Elizabeth sent her a hopeful glance. “No time like the present.”
“I can’t go now. I need to man the counter.”
“I can do it for you,” Elizabeth said. “I don’t know how to make coffee, but I can take orders and clear tables.”
“I’m almost done with the cooking. If Elizabeth doesn’t mind pitching in with kitchen chores as well, we’ll manage between us.”
“But—”
“Go.” Gina pointed at the door. “Leave the apron here.”
Yvonne dug in her heels when Gina tried to shunt her toward the door. “I don’t know where to find Nolan.”
“He’s working at the cattle yards with his father. They’re drenching a herd of cattle. If you go straight there you’ll make it before they start on the next chore.”
Yvonne scowled at both women before focusing her irritation on Elizabeth Penrith. “Apologizing doesn’t negate everything you’ve said and done in the past. I’m going to reserve my decision when it comes to you.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That’s all I ask. It’s more than I deserve.”
Yvonne stared at her for a bit longer, confused—no, shocked—by the woman’s change of heart, despite her explanation. That saying about leopards and spots not changing…people were the same. They didn’t transform character flaws overnight. She tugged her apron over her head and handed it to Gina.
Gina tugged her close for an uncharacteristic hug. “You love Nolan. Even an old unromantic like me can see it. Don’t let stubbornness get in the way. The pair of you are good together.”
“I…” If she hadn’t messed things up too badly. Nolan might decide to wash his hands of her, and she wouldn’t blame him if he did.
She found herself at the cattle yards almost too quickly, certainly before she’d decided exactly what to say. She parked her car and climbed out, a burst of nerves punching through her and pebbling her skin with goose bumps. Nolan was working the race, sending stock into the chute and making the task look simple while his father wielded the drenching gun. Mr. Penrith inserted the barrel of the gun at the corner of the animal’s mouth and released the worm medication before moving on to the next beast. The pair worked like an efficient machine.
“Nolan, visitor,” his father called above the bawl of a cow.
Nolan’s gaze traveled to her, and he straightened momentarily. “Be with you as soon as we finish.”
Yvonne nodded. She should’ve grabbed a few coffees and something for the men to eat before she left. She watched Nolan, noted his capable manner as he worked with the cattle. Although she’d known he was a farmer, she’d never visited him during a day of farm chores. He teamed well with his father, and soon the cattle had all gone through the race and stood in the larger, outer pen.
“Dad, I’ll move the cattle if you want to go into town. Could you pick up some more drench while you’re there?”
“Sure thing. See you later, Yvonne.”
“Are you in a hurry?” Nolan asked in a cool tone. “I don’t want to leave the cattle in the pen without water. It will take me half an hour to shift them.”
“Can I help?” It was better than standing there like a ninny.
“See the gate down the road? The brown one on the right?”
Yvonne squinted into the sun. “Yes.”
“That’s where I’m taking the cattle. Drive down to open the gate, then stand in the middle of the road and turn the herd into the paddock.” He walked away before she could reply.
Okay.She eyed the cattle dubiously before bursting into action. No longer a city girl, she figured she could do this. Wait until she told Michael and David. They’d be wide-eyed and impressed. And they’d want to help the next time. The boys were already thriving in Clare, and they missed Nolan. Every night so far this week they’d asked when he’d arrive, their disappointment clear when she’d fobbed them off.
Yvonne drove past the gate, parked her car and jogged back to the gate. When the cattle neared, pushed forward by Nolan’s calls and his dogs, she stood in the middle of the road and hoped like hell they didn’t decide to run her down. They looked bigger on this side of the fence.
“I don’t think I’d make a good farmer’s wife,” she blurted once the gate was safely shut. On wobbly knees, she closed the distance between them. Last week she would’ve hugged him. Today touching didn’t seem appropriate. Between last Saturday and today, she’d lost the privilege.
“Oh,” he said, his dark brows rising in polite enquiry.
She stared at him and got it. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her. “Nolan, I’m sorry for letting my crappy past destroy what we had together. The boys miss you. Gina has been lecturing me all week and today your mother came into the café to add her five cents to the subject.”
“I see.” Nolan whistled his dogs and walked away.
