War Woman (13 page)

“You’re a workaholic.”

“So are you.”

“How do you know that?”

“I talked to Jim. You’re up at five AM, and sometimes still awake after midnight.”

“And how does Jim know that?”

“He sees your office light on from his house.”

“You two had quite the gossip session, didn’t you? I’m surprised; Jim usually isn’t very talkative around people he doesn’t know well.”

“I’m sure he was trying to make you sound amazing,” she looked pointedly at him.

Cooper laughed, “Jim’s as loyal as they come.”

“Have you known each other long?”

“Since we were kids. His father was farm manager before him. His family lived in the same property Jim is in now. It’s handy for everyone; the house gets looked after and Jim doesn’t have to travel to get to work. He just steps out his front door.”

“That must be nice, stepping out your front door and being greeted by this landscape.”

“Well I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ll give you a tour of the farm if you have time before you go back.”

“I’d like that.”

“Oh, speaking of time, that reminds me about a proposition I have for you. It must take a fair amount of time traveling back and forth from Vivienne’s place to here and I know you said there wasn’t any work space at her place. Why don’t you stay here at the farmhouse for a few days. You can have the guest room and I’ll just keep the records in there so you can read them whenever you want. You’re set up for Internet access and you’ll have your space to work in. You’ll be able to work much more efficiently so you can finish sooner and then spend the last few days of your vacation with Vivienne.”

“Thank you for the offer but I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

“You wouldn’t be. No one is using the guest room. I’m the only one who stays in the farmhouse and I’m either in my office or outside on the farm somewhere.”

“You’re very accommodating considering I’m the lawyer for the other side.”

“This works in both our favors. The sooner you prove there’s nothing to find, the sooner the situation is resolved.”

“You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?”

“Another natural talent.”

“Hmm…”

He could see she was deliberating, though his offer made sense and was sure to appeal to her practical lawyer’s mind. Eventually she nodded.

“Okay, I accept your offer. It’s appreciated.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m going to get back to the journal now and then stay at Vivienne’s tonight. Is it okay if I bring my suitcase over tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” She stood up and scooped both bowls off the table before heading to the sink.

“Hey, you don’t need to do that. You’re a guest.”

“Not yet I’m not. Besides, it’s the least I can do after you prepared lunch for me.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’m going to make some coffee. Do you want some? Or there’s tea…”

“Coffee would be great.”

“How do you like it?”

“Black with one sugar.”

As Cooper waited for the water to heat up, he chanced a quick glance at Isabelle as she stood at the sink washing the bowls and pot and an odd feeling went through him. She looked…right. Not in the sense of all women belong in the kitchen – he smiled at the thought that she would probably have a few choice words if he voiced such an opinion – but in the sense that their current situation seemed almost domestic, as if they were living together. What would it be like to have that? More to the point, why was he having such thoughts now?

The idea of sharing his life with someone on a permanent basis had never been top priority. Cooper was content; he had his farm and dependable friends like Jim, with Crooked Creek if he was looking for a night on the town, which wasn’t often. To be honest, he was so busy that there wasn’t much time for dating. It had been less than a week since he’d met Isabelle Hawkins and now all sorts of thoughts were popping into his head, thoughts that left him longing for something that he’d never realized he wanted. Well, the truth was he hadn’t wanted it, not until he’d met her. Now he knew exactly what he wanted and none of it made any sense.

Bethany was a war widow before she met Jonathan.
Isabelle sat back and considered this new discovery. Her husband had been killed in battle and she had met Jonathan four years later when she’d moved to the area with her sister and brother-in-law. They had married in 1844, by which time the farm was fairly well-established.

Isabelle continued her reading. “
We understand one another. There is mutual comfort for our losses. Neither expects what the other cannot give but we are glad to have found one another.”
 

Isabelle read for the next hour and then decided to take a break. What was Bethany talking about? There was no clarification of what their losses had been or what they couldn’t give to each other. She glanced out the window, noting how the sunlight glinted off the leaves of the nearby trees, and the way in which the trees threw shade onto the ground that flickered as the leaves fluttered with the breeze. It was time for some fresh air.

Leaving the guest room, Isabelle walked down the hallway, glancing into Cooper’s office as she passed but finding it empty. Heading out the front door, she walked around the side of the house and stood in the shade outside the guest room window. The breeze gusted around her ponytail and tugged lightly at her shirt as she closed her eyes and breathed in and out deeply. There were noises all around her, but nothing like the city noises she was used to. Insects buzzed somewhere nearby, though she couldn’t see them. The wind opted to make itself heard through rustling the leaves, with the occasional gust sending the leaves into a flurry of activity. Far away in the distance she heard the sounds of a tractor and the occasional shout of men working in one of the surrounding fields. Turning towards the sounds, she spotted the tractor in the distance, with tiny figures moving around it, all of which were dwarfed by the stunning landscape.

She slipped off her sandals and reveled in the feel of the grass underneath her toes. It was longer than the grass she was used to in the park near her apartment in Atlanta and it shielded her toes from sight when she sat down and glanced at her feet from the side. Smiling, she reached out and pressed her palm down softly on the grass next to her, enjoying the way it resisted her action and sprung back up when she removed the pressure. She didn’t know why such a simple thing gave her pleasure, but it did. Leaning back with her arms behind her, she noted that some of her earlier restlessness had left her. The restlessness hadn’t left her completely but for now it seemed content to remain in the background. It was the first time she’d felt a sense of true calm in weeks.

It barreled into her from behind, knocking the wind out of her as it leaped and pinned her down. Isabelle shrieked, automatically shielding her face as the wet, dripping mass attempted to push her arms out the way.

“Jazz, get off!” Cooper came running round the side of the house and hauled the soaking dog off of Isabelle before putting himself between the dog and the woman and ordering a firm “Sit!” The dog glanced from Cooper to Isabelle and then hopefully back to Cooper, but recognizing his stern expression as something she couldn’t get around, no matter how many times she offered her paw, she sat down and panted softly. Cooper turned his attention back to Isabelle, who lay on her side in a slightly curled position. Dropping to his knees, he reached forwards and touched her lightly on her cheek. “Isabelle, are you okay?”

She turned to face him, a slight grimace on her face. “Despite its best efforts, I think I’ll live.” She proceeded to sit up gingerly, glancing at the dog warily.

“I’m really sorry. She’s just a year old and still behaves like a pup. She just wanted to play.”

“If that’s her playing, remind me to never aggravate her. She’s got a lot of weight behind her.” Isabelle glanced down at the collection of paw prints on her shirt. “I think my stomach and side are going to hate me for a while.”

“Do you mind if I take a look?”

Isabelle shook her head and Cooper lifted the bottom of her shirt slightly, inspecting her side and stomach. “The skin’s not broken.”

Isabelle scoffed. “Yeah, well, doesn’t mean my bones aren’t.”

Cooper reached out and touched her skin lightly, applying a gentle pressure. “Does that hurt?”

For a moment Isabelle merely stared at his hand as a faint shiver spread over her body. “Pardon?”

“Do the bones feel broken?”

Snapping herself back to the present, she glanced at him. “No, I’m fine. It was mostly just the wind getting knocked out of me and then defending against a whole lot of bouncing dog.” She stood up, using his arm as a support before letting go and stepping back. “What kind of dog is she?”

“A Bullmastiff.”

“And is her usual state dripping wet?”

“She’s just come back from a swim. There’s a waterfall with a pool in it on the farm. She loves splashing about in there. Takes after her owner that way. I was working up in that area this afternoon so I took her with me. I didn’t have time to cool off myself but with her it’s always fun time, hey girl?” Cooper stroked the dog’s head affectionately. “Sometimes she’ll hang out with Jim if I’m being too boring for her and cooping myself up in the office all day.”

“I see.” Isabelle eyed the dog skeptically. “I’ve never had a dog before.”

“She’s very friendly.”

“Friendly isn’t exactly the word I would use.”

“Well, she’s boisterous but really good-natured. How about you give her a pet? She likes getting behind her ears scratched.”

Isabelle glanced at him uncertainly. “Does she bite?”

“I wouldn’t ask you to pet her if she did.”

“Hey, everybody hates lawyers, even if they don’t admit it.”

Cooper laughed. “I thought you never backed down from a challenge.”

“I didn’t think I was being challenged.”

“Ms. Hawkins, pet the dog. I dare you.”

“You know, for an adult, you have a definite childish streak in you.” She noted he’d reverted back to calling her by her surname. “However, you should call me Isabelle. I think considering you saved me from this savage beast, we’re past the acquaintance stage.” She offered a small, slightly teasing smile.

“Give me your hand,” Cooper reached out and grasped her hand, holding it firmly when she tried to tug it away. “Relax, I’m right here. Trust me, Isabelle.” Calmly and gently he moved both of their hands to the dog’s neck before lowering them and pressing Isabelle’s hand firmly against the dog, cocooning her hand within his as he did so. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Says the man restraining me.”

Cooper laughed softly, the action sending a warm puff of air over her ear that caused her to tingle. Releasing her hand, he stepped back. “Have at it, tiger.”

“I hope you’re referring to me and not her.” Isabelle slowly stroked the dog’s neck while Jazz performed like a champion, not moving from her sitting position as she enjoyed the attention. Cooper stood behind the pair, smiling as he watched her growing bolder and lengthening her strokes. After about a minute Isabelle stepped back. “She’s not so bad, I guess.”

“Oh, did you hear that, girl? High praise indeed.” He winked at Isabelle as he scratched the top of Jazz’s head. “How about you take your shirt off?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll put it in the wash.”

“Oh, right…sure. Thanks.”

“No problem. If you want to do that now, head on over to the kitchen afterward. I’ll rustle us up something to eat.”

“You really don’t need to feed me.”

“I’ve got plenty of food, Isabelle. You’re on vacation. Enjoy some hospitality. Unless the experience is too much for a workaholic such as yourself…”

“I’ll see you in the kitchen.” She leveled a withering look at him and turned around to march back into the house.

Cooper watched her, grinning, as she walked away. “What do you think, Jazz?” He looked down at the dog, who wagged its tail in reply. “Yep, I like her too.” 

***

They sat at the kitchen table, eating sandwiches and enjoying iced tea. “You really need to give me this recipe.”

“I’ve written it down for you. Hold on.” Cooper stood and walked to the kitchen writing pad where he tore off a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This is my mom’s secret recipe. I’m entrusting you not to share it.”

“Thank you. I’ll treat it with the utmost confidentiality.” She folded the recipe and tucked it into her pocket. “Where are your parents?”

“Right now off on a grand adventure. They’re touring the world. My mom’s been trying to convince my dad for years to travel. Now that I’m running the farm and they are essentially retired – though don’t let my dad hear you say that – they’re taking time to enjoy the benefits of all their hard work.”

“That sounds really nice.” Isabelle smiled. “From the way you talk about them, it sounds like you’re close.”

“Yeah, we are. And if anyone deserves some time off, it’s them. How about you? Are you close to your folks?”