She parked outside Brodie’s cottage, anticipation of what the evening might bring bubbling inside her. Seeing the curtains move back and Brodie’s handsome face briefly at the living room window, Lettie felt a warm glow sweep through her.
He was outside in seconds. ‘Well, hello there, you two?’ He opened her car door. ‘It’s good to see you again.’ He stepped forward, waiting for her and Spud to get out. ‘I’ve missed you.’
Spud nuzzled his leg. ‘Both of us?’ Lettie asked.
‘Yes, both of you.’ Brodie leant forward and kissed Lettie on the lips. ‘But you most of all.’
‘I’ve missed you too,’ she admitted. ‘It’s been odd not seeing you when I’ve got so used to spending at least some time with you every day, but I’ve needed to focus on the farm in readiness for Dad’s return.’
‘It’s fine, I understand how busy things can get. The bookings have been increasing by the week at the practice.’ He frowned. ‘If it carries on this way I’m going to have to consider advertising for another vet to help me out.’
They walked back into the cottage, following Spud when he pushed past them to find Derek.
‘How’s your spreadsheet coming along?’ he asked when they reached the living room.
‘I’m getting there slowly. I’d like you to have a look at it sometime tomorrow if you wouldn’t mind. Just to be certain I’ve included everything we discussed and I haven’t forgotten any of Zac’s suggestions.’
‘I’d be happy to look at it,’ he said taking her in his arms. ‘If you email it to me we can go through it tonight.’
She shook her head slowly. ‘No. I’d rather make the most of enjoying the meal you’ve prepared for me.’
‘You don’t know what it is yet.’
‘I’ll wait for you to surprise me.’ She stood at the kitchen door while he put on an oven glove and checked how the food was coming along. ‘I hope we won’t have to wait too long to eat, I’m ravenous.’
‘Good. There’s a lot here. I think I got a bit carried away.’ He indicated a small fold-up table leaning against the living room wall and two fold-up chairs. ‘We can either sit there, or have it on trays on our laps.’
‘Trays are fine.’
‘I’ve opened a bottle of wine, too. So if you want to pour us a glass each and take a seat on the sofa, I’ll bring your food through shortly.’
She did as he asked and as soon as she was sitting on the worn but comfortable sofa Lettie took a drink of her wine. ‘This is delicious.’
‘Thanks. I grabbed the nicest one I could find at the supermarket and hoped for the best.’
She realised the room looked a little different. The old faded, discoloured wallpaper had been stripped from the walls and several holes and small hairline cracks had been filled. ‘Your sister’s begun your redecoration work, I see.’
‘She has.’ He pulled a face and she suspected Maddie was trying Brodie’s patience. ‘Make the most of this furniture because someone is coming to collect it in the morning and take away the carpet from throughout the cottage.’
He carried through two trays, handing one to her before sitting next to her and resting the other on his knee. ‘Bon appétit.’
She raised her glass and saw there were two piles of boxes against one wall. ‘Thank you for this. I imagine it’s the last thing you needed to do when you should probably be packing stuff away.’
‘I’ve been putting stuff into boxes for days now. Most of it isn’t mine but was left here by Old Man Winter. I did ask him what he wanted me to do with it and he said he didn’t care one way or another.’
Lettie suspected that the reply hadn’t been helpful to Brodie. ‘What will you do with it all then?’
He ate a mouthful of his food and thought as he chewed and swallowed. ‘Well, Tina has offered to hold a small market in the parish hall next Saturday and most of it is going to hopefully be sold there. Anything that doesn’t go will be donated to an animal charity and whatever I make will also be donated to the same cause.’
‘Sounds perfect.’ And generous she thought but didn’t add.
‘My sister wanted everything gone by now but I don’t have anywhere to store it.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘I think she forgets that I also work full-time and am on call most evenings too.’
Lettie was beginning to think that having a laid-back brother like Zac was probably lucky. She couldn’t imagine having to cope with a bossy, insistent sister who constantly thought she knew better. She took a mouthful of what she now realised was a chicken stew. ‘This is delicious by the way. Thank you. I had no idea you were such an excellent cook.’
‘It’s one of the two dishes I feel confident enough to make for guests.’
‘Tell you what, why don’t you bring the boxes and any furniture you’re getting rid of to the farm. I can keep them in the smaller barn until the market is held.’
