She and Brodie had continued taking their dogs for beach walks whenever she mustered the energy and he didn’t finish at the practice too late. There was still the familiar flutter in her stomach when she thought of him and she realised the more she saw him the further she was falling in love with him. Lettie had never been one for casual relationships and although Brodie hadn’t professed his love for her, she sensed by the way he made excuses to phone her, or pop round to the farm when she wasn’t expecting him, usually with little gifts like the custard horn cake he had produced the previous day, that his feelings for her were deepening at a similar rate as hers were for him. She hoped so at least.
As they walked through one of the fields checking the crops were being properly watered, Lettie mused that it was a relief too that Spud and Derek got along well. She thought of Spud and his bossy way, always having to be the kingpin and dear, sweet Derek who was settling into life with Brodie very quickly. If she did stay on working at the farm and her and Brodie’s relationship continued to flourish then it would make life a lot easier if the dogs didn’t have an issue with each other.
She left the field she was in, taking hold of the end of the gate. ‘Come along, Spud.’
The dog stopped sniffing whatever had caught his attention to the side of the crops and looked at her, his ears pricked. ‘Hurry up, we haven’t finished yet.’
He loped towards her and as soon as he was also out through the gate, she closed it. ‘Back to the barns now.’ He ran ahead of her, understanding where they were going, and it occurred to her howmuch lonelier it would have been not to have a dog as company. She had never lived alone before and was grateful to have Spud with her, especially at night when the old house made some unnerving creaks and other unexplainable sounds that a house of over two hundred years in age would be expected to make.
As she neared the back door, she noticed it was ajar. Lettie tensed. She would only leave the door open if she was staying within the yard where she wouldn’t miss someone coming or going. She would never do such a thing when she intended going further away and for a long time as she had done when inspecting the crops. Her parents weren’t due back for another two weeks and Zac was away working somewhere. Her heart raced as she tried to think who it might be.
‘Spud, here!’ She clicked her fingers and he immediately came to stand next to her. ‘Wait,’ she whispered, leaning forward at the sound of two male voices laughing. ‘Hang on a second.’ She pushed the door open and marched inside. ‘Zac?’
‘Hi, sis,’ he said as she entered the kitchen, oblivious to the panic he had caused. He pulled a face. ‘You don’t look very pleased to see me.’
‘I didn’t realise you were coming back so soon.’ She noticed Brodie for the first time. He, unlike her brother, looked rather shame-faced. ‘Brodie?’ She looked from one to the other of them unsure why they would be there. ‘Did I forget you were coming?’
Had she been supposed to collect her brother from the airport and, forgetting, Zac had to call on Brodie to fetch him instead? Her anger turned to embarrassment. ‘Did I miss something?’
She saw her brother and Brodie swap secretive looks. ‘Guys? What are you up to?’
‘Why should we be up to anything?’ Zac protested, his arms outstretched.
She glanced at Brodie and cocked her head in his direction. ‘Clearly Brodie isn’t as devious as you, so I’ll ask him. Well, Brodie? Am I missing something?’
His gaze shifted from her to his hands, then back to Lettie. ‘It’s not really for me to say.’
More confused than before, Lettie frowned. ‘What isn’t?’
Zac motioned for her to join them and sit at the table. ‘I told Brodie I was concerned that Dad and Mum are due home in a couple of weeks and wanted to be sure you had the best chance of winning Dad over. I was hoping he might reassure me or come up with suggestions about how we could help you.’
She decided to ignore the fact he clearly assumed she wasn’t up to the task and, trying to remember it was his childhood home too, she told him, ‘I wish it was that simple. But I’m not sure I’ve had nearly enough time to prove myself to Dad, and, if I’m honest, to myself that I have what it takes to do this permanently.’ She waited for Brodie to answer, intrigued to hear his thoughts.
‘I know it’s been overwhelming for you at times, Lettie, and it’s not surprising. But you’ve done amazingly to keep all this going with little experience, don’t you think, Zac?’
‘I agree. You’ve worked tirelessly here, Letts, and I’m sure Dad will be impressed. I know Mum will be. You’ve certainly put in the hours from what I’ve seen.’
Brodie seemed uncomfortable to be included in the conversation, but she knew he had her best interests at heart and didn’t mind Zac asking for his opinion. She pulled out a chair and sat, giving him a reassuring smile. ‘Thank you both for that vote of confidence. I’ve done my best.’ But was her best good enough? ‘Although, I’m not sure how I can increase my chances in any way, Zac.’
‘Hey.’ Zac put a milky-looking mug of tea in front of her. ‘When your boyfriend saw me at the airport just after dropping off his dadand offered me a lift to save me paying for a taxi, I thought he’d be the perfect person to ask for advice.’
Boyfriend? Lettie forced her eyes in her brother’s direction, not wanting to look at Brodie who she sensed had been thrown by her brother’s referral of him in that way.
She went to correct Zac then, concerned that Brodie might take any correction as evidence she wasn’t interested in him, decided against it.
‘Thank you, Zac. I appreciate you wanting the best for me and I am grateful to you.’ She braved a look at Brodie, hoping he’d had enough time to recover his equilibrium. ‘And to you, but I’m not sure what any of us can do. I honestly don’t think I can work any harder or for longer hours than I am already doing and if that’s not enough I’ll simply have to accept it. I just don’t have the energy to do more. Anyway,’ she said wanting to sound more positive. ‘I’m doing my best to try and enjoy every moment while I can. I know I’m lucky to have been given this opportunity. And, if I do decide this life is for me and Dad disagrees, then I could always set up my own smallholding.’
‘How would you finance it though, sis?’
‘I have absolutely no idea.’
41
BRODIE
Brodie was learning more each day how independent Lettie was at heart and had to admit to himself how much he liked that about her. She was a challenge in so many ways. He watched her as she began brainstorming a few ideas with her brother.
‘Maybe you could have a word with Tina,’ Brodie suggested, wanting to be helpful. Lettie and Zac turned to him, their curiosity obvious. ‘I just thought that she seems to know everyone and might have a few connections she could give to you.’
