She felt the cooler air on her skin when he flung back the bedcovers. ‘Hey, what are you doing?’
Brodie kissed her shoulder then sat up. ‘If we’re going to go to Hollyhock Farm then we need to do it soon. I’m getting far too comfortable lying here with you and if we leave it much longer I won’t want either of us to go anywhere.’
Lettie realised she felt exactly the same and got up. ‘Shall we go in my car?’ she asked and she fastened her bra. ‘I’ll need to be up early anyway and don’t mind dropping you off after I’ve seen to the animals.’
‘Sounds like a good plan.’
‘Then that’s what we’ll do.’
The following morning, Lettie got out of bed as quietly as she could. She watched Brodie sleeping soundly as she dressed and wished she didn’t have to leave him just yet. She crept out of her bedroom and down the stairs, whispering for Spud to follow her. Derek pricked up one ear and opened his eyes, then deciding he wasn’t ready to get up, closed them again and was snoring before she closed the front door behind her and Spud.
As she dealt with all the animals, she thought about her parents’ return later that day and felt nervous. How ridiculous was she being – so anxious about seeing her father again?
As she opened the chicken coops and watched them chattering to each other as they scuttled in an untidy group out of the barn to the yard, Lettie groaned. It was all very well trying to tell herself not to worry, but working here, despite the terrible storm and worrying constantly whether she had done all she could to care for the farm had been the most rewarding time in her life. Could she seriously expect to do this permanently? Did she have what it took? She hoped so. She hoped her father thought so too.
She finished her chores and walked slowly back to the farmhouse. The memory of Brodie in her room cheered her up and she quickened her pace. She needed to make the most of this short time they had together before he needed to leave for work. Deciding to take a quick shower and get back into bed with him, Lettie ran the rest of the way to the house.
The unmistakable smell of breakfast being cooked reached her nose the moment she stepped into the hallway. Lettie hurried into the kitchen and stood at the doorway watching Brodie concentrating on frying several eggs. She hadn’t expected him to be up yet, but enjoyed seeing him so comfortable in her kitchen. Well, her mother’s kitchen, she reminded herself quickly.
‘I expected you to still be in bed.’ She could hear the disappointment in her voice but hoped it wasn’t too noticeable to him.
He looked at her surprised to see her standing there. ‘Damn. Were you intending on coming back to join me?’ He seemed cross with himself.
‘I hadn’t thought of doing that actually.’
‘Good.’ He laughed holding up a spatula with a perfectly cooked fried egg on it and lowered it onto one of the plates next to the Aga. ‘I would hate to think I’d messed up your plans.’
Lettie went to the sink and washed her hands thoroughly before sitting down at the table. Realising she could offer some help, she pointed to the kettle. ‘Shall I make us coffee?’
He shook his head as he served the rest of the eggs, then bacon, mushroom, tomatoes onto their plates and placed them down onto the table. ‘No, I’ve got it all in hand.’ He indicated a rack of toast in the middle of the table that she hadn’t yet noticed. ‘You just sit there and enjoy this breakfast. I’m hoping it is the first of many I’ll get to make for you.’
‘I’m holding you to that.’ She ate a mouthful of her food and gave a happy groan. ‘This is very tasty. Thank you.’
‘My pleasure.’ He made them coffee and sat down next to her. ‘I’m glad you like it.’
‘You’re spoiling me.’ She nudged him. ‘But carry on. I could get very used to this treatment.’
‘That’s what I was hoping for.’ He ate a few mouthfuls. ‘I hope you don’t mind but I fed Derek some of Spud’s food.’
‘Of course.’ She looked over at the two dogs now sleeping again, their backs resting against each other. ‘It’s such a relief they get on so well, isn’t it?’
‘It is. It makes life a lot easier when the two of us like each other so much.’
Lettie sighed playfully. ‘I thought you said you loved me.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘Is this your way of getting me to repeat what I said to you last night?’
‘Maybe.’ Lettie laughed. ‘But don’t let that hold you back.’
He grinned and shook his head slowly before lowering his cutlery to his plate and twisting in his chair to face her better. ‘Lettie Torel, I, Brodie Murray can confirm that I love you. Will that do?’
She pretended to think about it for a few seconds, then nodded. ‘Yes, for now.’
He leant towards her and gave her a peck on her lips. ‘We’re going to have to get a move on. I can’t be late to open up the practice.’
Lettie looked up at the clock. ‘I hadn’t realised it was this late.’
He rested a hand on her forearm. ‘Hey, don’t rush your food. I only meant we shouldn’t forget the time and start chatting, like we do.’
