‘You both seem to be getting along well,’ she said, giving each of them a searching look in case they had anything to share with her.
‘We are,’ Joe confirmed.
‘Yes, everything is going swimmingly so far,’ Skye agreed.
Lettie beamed at them, then at Brodie. ‘You were right after all.’
Joe laughed. ‘So what is it you’re about to tell us then?’
‘Well, Brodie and I thought that if both of you were happy for us to do so, that the three of us would spend a couple of weeks together with Isla living in his cottage.’
‘Our cottage,’ Brodie corrected.
‘Yes, well, as opposed to this house,’ she said. ‘We thought it would be perfect timing to be by ourselves with the baby and make the most of having the space to do that, at least until Mum and Dad return from their trip. I should be feeling ready to come back to running this place and when Mum is here, she’ll no doubt want to be hands on with her first grandchild.’
Joe pictured Lindy’s excitement. She would definitely want to take over and he completely understood why Lettie was happy to go along with Brodie’s suggestion.
‘Sounds like a brilliant idea to me,’ Skye said.
Joe heard the joy in Skye’s voice that echoed his own. ‘I agree. Anyway, you should have some time by yourselves, never mind having at least a few weeks’ maternity leave.’
‘That’s also what Brodie said,’ Lettie said, patting Brodie’s knee. ‘That’s not all though.’
Joe tensed but tried to look as if he was completely relaxed. ‘Go on.’
She looked from one to the other of them, her expression serious. ‘I’m not sure how desperate you both are to return to your normal lives, but Lindy called earlier to confirm she and Gareth will be home a week today.’
‘A week?’ Skye asked, sounding as alarmed as Joe felt at the news.
‘You don’t seem as happy as I expected,’ Brodie said.
‘It’s fine,’ Joe assured him, turning to Skye when she didn’t immediately reply.
‘What? Oh, yes, of course it is. They must be dying to meet their new granddaughter.’
‘You’re both welcome to stay at the farm for as long as you wish to though,’ Lettie said.
Relieved not to have to cut short his time with Skye, Joe nodded. ‘Thanks.’
Skye hadn’t spoken again and he wondered if she was thinking about her meeting with Sandra and presumed she must be.
‘You two have been so good accommodating us and all our changes.’ Lettie puffed out her cheeks. ‘You’re amazing, do you know that?’
Feeling slightly guilty that someone was grateful to him when what he was doing benefitted him and gave him the chance to spend quality time alone with Skye, Joe shook his head. ‘Don’t give it another thought,’ he said, unsure what else to say.
‘Joe’s right. We’re happy to do whatever you need us to,’ Skye said, giving him a quick look out of the corner of her eye.
Joe noticed Lettie frown thoughtfully for a second. Isla began moaning and distracted her, so he looked at Skye and gave her a relieved smile. He knew his friends wouldn’t resent him becoming close to Skye, but what was happening between them was new and both were treading into unknown territory. Who knew if anything would come from this, or if either of them would be hurt by the other. He hoped what they had would grow but for now was happy to keep their relationship, as fresh as it was, just between him and Skye.
Lettie bent down to sniff near Isla and grimaced. ‘She needs a nappy change.’
‘I’ll do that,’ Brodie said, standing as he held the grumbling baby. ‘Why don’t you go and have a wander around the farm, give your animals a cuddle, and I’ll see you back here. Then we can go home to the cottage.’
Hearing Brodie’s eagerness to go home with his fiancée and baby, Joe waved for Lettie to join him. ‘Come along then. Skye and I will show you what we’ve been doing and how well we’re looking after your animals.’
Lettie laughed. ‘I wouldn’t expect you to do anything less.’
26
