“Well, I—” He groaned and stepped away. “You’re gonna think I’m such a loser.”
“Try me.” I waited.
He studied my face for a moment, then spoke in a rush, his words tumbling over each other as he confessed. “Yesterday morning, I happened to discover that my boyfriend had been cheating on me, so I ended things. I was out driving because my ex was still in our apartment, and I couldn’t go to work because Phillip, the guy he’s been fucking, happens to be—” Thaddeus hesitated. “—someone we both work with—” He swallowed hard and looked away. “—and also my best friend.”
Okay, wow. I wanted to know more but I was stuck on the part where his ex was apparently a guy. Thaddeus was gay? Or maybe bi? I wasn’t sure I would’ve picked it, but my gaydar had always been odiously unimpressive.
“So, yeah,” Thaddeus finished on a cheerless note. “It was a day. What can I say?”
“Well, shit.” It was the best I could come up with. “I guess that explains the job thing.”
He shrugged. “It’s not like I can keep working with the two of them in my face every day, right? I’ll find another one.” He blew out a long breath and opened his hands. “So, that’s my sad, pathetic story and the reason I came to be in your shed, which I apologise for. I’ll be out of your hair in a jiffy.”
“Back to the apartment you both shared?” My tone was sceptical at best, and when Thaddeus frowned, I quickly apologised. “Sorry. That’s really none of my business.”
“No, it’s fine,” he said evenly. “To be honest, I’m not sure what my next move will be. Guess I better start thinking.”
The shed fell silent and the chickens took the opportunity to ramp up their demands.
I tipped my head toward the wall. “I should feed them before they mutiny. Rather than go through the forest, if you follow the path next to the glasshouses, you’ll find yourself back at your car in half the time. The forest trail you took wanders almost to the Korimako River before it circles back here. I cut it myself to get access to the swimming hole. It’s hardly a direct route.”
Thaddeus snorted. “A swimming hole? Jeez. Based on the day I was having, I’m lucky I didn’t wander into it and drown myself.”
I didn’t laugh. “Youwerelucky. It’ll be in full flood right about now.”
He blanched. “Really? Well, damn. Good to know, I guess.”
I smiled, adding, “Cell reception is surprisingly good up here. You’ll have no problems calling a tow truck. Just tell them to come seven point eight kilometres up the road until they see the cottage sign, then take the driveway on the right, not the left, which goes to my cottage. The one on the right leads to the machinery shed and compost piles. There’s plenty of room to turn around.”
“Got it.” He watched me closely. “So, the cottage belongs to you, then?”
I nodded. “Yep. Last house before the council reserve. I’ll give Ziggy his breakfast and then shut him inside and come down to help you.”
He protested, “You really don’t have to do that. I’m sure we can manage.”
“Yes, I really do,” I argued. “I need to see what kind of mess you made.”
He winced.
“Just joking.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s only compost. If you didn’t hit the machinery shed, we’re all good.”
Thaddeus shook his head. “Nope. Just the animal shit. Lucky me.”
I huffed in amusement, my gaze flicking to the open door at the sound of squawking hens and Ziggy’s excited barking. “Well, I should get going.”
Thaddeus smiled. “Yeah, me too.” He gathered his things while I crossed to the bins to fill a plastic container with chicken feed. I felt his hot gaze burning on my back, but I kept my focus on the bins. The young man unsettled me in ways I hadn’t felt for a long time. The sooner he was gone from my property, the better. With my plastic container full of feed, I made a beeline for the door.
Thaddeus stepped back to let me pass. “I am really sorry for the mess I made of the manure or, rather, compost.”
I turned to face him. “Don’t fret. It smells like you landed in the newest pile, which contains my trademarked mix of sheep, horse, and cow shit, along with household scraps, and a secret blend of eleven herbs and spices.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I’m pretty rank.”
I smiled. “I’ve smelled worse... maybe. Anyway, the damage won’t be anything I can’t easily clean up. I’ll meet you down there soon.”
Thaddeus reached for his briefcase and waited for me to step into the sunshine before he followed. Ziggy materialised from nowhere and wound his long body around and between Thaddeus’s legs. The young man bent down to stroke him, and yes, he had a fine arse to go with the rest of him. “Thanks for the wake-up call, little one.”
Ziggy yapped and Thaddeus laughed, a charming sound that echoed around the yard. He looked up, caught me grinning, and held my gaze a beat too long, those leonine eyes soft on mine.
