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“Nice one, Rupes!” Her boyfriend applauded, celebrating Rupert’s heifer calf capturing the top prize in its County Show category. Nick’s backward ball cap, quilted plaid jacket, faded denim, and wellies were a far cry from his usual polka dots and designer labels.
Evie snapped several photos, capturing his enthusiasm for posterity. “Nikolai Balfour, I never thought I’d see the day!”
“Ye of little faith, Tigs!” Nick held his hand up in a wave as his grinning brother, dressed in a white lab coat and jeans, paraded his freckly grin and winning calf out of the ring. “Rupe’s heifer was head and shoulders above the rest.”
“No, I meant you, being totally into this.” She looped her arms around his neck. “I love seeing you embracing your Orkney roots. It’s so hot!”
“Yeah?” Hands slipping beneath Evie’s coat and around her waist, Nick gathered her close, his fingers dipping into the top of her leggings. “Well, if you’re up for it later, we could roleplay a scene from that film we watched last night. You know the one in the dairy house? I’ll be the lonely, sex-starved farmer”—his darkening stare teased more than her mind—“and you’ll be the feisty milk maid in the barn wearing nothing but a smile—”
“That’ll scare the cows!” A just-arrived Fiona laughed cheerily, her two-month-old daughter, Lily—named after the Balfour’s late matriarch—snoozing in a BabyBjörn against her chest.
As Nick shifted backward, Evie dropped her hands from his shoulders and gazed lovingly at her newest goddaughter. “You would know, Fi!”
She smoothed Lily’s wisps of light brown hair. “And I have zero regrets.”
“We didn’t think you were coming,” said Nick.
“My friends from the Ness of Brodgar decided to come last minute. Excavation ends for good soon, so I wanted to see them before they leave.”
He stuffed his hands in his jacket’s pockets. “I bet they miss you at the dig.”
“Yeah, but not as much as I miss them and all the cool discoveries we made last summer.” Fiona peered down at Lily. “This is where I wanna be, though. Well, at least today I do.” Glancing up, she fought back a yawn. “I just wish I could get her down for a full night.”
“I can swing by tomorrow after the lunch rush?” offered Evie. “Bring you soup or take the girls for a bit, give you a break?”
“Oh, that would be amazing. Rupert’s got meetings with the agricultural society, and I’d love a long soak with your latest book, which you still need to sign, lady.”
“That’s me told.” Evie snickered. “I’ll bring the candles we just got in, too. Their scent is super relaxing and not stinky. I know how much you hate that.”
“Sounds heavenly!” Fiona kissed her baby’s head. “Well, I should be getting back. It’s almost time for Lily’s feed. Have you seen Ava and Poppy about?”
“They’re probably in the funfair with Sunita,” said Nick.
Fiona’s eyes widened. “Sun came? I thought she’d be busy packing.”
“She was, but she wanted to see the girls one last time,” said Evie. “Want to head that way?”
“Yeah.” Fiona grinned as they started walking. “How are you guys? Have you heard from Jamie?”
“Not a peep,” said Evie. “He’s been super motivated since his promotion.”
“Full-time shop assistant today, general manager tomorrow,” said Nick, the funfair’s music and laughter drifting closer on the breeze. “I reckon he knows a good thing might be on the horizon—maybe even the chance to be the first male in your family to run Marwick’s.”
“Yeah, if he plays his cards right, but he’s in for a long wait! I’m not going anywhere and neither is Mum.” Evie spied her waving mother with her dad in tow, lined up for the waltzer. “Well, except up and down on a rickety, old ride!”
“I didn’t know they liked amusement park rides,” said Fiona.
“They never used to,” replied Evie. “Dreamworld in Australia has a lot to answer for.”
Nick leaned in. “I hope we’ll be like that.” He raised his voice, fighting Taylor Swift’s ‘August’ blaring from the ride’s speakers. “Finding new hobbies to share when we’re older.”
Evie shared a smile with him as they sidled up to the queue. “Hey!”
“Having fun, kids?” Evie’s dad tilted his head and let out an “Aww” as Fiona brought Lily closer, her hands protectively covering her baby’s ears.
“Not as much as you two teenagers!” said Evie.
Marianne’s grin morphed into a look of concern. “Actually, love, do you think we should head back soon? Make sure Jamie is on top of everything?”
