Dirty Daddies(77)

It’s going to take some careful thinking about first.

“You’ll sort something out,” I tell him and he smiles sadly.

“I’ll have to, I can’t work under those conditions, and I won’t.”

I nod.

He closes the newspaper as our beautiful girl brings us coffee, and the topic is officially closed.





Chapter Twenty-Five





Carrie



I hate seeing Michael so sad. I don’t understand all of it, but I know it’s bad, and I know it’s about work.

I also know how hard he tried to work with me when I was sitting across his desk every week. He’s good with people. He cares.

Even if that place is stuffy and snooty and no good for people like me.

I don’t think now’s the time to tell him that, so I keep my mouth shut and do what I can do, which is mainly make coffee.

He closes his newspaper and pulls me tight against him as I dish out the drinks, and it’s nice to feel him smile against my cheek.

“I’m sorry,” he says, “I don’t mean to seem miserable. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you.”

I nod. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, too.” I look over at Jack. “Both of you.”

I love how Michael’s arm feels around my waist. I love the smell of him in his suit.

He’s wearing the tie I bought him and it makes me feel proud.

“Did they say anything?” I ask. “About me, I mean? Did you get into trouble for helping me?”

“No, it’s all good,” he says and I’m relieved.

I’m glad I’m not going to cost him the job he loves, not yet anyway. But from the gist of their conversation, it seems as though it’s on the rocks regardless.

I’m sure I’m the only one in this room who wouldn’t think it a tragedy if he couldn’t do it anymore, but they don’t see what I see.

They don’t see the snooty looks as you walk through reception, or the way you’re so aware the clock is ticking every time you try to talk through something.

Being here, on this land, holds more value to anyone than that office ever will, but I don’t think Michael will see that right now.

“You came straight back,” I say to him. “Does that mean you’re staying for good now?”

“I don’t have my suits here,” he says and Jack answers before I do.

“Pack a case then,” he tells him.

“And move in?” Michael laughs, but Jack isn’t joking, and I’m not joking either as I nod.

“Please,” I say. “I want you with us. Provided it’s ok with Jack, of course.”

Michael shakes his head. “I think there’s a bit of a road ahead before we start talking plans like that.”

He waits for us to agree but we don’t.

Not me and not Jack.

Michael sighs into my neck. “Enough of my shitty day,” he says. “Tell me about yours.”

I do tell him. I tell him how the top paddock needed some serious fixes.. I tell him how I fixed it and how I’ll be done with all of the fences before the week’s out.

“Time for chickens then,” he says, and Jack smirks from across the table.

“She’ll need to build herself a hen house first.”

My heart soars at the thought. I can do it, I know I can. I just need some wood and nails and online videos.

“I’ll build it,” I say. “I’ll build the greatest hen house you’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t doubt it,” he says. “And when you have, we’ll get you some chickens to fill it with. We’ll go to Coleford poultry market and you can pick them out.”

“And then the sheep next,” Michael says and Jack raises an eyebrows.

“We’ll see how the chickens go first,” he says.

And I can’t stop smiling, even though I’m grinning my head off, because I know that the chickens are going to go really fucking fine.





Michael



Loving Carrie Wells is everything I thought it would be. More than I thought it would be.

Because the Carrie Wells who snapped and sneered at me every week in my office has transformed into a girl who’s everything I knew she could be.

Even more than I knew she could be.

I know I said packing my clothes and bringing them here would be way too soon, but here, in bed, with Carrie snuggled into my side and Jack pressed up against the back of her, it feels anything but soon.

It feels like all roads led here, even if I didn’t know it before it happened.

The whole town undoubtedly knows Carrie is here, even if they didn’t even know where here was before now.

Jack’s house will have been discussed and pointed out, questions raised over just what’s going on between the man they know makes a shit ton of money out of insurance, and the mouthy little gypsy girl they shake their head at in the street.