Page 71 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘It’s great,’ she replied. ‘It really sets the scene, doesn’t it?’

The sun shone down on the water, lighting up the turquoise dragonflies as they flitted around the edge. Water lilies like pink and crimson bowls floated across the water, and on the other side, a group of sparrows were taking a bath in the shallows.

Flora turned around from the incredible view to find Nico laying out a rug and placing a couple of glasses and a chilled bottle of wine on top. She laughed. ‘Since when did we plan to have a picnic?’ she asked.

‘When I decided to,’ he told her. ‘And why not? It’s a beautiful evening with a beautiful view. And I’m spending it with a beautiful woman.’

Flora blushed and almost tripped over her feet as she went to sit down on the rug.

As he poured out a glass of wine, she checked her phone. ‘Do you think the campers will be okay?’ she asked, glancing up the hill, but they were totally hidden from sight and she couldn’t see anyone else.

‘They’ll be fine,’ he told her. ‘Grams has said she will call us if there’s any problems, but there won’t be. Just relax.’

She sighed. ‘I guess I’ve been keeping busy for so long, trying so hard to keep everything going, that I’ve never had time for myself. Now I’m not even sure I know how to relax.’

He put down the glass of wine in front of her and held her still by the shoulders, the warmth of his hands seeping into her skin. ‘There,’ he said softly. ‘You’ve stopped.’

She smiled at him, locked eyes with his. ‘Thanks. I guess I have.’

He handed her the glass of wine and they clinked their glasses. ‘Salute,’ he said.

‘Cheers,’ she replied. She leant back on her elbow and let the surroundings ease the tension in her shoulders.

He raised his face to the sun and for a moment she was able to study his handsome features. His skin was already turning golden now that the days had grown sunnier.

He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at her, causing her to take a large swig of wine to stop him thinking that she had been studying him.

‘This deck is brilliant,’ she said, looking across the intricately interlocked pieces of wood.

‘I was lucky enough to inherit my carpentry skills from Nonno,’ he told her. ‘I can carve as well.’

‘Really?’ she replied. ‘You’ll have to show me.’

‘It’s been many years since I last carved anything,’ he said.

‘Well, I picked up painting again after all this time,’ she reminded him.

‘You have a real skill. Was it always your dream job?’

She smiled to herself. ‘I guess it was. Then it was just keeping the farm afloat. Now? I guess I’m enjoying life and I want to continue with that.’ As she said the words, she realised it was true. ‘What about you? What was your dream?’

He gave a shrug of his wide shoulders. ‘It was only ever to work on the vineyard.’

‘What did you like about it?’ she asked, suddenly wanting to know.

‘Working with family,’ he replied. ‘Working on the land. Being outside. I’d hate to be stuck in an office all the time.’

‘Me too.’

‘Then it looks like we’ve both chosen the right path to follow this summer,’ he told her. He raised his glass once. ‘Here’s to taking a chance at the next crossroads.’

She smiled and raised her glass at him in return. She felt comfortable in his company these days. She had opened up to him in a way that she only did with her friends and Grams. And maybe not even that much with them either. They were becoming friends.

But as Flora drank her wine, right at that moment, the only thing that she wanted to take a chance on was becoming more than just friends with Nico. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?

42

Nico was feeling glad that he had persuaded Flora to head out with him that evening. Grams’ idea of a picnic by the pond was perfect.