade stood up and said quite seriously, “Because you are you, Penny.”

  That answer totally silenced Penny.

  “Are you hungry? Annie sent some meals for you. She said to tell you they were SOS free. What does that mean?”

  Penny smiled for the first time. “God bless Annie. Salt-, oil-, and sugar-free food. It’s one of the main tenets of my cooking philosophy.”

  A bit like that nut milk, and Quade couldn’t quite wrap her head around that. “No salt? How do you make things taste of anything?”

  Penny winked at her this time. “That’s one of the things I teach on my channel. How to make things healthy but tasty.”

  “You must be a bloody magician then,” Quade said with disbelief. “But you must know your stuff, because those muffins you gave me were delicious.”

  “I’ll give you some to taste,” Penny said.

  Quade ran her hand through her hair nervously. “Uh, Annie sent enough for me. I’ll bring yours up and eat mine downstairs. Let you have a bit of space.”

  Penny was silent for a few seconds. “Just eat here, Quade. Princess will follow you wherever you go, and I like her with me.”

  Was she actually winning Penny over? That sounded like a terrible excuse for sharing her company.

  Quade smiled and said, “Thanks, I’d love to have dinner with you, even if it’s salt-, oil-, and sugar-free.”

  * * *

  Penny watched with amusement as Quade picked her way through Annie’s sweet potato and three bean chilli, with brown rice. It was one of Penny’s favourite recipes, and it was interesting to taste someone else’s version of it. Penny took her last mouthful and was all full up.

  She put her cutlery down, and Princess walked up the bed to give her a cuddle. Penny stroked her softly and smiled over to Quade. “How is it, Quade?”

  “It’s…different. Like nothing I’ve ever had,” Quade said carefully.

  “You hate it, in other words,” Penny said.

  “No, no, I don’t, honestly. The flavour is really good. I wasn’t expecting it to have so much flavour.”

  “But?” Penny finished for her.

  “I’m not a big vegetable fan, and I’ve never had beans that weren’t in tomato sauce, and as for brown rice—”

  “But you’re a farmer. You country people are supposed to love vegetables,” Penny said.

  “I know, I grow them out the back of the farmhouse, but I’ve only ever liked peas and carrots,” Quade admitted.

  Penny chuckled. “I’ll need to educate you while I’m here, then.”

  She had said it in all innocence, but Quade’s cheeks went red. Quade cleared her throat and put her plate and glass of water on the tray resting on the dressing table.

  “So what do you do with them?” Penny asked.

  Quade was confused. “Do with what?”

  “Your vegetables?”

  “Oh, right. Well, I sell them at the local farmers’ market. I don’t take them myself—we have a collective with the farmers on Lady Harry’s land and the next village over, Westwood. They take all our produce over to town.”

  Penny’s face lit up. “A farmer’s market? Oh, that’s wonderful. Locally grown, locally sourced. That’s right up my street. Do you just send your veggies?”

  Quade was encouraged. She actually had something positive to talk about with her. “No, my veg, some of my grass fed beef, and my organic home brew, Axedale Ale.”

  “That’s fantastic. I nev
er thought you’d be into the whole organic thing,” Penny said with surprise.

  “My family has always farmed that way. Long before organic became trendy,” Quade said.

  “Oh.” Penny seemed to take that as a dig, and she hadn’t meant it so.

  There was a silence. “Are you finished with your plate, Penny?” Quade asked.

  “Yes, thanks, but leave the water. I need to take my pills. Can you pass them over?”

  Quade put the plate down and picked up the pill bottles and packets. She brought them over and put them down quickly when she saw Penny trying to get up.

  “Hey, don’t do that yourself.” Quade took hold of Penny’s good hand and helped her sit on the edge of the bed.

  “I’m not an invalid, Quade,” Penny snapped, but Quade ignored her.

  “Which pills?”

  “I can get my own medications.” Penny reached out for the first pill bottle, but Quade snatched it up first.

  Penny gave a frustrated growl. “I can do it on my own.”

  Quade sighed. “I know you’re independent—”

  “Independent?” Penny said angrily. “I’m not independent. I’m at the mercy of a condition that takes over my control. It controls my brain, controls my body, makes me vulnerable to ordinary everyday actions. I can’t have a bath, I can’t drive my beautiful car, I can’t have a normal se—I mean, every time I wake up in the morning, I’m frightened that I’m waking up from an attack, so forgive me if I cherish every little moment of control over my own life I have.”

  Quade was taken aback by Penny’s anger, but she supposed that it was the built up frustration of all she had been through. She handed her the pills.

  “I’m sorry. Here you are.”

  She got up and walked over to look out the bedroom window and give Penny some space. Her heart broke for Penny. To feel all that fear and frustration, and worst of all to face it alone. She wondered if there had ever been anyone special enough to share her load with.

  Quade turned around when she heard Penny struggling with one of the pill bottles. She couldn’t get it open with one hand. Quade walked over and crouched down. Penny was staring at her feet in resignation.

  She didn’t take the bottle from Penny. Instead, Quade covered Penny’s hand with hers, and Penny looked up, surprised. Quade gripped her hand and took the top off the bottle with her other hand.

  “It takes a strong person to ask for help and accept it. My help is freely given,” Quade said while looking directly into Penny’s eyes.

  Penny’s lips opened slightly, and her breathing rate increased. Quade felt like she was being drawn to her. She couldn’t take her eyes off her.

  She and Penny got closer and closer, but then Penny suddenly pulled away, and the moment was gone.

  “Thanks, Quade. I’ll manage now.”

  Quade got up quickly. What was she playing at, trying to kiss Penelope Huntingdon-Stewart? She must have lost her mind.

  Stop it. She’s not even in your hemisphere.

  * * *

  Annie kissed Riley goodnight. “Have a good sleep, sweetie.”

  “Night, Mum,” Riley said.

  Annie then ruffled the large ears of Caesar who was lying at the foot of Riley’s bed. He took up more than half of Riley’s old bed, and Riley insisted on him sleeping with her, so they got her a bigger bed.

  When she first realized how big the Great Dane was going to be, she panicked, but she had fallen in love with the big goofy dog. Watching him run about the estate with Riley was a joy, and she knew Riley would always be safe with that giant by her side.

  Harry was waiting by the door. Riley had asked to speak with Harry privately, as she often did. Annie was so pleased that Riley had the joy of another parent to confide in. Harry and Riley were inseparable, and seeing the relationship they had built had warmed Annie’s heart.

  The question that niggled at the back of Annie’s mind was whether Harry would want another child in their life.

  “Don’t be too long, Harry,” she said as she passed her.

  “I won’t.” Harry kissed her softly.

  Annie walked to their bedroom and began folding some towels that were on the big four-poster bed.

  She sighed when she gazed around the large bedroom. Annie imagined a Moses basket sitting by the window. She had never thought about having another baby before Harry. Riley was her world, and as a single mother she didn’t see the need to add to their family, but she felt a need now. One that had been steadily growing since they got married.

  Annie had been frightened to broach the subject with Harry for fear of frightening her off. It had been a monumental life change for Harry to have a wife, even more so to have a stepdaughter. Would another child be pushing her too far?

  She had to find a way of talking about it, because her body was telling her if she wanted to have another baby, it had to be soon.

  Annie jumped when the bedroom door opened. “Did I scare you?” Harry said.

  “Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts,” Annie said.

  Harry wrapped her arms around Annie from the back and said softly into her ear, “Good thoughts, I hope?”

  Harry’s deep, rich voice always made Annie shiver. “I hope so.” Annie tried to change the subject. She turned to face Harry. “What did Riley want to talk about?”

  “Oh, she was worried you were going to make her wear a dress to Bridge’s wedding. Apparently she saw you looking at dresses online, but she didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  Annie laughed. “As if I would even try to put her in a dress. I think the last time she wore a dress was when she was three years old, and that was a struggle.”

  Harry smiled. “Just like me as a child. I told her that we’ll send her measurements to my tailor, and we’ll get them to make something similar to my suit.”

  Annie caressed her fingertips across Harry’s cheek. “She’s so like you, your ladyship, anyone would think she was your child.”

  Harry smiled with pride. “She is mine now. I love her with all my heart. She’s the future of this estate. I may not be able to pass on my title to her, but the estate and all my lands are hers.”

  Maybe this was a good moment to broach the subject she had been avoiding.

  “It’s a big estate, and the village’s welfare is a big responsibility for our little girl,” Annie said.

  Harry smiled. “I’m quite sure she will find someone to share her life with. I think Riley is a romantic. She certainly helped get us together. She loves the story of my ancestor, Lady Hildegard, and her lady, Katherine Aston. Maybe we should play Cupid for Quade like she did for us?”

  Annie furrowed her brow. “Quade? What?” They had drifted from the subject that Annie hoped to talk about.

  “When I was at Northwood Cottage, I saw a look in her eyes that made me think of what I felt when I was falling for you.”

  “And what look was that?” Annie said smiling.

  “A mixture of terror and complete adoration,” Harry joked.

  Annie and Bridget had suspected as much, but Annie had some concerns. “She is a lovely girl, Harry, and I’d love to see Quade happy and loved, but is Penny the right one?”

  Harry raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

  Annie sighed. “She’s Penelope Huntingdon-Stewart, owner of a multi-millon-dollar food brand, and Quade isn’t going anywhere. She’s a farmer with a farm to run.”

  Harry gazed lovingly at Annie, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “I was Harry Knight, Countess of Axedale, Professor of Archaeology, but none of that mattered when Cupid buried his arrow deep into my heart.”

  Annie nearly melted on the spot. She placed her hand over Harry’s heart. “You are the romantic, Harry. I love it when you talk like that.”

  “It’s true. Every word. You changed my world. I love you, Annie.” Harry leaned in and placed the softest of kisses on her lips.

  A warm fire was ignited inside Annie, as it always was when Harry touched her.

>   “Harry,” Annie whispered and started to pull Harry’s T-shirt off.

  “I thought you wanted to talk about something?” Harry said with a sly grin.

  “Later.” Annie gently pushed her back onto the bed.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning, Penny felt better. Her head was clearer, and although her arm was still numb-ish, there was feeling coming back. She had managed to persuade Quade to go home and get on with her day, but Quade had promised she would be back later.

  It was funny how much had changed in a short time. A few days ago she would have had a panic attack at the thought of someone else being in her bedroom, but after the initial fear and shock, she’d actually had the best night’s sleep she ever had.

  Penny still awoke with the feeling of terror and fear, but when she saw Quade walk in the room with tea and a big open smile, the fear was banished. The past few days had also taught her that any hope of finding a flaw in the gorgeous farmer was hopeless. She could only console herself with the knowledge that she would be leaving here, once her work was done. No hope for any romance, as much as her body and mind might want it.

  The big problem was that Penny felt safe with Quade. To feel safe was something she had hungered for all her life, and now here was some big, strong, hunky, butch farmer, who insisted on running to her rescue at every turn, and who made her feel safe. It was too tantalizing a package. She had to create some distance between them.

  Penny heard a knock at the door.

  “Hello, it’s Bridge.”

  She smiled. Penny did enjoy the unconventional vicar’s company. Princess ran to the door, barking. She got up slowly and opened the door. She was surprised to see Bridge carrying a big wicker basket of fresh produce.

  “I come bearing gifts!” Bridge said as she walked in.

  “What’s all this, Bridge?”

  Bridge carried the basket over to the couch and stroked Princess who was jumping excitedly up at her legs. “It’s from the villagers. They heard you weren’t too well, and there we have it. It’s their way of showing they care.”

  Penny looked through the basket—fresh milk, eggs, bread, jams and marmalades, biscuits and cakes. “But I don’t know them.” Penny couldn’t believe people would be so kind to a stranger.