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CHAPTER THIRTY

ROZ

“I never thought I’d say this, but I think your expensive Italian coffee machine might be worth every penny.” Olivia let out a satisfied sigh as she placed her mug of coffee on the wicker table and turned back to the farm stretched out in front of us.

The coffee did taste particularly delicious this morning—rich and nutty. Everything’s better with Olivia. I frowned. Don’t be ridiculous.

Dana’s truck rumbled down the road toward the farm exit. I raised a hand in greeting and she waved back. As Olivia requested, we hadn’t told anyone we were seeing each other casually, but Dana must have suspected something given how often Olivia’s car was parked at the farm. Dana wasn’t one to gossip, but I should talk to her, let her know we were keeping it quiet.

That reminded me… “Dana thinks I’m finally ready to drive the hayride.” I grinned. It had only taken six weeks of practice and one very expensive crash.

“That’s awesome! Lottie will be thrilled.” Olivia broke into a wide smile, her eyes crinkling. My heart bounced.

“Would you be interested in joining her on my inaugural hayride around the farm? I thought I’d ease into it with a friends-and-family-only ride before I expand to strangers. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon after the farm has closed?”

Olivia laughed. “I’d be honored.”

The familiar warm glow I felt each time Olivia and I planned another meet up filled my chest. For two people who were casually dating, we had spent a lot of time together in the past two weeks—rom-com movie nights, lazy mornings in bed, a dinner at Prue’s vineyard. Fred will be sending through the paperwork any day now. Might as well enjoy it while we can.

Heaviness washed over me. I hadn’t checked my emails today.

I unlocked my phone and clicked on the mail icon, my pulse increasing as I scrolled through the emails, scanning for Fred’s name. I should have been experiencing unbridled excitement at the prospect of finally receiving the investment contract—it would be the culmination of everything we’d worked so hard for over the past few weeks. But to say my feelings were mixed was an understatement. Because once the papers were signed, Olivia and I would go back to just being friends. My shoulders relaxed as I reached the end of the new emails. Nothing from Fred. There was a short email from Prue, which I skimmed over.

I put down my phone and turned to Olivia, grinning. “Prue’s in for the spring festival.”

“Oh great! We’ll—I mean you’ll—have heaps of stalls, then.”

My body buzzed. There’d be local produce, live music and spring activities. While I’d made a number of behind-the-scenes changes at the farm already, the festival would be my first very public initiative. It better be a success.

I spooned nutty granola into my mouth, watching the wispy clouds slowly moving across the blue sky.

“Moooo!” Louise stuck her head through the fence, her soft brown eyes focused on us.

“Your BFF has come to say hello,” Olivia teased.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be over soon!” I yelled toward the cows, then chuckled. Over the last few weeks, Louise and I had formed a bond—a special bond based on a steady supply of carrots and apples.

“I was thinking of heading over to the flowers after we finish eating to see how the irises are coming along,” Olivia said, leaning back on the chair. “I’m hoping to use them for a wedding next weekend. Do you want to come?”

“Sure, but I’m more interested in seeing how the lupines are doing.”

Olivia let out a peal of laughter. “Look at you, taking an interest in the flowers.”

I shrugged, the corners of my mouth lifting. “I mean, they’re not terrible looking. They are nice and… purple.”

Olivia snorted. “That’s strong praise, coming from Roz ‘I hate flowers’ Kennedy.”

I rolled my eyes. “And as long as we can swing past Thelma and Louise on the way to say hi and deliver a couple of carrots.”

“It’s a deal,” Olivia said, picking up her empty bowl and stacking it on mine. “And do you feel like heading to Novel Gossip later for lunch? George was telling me about the special this week—crème br?lée French toast with berries—and I really want to try it.”

“Yes please. My mouth is already watering.”

This was shaping up to be yet another weekend spent completely with Olivia. Was this really wise, spending so much time together? I pushed the thought out of my mind. This could be our last weekend together; it would be nice to end it on a high.

* * *

Olivia pushed open the door to Novel Gossip and moaned. “Oh god, I think I can smell the French toast. I hope it hasn’t sold out.”

I stepped in after her. A distinctly sweet smell hit my nose, sending my stomach rumbling. The café was buzzing today. Most of the tables were occupied and there was a line of people waiting to order. My gaze flitted over them, looking for any faces I recognized.

Dana stood in the middle of the line, talking to a man who had his back to us. A man who, even from that angle, looked very familiar.

My heart stopped.

Fred.

My heart started beating at twice its usual speed.

“Shit, Fred’s here,” I muttered to Olivia.

Olivia followed my gaze, her eyes widening. “Oh.” She grabbed my hand, the heat of her soft skin sending a comforting rush of warmth up my arm. “It’ll be okay. We’re pros at faking it now.”

My stomach swirled. Why was I so uneasy about Fred’s unexpected appearance?

Olivia squeezed my hand. “I guess we’d better go say hi.”

My body did not agree. As we walked over to them, sweat pricked my neck and my legs itched. I wanted to run—fast—in the opposite direction.

Despite Fred facing away from us, his voice travelled clearly. “Once the contract is signed, it’ll be full steam ahead with the event space. I know they’ve only been dating for six months or so, but I’m kind of hoping Olivia and Roz will be the first people to get married in it. Assuming all the approvals go smoothly, it should be done by April next year—just in time for a spring wedding.” He chuckled.

“Six months?” Dana frowned. “More like one month—if that.”

I froze, my stomach plummeting to the floor. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Sorry?” Fred asked.

“Olivia and Roz. I don’t know exactly when they got together, but it definitely wasn’t last year. Olivia didn’t even know who Roz was six weeks ago. When Roz took over the farm, Olivia asked me what she was like.”

Olivia and I stared at each other, our eyes wide. Shit.

“That doesn’t sound right,” Fred said.

My heart pounded in my ears. We should get out of here—quickly. Buy ourselves some time to work out what to do. I started to turn, tugging gently at Olivia’s hand.

Dana’s eyes landed on us and Fred turned, following her gaze.

“Roz! Olivia!” Fred waved.

Blood drained from my face. I plastered on a smile and we walked toward them.

“Excellent timing. I was planning to come around later today with a little delivery.” Fred patted the black leather satchel slung around his shoulder. The investment contract. “We were just talking about you. The two of you started dating around October last year, right?”

I swallowed. Oh god. Put on the spot, I couldn’t bring myself to lie directly to Fred.

“We met in October last year.” Guilt stabbed me in the chest. I sounded like an evasive politician.

Fred frowned. “But Dana said Olivia didn’t know who you were when you took over the farm?”

I shot a glance at Olivia. Her face was pale.

“She didn’t realize I was the same person she had met in October.” I cringed at how confusing that sounded.

Fred’s eyes narrowed. “You two were dating, but she didn’t know you’d bought the farm?”

Fuck.

“Not exactly.”

Fred’s eyes darted between me and Olivia. “I don’t actually care when the two of you started dating, but it’s beginning to feel like there’s something else going on and you haven’t been totally honest with me.”

Olivia and I looked at each other. We have to tell him the truth. She gave me a tiny nod.

“We did meet back in October, but we didn’t keep in touch. It was only when I moved back here that we reconnected and in the last few weeks we started dating—casually,” I said, my heart beating fast.

“You’re telling me you were lying about being together?” Fred stared at me.

“I’m sorry, Fred,” Olivia said. “It’s all my fault. You see, when I?—”

Fred’s nostrils flared. “I trusted you. Both of you. I don’t know what you were playing at, but finding out you were lying about your relationship is just…” Fred ran his hand through his hair. “Honestly, it’s baffling.”

“I’m sorry, we?—”

Fred pressed his lips together, shaking his head. “I’m out. I can’t go into business with someone I don’t trust. If you’re comfortable lying about this, what else will you lie about?” He stared at me, a mixture of anger and hurt swirling in his eyes. “I really thought you were better than this, Roz.”

“Look, I know it sounds weird, but I didn’t intentionally set out to deceive you. We?—”

Fred shook his head again. “I don’t want to hear any more excuses. The deal is off.”