Page 58 of The Farmer Has a Wife

“And a rather nosy question,” Danni pointed out.

Elizabeth laughed. “Fair enough. I just wanted to make sure my best friend isn’t being led astray, that’s all.”

“You think I’m some kind of troublemaker?” Danni asked, crossing her legs at the ankles and letting the sun stroke her face.

“I think that Eleanor doesn’t usually take risks,” said Elizabeth, watching her closely. “And you are a risk.”

Letting out a slow breath, Danni nodded. “I get what you’re doing. I’d be doing the same if it was my best friend. You’re protecting Eleanor and I respect that. But you don’t need to worry.” She swallowed and looked at the lawyer. “I, um, care about her.”

“That’s quite a departure from how all this started,” said Elizabeth, still studying her.

“Life’s full of surprises,” shrugged Danni.

“That it is.” Elizabeth was smiling in a way that suggested to Danni that this outcome wasn’t entirely unexpected for her. “And your agreement?”

Danni met her gaze. “Why does that have to change anything?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Alright, understood. And for what it’s worth.” She cleared her throat. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think I’ve seen Eleanor so happy in… well, ever, I suppose.”

“Thank you,” said Danni quietly. She stirred her coffee and decided that a change of subject was probably in order. “Have you ever heard the name Stephan Marren?” she asked.

Elizabeth’s expression shifted immediately, her body goingstill. “Where did you hear that name?”

“Hector,” Danni said. “He found out that’s who’s been trying to buy up all the property around here. I know I’ve heard the name, I just can’t remember where.”

Elizabeth let out a breath. “Stephan Marren is Eleanor’s great-uncle.”

Danni blinked. “What? Her uncle? That makes no sense at all. Why would her own family want to buy out the house that’s already in the family? And what would they want with my farm?”

Elizabeth shook her head, face stormy. “Not a clue. But I’m going to find out.”

Danni sat back, head spinning, not really understanding what was happening.

“Leave it with me,” said Elizabeth, patting her leg. “I’ll take a look into all this and get some answers.”

But Danni wasn’t so sure that she shouldn’t start protecting herself rather than relying on someone else to do it. And protecting Eleanor too, of course.

DRIVING HOME, DANNI kept one hand on the wheel, the other drumming against her thigh as she thought. Something wasn’t adding up here. Why would Eleanor’s great-uncle be making secretive deals behind her back? It was obvious that Eleanor had no idea who the investor was, otherwise she’d have mentioned it, wouldn’t she? Unless this was all part of a huge scam to make her sell her farm. But that didn’t add up either.

No, she was almost certain that Eleanor knew nothing about this.

She thought about the house, how much it meant to Eleanor, how much she’d sacrificed to keep it. And now someone in her own family was trying to take it from her?

She knew now where she’d heard the name before. Stephan Marren had been pointed out to her at the country club party. The wanker in the kilt. What had Eleanor said about him? Something about her grandmother’s sister having bad taste inyounger men. And she’d mentioned bankruptcy, too.

Danni’s hand tightened on the wheel. Whatever it was that was going on, Eleanor needed to know about it. And Danni would be damned if she was going to keep anything from her, especially when it came to something as important as Eleanor’s home.

By the time she pulled into the farm, the evening was starting to turn the light faded and orange. She climbed out of the Land Rover, stretched her back, and made her way inside, feeling an unexpected rush of comfort at the sight of Eleanor setting the kitchen table.

“Long day?” Eleanor asked, glancing up and smiling as Danni came in.

“You have no idea,” Danni muttered, bending over to pull off her boots.

The scent of roasted chicken and rosemary filled the air, making Danni’s mouth water. “Dinner won’t be long, if you’re ready for it?” Eleanor asked.

A slow smile crept across Danni’s face. “You know, sometimes you’re almost as convincing as a real wife.”

For a moment, Eleanor smiled at her across the table. “You know, sometimes I feel like a real wife.”

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