Page 38

ROZ

“This looks great!” Olivia exclaimed, standing back to admire the row of vendor stalls next to the farm stand. “And the weather is perfect, thank god!”

My eyes dipped to her chest, where the words I wet my plants were scrawled over a pot of flowers. I chuckled. Olivia had found her t-shirt while rummaging in my drawers this morning, and insisted on wearing it.

Red Tractor Farm’s inaugural spring festival had only opened twenty minutes ago, but kids were already running around, playing the games we’d set up—tug of war, bean bag toss and giant Jenga—while adults and teenagers browsed the stalls.

We’d nervously monitored the weather forecast for the past two weeks. Thankfully the rain and clouds that had been predicted earlier in the week had failed to materialize. It was a glorious spring day, with a forecasted high of 73 degrees.

The blues band that had been setting up on the wooden stage began to play. I grinned. This was perfect.

Prue, standing behind the Rosedale Estate stall, a large straw hat covering her short black hair, called out. “Would you ladies like a taste of anything before the rush starts?” She gestured at the wine bottles and tasting glasses set up in front of her.

I laughed. “I’m on hayride-driving duties today, so I’ll have to decline.”

“And I need to talk intelligibly about flowers today, so I’ll pass as well. Thanks though,” Olivia replied. She was running an eco-friendly flower-arranging workshop at three o’clock.

More visitors streamed onto the farm. We might need the overflow parking we’d set up after all. I didn’t need any of Prue’s wine to feel a buzz of excitement.

I spotted Matt through the crowds of people, walking toward me.

“I’ve asked Mom and Dad to keep an eye on Lottie,” he said. I followed his gaze to where Lottie was patiently waiting in line to get her face painted, Mom standing next to her. “I just need to duck out to pick up a surprise for her.”

“Okay,” I said, narrowing my eyes. What on earth was he picking up now? Maybe some noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the sound of Lottie’s new drum kit? “I’m due to drive the first hayride in ten minutes. If her face painting is finished by then I’ll see if they want to come. It’ll be a good way to keep her out of mischief.”

“Thanks.” Matt grinned. “I’ll be back soon!”

He walked off, a definite spring to his step. It was good to see him so happy.

“Hey, Roz, where’s the bake sale?” I turned to find George holding two large cake tins, Hannah standing next to her, her arms laden with Tupperware.

“Hello! Wow, you’ve been busy! It’s over there.” I pointed to a long trestle table close to the stage, covered in baked goods. Jenny and Blake stood behind it, chatting to an elderly couple. “I’ll have to pop over before you’re sold out.”

Blake spotted us and waved, grinning. She’d been in an excellent mood since our win over The Gran Masters at trivia night last week.

“Thanks!” George said, turning to head over to the table.

“Look at my face!” Lottie squealed behind me.

I turned to find my niece’s face adorned with a gigantic red flower.

“Oh no! The roses have learned to walk. I hope they don’t stage an uprising,” I exclaimed, clutching my chest.

“It’s a peony, not a rose,” Lottie said, a frown visible through the face paint.

An elbow gently bumped my rib cage. “Jeez Roz, I thought you’d be able to tell your roses from your peonies by now,” Olivia teased.

I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Ha ha! Where have you been?”

“I was talking to the mayor about how it would be great to get the bike path extended to Red Tractor Farm and she wholeheartedly agreed.” Olivia’s eyes flashed with excitement.

My heart flipped. It wasn’t humanly possible to be more attracted to anyone than I was to Olivia.

“She’s going to take it to the next village board meeting. Do you know what that means?”

I squinted. “No?”

Olivia beamed. “You’ll need to buy a bike so we can cycle to get quark and apple cider and hang out with Prue at the vineyard.”

“Or we could just drive,” I said, my lips twitching.

Olivia elbowed me. “But cycling is so much nicer. And it could be our thing.”

“Our thing?” I raised my eyebrows.

“George and Hannah are always going off kayaking together. We could be the couple that cycles everywhere.” Olivia opened and shut her eyes in quick succession.

I stared at her, my brow furrowing. “What are you doing?”

“I’m fluttering my eyelashes at you,” she replied indignantly.

I chuckled. “Good lord, I thought you were having a stroke.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Ha ha. But I’m not joking about the bikes. I think it could be nice?”

I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her to me. “Okay babe, you’ve convinced me. I’ll buy a bike.”

The alarm I’d set on my phone to remind me to take the first hayride buzzed just as my parents approached. I looked at the small line of people who were already standing near the wagon.

“I’m just about to do the first hayride. Lottie, Mom, Dad,—want to hop on board?”

“Is there room for me too?” Olivia asked.

“I think you could squish in the tractor with me or sit in the back if you’d prefer.”

“Squish sounds good to me.” Olivia smiled.

“We just have to keep it G-rated. This is a family affair,” I murmured.

Olivia snorted. “Not to mention you’ll be driving a hayride full of kids. Don’t worry. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“The hayride is about to start!” I yelled as we walked over. The kids cheered, bringing another smile to my face.

Ten minutes later, I was driving a cart load of families past the corn maze, where green stalks as high as my knee rose up, their vibrant leaves unfurling, and then past the pumpkin patch, with small vines beginning to creep over the rich soil. Next was the orchards. We had spotted a few tiny green cherries forming on the cherry trees on Friday and small green apples were already hanging from the Royal Gala apple trees, although it was difficult to see them from the hayride. The white blossoms of the Northern Spy apple trees were still visible. Glimpses of the strawberry fields came into view past the orchard, the rows of dark-green plants studded with bright white flowers. To our left, the flower fields stretched out, a riot of color. I smiled as children exclaimed at the sight. I paused the tractor, twisting around to check on Lottie. She was leaning against Mom, beaming.

Olivia put her arm around my shoulder. “I’m glad I hitched a ride with you. This is lovely.”

“It is, isn’t it?” I exhaled, resuming the ride. Having Olivia snuggled next to me, driving a cartload of kids and their families—including my own—around the farm, was pure bliss.

On the way back, we passed the cows’ field. “Wave hello to Thelma and Louise!” I yelled for my passengers’ benefit.

“Don’t sneeze,” Olivia said. “We don’t want a stampede at the festival.”

I rolled my eyes. “Are you ever going to let me forget that?”

“Umm,” Olivia replied, as if she was actually considering my request. “No.”

As I slowed the wagon to a grinding halt, Olivia waved at someone. I pulled on the parking brake and followed Olivia’s gaze. Fred.

I jumped out of the tractor and helped all the passengers get down from the hayride. Lottie, Mom and Dad headed toward the petting zoo, where Ronnie’s talk on chickens was about to start. Thankfully, Mom had become quite attached to the Mercedes-Benz they had tried to gift me, so they were no longer pushing it on me at every available opportunity.

“Should we say hi to Fred?” Olivia asked once the cart was emptied.

“Yes. I’ve been meaning to ask if he needs the van for his move,” I said, closing the gate to the cart.

“Roz, Olivia!” Fred said as we approached, holding out his hand. “I was just talking about you yesterday Roz… I ran into an old friend who works at Saunders & Company. It sounds like James’s appointment as global managing partner has been fairly rocky so far, and there’s been some internal rumblings about potentially trying to replace him. Your name has been flying about.” Fred raised an eyebrow. “Any interest?”

I didn’t even need to think about it. “Hard pass, thanks.”

Lottie came sprinting over, my parents in a slow jog a few feet behind her. “Did you know chickens do their poop and wee at the same time? It just all comes out together!”

“I did not know that,” I said. “And I’m not sure I wanted to.”

Fred chuckled. “On that note, I might go check out what wines Prue has to offer.”

“Enjoy,” I said. As he walked off, I realized I’d forgotten to ask him if he wanted the van. I was just about to run after him when I noticed Lottie was staring at something behind my shoulder, her jaw open.

“Mom!!!” she squealed as she sprinted past me.

I turned, my confused frown transforming into a wide grin.

Mel enveloped her daughter in a huge bear hug, lifting Lottie off her feet, tears streaming down her face.

Olivia and I walked over to Matt, who was looking teary himself.

“Does she have to go back again?” I asked.

“Nope,” he said, his smile wide. “She’s home for good now.”

Once Mel and Lottie had finished their exciting reunion, Mel walked over to where we were standing and we hugged.

“It’s so good to see you.” My voice was muffled by her hair.

“It’s great to be back.”

“This is my girlfriend, Olivia,” I said, disentangling myself from her arms and remembering my manners.

“Lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Mel grinned, and I wondered what exactly Matt and Lottie had said to her.

Lottie bounced up and down, tugging Mel’s hand. “Mom, can I show you Thelma and Louise?”

Mel’s eyebrows shot up. “Thelma and Louise?”

“They’re the cows,” Matt muttered.

“Ah. Yes, please!” Mel said, letting Lottie grab her hand and tug her toward their field.

That evening, after the last of the visitors had returned home, Olivia and I sat on the back deck, enjoying the quiet. The sky was fading from orange and yellow to black. The silence was punctuated by the occasional goat bleating and moos from Thelma and Louise.

“What a day,” I said, taking Olivia’s hand.

“It was great,” Olivia said, leaning her shoulder on mine. “I officially pronounce the inaugural Red Tractor Farm Spring Festival a success. Prue sold so much wine she had to call the vineyard to bring over extra supplies.”

I grinned. “That’s wonderful.” I’d heard similar stories from other vendors. “It looks like we may have broken the record for the number of visitors in one day to the farm too.”

“No way!”

“It went better than my wildest dreams. I loved that so many local businesses participated. And of course, seeing Lottie and Mel reunited was amazing too.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “And, at the risk of sounding corny, another massive highlight was getting to share it all with you.”

“Awww.” Olivia squeezed my hand.

“I loved it.” I swallowed, clearing my throat and turning toward Olivia. “And I love you.”

Maybe it was too soon to be saying those words, and a year ago I would never have imagined I’d say them after only two months of dating, one of which was fake, but it felt so right.

Olivia blinked. “What did you say?”

“I love you, you goof. I love your passion for flowers, sustainability and the farm, the way you don’t give up, even in the face of adversity, your kindness and your insistence that we become a couple who cycles. I love you, Olivia Mitchell.”

Olivia stared at me, eyes wide. I swallowed. Shit. She wasn’t saying anything.

“I know it’s early on, so don’t feel like you need to say anything back, but I just wanted to let you know.”

Olivia laughed, cupping her hand to my jaw and running her thumb down my cheek.

“I love you too,” she murmured, looking deep into my eyes. “I’ve been holding back saying anything in case it stressed you out. I thought it might be too soon because of what happened with Sadie. But I love your deafening sneezes, the way you cycle a million miles an hour, how sexy you look in your farmer clothes, your newfound love of flowers and cows, your devotion to Lottie and the way you look after your employees.”

I leaned in and kissed her softly. “Way to keep a woman hanging. Now it’s my turn to make you wait.” I trailed kisses and nibbles down her neck, until she let out a moan. “Just a taste of things to come tonight.”

As we sat there, listening to the evening song of the cardinals, it dawned on me that while I’d wanted to buy Red Tractor Farm to ensure the happy memories of generations of children, I’d also created new, very special memories for myself too. Of falling in love with the woman beside me. And, hopefully, making new memories together for the rest of our lives.

THE END

Thanks for reading The Floral Arrangement!