Page 57 of The Farmer Has a Wife

Danni’s hackles rose. “I don’t want to sell. This is my home. My land. I like being tied to it.”

Hector let out a sharp breath. “Be realistic here. What happens when this marriage of yours ends? What happens when the Lady Eleanor moves on? You really think she’s going to stick around here for farm life? And when she goes, the money goes with her.”

“Things are going well with Eleanor,” Danni said, stiffening.

Hector looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “You’re actually serious about her?”

“Yes.” Danni met his gaze, daring him to argue with her.

He ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. “Alright, so you’re serious. But do you think that means anything? Really? You’re from two different worlds, Dan. She’s got money, connections, the whole nine yards. What could you possibly have in common?”

For a second, Danni clenched her jaw, breathing through her nose and reminding herself that this was her brother and she loved him and he loved her. “I know you think you’re looking out for me, but I don’t need your approval, Hec. Eleanor isn’t like that.”

“You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak,” Hector said, shaking his head.

Danni folded her arms. “So what? I should just give up because it’s not easy?”

“Alright,” Hector said with a heavy sigh. “If she means that much to you, why haven’t you brought her up to meet mum?”

Danni felt her stomach drop. “You know why.”

“No, I don’t,” said Hector, his voice rising. “You two haven’t spoken for months now, all because of one stupid argument.”

“It wasn’t just one argument.”

“She’s our mum, Danni,” Hector shot back. “At some point, youneed to grow up and realize that she’s all we’ve got now, and she’s not getting any younger.”

Danni said nothing, her jaw tight. She really didn’t want to have this conversation again.

Hector shook his head in frustration. “Fine, do what you want. But before I go…” He pulled a small notepad from his pocket, flipping it open. “I found the name of the investor.” He looked at her. “Stephan Marren.”

The name sent a jolt through Danni’s memory, but she couldn’t quite place it, even though she was sure that she’d heard it before and relatively recently too.

She sighed as she watched Hector climb back into his truck and drive off, brake lights vanishing into the distance. Why couldn’t people just trust her to make her own decisions?

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Danni drove into town to go to the bank. The Land Rover was vibrating and making a strange whirring noise. She’d need to get AA to come and take another look, she thought. And then she wondered just when she’d gotten so used to having Eleanor’s money around that she’d have thoughts like that.

The name Stephan Marren was still rattling around her brain, gnawing at her. She hated mysteries, especially ones that smelled like trouble.

She dropped off her checks at the bank and was about to hop back into the truck to head home when she spotted a familiar face sitting outside a cafe. She smiled, maybe here was her chance to get to know Eleanor’s circle a little better.

“Danni,” Elizabeth called, waving her over. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“I don’t just wrestle sheep,” Danni said, grinning. “I’m allowed to leave the farm every now and again.”

Elizabeth grinned back. “Join me for a coffee?”

Danni hesitated for only a second, then nodded. “I’ll run in and get one. Can I get you anything?”

“Nothing, I’m perfect,” Elizabeth said.

A couple of minutes later, Danni was back, pulling out a chair to sit in the warm sun.

“So,” Elizabeth said, smiling pleasantly. “How’s married life treating you, then?”

Danni took a sip of her coffee, buying herself a moment, then shrugged. “Can’t complain.”

“That’s a rather vague answer,” Elizabeth said, arching an eyebrow.

---