Page 60 of Finding Home in Hartfell
‘It’s goin’ now.’ Jim beamed at Pippa. ‘Well done, lass. Thanks for your ’elp.’
‘Brilliant. You did great, Pippa.’ Gil’s grin was huge as he continued the surgery, and she felt the shared triumph dart between them, the two lives he’d saved. ‘Jim, see if you can fold the front legs underneath, sit it on its chest. It’ll help relieve the pressure on its lungs.’
Pippa was still on her knees, awed by the sight of new life. The calf was a beautiful grey and white, a pretty face emerging as it came to, covered in straw and wriggling. Jim helped her fold it into the position Gil had suggested.
‘A bonny heifer. Grand, that’ll do.’
Once Gil had finished with the cow, a neat row of stiches running down her flank and covered in silver spray to aid healing and prevent infection, Pippa was still lost in wonder when they’d reloaded his car and were heading back through the darkness. She didn’t need to ask what might have happened if he hadn’t been there. It was clear the calf would have died and possibly the new mother they’d left nuzzling her baby along with it, the calf already standing on wobbly and uncertain legs as the heifer’s hormones and mothering instinct kicked straight in.
He’d been quick and calm, and his skill and professionalism had been very reassuring. She hadn’t doubted him for a second. If he hadn’t been able to save the calf, then she didn’t believe anyone else could have done. ‘You were amazing.’
‘Not really.’ Gil glanced at her, both hands firm on the steering wheel. ‘It’s what I trained to do.’
‘Because you love it.’
‘Yeah, I do.’ His laugh was quick, as though he’d surprised himself with the admission.
She hadn’t missed his elation when he’d hauled the calf out, the wide grin when it took that first, vital breath and he knew his efforts had made all the difference. She couldn’t picture him in some city surgery, even though he loved companion animals too. Here was where he thrived, this landscape, its people and its traditions were what he loved. Seeing him at work tonight had somehow removed the prism through which she’d viewed him, and now she was beginning to understand the way of life he’d chosen.
Back in the yard at the farm, Gil opened the door of the Land Rover to let Lola out and Pippa lifted Maud down. The dogs bounded off into the garden and the look he gave her as they reached the terrace was a long one. ‘I’m going to take a shower.’
‘Please hurry up.’ She was aware of him watching as she pulled her jumper off. ‘I’m going to try out my birthday present.’
‘I won’t be long.’ His voice was low as he reluctantly backed away and called the dogs.
She threw him a smile as she went to the hot tub and unwrapped the bow, tugging it loose. She was ready to melt when she dipped a hand into gorgeously inviting water that had been warming all day, soft lights illuminating the bubbles when she hit a switch. She undressed, trying to subdue the impatience of waiting for his return and climbed into the tub, sighing at the blissful warmth enveloping her as she eased into the water.
Even skimpy pink lace felt cumbersome, and she took a deep breath as bubbles fizzed and popped around her. Dare she? She unfastened her bra and slid it off, the water already more sensual and tingling against her bare skin. She flung the bra away, immediately overcome by a rush of doubt.
What was she doing, practically naked in the hot tub and waiting for him to appear? And what had happened to her rules – dating someone and getting to know them before she was ready to take another step? She leant over the side, trying to spy her bra and debating if she ought to go back for it. But the door opened, and light was spilling from the kitchen as Gil walked out, barefoot in jeans. Pippa slid down and folded her arms, every sense utterly tuned into his approaching presence. Rock and roll, Pippa, she told herself wildly. Bugger the rules.
‘I think your birthday present was a genius idea. Especially with you in it,’ he said softly. ‘Room for another one?’
‘What took you so long,’ she whispered.
Her pulse was racing as he quickly unfastened his jeans, removing them to reveal a pair of tight, black shorts. Her body felt both soothed by the water and electrified by Gil as he stepped into the tub. He settled opposite her, mouth half quirked in a lazy smile, and she couldn’t wait a minute longer. She unfolded her arms, and it was all the invitation he needed as he shifted across the tub and gathered her against him, trailing featherlight kisses over her face until she was whimpering, head tilted back when his lips found her jaw. He teased his way to her mouth as her hands darted to his neck, pulling him closer and desperate to end the torment of longing for their first kiss.
His chest was hard against her breasts, and it was Pippa’s mouth that found his first, hands tangled in his hair to hold him against her. It was a powerful, drugging kiss like no other she’d experienced, and every nerve ending was tingling in response to Gil’s touch. Stubble was rough against her face and all that mattered in this moment was continuing the conversation their bodies had begun.
‘I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you. Standing in my bedroom door that morning, all cross and utterly gorgeous in those pyjamas. I knew right away I was in trouble.’ He dipped his head to rush out ragged words against her ear, one firm hand holding her. ‘Pippa, are you quite sure? This is going to make everything so much more complicated.’
‘Certain.’ No other word could be enough. She slid his hands to her hips, easing his thumbs beneath the pink lace and felt him smile. ‘I’m finding out how much fun it is to be more rock and roll.’
Chapter Twenty-One
In the morning, they sat in the garden with a late breakfast and the dogs, dew sparkling on the long, damp grass. Amongst the startling new contentment in Gil’s company and the long-anticipated swerve in their relationship, Pippa was dreading the week ahead. Elaine was home now that her dad was settled back in his own and recovering well with support, and Pippa had a serious decision to make. She couldn’t bear to think of leaving Gil and Hartfell, returning to London and acting on the instructions the land agent was impatient to receive; instructions that would irrevocably change Gil’s life. She was finding it more impossible by the moment to balance the guilt at the choice she had to make.
Last night they’d shared his room and she’d fallen asleep with him curled into her, holding her gently. He’d woken first and when she’d opened her eyes to find him smiling and teasing her with good morning kisses, she’d known in that moment her heart was his. It was a truth she was terrified of revealing yet, and leaving his bed had been an effort they eventually couldn’t ignore when the dogs needed to go out. They’d been banished to the kitchen after a minor battle on the landing, and this morning Gil had run down first, returning with coffee.
‘So when’s Harriet home?’
‘Sunday.’ Pippa was happy to be distracted from her thoughts as she smiled at him, thinking of the words he’d murmured last night and how they’d made love with such incredible passion and tenderness.
She tried not to search for signs that he’d used their attraction to confuse her, to keep her in Hartfell until he could raise the funds to buy her dad out. But there was nothing of that in Gil’s eyes. He had that same lazy contentment she did, and she couldn’t resist reaching over to kiss him. He pulled her in close, the garden chair awkward between them. She knew he felt it too, this crazy complication in their lives that right now felt perfect and utterly blissful.
‘My friend Cassie is bringing her home, with her daughter too, who is Harriet’s best friend.’ Pippa was taken aback to realise how naturally she’d also used the term ‘home’. ‘I hope you don’t mind, they’re staying overnight before they go on to Cassie’s in-laws.’
They had four days alone before then, and once Harriet returned, Pippa knew they would have to be very careful. Her daughter might be loved up with Alfie and distracted by Dorothy’s farm, but it wouldn’t take much for her to realise that the thaw between her mum and Gil had heated some more. Cassie was another story altogether. She knew Pippa far too well to have the wool pulled over her eyes.
