She heard someone clear their throat and realised it was Joe. ‘I think, for what it’s worth, that there’s been far too much misunderstanding, upset and unnecessary feelings of guilt after that night.’ He looked from one to the other of them slowly while they watched him in silence. ‘What do you all say to finally putting all this behind you? Let’s face it, nothing can change the past, however much we might wish it. Choices made back then were made for a reason whether we agree with them or not.’
‘That’s true.’ Sandra tilted her head to one side questioningly. ‘Move on, you mean?’
‘Yes,’ Carlos agreed, nodding. ‘Joe’s right. We should focus on what we can do going forward.’
Skye loved that idea. ‘I agree.’ She looked at Joe and gave him a grateful smile. ‘You can be rather wise sometimes, can’t you?’ she said quietly.
He laughed. ‘Er, thank you?’
‘I thinks this makes good sense,’ Bruno said.
‘Me, too.’ Paul groaned loudly. ‘What a relief. I was beginning to worry where all this was leading to. Mum has had enough to deal with in her life, and from what I’ve gathered, so have you, Carlos. You both deserve to be happy.’ He raised his glass to Skye. ‘You all do.’
Bruno raised his glass. ‘I say we toast to happiness and moving forward and then I’m going to have to call it a night.’ He grinned. ‘Some of us have an early start tomorrow.’
‘So do we,’ Skye said, glad to know she and Joe would soon be alone together so she could process all that had happened during the evening.
Bruno laughed. ‘I was referring to you two.’
41
JOE
Joe busied himself in the top field a few days later while Skye weighed and bagged the vegetables she had harvested that morning to refill the honesty box at the roadside. He was wondering how she was getting on, relieved earlier that week had ended up going well, when his phone rang.
‘Lettie! How’s motherhood treating you?’
‘I’m exhausted and think I’ve aged a hundred years.’ He was about to commiserate when she added, ‘But I’m loving every single second of it. Apart from the lack of sleep.’
It was good to hear her so happy although the tiredness in her voice was unmistakable. ‘I’m glad you’re enjoying it. What can I do for you?’
‘I just wanted to let you know Brodie and I will be moving back into the farmhouse tomorrow. I’m loving it at the cottage but can’t help feeling badly that I’ve left you both to just get on with things.’
Tomorrow? Joe felt a pang of misery to hear her say as much. ‘We don’t mind,’ he said honestly.
‘I’m sure you don’t, but Brodie is also missing Derek, although I imagine the dog is perfectly happy being with you two and Spud.’
She was right. ‘He’s having a great time. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see Brodie though.’
‘Is that OK with you and Skye, do you think? I still won’t be able to do very much, I’m afraid, but I felt that I should get back to the farm and some semblance of normality before I get too used to just being with this little one all the time.’
He adored Lettie, and as much as he was aware she and Brodie would be returning soon, he had somehow succeeded in pushing the matter to the back of his mind. Tomorrow seemed far too soon. He wasn’t anywhere near ready to burst the happy bubble he and Skye were inhabiting.
Reminding himself that this wasn’t his farm and forcing himself to sound positive, Joe said, ‘Of course that’s fine. It’s your farm and you can come back here whenever you want.’
‘I’ll soon be back to full strength and when Mum returns she’s insisted she’ll be only too happy to take care of Isla while I’m out of the house working.’
‘That’s good.’ Joe hoped his replies didn’t sound too robotic. He realised Lettie was still speaking.
‘You and Skye will soon be able to go back to living your own lives. You’ve both been brilliant stepping in and taking on the farm as capably as you have done, and I’m very grateful.’
‘We’ve loved every minute,’ he said, realising that more with each passing second just how precious a memory living with Skye on this beautiful farm had been.
‘Every single one?’ Lettie teased.
He laughed. ‘Well, maybe not initially,’ he admitted. ‘But once we got to know each other better we both began to enjoy it far more. Skye really is an amazing woman.’
Lettie didn’t speak and he realised what he had said. ‘Er, Joe?’
