Farmer Wants a Wife: Love and Friendship, Book 3 (2 page)

“Goodbye, Susan,” Nolan said.

“Goodbye.” Susan paused to yank the spike heels from the ground and padded to the edge of the gravel before slipping them on her feet. She replayed their conversation and came up with the conclusion.

She’d blown her speed date.

Nolan watched Susan retreat, intrigue warring with his need for retribution. His mother had to accept he was capable of choosing a wife. A thirty-year-old man wasn’t a kid, damn it. Aware of his loosening grip on his temper, he sucked in a breath, let it ease out and scanned his list of dates.

The next woman was one of his choosing and satisfaction brought a grim smile. Judging by her photo, she was an attractive blonde and her hobbies shadowed his interests. And the bonus—she’d grown up on a farm, so she’d know the ins and outs better than most of the girls his mother had chosen for this debacle.

His grandfather had suggested he refuse to participate in the reality show, but his grandmother, in her wise way, searched for the profits. If he played things right, businesses in their community might benefit. The film crew and the people involved in the project would bring spending power and maybe a few nosy visitors. This promotion was good for the town of Clare, and his grandmother had pointed out, he might have fun and make new friends along the way.

He thought fleetingly of Yvonne and her two kids. He already knew how to have fun…

Yeah, mind on the job
.

Whittling the group of twenty women down to eight wasn’t gonna be easy. Blast his mother for putting him in this position, entering him without seeking his permission.

“I know my son,” she’d said, her shoulders square and chin raised in the face of his fury. “You’ll make a good husband, but you won’t meet anyone if you insist on spending your time at the farm. You need to get out, meet suitable women.”

What she’d meant was she hadn’t approved of him spending time with a divorced woman, or another man’s children.

His mother had reached for the kettle and filled it with water to make a pot of tea while he’d stormed out and ended up at his grandparents’ house in nearby Napier. He and his grandparents had drunk cups of tea, eaten pieces of shortbread and discussed his objections.

They’d changed his mind, and while he didn’t agree with his mother’s skullduggery, he had to admit it was fun stepping out of routine. The visit to the big smoke to meet the show’s producer and the other farmers had sealed the deal. He wasn’t the only farmer here under duress.

“You ready to see the next woman?” the cameraman asked.

“Yeah.”

The cameraman contacted the producer and soon his next date walked toward him. She was stunning, and even better in person. Her clothes were smart but casual, and he noted she didn’t have trouble with her shoes. Her smile was wide and bright and she gave him a swift hug. Oh yeah. He liked this one.

Two hours later, the speed dates were done, and his head whirled with faces and impressions. Jennifer Williams, the producer, had suggested the men take brief notes, and he was glad he’d taken her advice.

“You ready?” the cameraman asked. “I’ll show you to the meeting room. They’ve organized drinks and something to eat while you farmers decide which chicks you’re going to pick for the next round.”

Nolan blew out a burst of air. “Easier said than done.”

“I’m glad it’s not me,” the cameraman said. “I bet some of those chicks will cry buckets.”

Hell
. Nolan hadn’t thought of that. He’d worried more about trying to pick the right mix of eight women. Now he had to worry about women and tears?
Bloody hell.
As he followed the cameraman, he wondered if their drinks ran to alcohol.

Susan spotted Christina and sank onto the chair her friend had saved for her. “How did it go?”

Christina wrinkled her nose. Her bracelets jingled as she shunted a glass of wine toward Susan. “If your date went as badly as mine, you’ll need a drink.”

“I was craving a margarita before we even started talking.”

“That bad, huh?”

Susan’s tummy hollowed at the memories. “You go first. What was your farmer like?”

“He said—bluntly, I might add—that I was more bohemian than I appeared in my photo.”

Susan stared at her friend. “Bohemian?”

“Yeah. Evidently jewelry that clacks will scare his animals.”

Susan glanced down at Christina’s three golden bracelets and started laughing.

Christina’s lips twitched. “Your date can’t have been that bad.”

Susan laughed harder and nodded at the same time. Once she’d gathered herself, she said, “You were right to warn me about wearing my spike sandals. I wish I’d listened. I sank into the grass the second I stepped off the path and my farmer came to my rescue. He literally swept me off my feet and carried me to our meeting point—a picnic blanket.”

“That sounds romantic.”

“It was nice until I realized my skirt was tucked up and the cameraman was busy filming my butt.”

“At least you listened about the sexy lingerie.”

Susan snorted—a half laugh and half whimper. “If that’s meant to make me feel better it’s not working.” She flicked a lock of her straight hair out of her face. “And it got worse.” Words tumbled from her as she related details of her speed date.

“Oh well.” Christina lifted her glass of wine in salute. “At least we’ve had a nice outing to a vineyard. The wine is good. The food looks delicious.”

“And we can laugh about it together.”

“Exactly.” Christina clicked her glass against Susan’s. “To friends.”

“To friends,” Susan said and grinned as she thought of two of her other friends. “Maggie and Julia will get a good laugh.”

Two hours passed before the producer called the women to assemble. The tension in the meeting room was thick enough to slice with a knife. So many women who wanted the same things as she—a steady man to love and share their lives.

A secure future.

There was something wrong with society if this many personable single women couldn’t find a mate. Or maybe featuring on a television show attracted their participation. Susan didn’t know. There had to be a better way to meet a man.

Besides, the idea of leaving her job at Maxwell’s… She loved her new job, the dancing giving her a physical outlet and pleasure she hadn’t known she’d craved.

Nolan’s questions about living in the country had given her things to mull over. Leaving her friends and her job in exchange for a quiet life in the country would be a huge step. Maybe fluffing her speed date was a good thing. Two of her best friends had found husbands already. Maggie had married their mutual friend, Connor, while Julia had married Ryan. Both women were shiny examples of love, and Connor and Ryan were awesome.

No, she wouldn’t panic or settle for second best.

Almost twenty-nine wasn’t exactly ancient. The right man would come along, and if he didn’t, then she’d deal. She had a great group of friends, both male and female. Love and friendship. Yeah, she had that already.

“I want you to split into your groups again,” Jennifer Williams, the producer shouted above the din made by a room full of anxious women. She was a tall and very thin woman, dressed in tight black jeans and a body-fitting green T-shirt. A no-nonsense kind of woman, she wielded her power by sheer force of presence.

The women quieted, and Jennifer repeated her request. “Line up behind the signs for your farmers, please, then I’ll call groups one-by-one.”

“Good luck,” Susan said to Christina.

“What I’d need is a miracle,” Christina said. “It doesn’t matter. It’s been a fun day.”

“True. Tonight we can commiserate over margaritas. Julia and Maggie will want the deets.”

“Done deal.” Susan gave her friend a swift hug and headed for her group. Who wanted a judgmental man in their lives anyway?

Not her. She’d worked hard to scrub the trait from her personality. Seeing it from the other side, she understood how her friends felt when she’d passed sentence on their actions. If she’d learned anything in the past five years, it was that nothing was black and white. Shades of gray swirled everywhere, and there was nothing wrong with the color.

She took a seat. None of the other girls wanted to chat, so she sat quietly and pondered her next step. If she asked, Connor would probably set up a blind date for her with one of his rugby mates. The guys in Ryan’s band were cute. It wasn’t as if she lacked opportunities to meet men.

Perhaps she was setting her standards too high?

She considered that for about two seconds. No, she wanted a husband like Connor or Ryan and refused to settle for less.

Jennifer strode into the room, the heels of her boots making a snappy beat on the wooden floor. “Ladies, Nolan is ready to share his choices.”

“It makes us sound like items on a dinner menu,” Susan murmured.

A blonde woman beside her frowned. “That’s a perfect description. I wonder who gets to be dish of the day.”

Susan let out a chuckle, but none of the other women appreciated the humor. Their swift glances held panic and censure. Susan was still grinning when she entered the private room.

“Ladies, please stand behind the chalk line and smile at the camera,” Jennifer instructed in a firm voice.

The women shuffled into position, and the tension ramped up a couple of notches. Susan’s heart thumped extra loudly, then the drumming evened out as she realized she didn’t want to win a man in a competition.

No, she’d return to work and tonight, while they were at the pub and comfortably ensconced with margaritas, she’d ask for suggestions of ways to meet men.

“We’ll start filming in a few minutes. Hailee Raymond, our hostess will have a quick chat with Nolan, and then Nolan will announce his eight chosen women. Afterward, Hailee will interview each of the successful dates. Are there any questions?”

“Do you have some tissues handy?” one of the women asked.

“I have my assistant standing by,” Jennifer said in a brisk voice.

Susan didn’t care enough to cry when she received her rejection. That thought alone cheered her. She wasn’t invested and didn’t care about Nolan’s opinion of her personality.

“Anything else?” When no one replied, Jennifer said, “Quiet on the set.”

The silence grew deafening, and Susan had an awful urge to giggle. Determined not to create another spectacle, she bit her bottom lip.

The assistant darted forward. He lifted his board and clapped it down. “Action.”

Hailee, the gorgeous blonde hostess, took her cue with the smoothness of a professional. “Nolan, you’ve speed dated your ladies and spoken with them. Was it difficult to narrow down your choice to just eight?”

“Very difficult, Hailee,” Nolan said, appearing comfortable in front of the camera. “Each woman is beautiful and any man would be lucky to have them at their side.”

Hailee grinned, her teeth a flash of bright white. “Quite the smooth talker, aren’t you? So how did you pick your group of eight?”

“I took into account common interests, how I thought our personalities would mesh and my gut instincts. They never steer me wrong.”

Hailee nodded, then leaned toward Nolan in a confidential manner. “What about physical attraction? Does that come into your equation?”

“Of course,” Nolan said. “The woman I choose to take for my wife will be one who pushes my buttons. Physical attraction always plays a part in a relationship.”

“Well, I think it’s time to let these lovely ladies know your decision,” Hailee said. “Tell us who you have chosen.”

Nolan ran his gaze down the line of women, his expression suitably somber. “The ladies I’ve chosen for the next stage are Maxine, Elle, Tamara, Lucy, Anna, Cherry, Jasmine and Susan.”

“Ladies,” Hailee said in a bright tone. “Step forward.”

Shock made Susan slow to react. He’d called her name. While there was physical attraction, on her side at least, they were poles apart in the interest department.

Susan joined the other squealing women, her focus on Nolan’s handsome face. For an instant, their gazes connected, and she propelled a silent message his way.
What on earth are you playing at?

Chapter Two

The aftermath of Nolan’s announcement was surreal, or at least it felt that way to Susan. A strawberry blonde woman burst into tears, a few seconds after Nolan finished his list of names. Her wailing acted like a prod on the rest of the group, and Jennifer’s assistant dispensed tissues.

Susan waited her turn to speak with Hailee while groping to understand Nolan’s choices, and in specific, her.

“Are you excited to make it to the next stage of the competition?” Hailee asked.

“I’m more surprised than anything,” Susan said. “I didn’t think our speed date went very well.”

“Oh?”

“We didn’t exactly hit it off. Nolan suggested that since my experience with country life is nil I wouldn’t enjoy the isolation and lack of facilities.” No way was she going to mention the reveal of her high-cut lacy panties. Maybe the cameraman would take mercy and leave that part on the cutting room floor. But then again, recalling his snigger of appreciation, perhaps not. She’d have to wait and see.