Page 37 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘Okay.’

She gave a start that he would agree to such a major decision so quickly. ‘Okay?’ she said. ‘As in…’

‘As in, let’s go for it,’ he told her with a shrug. ‘Listen, I trust you and we really don’t have the luxury of time if you want to maximise the short summer season. We’ll just have to jump right in with both feet. Just like you in that lake.’ He grinned at her.

She shot him a look. ‘Very funny,’ she muttered, blushing.

He looked serious once more. ‘I’ve been thinking. I’m going to tell your grandmother later about what happened with the vineyard,’ he said in a soft tone.

Flora was surprised. ‘Really?’

‘I don’t want any secrets between us,’ he replied. ‘And it’s the truth and can’t be changed, no matter how much I would like the outcome to have been different. Anyway, your grandmother deserves the truth, especially if I’m staying under her roof whilst the campsite gets up and running.’

She was grateful for his wanting to be honest with Grams and protecting her from any lies. ‘You should have told me about what happened sooner,’ said Flora. ‘I believed the worst in you.’

He nodded. ‘I’m just amazed I’ve told you any of it, to be honest.’

‘I saw the Ferrari and just thought that you…’ Her voice trailed off.

‘Were just as bad as my father?’ said Nico, finishing the sentence for her. He nodded. ‘I let you think it anyway.’

‘So that you could keep me at arms’ length?’ she guessed.

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’m sure you can understand why I don’t trust anyone.’

She nodded. She understood because she was exactly the same. ‘It’s a shame, though, that there was no one around to step up on your behalf to help save the vineyard,’ she told him, thinking of her friends in the village who had tried to help them find a way to save the farm, and now Nico was trying to do the same. ‘Listen, I don’t think you’re like your father. Look at what you’ve done for Grams. For the farm. And for me, I guess. I don’t even think of you as a smooth playboy any more.’

Nico laughed. ‘I don’t know whether to be pleased or upset about that!’ he joked. ‘Perhaps I’ve lost my touch.’

‘Maybe you’re done hiding behind that smooth exterior,’ she told him.

He looked at her, concern in his dark brown eyes. ‘What if nobody likes what’s underneath?’ he asked softly.

‘I do.’

She said it so quickly that they both gave a start in the silence that followed.

He looked at her with surprise on his face. ‘Are you being nice to me?’ he asked, with a smile.

‘Don’t get used to it,’ she muttered, heading back inside the tent to hide her blushes.

She was just being friendly, that was all, she told herself. To make up for being so cool to Nico in the beginning when she didn’t know the true story.

At least, that’s what she was hoping it was.

22

Before their trip to Scotland, Nico had wondered what had made Flora so level-headed and steady, so lacking in spontaneity. Now he understood that it was the weight of responsibility of taking care of the farm. He had a new-found sympathy for her and felt that he had understood her a little more.

At least, despite her initial reservations about the campsite, it felt as if they were finally moving forward.

And it was too late to turn back now, he thought, looking at the large piles of wood for the decking that had just been delivered and were now towering in one corner of the courtyard.

‘How much did you say you ordered?’ asked Ryan, who had promised to help Nico that morning.

‘Just enough, hopefully,’ said Nico. ‘Maybe I underestimated the amount we might need.’

‘Looks like you’ve got plenty,’ said Ethan.