He appeared surprised. “You want to tour the farm?”
“Of course.”
“Won’t you be bored?”
I puckered my brow. “What do you think I do all day, Jared? Spend my daddy’s cash and laze around?”
He frowned at the bite in my tone. “Of course not.”
“Good. I might have a trust fund, but I also have my own money. I’m a successful artist and I get my inspiration from nature. I love walking and hiking and all the things. So … show me around.”
“Okay.” He nodded agreeably. “You want a coffee?”
I moved to the cupboard beside him, ignoring the way my skin prickled as my arm brushed his. “Yesterday, I bought some of this heather tea I’ve fallen in love with since moving here.”
“You don’t drink coffee?”
“Not anymore.”
I glanced into his mug as I passed him to boil the kettle for my tea. “You’re a black coffee guy?”
“Aye.”
“Good to know.”
He cleared his throat as he turned to me. “I … uh … I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t realize you were making me dinner.”
“It’s fine,” I said, more blasé than I felt. “Did you manage to heat it up?”
“I’d already eaten. Georgie and I went to the Gloaming for dinner and a few pints.”
Irritation pestered at me and I couldn’t look at him as I poured the hot water into my mug. “It’s not really a great look … you disappearing all evening the night after you’re married. People expect newlyweds to be all over each other.”
At his silence, I gathered the courage to look at him.
Jared scowled, then bit out a curse as he rubbed a hand over his beard. “You’re right. I didn’t think.”
And I didn’t want to think about the fact that after dumping his casual girlfriend, he hadn’t wanted to spend the evening with me. “It’s fine. I’m …you know … I’m sorry if I’m cramping yourstyle here.” I gestured around me, indicating the house. “I could stick to my room if that helps.”
“No.” He grimaced. “Fuck, Allegra, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable here. Yesterday was just … it was a lot. I’m not a man who lies to people. In fact, I’m known for being brutally honest. So … it fucked me up a bit and I just needed … I don’t know.”
“I get it,” I promised. “Believe me, I get it.”
He seemed to accept that and relaxed. “I did have a thought yesterday.”
“Oh?” I sipped at my tea, trying not to stare too hard at his handsome face.
“We don’t have any photos together. No selfies. Nothing.”
Damn. I hadn’t thought about that. “Well, if it comes up, we can just say we were keeping our relationship quiet so we deliberately didn’t take any. Now that we’re married, maybe we should try to take at least one a day. Just so we have them. We could take a selfie while we’re out on the farm today.”
“All right.” He nodded gruffly and glanced down at my feet. “Do you have wellies?”
“I have hiking boots.”
“Those will do. Breakfast first.” He pulled open the refrigerator and removed eggs. “Eggs on toast work for you?”
“You’re cooking me breakfast?” The thought caused a little kernel of warmth in my chest.
