Page 21 of The Dairy Farmer's Daughter

"You brought clothes?" Finally, he'd be able to get out of the farm shirts and workwear that still had a faint smell of milk and manure—despite the heavy-duty washing. "Thank you. What about my razor?" He rubbed a hand along his jaw, feeling the rasp of stubble against his palm.

"Oops, sorry." Felicity shrugged. "But I like this look on you." She gestured to his face, then stepped backwards, and put her hands on her hips, taking in the plainness of the cottage. "Okay, I admit: I was expecting more."

"Just wait until you see inside." He opened the door wide and waved her in.

He boiled the kettle and brewed a fresh pot of coffee while she made herself at home and inspected the small house. Coming back, from her inspection, she sat in a chair and accepted her mug.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, as he sat next to her at the table.

"Well it could be worse. But it could also be better."

"I don't plan on keeping it."

"No. I can't imagine you as a dairy farmer. But there are plenty of other things you could do up here."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"You run your own business; you could do that anywhere. You don't have to be in Brisbane. In fact, I bet you would save alot of money living up here, not having to pay that huge rent for your apartment in the city."

"The apartment you enjoy crashing at most Saturday nights." He waggled his brows at her.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "So, have you got a buyer for it yet?"

Justin sipped his coffee. "The neighbours next door want to lease it out. I'm just waiting for final approvals before I sign the forms."

"Lease? Wouldn't it be better to sell it and get rid of it, maybe use the money to buy something"—she looked around at the peeling wallpaper—"a bit more modern? Something redecorated in the last thirty years."

"I can lease it out to these guys, and then hope a sale comes up at some stage."

Felicity nodded. "Well, I saw it has a spare room."

"You want to stay the night? Here?"

"Might as well bludge off you while I can," she teased.

"You do that back home anyway."

As they were finishing catching up on each other's news, Justin saw an unfamiliar white hatchback rolling down the driveway.

"Expecting someone?" Felicity asked as she followed his gaze.

His eyes widened as he recognised the familiar face. Freya climbed out of the car with a plastic container under her arm.

Justin felt his sister’s gaze upon him.

"Good morning." Freya was only a few steps away and he felt the sparks between them as she watched him. Her face fell when she spotted Felicity.

“Freya, this is my sister, Felicity.” He watched as Freya looked from him to Felicity as though searching for familialresemblance then, seeming satisfied, she turned to the younger woman with a wide smile.

“So, you're Justin's sister. I'm so glad to meet you.” Her voice was warm.

Felicity, who never missed a trick, was also appraising the newcomer. “Great to meet you too,” she said, and leaned in for a friendly hug.

It suddenly occurred to Justin just how much these two would have in common. They were bound to be kindred spirits, both women having bubbly personalities and positive attitudes.

"I come bearing gifts," Freya said, holding out the plastic container. "I have sustenance from Greer. And boxes."

"Boxes?" Felicity raised an eyebrow.

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