Farmer Wants a Wife: Love and Friendship, Book 3 (22 page)

“Go you,” Josie said, her eyes containing pride and approval.

The show started again.

“Please tell us your two choices,” the cameraman said to Nolan.

“As I said this was a difficult task, but after weighing the pros and cons, I decided to pick Lucy and Susan.”

The camera moved to Jasmine and caught her flash of disappointment, the slap of rejection. Tyler’s stomach flip-flopped in sympathy. He knew exactly how she felt.

Each show I think my embarrassment levels can’t get any higher. Big time mistake! I don’t think I’ll be able to look anyone in the face again. Actually, I’m surprised Nolan picked me after all the dramatics I’ve brought to his life. Not that I’m going to apologize for being myself.

If anything, this latest debacle with Nolan’s mother has made me take a good hard look at myself.

I have a great circle of friends, but not so long ago, I almost destroyed that friendship by judging a friend and finding her guilty of breaking a stupid rule. A part of it was jealousy. I wanted what she’d found—a happy relationship.

My love life prior to this show wasn’t inspiring. Try learning that your bridesmaid is having an affair with your fiancé. That was only one blip. I started dating another man months later. The relationship was serious on my side and I was ready to take the next step. Then I discovered he was married, and I was his patsy—an innocent bit on the side for his amusement. Those two relationships warped my thinking, and I held myself and others to high standards. I became judge and jury.

Anyone seeing a theme here?

Mrs. Penrith doesn’t approve of me. That’s fine with me. It would be a boring world if people came with one character setting. But where I have a problem is when she tries to hold me to the standard of behavior that she perceives is correct.

If I’ve learned anything in the last couple of years, it’s that you should treat others as you would have them treat you. The saying about what goes around comes around is a cliché for a reason.

When my high and mighty attitude almost ruined my friendships, I took a good, hard look at myself. I didn’t like what I saw, and I’ve since made a conscious effort to become a better person. Some people might say that my friend let me off lightly. Heck, she did. She accepted my apology and we moved on. I think we’re all closer now because of it, and I know better than to judge anyone.

Individuals are responsible for their own behavior. For all the
Farmer Wants a Wife
fans out there who are reading this blog, put yourself in others’ shoes before you react in a manner that might damage a close friendship, a marriage. We all make mistakes. It’s a human trait. It’s how we make amends or try to improve that makes us special.

Love Susan

P.S. Interesting poll results on Mr. Blue. I’m glad you guys are on my side!

This blog entry might come across as preachy, and to some, it might feel as if she was making a dig at Mrs. Penrith. Newsflash. Of course she was, but she was also sincere in what she said. If she hadn’t done a swift turnaround in her attitude, she wouldn’t have the great friendships she had now. She’d acted like a sanctimonious twit back then, and Maggie had been so nice, accepting her apology when Susan had acted the bitch, kicking Maggie in the teeth when she’d been at a low point in her life.

No longer.

She’d changed and no way would she let herself slide into another pair of judgmental shoes. And she wouldn’t put up with people like Mrs. Penrith telling her what to do or how to act.

Someone knocked on her door. “Susan.”

It was Nolan. “Come in.”

“Tyler asked if it were okay for him to take you out tomorrow.” A flicker in his expression snagged her attention, made her look closer. He leaned his weight against the door jamb.

“You don’t want me to go?”

“No, it’s okay. He won a date with you.” He hesitated. “I wanted to make sure it was okay with you. He said he hadn’t asked you yet.”

Susan frowned. “Why wouldn’t it be okay?”

“No reason.” His shoulders lifted in a kind of a half shrug. “I…um…wanted to apologize for my mother. Her behavior toward you has been disrespectful. I should have put a stop to it earlier instead of letting her trample your feelings.”

“Don’t forget the pawing through my belongings part and her bad-mouthing me all over town.”

His brows drew together, his cheeks turning ruddy. “Yes, that too. It’s unforgiveable.”

“Why do you let her carry on that way? She walks over everyone, bossing them around and telling them what to do. She’s horrible to your father.”

“She might try to tell me what to do, but I don’t always listen,” Nolan said. “My dad said he’s moving out. Their marriage has been over for years—for as long as I can remember. I didn’t think he’d ever have the balls to leave.” The last was said with a sense of puzzlement. “He wants to talk to me and to Tyler. He never says more than a few words to Tyler.”

Susan cocked her head, curious despite herself. “Do you know what he wants to talk about?”

“No idea. I guess we’ll find out.” Nolan pushed off the jamb. “Do you like my brother?”

Susan blinked and felt heat steal into her cheeks. “He seems very nice.”
Ooh, very prim and proper
.

“I haven’t been the brother I should be. I aim to change that.” He left abruptly, disappearing down the passage.

Susan stared at the gap where Nolan had stood, confusion settling on her shoulders like a heavy bale of hay. All the subtext, the hidden messages. Maybe Tyler would understand because she didn’t know what was going on with Nolan. One minute she thought he knew about her and Tyler and the next she didn’t know what she thought.

The phone rang in the kitchen.

“Susan, the phone is for you,” Lucy called. “Some guy.”

“It’s probably Tyler,” Nolan said when Susan entered the kitchen. “I wonder if Dad caught up with him.”

Susan picked up the phone. “Tyler?”

“Hey, Suzy. Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to take you out. I thought we could go wine tasting and maybe do a little sightseeing in Napier.”

“I’d love to.”

“Good, can you be ready around eleven? I’ll pick you up.”

“Sure, I look forward to it.”

Nolan signaled that he wanted to talk to Tyler and she handed over the phone. She heard Nolan mention their father before she went to her room.

Tyler arrived on time the next day, and with a cheery goodbye to Nolan and Lucy, she slipped outside.

“Did you catch up with your father?” she asked when she jumped into the passenger seat.

“He rang just as I was leaving. I told him I’d visit him tomorrow.”

“You don’t see him often.”

“No, usually only when I go into town or attend a sale. Ask Nolan. The atmosphere at home was always like Antarctica and university was like a warm haven. No more talking about the past.” He sent her a quick smile. “I don’t want to spoil our day.”

“Did Nolan act strange when you spoke to him?”

Tyler scowled. “He told me to make sure I didn’t hurt you, which made no bloody sense. My entire family is acting weird. Eric told me I should keep you out overnight. He practically ordered me to have a sleepover. Not that I dislike the idea…” He trailed off, his dark brows waggling.

She gasped. “They know?”

“I didn’t tell them. They guessed we’re seeing each other.” He shrugged. “No problem. Today, I thought we’ll do the sightseeing part first and have a late lunch. I know a great picnic spot where we can relax if the weather stays fine.”

“Are they going to tell anyone?”

Tyler shot her a surprised glance. “Of course not. They’d never do anything to hurt me and by extension you.” He reached over and placed a hand on her knee. “Don’t worry. Please, just enjoy the day. We have the entire afternoon to have fun, and for once we don’t have to sneak around.”

Tyler was right. Slogging down to the dam, through the mud and rain to meet with him got old, and the worry about someone catching them kept her awake. Score one for a guilty conscience.

Tyler was also right about enjoying the day. “Tell me about the art deco buildings.”

“You know about the earthquake we had down here in 1931. Most of Napier was destroyed in the quake and the resulting fire afterward. When the townsfolk wanted to rebuild, they chose the art deco style because it was cheaper and the buildings were strong. The buildings are cool. I’ve sketched quite a few of them. I’ll show them to you when we get back to Clare.”

Half an hour later, Tyler parked the car. They purchased a local guidebook and started doing a self-guided walk around the blocklike buildings. Susan kept busy with her camera, snapping photos of the art deco designs on the facades, the straight lines of the buildings and some of Tyler, handsome in his light blue shirt and jeans, his black vest cutting the cool air of the winter day.

“This is great. I’ll post some pictures on my blog tomorrow.” The instant she mentioned her blog, Tyler’s smile faded and she silently cursed—she who seldom uttered a naughty word. Instead of driving her to drink, the Penrith family was responsible for coloring her language blue. She reached out, placed her hand on Tyler’s forearm and gave a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sorry. What say we make a deal—no more talking about anything related to the reality show for the rest of the day?”

She needed to tell him Jennifer had decided to change the filming schedule. Both she and Lucy were going home in a few days. On Tuesday, to be precise. She opened her mouth to tell Tyler but changed her mind. She didn’t want to spoil their day. She’d tell him when he dropped her back at Nolan’s.

“Deal,” he said. “Would you like to have a coffee?”

“Hot chocolate,” she said. “With chili, if possible. I like it hot.”

His gaze went straight to her lips. “Me too.”

Laughing, she tucked her arm in his, and they entered the nearby café, coming face-to-face with Yvonne.

“Susan,” Yvonne said, her smile pleasant and welcoming until she spotted Tyler. “Tyler.” Her voice flattened with disapproval when she spied their linked arms.

Susan thought about jumping into explanations, even opened her mouth to blurt out one before she relaxed. She had nothing to be guilty about.

“I’ll order our drinks,” Tyler said and left the two women together, an awkward silence between them.

“Well, I’d better get moving. My aunt is taking care of the store on her own while I complete errands. She’s likely to bark at the customers and drive them off.” Yvonne half turned away.

“I’ll make sure I stop by before the final filming. I’d love to see you before I go home.”

Yvonne turned back to her. “You’re going home?”

Bother, she hadn’t meant to blurt the info out. “Early next week. This morning they decided to film a final show at home since both Lucy and I are from Auckland. Nolan will fly up and visit his chosen woman.”

Yvonne wavered on her feet, her face leaching of color.

“Are you all right?”

“I…I’m fine,” Yvonne whispered. “I…I’d better go.” She fled the café and Susan watched her race around the corner and out of sight.

“I thought you said Nolan and Yvonne only dated casually,” she said when Tyler joined her at a table by the window.

“They did, as far as I know. They’re just friends.”

“I think there’s more. They both acted a bit weird the other night at the pub and now, Yvonne practically ran away when I mentioned Nolan.”

“I don’t want to talk about my brother.”

An elderly lady carried over their hot chocolates and set them on the table.

“Thanks,” Susan said.

“You’re Susan from the television,” the woman said. Her gaze darted to Tyler and her eyes narrowed. “This isn’t your farmer.”

“No,” Susan said. “This is my friend.” She wasn’t about to explain to a stranger. She met the woman’s accusing gaze without faltering and finally the woman muttered something under her breath and stomped away. The minute she rounded the counter, she started whispering to her fellow server. “I’m starting to understand Ryan and Caleb a bit more.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Susan said and she picked up her mug. The rich scent of chocolate filled her nostrils and she closed her eyes to indulge her senses. Her first sip had her giving an appreciative sigh. “That is delicious. Do you like it?” Her eyes popped open when Tyler didn’t reply.

His pencil raced across the page of a battered notebook—the one he carried with him everywhere.

“Are you drawing me again?” Faint exasperation rippled through the air. “I’m starting to get a complex.”

“You’re my inspiration.” He leaned closer. “I’d love to paint you. I’d paint you sprawled against satin sheets, your hair loose and messy and your lips swollen from a night of passion.”

“Shush, someone will hear you.” Susan glanced at the cash register and intercepted a scowl from the elderly woman. “I should have brought a hat and sunglasses.” The reality show wouldn’t leave her alone.

“We can buy you a hat,” Tyler said.