Page 18 of Ajax

I drive slowly, breathing a sigh of relief when I recognise Ajax’s truck.

Cookie waves as I pull up—he’s on the doorstep and studying me with a curious expression.

I walk over to him.

“Ivy? Are you okay?”

I nod. “I’m looking for Ajax. Do you know where he is?”

Cookie points toward a small house. “He lives there. He know you’re coming?”

“No. I just need to talk to him.”

He gives me a wary smile. “It’s been a crazy morning. He might be napping. Just hammer on the door extra hard, and if he doesn’t answer, you’re welcome to come back to the main house. I’ll be making lunch soon.”

“Thanks.”

I walk toward Ajax’s house, and take a deep breath before knocking.

Here goes nothing.

NINE

AJAX

Thud.Thud. Thud.

There’s a hammering in my head.

I haven’t had anything to drink, but I did fall asleep on the couch.

This morning was tough. Milking the cows went well, but afterward I discovered some of my sheep had gone through a break in the fence and got themselves into Cookie’s vegetable garden.

He went nuts, and I had to get the sheep back into their own paddock and fix the fence.

All before morning tea time.

After having a coffee and stealing a couple of Cookie’s sausage rolls—I was the last person he wanted to feed—I came back to my cabin, laid down on the couch, and promptly fell asleep.

So this banging in my head makes no sense.

It takes a moment to click that there’s someone at the door.

Oh, shit.

That fence should have held. I swear, if the sheep are back in Cookie’s garden again, he might just kill me.

I groan and push myself off the couch, and head toward the door.

With a yawn and a scratch of my neck, I use my free hand to pull open the door.

“Ivy?”

She storms past me, her long, dark hair swaying. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her with it down before, but I like it.

She’s never been on the farm as far as I know—let alone in my cabin. And she’s glorious in her anger—whatever the cause.

She turns, clutching at her head with her hands.

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