So you stayed on the farm with them?
She shook her head. Nope. I did the same thing that my brothers and sister did. As soon as I graduated from high school, I headed out into the world. I went to art school in Chicago and then started my own line of greeting cards. I lived in San Francisco and then moved to New York with a boyfriend, who broke up with me a month later. I came back here to care for my dad and decided to stay for a while. She paused. My dads will stipulated that if any of his children wanted to run the farm, then they could have it. If not, it gets sold and the proceeds divided up between us.
He nodded. I wouldnt want this place sold, he said. Its perfect.
You havent met the goats yet, she said with a smile.
I met Benny. He was kind of cute.
Its like living with sixty children who never stop eating, will try anything to get loose, require round-the-clock supervision and cant tell you when theyre sick. It can be really stressful at times. Im just glad to finally have some help.
Well, anything I can do to relieve your stress, just let me know.
Rachel met his gaze, wondering if he was thinking what she was. There were many ways to relax. A nice, long bath. A massage. A lazy afternoon in bed with a naked man. And an orgasm so powerful that itRachel swallowed hard and turned back to the pie.
She could barely remember what she was supposed to do, her hands fumbling with the ingredients. They continued to chat, but all she could think about was finding an excuse to stand close enough to him so he might kiss her again.
Once the pie was in the oven, she went to the sink to wash her hands. He handed her the towel. What next, boss?
You can help me bring the goats in from the pasture. I think we should get an early start on the milking since Im going to have to teach you how to do it.
All right, he said. Lets go. Im ready to get to work. They walked to the door and he opened it for her, then gently rested his hand on her back as she passed through. Was he feeling the same way about her? Was he looking for an excuse to touch her? Or was she the only lovesick, horny fool on this farm?
As they crossed the yard, he kept a respectful distance. But when they got past the barn to the path out to the west pasture, he grabbed her hand and tucked it in his. Rachel smiled to herself. Maybe he was having a hard time keeping his hands off her.
She tried her best to explain the basics of the dairy, the breeds of the goats, the process for pasteurizing the milk, and the small artisanal-cheese maker who bought the milk from her.
Its a beautiful place, Dermot said.
It is, she agreed. But its so difficult to make a go of it. Were always scrambling to pay the bills. My sister and brothers want to sell, but Im just not ready for that yet. I made a promise to my dad to keep the farm in the family. I dont want my generation to be the last generation of Howes to live at Clover Meadow.
As they walked, Dermot continued to question her. Rachel was surprised at how much he was able to absorb about the business aspects of farming. He was exactly the kind of person she needed here on the farmfor so many reasons beyond just sexual.
When they reached the gate of the pasture, Rachel stood on the bottom rung and unwrapped a leather lead from the post. Watch, she said. She put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. The herd all turned in her direction and started moving toward her.
Wow, thats amazing. Theyre like dogs.
Theyre really, really smart, she said. She handed him the lead, then opened the gate. Clip this onto the goat with the bell. Thats Lady. Shes kind of the queen of the dairy. The oldest goat. I took her to the State Fair my senior year of high school. Blue ribbon. Were very old friends.
Do they bite? he asked, observing the herd warily.
Sometimes. But just walk in there like you know what youre doing. Show them who is boss.
I dont know what Im doing, he said.
Charm them like you charmed me, Rachel suggested.
And how did I charm you? he asked, leaning closer.
Talk sweet to them. Soft. Smile a little.
Rachel ushered him inside the gate, then closed it behind him. The goats surrounded him and he held up his arms as they nudged at his legs. When he spotted Lady, Dermot gradually worked his way over to her and clipped the lead on her collar. All right, now what?
Now lead her to the gate and the rest of the goats will follow.
He did as he was told, and before long they were walking down the lane between the paddocks, chatting about his first success as a dairyman.
Why do they follow? he asked.
They know theyre going to get fed.
Havent they been eating all day?
Yeah, but they get the good stuff in the barn.
Steak and potatoes?
Corn and some pellet feed.
Yum, Dermot said. Are we having the same for dinner?
I think I can scratch up something a little better. But we still have a lot of work to do before we eat.
I can handle it, he said. Ive got Lady following me. How much harder can it get?
DERMOT COULDNT remember the last time hed been so exhausted. Once the goats got into the milking shed, the work was nonstop for three solid hours. He barely had a chance to take a breath before Rachel or Eddie was showing him something else that had to be done. Benny, the little black goat, was constantly underfoot, nibbling on Dermots jeans and the hem of his T-shirt.
Rachel explained that it normally took her four hours to do the milking on her own, but once he got up to speed, she expected theyd be able to do the entire herd in about two hours between the three of them.
Completely spent, he sat down in a rocking chair on the back porch of the house while Rachel was inside taking a shower. Hed grabbed a quick shower in the barn after the chores were done, then found a beer in Rachels refrigerator.
Dermot took a long drink and closed his eyes. Hed known her for less than a day and she was already the most amazing woman hed ever met. The work it took to keep the farm running seemed overwhelming and yet she never once complained.
You put in a good day of work.
He opened his eyes to find Eddie watching him from the bottom of the steps, Benny standing at his side. Thanks, Dermot said, leaning forward in the chair. And thanks for showing me the ropes. I appreciate it.
The old man nodded curtly. Tell Rachel Im heading into town for dinner. They got bingo at the fire-house tonight and I got some money burning a hole in my pocket.
Youre not having dinner with us?
Eddie shook his head. I expect you can manage to eat on your own. He nodded, then put his battered John Deere cap on his head and walked toward the truck, Benny at his heels. A moment later, Eddie and the goat drove out of the yard, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.
I didnt know that goats played bingo, Dermot murmured.
He stood and stretched, then walked into the kitchen. The least he could do was help Rachel with dinner. He opened the fridge and began to pick through the contents. A salad would be a good start. Shed pulled three steaks from the fridge and they were sitting on the counter near the sink.
Potatoes, he said. He found some in a mesh bag beneath the sink. By the time Rachel wandered back into the kitchen, the salad was made, the potatoes were washed and the oven was heating, and hed poured her a glass of wine.
Potatoes, he said. He found some in a mesh bag beneath the sink. By the time Rachel wandered back into the kitchen, the salad was made, the potatoes were washed and the oven was heating, and hed poured her a glass of wine.
He handed her the wine, taking in the sight of her. Her hair was still wet, long and loose and curling around her face. She wore a cotton dress, cut deep at the neck. Her feet were bare and she smelled of soap.
Thanks, she said, glancing at the table. Youve been busy.
Ive decided to make myself invaluable. I am a pretty good cook when it comes to meat and potatoes.
Im glad to hear that. There are nights that Im just too exhausted to cook and this is one of them. Rachel crossed to the fridge then pulled out a package of cheese and found a bag of crackers. This is some of the cheese made from our goats milk, she said, arranging the cheese and crackers on a plate.
They headed back out onto the porch and sat down together in the porch swing. This is my favorite time of the day, she said. After everything is done and the sun is going down and its so quiet that you wonder if anyone is still alive in the world.
I live on the water in Seattle, so its never completely quiet.
Do you have a beach house?
Dermot shook his head. A houseboat. Its not actually a boat because you cant take it out on the water. Although my family has a boat. Actually we have three. We build boats.
Thats what you do?
I dont build them myself. I sell them.
Motorboats?
No. Luxury sailing yachts.
She frowned. Why are you here?
Because my grandfather decided that my brothers and I werent given a chance to follow our dreams when we were kids. He gave us a hundred dollars, a credit card and a bus ticket and I ended up here. Im supposed to live a different life for six weeks and then figure out if I like it better than my old life.
If you have a credit card, why do you need to work?
Because he canceled the credit cards once we all got on the bus. I think he wanted us to work rather than lounge around for six weeks. When I landed in Mapleton, I had exactly six cents to my name. I was lucky to meet you.
I think Im the lucky one, she said with a smile.
They stared out at the sunset, watching as it turned pink and then orange and then purple. Do you ever get lonely out here? Dermot asked.
All the time, she said. But Ive kind of gotten used to it. I just cant let this place go yet.
Why? he said.
Because its all I have left of my parents, she said. It was always the three of us. Id help my dad with the chores and wed raise and show our goats at the county fair. And Id help my mom in the kitchen. She taught me how to bake and sew and keep house. We shopped for antiques and collected quilts. This is who I am, this place. Its my home and it will be my home until Im ready to let it go. Does that make sense?
Dermot remembered how difficult it was for him to let go of his parents, to come to grips with the idea that they were really dead. There were still times when he caught himself wondering if they were alive, stranded on some tiny island in the Pacific, waiting for rescue.
She glanced over at him, and for the second time that day, he decided to kiss her. He leaned forward, waiting for a sign that shed welcome a kiss. Her gaze fixed on his mouth and her lips parted slightly. As they met, her eyes closed and she sighed softly.
Hed kissed a lot of women for a lot of reasons, but there was something about kissing Rachel that was so perfect. Though they spent hours chatting, they seemed to communicate just as well through their desire. He was learning more about her life, but as she kissed him, he was exploring her heart and soul.
She slipped her hand around his nape as he deepened the kiss, his tongue delving into the warmth of her mouth. She tasted like red wine and hidden need and Dermot wondered how far he could go before she stopped him. He didnt want to take advantage and he knew shed been alone on the farm for a long time.
His hands spanned her waist and he pulled her closer, anxious to feel her body against his. Rachel seemed just as anxious to touch him and she began to unbutton his shirt. When shed pushed the fabric aside, she pressed a kiss to the center of his chest.
For a long moment, she didnt move, and Dermot was sure she was going to call an end to the seduction. But then she looked up at him with wide eyes. Take me to bed, she said. Right now.
Dermot sucked in a sharp breath, not sure that hed heard her right. What?
Dont make me say it again, because Im not sure Ill be able to.
A-all right.
And dont ask if Im sure, because I wouldnt have said it if I wasnt.
Your place or mine?
Mine, she said. She stood and held out her hand, and when he took it, Dermot followed her back inside. She led him up the stairs to a spacious bedroom decorated in blue and yellow. The windows were open and lace curtains fluttered with the evening breeze.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and Dermot sat beside her. He grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips, pressing a kiss to her wrist. He felt nervous, wondering just how he ought to approach her. Reaching out, he cupped her chin in his hand and brought her gaze to his.
A soft sigh escaped her lips and then she smiled. He felt his nerves ease a bit, and when he kissed her, she surrendered without hesitation. As they fell back onto the bed, he realized that none of the women hed bedded in the past had meant anything. And yet, this sweet, sexy farm girl had captured his desire in less than a day.
Bewitched, he murmured, his lips brushing hers.
What?
Dermot drew back. Im Irish. We believe in all sorts of magical creatures. And I do believe youve bewitched me, Rachel Howe.
Theres no magic at work here, she said. Hooking her fingers through his, she drew his hand to her breast, then pressed it against the soft warmth of her flesh. She wasnt wearing a bra and the thin cotton of her summer dress barely hid what was beneath.
With a soft growl, Dermot stretched out beside her. How long has it been for you? he asked.
Too long, she said. What about you?
I think Ive been waiting for you my whole life, he said. Hed always known what to say to seduce a woman. But with Rachel, he didnt want to hand her some cheesy line. He wanted to be completely honest. Actually, Im a little nervous.
You are? She crawled on top of him and kissed him, lingering over his mouth and tracing the crease of his lips with her tongue. Well just go very slowly.
She leaned forward and the front of her dress gaped, giving him a perfect view of her breasts. That sounds like a good idea. I think maybe I should start with your neck. He pressed his lips to the spot below her ear.
Hed never had so much fun kissing a woman as he did kissing Rachel. They laughed and whispered and rolled around on the bed until they found a comfortable spot, their arms wrapped around each other. But suddenly, she sat up and wrinkled her nose.
Do you smell something burn She groaned. I left the pie in the oven
And I turned the oven on to bake the potatoes, he said.