‘I can show him around,’ Carla interjected. ‘Tell me what you want him to photograph, and I’ll point him in the right direction.’ How hard could it be? The farm wasn’t that big, and it wasn’t as though Dulcie had hundreds of animals or tonnes of produce.
Dulcie pulled a face. ‘Sorry about what I said last night. I know you’re not ready to jump on the horse again.’
Maisie said, ‘I didn’t know you could ride?’
‘I can’t,’ Carla replied. ‘It was metaphorical.’ She held up a hand, anticipating Maisie’s next question. ‘Don’t ask.’
‘If you’re sure you don’t mind,’ Dulcie said doubtfully. ‘You’re supposed to be here for some R and R, not as unpaid labour.’
‘I’m sure. Unless there’s something else you need me to do?’
‘It’s all in hand, I think.’ Dulcie checked with Maisie, who nodded.
Beth stood up and began collecting the empty bowls. ‘I’ll just stick these in the dishwasher, then I’ll be off.’
Maisie got to her feet. ‘I’d better be off, too. You know what delivery drivers are like. They estimate to be there between two and four, but I’d hate for it to be early and miss it.
Dulcie went to prepare for her shift dealing with unhappy customers, leaving Carla wondering what to do with herself until Ashton arrived. It was lovely out – warm and sunny, autumn not yet having made an appearance – so she decided to take a book into the orchard. She had quite enjoyed sitting in the heather yesterday, and hoped the peace and solitude would do her good.
After all, as Dulcie had pointed out, being at the farm was supposed to give her some respite from recent events. If that meant lazing around in the sunshine for an hour or two, that’s what she would do.
Carla was fully engrossed in the uplifting romance she was reading (courtesy of the bookshelf in Dulcie’s living room) when the sound of a vehicle coming up Muddypuddle Lane jolted her out of the story.
Checking the time, she realised it was probably Ashton, and she hurried to intercept him before he interrupted Dulcie by knocking on the farmhouse door.
He didn’t see her at first, and she took a second to study him as he emerged from his car. Dulcie was right – Carlahadreferred to him as hot during her last visit and she could see why. Taller than her five-foot-seven by several inches, he was lean but had muscles in all the right places. His short sandy hair curled a little, and he was clean-shaven, with the loveliest blue eyes. She remembered thinking that he reminded her of a young Robert Redford.
‘Hi.’ His voice broke into her thoughts, and she realised he had caught her staring. ‘Dulcie is expecting me,’ he added.
‘Er, yeah, she asked me to do the honours.’
‘Okay, cool.’ He reached into his car and carefully lifted out his camera and a small satchel-type bag which he slung over his shoulder.
‘Did you see the stoat?’ she asked, and was taken aback by the smile that lit up his face. He haddimples!
‘I did. Want to see? It’s better if we go into the barn,’ he said and Carla raised her eyebrows, only relaxing when he explained, ‘It’s too bright out here to see the screen clearly.’
She followed him into the relative gloom of the barn’s interior and waited until he was ready. She assumed he would hand her his camera, but he passed his mobile phone to her instead. ‘My camera sends them straight to my phone. Do you think Dulcie might like to see them?’ He glanced at the farmhouse, his expression hopeful.
‘I’m sure she would, but she’s working right now. Which is why you’ve got me.’ Carla pulled a face in self-deprecation.
‘No worries,’ he said.
But Carla wasn’t listening. She was too busy scrolling through the images on his phone. Damn, he was good! He’d captured the essence of the creature she’d seen perfectly. She couldn’t believe how clear the picture was. It was like looking at a photo taken by a professional.
She studied each one intently, noticing the animal’s whiskers, the play of light and shadow over its fur, and the bright beady eyes. Then she scrolled some more, and when the sunflower meadow came into view, she sucked in a sharp breath.
‘Are they okay?’ Ashton asked, and she looked up from the screen to see his worried face.
‘They’re brilliant!’ she cried. ‘Absolutely flippin’ brilliant.’ She angled the screen. ‘This one is perfect for Dulcie’s website. She’s going to love it!’
‘I hope so.’ He looked relieved. ‘Where shall we start?’
‘In here?’ she suggested. The barn was home to several adorable bunnies. ‘Or maybe we could take them outside? Dulcie has a pen that can be moved around.’
‘Perfect.’
There was a momentary awkward hesitation on both their parts, and it was only when he made no move to catch any of the rabbits that Carla realised he was expectingherto catch one.
