Page 43 of The Geography of Happiness

I groaned.

“And two—” He hooked a thumb in Terry’s direction. “—does that look like a man who’s only interested in the workings of a woolshed?”

I stole a look at Terry who had given up watching Holden and was back studying... me. I swallowed hard. “Let it go, Gil,” I warned. “Seriously. It’s complicated for Terry. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

“I knew it!” Gil whisper-shouted with glee. “Fuck me, Spencer. Is there anyone in this fucking country whodoesn’t fall for your charms?”

“I can name quite a few,” I retorted, drilling him with a meaningful glare. “You, for one.”

“Yeah, well, I was a little... distracted at the time.” He glanced toward Holden who caught the look and blew him a kiss.“But I take your point about Terry.” Gil turned back to me. “It’s none of my business, and I won’t say a word, you know that. Although I have to say, he’s hardly your usual type.”

I rolled my eyes. “For the sake of my sanity, I’m not going to ask who you thinkismy usual type and just move on. Besides, there isNothing. Going. On. We simply hit it off when he brought Miller to the clinic. It’s not a crime to be friendly, Gil. Terry’s a nice guy.”

Gil gave me a look that let me know he wasn’t buying my bullshit for a second. “A nice guy with killer blue eyes.”

I groaned. “You’re such an arsehole.”

He grinned. “No argument there. But putting all that aside,” his tone turned serious. “I simply want the man to have an enjoyable day. He’s obviously stressed.”

Something I already knew. I thought of our proposed lunchtime meetup and decided Gil’s was a better idea, not that I’d tell him that. “Okay, I’ll ask.” I stabbed my finger into his chest. “But only because we had a tentative arrangement to meet for a chat today, anyway.”

It was Gil’s turn to look surprised. “Achat? Really? As in actual words?”

I flicked him on the forehead. “Jesus, you lot have no faith. I can do more than just take guys to bed, you know. Icanmake friends as well.”

Gil blinked but said nothing, clearly struggling not to laugh.

“Fuck you.” I gave Gil’s shoulder a forceful nudge with mine as I passed, but all he did was chuckle.

Terry’s response to my invitation was immediate. “Really? Are you sure? I’d love to.”

I couldn’t stop the grin that split my face from ear to ear at his obvious excitement. That was until I caught sight of Gil standing at the woolshed door, wearing a shit-eating grin. I glared at him to get lost. The man really was irritating as fuck.

“I’d have to be back here in time for Hannah,” Terry pointed out but I already had a solution for that.

“We should be done by three-ish, and if Zach and Hannah are in Oakwood today, then maybe Zach could stop by the clinic when they’re done?” I suggested. “That way Hannah could see Miller, and Zach could bring you both back.”

Terry beamed. “That’s a great idea. I’ll need to check it’s all right with Zach, of course, and just so we’re clear, I was less than useful on our own farm as a kid, so don’t go getting your expectations up that I can be of any help. My job as a kid was restricted to hosing down the milking shed, feeding out, and driving the machinery. I was definitelynotallowed to be in charge of the milking or have any close contact with the herd. According to my parents, the animals could smell my fear and trepidation. That about says it all.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Can you take notes and wield a clipboard?”

He stood a little straighter. “With the best.”

I grinned. “Then that’ll work just fine. I’ve got a spare pair of coveralls, but if you want anything from the cottage, I can stop by on the way out. I’ll just finish with these rams Holden wants me to take a look at, and then we’ll be off.”

“Can I come and watch?”

I hesitated. “We’ll be talking breeding programmes and performance. Hardly riveting conversation.”

His gaze remained steady on mine. “I think I’ll be the judge of that.”

I shrugged. “Don’t say you weren’t warned, and you have to promise to ask Holden lots and lots of questions.” I checked over my shoulder to make sure the man in question wasn’t standing right behind me. “God bless him, that manlovesto talk about his precious merinos, but if he’s busy with you, it’ll give me timeto examine the rams without him interrupting me every five seconds.”

Terry chuckled. “Is this the part where I earn my spot in your truck for the day?”

I shot him a wink. “Absolutely. We’ll head to McEldowney Station first and then on to Lane Station. And if you think Holden is singularly focused on his mob, wait until you meet Jules Lane and his father. Nowthere’san interesting family.”

Terry rubbed his hands together with obvious glee. “Colour me intrigued. I expect all the country gossip before we arrive.”

---