I glance over at the two men. “…told her to stay away,” Jacob murmurs.
Marcus nods and glances at me, then back at Jacob and gives a small shake of his head. What was that about?
“Did Neil give you an update?” Jacob asks, changing the subject.
“Yeah,” Marcus replies, “he mentioned the lower paddock fence is starting to sag where the ground’s softened. I told him to shift the ewes out tomorrow and we’ll run a new wire along that stretch before the weekend.”
I love how knowledgeable he sounds. Today he’s wearing chinos and a navy polo shirt, and he looks like what he is—a young, wealthy businessman in casual clothes. But I know he’d look equally at home in jeans, Wellingtons, and a wax jacket. Clearly, he loves his roots and enjoys being back on the farm.
I lean my forearms on the partition and rest my chin on my hand. It’s been an amazing few days. Marcus has been attentive, kind, gentle, and passionate. I couldn’t have wanted for more.
And I’m absolutely terrified. I’m falling for him like a meteor, and I’m so scared I’m going to get burned up in the atmosphere. How do I know that after I open up to him and give him my heart, he’s not going to toss it away, unwanted? How can I be sure that he won’t get bored with me? That eventually his gaze won’t stray to another, younger, prettier girl, leaving me heartbroken, again?
Love doesn’t come with a guarantee. But I want one. How can I do this without one?
Marcus joins me up on the block and looks down at Luna. He smiles. “How gorgeous.”
“Here we go,” Ruth says, and I can see Luna starting to push. I watch, breathless, as instinct takes over, and Luna pushes her puppy out. She breaks the amniotic sac, chews the umbilical cord, and licks the puppy to stimulate its breathing. Tears rush into my eyes as the tiny puppy wriggles, gives a high-pitched squeal, then grumbles its way to Luna’s nipple and starts to feed.
Marcus puts his arm around me, leans forward, and kisses my cheek. He can tell when I’m emotional. I know he’s spotted the fact that I cry after we’ve made love. It’s impossible to hide it, even though I make sure to go out of the room. I wish it didn’t happen, but every time, I’m so overwhelmed with emotion that it’s impossible to hold it back.
“Anything I can do?” I ask as Ruth delivers the placenta. “Does Luna need anything?”
“No, she’s all set. Just have to wait for the next one, now.”
“Would you like a cuppa or something?”
Ruth hesitates, then admits, “That would be amazing.”
“Please,” Jacob says when I look at him, and they both agree to tea.
I step down from the wooden block, and Marcus follows me as I go outside into the bright sunshine. “I’ll help,” he says, as we cross the drive.
Halfway across, though, Neil calls him and stops him in his tracks, asking if he’d come and look at one of the solar panels. Marcus promises to catch me up, and I continue walking toward the cottage.
As I go inside, I’m surprised to see Alan in the kitchen, making himself a drink. “Hello,” he says as I go in. “I was just taking five. How are the puppies going?”
“Another one’s been born.” I walk around the table to the kettle, fill it from the tap, and switch it on. “I told them I’d make them all a cuppa.”
“Yeah, good idea. Passes the time if nothing else. I think Luna’s x-ray showed six puppies, so she’s going to be there for a few hours yet.”
I nod, check the cupboards until I find the mugs, then retrieve four and put teabags in each of them. I glance over, expecting Alan to head out, but he stays where he is, sipping his tea.
While the kettle heats, I go back to the sink and wash my hands, more for something to do than because they’re dirty. I wash up a few of the mugs and plates sitting in the sink, conscious of him leaning against the counter, watching me.
As I dry my hands, I clear my throat, feeling awkward. “So you’re a mechanic? I saw you working on the truck.”
“I do a bit of everything. Jack of all trades.”
“Oh, it’s nice to have a varied job,” I say, wishing he’d leave.
“I prefer working with the sheep and cows,” he admits. “But Neil’s always putting me to work on the trucks.” He sounds disgruntled.
My instinct to smooth things over kicks in. “I can see why you’d prefer to be with the animals. I’m the same with children. I’d always rather be with the kids than doing paperwork.”
“You work?”
“Yes, I’m a primary school teacher.”
