Page 33 of Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow
We started to head back to the farmhouse as twilight crept over the farm, the sky above us turning a pretty indigo blue that reminded me unwittingly of the river behind the pub where Dylan and I had kissed last night.
Dad slung an arm around my shoulders and I leaned into him. ‘We are going to all pitch in and help from now on, I promise. This isn’t all on you. I’m sorry if I made you feel like it was. Sabrina wants to help too; she said she had an idea and took off in a hurry. She’s always been a whirlwind, that one.’
I smiled. ‘That’s true. Thanks, Dad. I could use all the help I can get.’
‘You have Dylan to help too,’ Dad said, startling me. It was as if he could read my mind or something.
‘I don’t know. He wants us to sell. I know he has helped but he doesn’t want it to work out really, does he?’
‘Well, if anyone can change his mind, it’s you, love. And the way Dylan was talking over lunch… He seemed impressed with all you achieved over the weekend; it sounds like it was a good idea to go away. How did you get on with him?’ Dad asked me as we walked inside and started to remove our muddy wellies and coats.
‘Um…’
‘I was a bit worried as you’ve clashed so much but I also wondered if?—’
‘Don’t say it,’ I cut Dad off as he gave me a twinkling look. ‘We’re not you and Mum,’ I snapped. ‘Sorry,’ I quickly added because I knew that had been too harsh. ‘I just mean, Dylan is way too different to me. And he’s only here for a few weeks. I can’t get distracted. And I definitely don’t want to get hurt.’
Dad followed me through into the kitchen. ‘So, you got on well then? If you’re thinking about the possibility of being hurt when he leaves…’ He was smiling now and I rolled my eyes. ‘I just see something when he looks at you, that’s all. And I know you’ve been lonely sometimes. Even if you never tell me that or try not to show it. All I’m saying is don’t shut yourself off because you’re already thinking about the end.’
I watched him go over to switch the kettle on. I wondered if he still would have chosen to marry my mum if he had known that she would leave him so early. But I realised I already knew the answer. And if I had the choice of their love even for a short time, knowing me, I would make exactly the same choice.
But what was between Dylan and me was nothing like my parents, I knew.
26
I was up before it was light for the beginning of a new week, and the last full one before the start of October and the deadline I’d set to open up the pumpkin patch. I had a steamy shower to wake myself up along with a large cup of coffee before I headed out with Maple to give us a both a walk and to get ahead on as many chores as I possibly could. The sky gradually grew lighter with every passing minute. Then the farmhouse lights all switched on and the smell of cooking drew my attention as I fed the chickens but I stopped in surprise at the sound of a car driving through the gate.
‘Who’s that at this early time?’ I said to Maple, who gave a curious bark as we watched the car come up the drive, passing the birch trees which stood still and calm this morning, the promise of a crisp, sunny day ahead. The sky above was turning the same golden colour as their leaves. Then I recognised the car and lifted my hand in a wave. ‘This is a nice surprise,’ I called out as I walked towards Sabrina, who parked outside the farmhouse.
Sabrina jumped out of her car and smiled. ‘I couldn’t wait; I decided to come on the way to drop Dottie at my mother’s before work,’ she said, holding out her arms.
I stepped into her hug. ‘Is anything wrong?’
‘I have something for you,’ she said, excitedly, letting go of me and heading around her car. I peeped inside and gave Dottie a wave and was rewarded with a cute smile. I heard a noise behind me and saw that Maple had rushed off when she spotted Dylan strolling over from his cottage, dressed in warm clothes like me.
‘Hey, girl,’ Dylan greeted Maple with a big smile and pat before his eyes caught mine. ‘Morning, Willow.’
‘Sabrina has something for me,’ I said as he came over, Maple following adoringly by his side. She really had taken to him. We both watched as Sabrina started to lift something large out of her boot.
‘Need a hand?’ Dylan asked quickly, stepping past me to help her get whatever it was out.
‘Oh, thank you, it’s a bit tricky,’ Sabrina said gratefully. ‘I’ve worked on it all weekend; I really hope you like it,’ she said to me as together, they took it out and propped it up on the ground in front of them. ‘I thought it could go next to the sign for the farm so people know the pumpkin patch is here.’
It was a wooden sign with painted lettering and pictures on it. I moved closer and realised what my best friend had done.
‘Sabrina! Oh, wow, it’s amazing,’ I said as I read the words Pumpkin Hollow she had painted in orange on the sign. There were pumpkins and birch leaves in a border all around the letters as well. ‘You are so talented.’ I remembered how good she’d been at art while we were at school and I knew she still did lots of crafting and painting with the kids she taught, but this was next level.
‘I didn’t want you to have to pay out for a sign to be made when I could do it. If you really like it?’
‘I don’t like it, I love it!’
‘It’s brilliant,’ Dylan agreed, smiling over at me.
‘It’s perfect. I’ll put it up just inside the gate, I think. Wow, Sabrina, I’m so grateful.’
‘I’ve been feeling so bad about how I first reacted to your idea.’ She looked over at the field we were turning into our autumn experience. ‘I am desperate for you guys to stay in Birchbrook; I want to do all I can to help.’ She eyed Dylan next to her. ‘Sorry, Dylan.’
‘Don’t ever apologise for being there for Willow. I’ll put it over here and then we can fix it up later,’ he said, carrying the sign by himself over to prop it up against one of the birch trees, which matched the sign perfectly.
