Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 18

18

MELODY

She wondered what Zac really meant when he called her amazing. She watched him discreetly as he drove, willing him to say more, disappointed when he just made small talk about jobs they still needed to do for the event.

They arrived back at the farm minutes later to be greeted by Lettie and Patsy who gave them a round of applause when she and Zac got out of the car.

Zac took a bow and for the first time Melody sensed he hid a lot of his feelings from everyone. It was a shock to discover that the man she had assumed to be an open book, always cheerful and wanting to make everyone around him as happy as him, might not be what she had at first assumed. It was a revelation.

‘You were both brilliant,’ Patsy said, hurrying over to wrap Melody in a tight hug. ‘I’m very proud of you, darling girl.’

‘Thanks, Gran. I’m sure it was all your training.’

Patsy laughed. ‘Forcing you to chat to me about crystals and other alternative treatments when my planned interviewee chickened out, you mean?’

‘Yes, exactly that.’

Lettie hugged her as soon as Patsy stepped back. ‘It stood you in good stead,’ she said. ‘You sounded perfect.’

‘Hey, what about me?’ Zac asked, giving Melody a wink and putting his arm around her shoulder, making her tingle with delight at his closeness.

‘You were a perfect double act,’ Patsy said.

Melody knew her grandmother was up to her usual tricks. ‘Never mind that, I’m sure we still have a lot of work to do today.’

‘We do,’ Lettie agreed. ‘Brodie has a quiet day at the surgery so he’s kindly offered to come along and help us.’

By the time Brodie arrived, the four of them had begun sorting through most of the equipment in the smaller of the two barns. It wasn’t too bad at all, Melody mused, impressed at how efficiently the farm was run and how neatly everything was stored. With Brodie’s help they soon finished all they needed to do.

‘This is looking so much better,’ Lettie said, arms folded. ‘I finally feel as if we’re getting somewhere.’

Melody thought of the work they had done in the larger barn a few days before and how all that now needed was to have the floors thoroughly washed just before the festival to allow tables and stands to be set up. ‘It is. I told you we could do it.’

‘I know, but I thought I was busy before looking after all the animals and keeping an eye on the produce we grow here, but having the extra help—’ she pointed to Patsy and then Melody, then blew a kiss to Brodie ‘—you lot, that is, has been amazing.’

‘Er, what about me?’ Zac asked, sweeping the last pile of dust into a dustpan that Melody was holding for him.

‘You’ve been helpful too, but it is your family farm as well as mine, don’t forget, so you have an added incentive.’

Melody enjoyed the siblings and their banter. She thought of the exchange between Lettie and her lovely boyfriend and couldn’t help wishing for gentle romance for herself. She pushed the thought away. She was getting ahead of herself. Anyway, she was very fortunate she and her grandmother had ended up being invited to stay at this beautiful place. She loved the work and it helped keep her mind off her personal troubles.

If only it wasn’t temporary, she mused, reminding herself that she would have to return home to Scotland at some point. Right now though she was going to make the most of being on this pretty island and enjoy every moment with these kind people.

Lindy appeared at the barn door. ‘There you all are.’

Lettie gasped. ‘You’re back.’ She ran over to Lindy and hugged her.

‘Why didn’t you call and let us know?’ Zac asked, joining them and stepping into his mother’s arms as soon as they were free. ‘I’d have come to fetch you both from the airport.’

‘We did tell you when we would be back.’ Lindy sighed. ‘I suppose the pair of you have been too busy to think about much apart from this place and the festival you’ve been planning.’

‘Something like that,’ Zac said. ‘You should have called for one of us to fetch you from the airport though.’

Lindy frowned. ‘We did try to call a few times, but couldn’t get through to anyone,’ she said. Zac went to say something, but she held her hand up to his mouth. ‘In the end we thought it was quicker to take a taxi.’

‘We?’ Zac said. ‘So you didn’t leave Dad behind on some Mediterranean coastline somewhere then?’

Lindy glanced over her shoulder. ‘Don’t think I wasn’t tempted on several occasions.’ She laughed. ‘But no, he’s here. In fact, I’d be grateful if one of you could go and help him carry the luggage up to our bedroom, if you don’t mind.’

‘I’ll help him,’ Brodie said, going to leave the barn.

‘Thanks, Brodie,’ Lindy called after him. When Zac went to follow she raised her hand to stop him. ‘Right, I’m going to freshen up and then if one of you would like to come and help me set up for dinner that would be wonderful.’

‘I’m happy to make us all something,’ Patsy offered before she handed her broom to Melody, who noticed for the first time that her grandmother looked flushed and realised she was probably desperate for a break and a cup of tea.

‘You’re very kind. Thank you, Patsy.’ Lindy pointed to Zac. ‘Could you go and help your father set up the barbecue? He won’t be long upstairs because he always leaves the unpacking to me and you know how much of a mess he makes with the coal and everything.’

‘Happy to, Mum.’

Once the three of them had gone, Melody waited for Lettie to tell her what she needed doing next.

‘We can finish up here by putting the cleaning utensils away in the back room,’ Lettie suggested, leading the way to a small room to the rear of the barn. ‘I think we’ve done well today.’

‘I think so, too,’ Melody agreed, looking forward to taking a shower and washing her hair.

‘Brodie and I are going to fetch Spud and take him and Derek for a walk on the beach.’ She thought for a moment. ‘You’re welcome to come with us, if you’d like.’

Aware how busy Lettie and Brodie were most days, rarely getting time alone, Melody knew her friend was only being polite inviting her to join them, so quickly tried to think of a reason not to. ‘Thanks for the offer but I’m going to take a shower then thought I’d take my sketch pad and sit in the meadow down by the stream and draw for a while.’

Melody knew she had been right to decline when Brodie returned to the barn and took Lettie’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ‘Ready to go?’ he asked, kissing her.

‘See you later,’ Melody said, noticing the subtle movement between the pair. ‘I’ll finish tidying up in here. Enjoy your walk.’

She watched them go hand in hand looking very much in love. From what she had gathered they had only been seeing each other for a couple of months and it didn’t seem fair to interrupt their time together.

Once she had finished, Melody left the small room at the back of the barn and closed the door, bolting it behind her.

She hadn’t intended going to spend time by the stream but it had been a hot, tiring day and now she thought about it there was little she would rather do than go and sit with her sketch book and draw with her bare feet in cool running water.

Twenty minutes later, as she lay back on the warm grass enjoying the sensation as the running water cooled her feet, she closed her eyes, covering them with her forearm against the bright sunlight. ‘This is the life.’ She sighed deeply.

‘It certainly is.’

She gasped, not expecting to hear Zac’s voice, and sat up.

‘Sorry.’ He laughed, sounding apologetic for surprising her. ‘I thought you could hear me coming. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.’

She slapped his arm. ‘Well, you did.’ She wasn’t really annoyed, just surprised and extremely happy that he had found her there and was about to join her. ‘Are you here for the same thing?’

‘Er, and what might that be?’ he asked, sitting on the grass next to her. He took off his trainers and socks, slung them to one side and slid his feet into the water. ‘Ah, this is bliss.’ He lay down and closed his eyes.

‘Taking a moment to relax and cool down.’ Melody studied his dark brown lashes as they rested on his tanned cheeks. He really was adorable to look at.

‘Are you staring at me?’ he asked, opening one eye and peering at her before she had the chance to deny it.

‘No,’ she lied, laughing because it was such a silly thing to say. Wanting to change the subject, she said, ‘Your family are going to have a battle on their hands to get me to leave at this rate.’

‘Is that because this pretty island has won you over, or…’ He made a point of pretending to think. ‘Maybe you’ve fallen in love with Hollyhock Farm like the rest of us.’ He closed his eyes again and smiled. She could tell he was amused at something. ‘Could it be that I’m the appeal for you here?’

Melody laughed, realising how that must have come across when his smile disappeared. ‘I didn’t mean that was funny,’ she said hurriedly.

‘It’s fine,’ he said, opening both eyes. ‘Lie down and rest. You deserve the break and I have interrupted your peace.’ She did as he suggested then saw him turn on his side and rest his elbow on the grass and his head against his palm. ‘I was teasing you, by the way.’

Enjoying their banter and wanting to keep it going, Melody said, ‘What, about falling in love with the farm or about you being the main attraction?’

He fell backwards laughing loudly. ‘I never said that about myself.’

Melody couldn’t help giggling. ‘You did say something like that though.’

‘I noticed a sketch pad next to you when I got here,’ Zac said, turning to face her again. ‘I didn’t realise you were an artist.’

‘I’m not really. I’ve only ever sketched as a hobby, for relaxation mostly. That was until Gran needed someone to illustrate her books.’ She felt her cheeks heat slightly, embarrassed in case he thought she might be showing off. ‘Gran insisted my work was professional enough and kindly employs me to sketch then paint specimens for her books.’

‘Specimens?’ he asked. ‘Hang on, did you say your gran’s books? How many has she written?’

She could tell he was intrigued, and she realised she liked telling him something new about herself. ‘She’s had three published so far. Gran’s a botanist and it’s been a dream of hers to have books published and two years ago she realised that dream.’

‘That’s impressive.’

Melody liked to hear him say so. ‘I think so too.’ She thought of her grandfather dying several years before Gran achieved her dream.

‘You look sad.’

She shrugged. ‘My grandad died five years ago and had always insisted Gran would find someone to publish her books, but she didn’t ever think it would happen.’

‘He didn’t live to see the books then?’

She shook her head, sad at the reminder.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever knowingly met a botanist before,’ Zac said after a brief hesitation. ‘I thought she was some sort of therapist though. Crystals, that sort of thing.’

Melody liked that he was interested. She had come across many people who knew very little about alternative therapy and thought that the best way to show their ignorance was to be insulting about it.

‘She does that too. Gran is a creative lady and needs outlets for that creativity.’

‘Like her podcast, you mean.’

‘Yes.’ She smiled.

‘Have you always painted?’

‘I’ve tried to do it since I could hold a pencil or get my hands on paints at school,’ she admitted, thinking back to how surprised her parents had been when her art teacher insisted she had artistic talent.

‘I’m impressed.’

‘I think most people are good at what they love doing, don’t you?’ she asked, interested to know what he thought.

He shook his head. ‘Not necessarily. I believe we can all improve with practice but if you don’t have a natural talent with something I can’t see how someone might have that extra…’ He struggled to find the word.

‘Sparkle?’ she suggested.

He smiled. ‘I’m not certain that’s the word I was searching for, but it will do.’ He stared at her.

Melody’s neck was getting tired, so she turned to lie on her side, mirroring him. ‘What is it?’ she asked, wanting to know what he was thinking.

‘Have you drawn me?’

She smiled and shook her head. ‘No. Why, do you want me to?’

‘Maybe.’ His mouth drew back into a cheeky smile. ‘I’d like to see some of your work first.’

‘What? You’re scared I might make you look like one of the flower fairies, or something?’

Zac fell back laughing again. This time he didn’t stop and soon his infectious laughter caused tears to run down her cheeks.

Melody wiped them away with the back of her hand as she slowly gathered herself and noticed he was staring at her. ‘What?’

‘I want to kiss you,’ he said, becoming serious.

She hadn’t expected that answer. Unsure what to say, it dawned on her that if she didn’t speak soon her chance to kiss him might disappear, never to return. ‘Go on then.’