‘Yeah, okay, okay, but stop jumping up and down on my peanuts please, Benji,’ Nate said, and Benji threw back his head and howled with laughter.
‘Peanuts! You call your boy bits peanuts!’
Laurel was laughing now as well, they were a tableau of joy. Looking at her, his heart clenched, because this is what he wanted. Laurel, comfortable, laughing and happy, with him.
‘Go on,’ she said to Benji. ‘Me and Uncle Nate will get dressed then we’ll go and see Bessie the Cow. You’ll have to choose what to call the calf.’
‘I get to name her?’ Benji asked.
Laurel frowned at him. ‘Bessie the Cow is your cow, isn’t she?’
The boy nodded thoughtfully.
‘Then you get to name her baby.’
‘I get to name a baby,’ Benji whispered. ‘I’ll wait outside and think. It’s got to be a good name.’
‘Go on then,’ Nate said, pushing him onto the floor.
Benji ran outside.
‘Shut the door!’ Nate called.
‘What were you going to say?’ Laurel said.
He smiled ruefully. ‘Nothing that can’t wait.’
Laurel
Laurel had just about gotten over her embarrassment of practically suctioning herself to Nate all night. She’d slept with her head on his chest, and it had been the best sleep of her entire life. He’d been kind about it, but he’d also been shy and nervous and wanting to talk to her about something. It would be letting her down gently, telling her that whilst she had decided that the best place to sleep was his chest, that he had been a stupid, stupid man because he couldfinallysee that she was desperate for him, but he just didn’t want her in the same way.
The hot, passionate kisses last night, the feel of his skin on hers, had just been the wine talking. The only one bed. The proximity. But that talk could wait, or never happen at all. She did not want to go through the same thing as she did ten years ago. Not again.
But everything was normal as they were sitting having coffee after visiting the stables. Normal, normal, normal. If she kept saying it, if she kept believing it, it would be true.
Mother and baby were doing well. The calf was walking and suckling. Joints were good, eyes were good. Laurel was happy, as was the vet with her assessment. Nate’s eyes found hers more often, or was she just more aware because she knew how his face looked when it was soft from sleep.
Benji, the gorgeous boy that he was, had decided to call the calf Penny and John Stapleton, who had arrived early to find his favourite cow birthed and happy, had nearly cried.
Jess and Owen had requested the old farmer let them take some of the burden and help more. Or at least learn the basics. Stapleton was gruff, but relieved. Benji was adamant that he was going to get up at five every morning to feed Penny. They’d see how long that lasted.
‘Are you sure you have to go now? You can’t stay for lunch?’ Jess was saying in Laurel’s ear as she hugged her.
‘No, we’ve got to get back,’ Laurel said apologetically. ‘It’s been so nice meeting you though. Thank you so much for having us.’
‘It’s been lovely, and I’m really sorry about…’ Jess trailed off. ‘You know.’
‘Yeah, don’t worry about it.’ Laurel smiled.
They’d not seen Alex or Lucia this morning, who were either still asleep (although with the noise that Benji made, unlikely), or hiding (way more likely after the bollocking Jess said she gave Alex last night).
‘Don’t leave it so long next time.’ Owen clapped Nate on the back. ‘Lovely to meet you,’ he said, giving Laurel a kiss on the cheek.
‘Laurel, will you make sure that Uncle Nate visits more please?’ Benji asked earnestly.
She squatted down so she was at eye level with the boy.
‘I’ll tell you what, how about you come and visit Uncle Nate at my farm? We’ve got lots and lots of animals for you to help out with.’
