Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 30

30

ZAC

Zac followed Brodie and Callum, each of them carrying the last of the trestle tables to the storeroom at the back of the large barn. It had been another long and exhausting day but at least it was over.

They still had to tally up the takings but from the number of people who had come through the festival and everything he had been told when he had stopped to speak to attendees, it appeared to have been a great success. He hoped so.

He was glad Brodie had been able to pop by several times and that Callum was there for most of the day. Each time Zac had seen Callum he was keeping an eye out for Melody and it had been a huge relief to know that there were people other than him who were looking out for that nasty sod she was married to. He thought back to the previous evening when she had told them about her relationship with this Rhys character and he couldn’t help feeling angry that anyone had to live with such an abusive partner. Especially someone as kind and decent as Melody. Maybe it was her gentleness that had given Rhys the confidence to treat her so badly and assume he would get away with it.

‘You look as if you could punch someone, or something,’ Callum said, moving out of the way to give Zac space to place the table down next to the others the three of them had already brought through.

‘I’m raging about that ex of Melody’s.’ Zac gritted his teeth, trying to calm his temper.

‘I know how you feel,’ Callum said, making Zac feel guilty again for getting close to Melody. ‘Don’t look so guilty. We can’t help how we feel and even though I like Melody and took her out that one night, I think I realised when the pair of you arrived together that there was little chance of me having anything romantic with her.’

‘What do you mean?’ Zac asked. confused by what his friend was trying to tell him.

Brodie raised his hands. ‘Look, maybe I should leave you two to speak privately about this.’

Callum shook his head. ‘No, it’s fine. I admit I like Melody. I mean, who wouldn’t? She’s funny and beautiful, but there’s no point having unrealistic expectations when she is clearly into your best friend.’

‘Callum, I?—’

‘It’s fine,’ Callum repeated, shaking his head. ‘Anyway you were saying about that revolting husband of hers.’

Brodie groaned. ‘He really is a piece of work. I can’t believe he had the gall to come to the farm when he could see how many cars there were in the car park. Surely he must have known someone would see him there when he went for her?’

Zac had initially thought the same thing. ‘Maybe one of us might think that way, if we were that way inclined, but I think he was probably too enraged that she had left him and was too focused on getting to her to consider anything else.’

‘You’re probably right,’ Callum agreed.

Zac glanced in the direction of the farmhouse. ‘I can’t get it out of my mind. I’m only in here now because she’s in the farmhouse with my mum sorting out the takings and I know she’s safe.’

‘Lettie and I were talking about what he had done,’ Brodie said. ‘Disgusting way for anyone to treat someone they supposedly love.’

Zac agreed and gave a nod to Callum. ‘I was glad you were here today. I know Melody was more relaxed having extra friends around.’ He noticed his comment appeared to make Callum happy. His friend was a decent chap, honest, hardworking and willing to help anyone, but it was clear for anyone to see how much Melody had meant to him, and the familiar sense of guilt ran through Zac.

‘I didn’t see him anywhere,’ Callum said. ‘I’m not sure how calm I would have been if I had caught him giving her a hard time again.’

‘You’re not the only one,’ Brodie said thoughtfully. He smiled and Zac wondered what he might be about to say. ‘I think that Rhys chap would be better off if the three of us caught him, rather than the women. I daren’t imagine what Patsy might do to him with Lettie, Lindy and Melody’s help.’

‘I think you could be right.’ Zac liked being reminded that the women around him were tough and even if they were frightened by something, once they recovered from that shock then they would come out fighting. His sister and mother certainly wouldn’t stand back and let Rhys pick on Melody again and he knew without doubt that Patsy would give him what for should he ever corner her granddaughter again. The thought made him calm slightly. He heard footsteps.

‘Zac, are you in here?’

Zac smiled at the sound of Melody’s lovely voice and immediately walked to the door leading to the main part of the barn. ‘We’re through here,’ he called back.

Zac wasn’t sure but thought he spotted a momentary look of disappointment cross her face. ‘Did you want me for something?’ he asked, wishing he was alone with her. Talking to the guys about Melody reminded him that her time on the island was drawing to a close and she would soon be leaving to return to her life back in Scotland.

‘Your mum was looking for you,’ she said. ‘She’s set up drinks and nibbles on the terrace out the back of the farmhouse and wants us all to go and join the rest of them when we’re finished tidying things away.’

‘Have they tallied up the takings then?’ Zac asked.

‘I believe so. She seemed happy, so I’m hoping it’s good news.’

Zac held back to let Joe and Brodie leave the barn. As soon as they had gone, he took Melody’s hand in his. ‘Have you had a good day?’ he asked. Then, laughing, added, ‘A knackering one, but hopefully fun all the same.’

She held his hand tightly. ‘It’s been an experience, I’ll admit that.’ She giggled. ‘Especially seeing you in the ice bath.’ She kissed his cheek to show she was only teasing. ‘Seriously though, I’ve learnt a lot. It’s been fun seeing Gran in her element chatting to people and giving them advice about some of the stuff she’s spent her life learning, like nutrition, crystals and that sort of thing. She’s had a ball.’ She walked next to him to the farmhouse. ‘I’ve had a brilliant time too. But I think I could sleep for a week if I was given the chance.’ She stopped walking and raised her left foot. ‘And I have a blister on that heel that’s the size of a small mandarin.’

He winced. ‘Would you like me to give you a piggyback then?’

‘What, you have enough energy to carry me?’

Zac laughed. ‘I’d always find it from somewhere if I needed to.’ He turned his back to her. ‘Hop on. I’m thirsty and I could do with getting one of those drinks before they disappear.’

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’ She leapt onto his back and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Zac took her ankles in his hands and pretended to canter into the house, making Melody squeal with excitement. He went into the hall and almost collided into his mother as she came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of nibbles.

‘For pity’s sake, Zac,’ she shouted, swerving to stop from banging into him. ‘Why can’t you act your age occasionally?’

‘Sorry, Mum,’ he said, pulling a face and pressing his lips together to stop from laughing.

‘Sorry, Lindy,’ Melody said, trying to climb down.

Zac let go of her legs and saw she was blushing. ‘Don’t worry. Mum wasn’t really cross.’

‘No,’ Lindy said from down the hallway. ‘But I would have been if this lot had crashed to the floor.’ She turned to them. ‘While you’re there, you can fetch the rest of them and bring them outside. Everyone is starving.’

As they passed the living room Zac heard voices. Unable to hear what was being said but seeing a serious expression on his father’s face, he stepped into the room to check his father was all right.

‘Everything OK, Dad?’ The words were just out of his mouth when he noticed Brodie standing behind one of the chairs looking awkward. When his father didn’t immediately reply, Zac turned his attention to his friend. ‘Brodie? Anything the matter?’

Brodie shook his head at the same time Gareth said, ‘All fine in here, thanks. If you’ll give us a moment, Zac, then we’ll join the rest of you outside.’

Confused, Zac did as he was asked, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

‘I wonder what that was about?’ Melody said quietly.

Zac shrugged. ‘No idea. Come on, let’s get those trays for Mum.’

They went into the kitchen and each picked up two trays. Studying the blinis with smoked salmon, others with cream cheese and another tray of rolled pieces of Parma ham, slices of melon and strawberries, Zac breathed in the smell of the delicious food he couldn’t wait to eat. ‘These smell as good as they look.’

‘As do these,’ Melody said, holding her two trays in front of him so he could see the array of cheeses, meats and crackers. ‘Let’s get a move on.’

He wondered what had been going on between his father and Brodie. Maybe it was something to do with one of the animals and his father was simply asking for Brodie’s advice. He had no idea but hoped there wasn’t anything for him to worry about.

As soon as they stepped outside, Lettie hurried over and took a tray from each of them. ‘Thank heavens – I thought you’d never get here,’ she teased. ‘Get yourselves drinks and take a seat,’ she said. ‘You must both be exhausted and I want to thank everyone for all you’ve done during the run-up and over the past two days.’

Zac took the other tray from Melody. ‘Go and sit down – that blister must be smarting badly.’

‘It is a bit.’ She went to sit at one of the tables where there were two seats left.

‘Shall I get your usual?’ he asked, liking that he knew what her usual was.

‘Please.’

A few minutes later with a bottle of lager in one hand and a glass of white wine spritzer for Melody, Zac went to sit down next to her. ‘There you go.’ He took a sip from his bottle. ‘I hope my sister doesn’t speak to us for too long. I hadn’t realised how hungry I was until I smelt that food.’

His mother placed one of the trays of blinis in front of him and Melody. ‘There you go,’ she said, her eyes twinkling in amusement. ‘Try not to eat them all.’

When his mother had gone, he turned to Melody and keeping his voice low whispered, ‘She’s always had amazing hearing. It’s scary sometimes.’

Melody laughed. ‘Stop being dramatic.’

‘There’s nothing dramatic about it. She heard what I’d said and I was only speaking to you.’

‘You have a loud voice, Zac.’ Melody grinned. ‘Maybe her hearing is perfectly normal and she just happened to overhear you moaning about being hungry.’

He had to admit that probably was the case. ‘You go first.’ He indicated the food and as soon as Melody had taken one for herself, picked up a blini and popped it into his mouth. ‘Mmm, they really are tasty.’