New Beginnings at the Farm on Muddypuddle Lane: a perfect romantic comedy by Etti Summers

Author:Etti Summers [Summers, Etti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

‘Hi,’ Otto said when he opened the door, and as he did so Dulcie handed him the flowers.

‘These are for you,’ she explained, feeling embarrassed and apologetic. ‘I didn’t have any wine, and I couldn’t come empty-handed.’

‘That’s very thoughtful,’ he said, taking them from her and burying his nose in the petals.

Dulcie’s nose was far more concerned with the mouth-watering aroma of onions and garlic. And was that roast chicken she could smell? Her tummy rumbled loudly and she winced, hoping he hadn’t heard.

‘I brought some eggs, too,’ she said. She had wrapped them in a tea towel, and she passed it to him. ‘I’m getting a bit fed up of eggs,’ she admitted. ‘I feel I should use them, but I’ve run out of ideas of what to do with them. I suppose I could do some baking, but I’ve not got the time and neither am I very good at it.’ She halted abruptly, realising that she was wittering. Not only that, she sounded as though she was dropping great big hints.

‘I can give you a few ideas, if you like,’ Otto offered.

‘He’s full of them,’ a voice called from inside the cottage.

Otto grimaced. ‘Sorry, where are my manners? Please, come in. I hope you like chicken? I forgot to ask if you’re vegetarian.’ He looked worried, as he caught his bottom lip between his teeth.

Dulcie’s attention was drawn to his mouth, and she hastily dragged it away. ‘I love chicken,’ she enthused as he gestured for her to walk ahead of him, but disappointment bit her sharply on the backside when she realised they weren’t to dine alone. An elderly gentleman was sitting in an armchair and peering at her over the top of his glasses.

‘This is my dad, Walter. Dad, this is Dulcie. I’ll put these in water,’ Otto said, jerking his chin at the flowers. He had a nice chin…to go with his nice mouth.

Gah! What was wrong with her? She was here for a meal, nothing more. Clearly.

‘So, you’re the girl who won the farm,’ Walter said.

Dulcie nodded and made a face, unsure what to say. She had a feeling there was more to raffling off the farm than she knew. She had asked Petra outright, but her neighbour hadn’t given her an answer and Dulcie realised that she had deftly changed the subject, turning the conversation away from the farm and onto Otto himself.

‘I trust you’ll take good care of it.’ Walter scowled at her.

‘She will, Dad.’ Otto had appeared in the doorway. ‘Sit down Dulcie, you’re making the place look untidy. Can I get you something to drink? Wine?’

‘Wine would be lovely.’

‘Will white be okay? It’ll go better with the chicken.’

‘Thanks.’

He went back into the kitchen, leaving Dulcie to smile awkwardly at his father.

‘I used to have sheep. And chooks.’ Walter was staring into the unlit fireplace with a wistful expression. She guessed him to be in his mid-seventies, and he looked frail and careworn, despite a weather-beaten face and rough calloused hands.

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