Page 94 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

He missed her. He missed kissing her. He wanted her like he’d never wanted anyone or anything before. It was love, that much he knew.

But she was seeing someone else, had had a couple more dates with Tyler.

‘You know, we could always push him into the lake if you like.’

Nico spun around to find Ethan next to him. He hadn’t even heard him arrive.

‘I mean, the guy is built like a barn, but between us we could probably find a way,’ carried on Ethan. ‘Maybe we could use the tractor.’

Nico sighed and shook his head. ‘She’s happy.’

‘With that guy?’ Ethan made a face. ‘I don’t think so. And there was me thinking that you knew women.’

‘I’m not sure I know anything any more,’ said Nico.

‘So stay on for the autumn and learn something,’ Ethan told him softly.

Nico shook his head. ‘I’ve outstayed my welcome as it is.’

‘I think all that sun has gone to your head,’ said Ethan, rolling his eyes.

But Nico knew that it wasn’t the sun, nor the glorious countryside, or even the sweet smell of lavender still wafting over from the nearby field. It was Flora.

But at least he had got one thing right, he thought, watching Tyson kick a football around with Ryan and Joe. The teenager had flourished. Nico found himself wishing that he could take Ethan up on his offer and stay on. He’d like to see Tyson progress and perhaps help some other troubled young teenagers by showing them life on the farm. Maybe even starting some kind of machine workshop.

But he had to leave. The campsite would close at the end of the season and then what would he do?

‘There’s our gorgeous girl,’ said Ethan, smiling at someone behind Nico’s shoulder.

He spun around with hope in his heart, but it was Grams not Flora.

She reached up to pat Ethan on the cheek. ‘Dear boy,’ she said, with a wink. ‘This purple dress does suit me, doesn’t it? Now, be a dear heart and find me a drink, would you? I need a quiet chat with our Nico.’

Ethan nodded and walked away, leaving Nico warmed by her turn of phrase. ‘Our Nico.’ He belonged somewhere again. He was part of a family, of a community, and it had healed him. He could trust again, trust other men like Ethan, Ryan and Joe with his thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams. He could trust strangers because not everyone was like his father, he had discovered. He could even trust women – and one in particular.

‘It’s a great party,’ said Nico.

Grams nodded. ‘It always is when friends and family get together.’ She turned to look at him. ‘But you know that already.’

‘Of course,’ said Nico. ‘It’s been one of the best summers of my life.’

It was true, he realised. He had relaxed, worked hard and discovered things about himself that he had never known or wanted to admit.

‘You’ve done wonders,’ said Grams. ‘We’d never have survived without your investment. Hopefully, we’ll make a profit too each year going forward. Strawberry Hill Farm is safe at last.’

‘I hope so,’ he told her. ‘But, for the record, it was never about the money.’

‘So why did you invest in us?’ Her eyes twinkled as if she already knew the answer.

‘A mixture of reasons,’ he replied. ‘Most of them about you and Flora.’

She smiled and reached out to squeeze his hand with hers. ‘I’m sorry that we can’t persuade you to stay with us.’

‘I guess I need to stand on my own two feet at last,’ he told her.

‘You can do that here, can’t you? You have done so far anyway.’

‘I know,’ he replied. ‘It’s complicated.’