Page 33 of For My Finale
Blossom leaned on the farm gate, one foot on the bottom bar, watching as Lilah carefully closed the farmhouse door and picked her way across the farmyard.
“She’s quite a good actress,” she said to George, who was leaning on the gate next to her.
“Happen she could have acted a bit more as a farmer, then,” he grunted.
“Mmm. Looks like this isn’t her calling,” Blossom said, as Lilah joined them.
“She’s bloody useless,” said George.
“Hey, I’m standing right here, you know,” said Lilah indignantly.
“I’m off to find my sheep,” said George, pushing himself off the gate.
Blossom waited until he was gone, surveying Lilah. Lilah’s normally sleek hair was coming loose from its bun. There was a highly suspect streak of something on her cheek. And the smell of manure was somewhat overpowering.
“What happened?” Blossom asked, struggling to keep her expression neutral.
“It’s a long story,” Lilah said.
“Mmm. George called it a shit-show. I wouldn’t mind hearing your version.”
Lilah groaned and rubbed her forehead. “Look, you asked if I liked animals, so I thought this would be a good fit.”
“You said you loved animals and they loved you,” Blossom pointed out.
“Dogs,” Lilah said, looking at her. “I like dogs, Blossom.”
Blossom stared at her, then shook her head. “We don’t farm dogs in this country. And you could have mentioned that.”
Lilah rolled her eyes. “Well, excuse me for not specifying that my affections don’t extend to woolly monsters with dead eyes.
“Sheep?” Blossom asked, determined not to laugh at her.
“The damn things don’t listen,” Lilah complained. “They don’t move where you want them to, and one of them almost took me out at the knees.”
Blossom sniffed, then wished that she hadn’t. “And the, um, manure situation?”
“I tripped.”
“Into—”
“Into a lot of it, okay?” Lilah said.
Blossom finally let out a snort of laughter before she could stop herself. Lilah glared at her. “Come on,” Blossom said. “Let’s get you home before you traumatize any more farm animals.”
They walked side by side down the winding lane that led back home, insects buzzing and the sun warm on their shoulders. For a while, neither of them spoke. Blossom had another moment where she couldn’t believe she was actually walking next to Lilah Paxton. Then she sniffed again and sort of wished that she wasn’t walking quite so close.
Then, out of nowhere, Lilah said, “You should tell Ives about the cafe.”
Blossom stiffened. “What?”
“Well, if not Ives, then someone,” Lilah said. “You’re obviouslyworried about it.”
Blossom exhaled slowly. “You’ve guessed then.”
“Doesn’t take a genius,” said Lilah. “I’m guessing that something like that new franchise opening up could be enough to close you down, right?”
The words were just out there, just said like that, and couldn’t be taken back. Blossom nodded.
