Andie
Waking up without the meditation app proved far more straightforward than Andie expected. She no longer wanted to fling her phone across the room. Instead, a simple alarm did the job far better—and she’d stopped dreaming about cults.
A definite added bonus.
“You ready, Rup?” Andie peered down at her wagging Airedale. “Long day in the fields for us. Well, the tunnels.”
Rupert danced around in the kitchen while Andie chugged down the last of her coffee. They hadn’t seen Doc that morning. She hoped words had started flowing for him.
August and September were often the busiest times of year for Andie, so she’d brought in a couple of the local teenagers who’d helped her the last few summers. They worked for a couple of hours each, staggered times to keep all of them safe.
It was better than nothing, though not as much help as she was used to. She usually had three or four of them working several hours every day during the summer. The pandemic had made life a little more complicated.
“It could always be worse, eh, Rups?” Rupert dashed over to her, leaning against her legs while she scratched the top of his head. “At least I have you all the time.”
And Doc.
Maybe he’ll stay this time around.
Her plans for the old paddock had begun to take shape. The entire old barn had been removed finally, and she’d built her shed with Doc’s help as well as getting the polytunnels up. Planting hadn’t begun, but she’d save that for later in the year.
The world continued to open up more and more. Her parents had talked about coming to visit. Andie cautioned them to wait a little longer. When it came to health, better to be safe than sorry, but she did miss them immeasurably.
Summer had kept her busy, thankfully. Maybe not quite as in previous years, but not enough to sink the farm. They would all persevere.
“How goes the berries?” Doc joined her in one of the polytunnels.
“How goes the writing?” Andie chuckled when he groaned loudly. “Sorry. Are we pretending you’re a farmhand today? You’ve forgotten your dungarees.”
“If I wanted harassment, I would’ve stayed on the group Zoom with my agent and editor. Vicious.” Doc plucked one of the strawberries and popped it into his mouth. “I’ve decided to scrap my idea and start fresh.”
“Nothing wrong with a fresh start.” Andie handed him an empty bucket. “Try to harvest more than you eat, please.”
“I would never.” Doc ate another one with a grin before focusing on helping rather than hindering. “Half and half, at least.”
They worked in a cheerful sort of silence for several hours. Andie put on a playlist of music—a mixture of both of their favourites while Rupert darted back and forth between them.
The romantic part of Andie’s heart, the dreamer in her soul, had always imagined moments like this. She’d fantasized about having someone to share the farm with. She’d never minded being alone, but there was always the hope of more.
A quiet dream Andie had never shared with anyone. And it had always been Doc who she imagined with her. It was everything she dreamt of.
And she was terrified it would end.
Several hours and many full baskets later, Andie had made more progress than anticipated. The extra hands really paid off. She hoped at some point to be able to bring in all of her usual summer helpers; the world being shut down had thrown a spanner in the works.
“When do these get picked up?”
Andie checked her watch. “I’ll drive them down to the little stand at the end of the lane now. Wayne from two farms over should be by shortly. They make all sorts of jams. Probably sell a good half of my berries to them through the year.”
“Why don’t I help you load them up?” Doc grabbed a couple of the baskets. “Is it hard running the farm alone?”
Andie risked a glance over at him. She tightened her hands around the basket handle. “Not alone now, am I?”
“No.” Doc followed her out of the tunnel toward where she’d parked her old tractor with a trailer attached for the baskets. “Not alone.”
Rupert, as always, broke up the slight awkwardness that descended. He darted between them, back and forth, in the hopes of a scratch or a treat. Andie laughed and sent him running after the ball she’d kept in her pocket for him.
“Want me to ride up with you?”
“I can manage.” Andie waved off the offer. She thought maybe they both needed a second to clear the tension. “Fancy a late lunch?”
“Why don’t I make us some sandwiches?” Doc strode quickly toward the house without waiting for an answer.
Andie crouched down when Rupert returned to her. She grabbed the ball and led him toward the tractor. “Up we get.”
Rupert had a space all his own on the tractor. Andie forced herself to take a few calming breaths. They were always dancing around each other—a few steps forward and then some more back.
“Ready, Rups?” She smiled when he wagged his tail. “I’m glad someone is feeling enthusiastic.”
August days were some of her favourites. Blue skies, fluffy white clouds. Green. Everything seemed bright and lush. Rain was usually limited during the summer.
It was perfect for farming. She often wore tank tops and shorts while outside. It just made for lovely, lazy days even while busy working.
Andie drove down to the end of the lane and parked beside the little stand. She followed Rupert down to the ground. “Want to carry some of these for me?”
Rupert spun around in a circle. Andie took that as a no. She pulled her gloves on and grabbed the first of the crates.
In no time at all, Andie had gotten the stack carefully sorted and ready for pick up. The ride back to the cottage went far too quickly. She wasn’t ready to face Doc yet.
All she hoped was that they weren’t going to ruin their chance at a fresh start.