Read Escape to the Country for Free Online

fence so
didn't feel so vulnerable to trampling and had remembered that cows
are vegetarians. They were still huge though. The tractor driver
stroked their necks and scratched the top of their heads which the
cows seemed to enjoy. She took his word for the fact that they'd let
her do the same if she tried it. He was right, they did look a bit as
though they were wearing scruffy white belts.
    "So, Jayne Tilbury is your aunt?" he asked.
    "Yes."
    Were they all psychic in the country? She could handle Jayne knowing
more about her than Leah ever said, but it was a bit freaky when a
total stranger seemed to have the same ability. He'd known where she
was going too. Maybe he'd seen her car in Jayne's yard, but that
didn't explain about him guessing their relationship.
    "Don't look like that," he said.
    "Like what?"
    "As though I'm either a psychic or a crazy stalker. I saw you
driving to her smallholding, you're out with her dog and you've
borrowed her wellies."
    Not a mind reader then, just a face reader. Maybe she'd better stop
looking at those full lips of his and wondering what they'd feel like
to kiss.
    "I'm staying with her for a while. A short break, you know?"
    "A break from what?"
    "London, work, stuff like that." She'd better keep it
simple.
    "Maybe I'll see you around then?" he said.
    "It's quite possible."
    Her heart was beating faster and not just because they were walking
uphill. She was surprised to see they'd already reached the stile.
    "Yes, well thanks again for your help."
    "My pleasure." He definitely looked like he meant that.
    Despite her feet which were starting to get sore, she could feel a
smile on her face as she walked back. She glanced at her watch, she'd
spent half an hour in his company. They hadn't said much; darn it,
she hadn't even thought to ask his name! It hadn't been the same as
an awkward silence at home though, where she was afraid to speak for
fear of saying the wrong thing and starting a row. She'd definitely
like to spend more time talking, or otherwise, with him.
    She didn't know why she was getting in such a state about him. He was
good looking enough, but no more so than Adam. He'd pulled her out of
some mud, not saved her life or reputation. It was her idea of a
romantic rescue though and what girl wouldn't want to be picked up
and whisked away from her problems. That's what she'd wanted from
Adam when she'd had her world shattered by her boss accusing her of
dishonesty. She'd wanted him to wade in and protest that of course
she was innocent, make a fuss, demand an apology from her accusers
and then take her away. Ride off into the sunset she supposed. She
was hardly being fair. Adam had his own career and reputation to
think of and he'd never been the romantic type.
    "Get what you wanted?" Jayne asked as Leah let herself and
Tarragon back into the yard.
    "I think so. I never made it to the shop though."
    "Oh? Sounds as though I'd better put the kettle on for this
one."
    "And cut a slice of cake. I've had an adventure!"
    "Well, tell me," Jayne demanded as soon as she'd poured the
tea.
    "I've been swept off my feet!"
    "What? By a man do you mean, or knocked over by a gust of wind?"
    "Both, well I didn't fall over, but he had to rescue me. Jayne,
I'm afraid I rather flirted with the dishy tractor driver you told me
about. I think it was a sort of reaction to Adam as honestly I'm not
usually like that, but he really was gorgeous and he picked me up
just as though I was as light as you seem to think I am and he's got
such lovely big brown eyes and..."
    "Hang on a minute... Dishy tractor driver?"
    "You told me about him and I have to admit you were right."
    "Sam Cartwright is the estate's tractor driver," Jayne said
slowly, in the same patient voice she'd used to explain things to ten
year old Leah during school holidays.
    "Well, Sam Cartwright is a dish."
    "If you like 67 year old men with faded red beards, then I
agree."
    "What?" Leah looked at the puzzled expression on Jayne's
face. "Oh,