The delicate red flowers were brighter than usual. Their petals reminded humanity they were part of a wider, more beautiful world. Few people stopped to admire the sheer beauty around them as they rushed from one place to the next. Jake was one of those rare people who appreciated the little things in life. He valued the exquisite scene around him as he sat underneath an apple tree and looked at the insects moving through the grass.
“You know you should be at work, rather than wasting your time, don’t you?”
“I don’t have a job to go to. You know that as well as I do.”
“You would have if you were willing to work harder than you do.”
Rick was a high flyer. He always had been. He was a financial manager and he was always nagging Jake to accept his job offer. Why anyone would want to work in the financial world was beyond him. He wanted something he could create himself. He wanted to work with the land he loved. Jake couldn’t quite put his finger on what his dream was. Nor did he know how he was going to achieve it.
His friends tried to find him work. Jake knew he could do almost anything if he chose. He was not a carbon copy of them. The thought of sitting in meetings all day bored him senseless. He wasn’t foolish enough to think he’d be rich in a day or two. He wanted something he could build over a lifetime.
“Why don’t we go to the pub for a few drinks?”
“No thanks. I think I’ll go home. I have a lot to do tomorrow.”
“You have a lot to do. You wouldn’t know what busy meant. No, I insist. We can talk about our lost youth and what you’re going to do.”
“Ok. Provided it is just us.”
It wasn’t. As soon as Jake entered, he saw those all too familiar faces staring at him as they always did. Jake turned and ran. He ran until he found himself in his dingy loungeroom. Jake knew it wasn’t enough. He couldn’t run away from the lies his so-called friends told him. Jake wasn’t usually slow, yet it surprised him how he’d simply allowed people to dictate what he did or how he acted. Jake knew he had to leave his world behind.
Jake found himself wandering over steep green hills without caring about who or what he’d left behind. The only problem was he had nowhere to stay. Jake soon found himself staring at the vast expanse around him knowing he’d found his dream.
“Hello stranger. Are you looking for somewhere to stay?”
“Yes I am. Could you please tell me where the nearest pub is?”
“My father owns the pub. I’ll take you there if you wish.”
“Yes please. I’d appreciate that very much. Thank you.
“What’s your name?”
Jake. What’s yours?”
“Nicole.”
Jake soon found himself in a quaint room with polished floors and tasteful furniture. As he looked around Jake smiled. He knew what he wanted and he would do everything he could to achieve it. Her father was as kind and generous as Jake hoped he would be. The men negotiated until they were both happy. That night as Jake lay in his comfortable bed, he smiled at the dark room knowing his new life had begun.
They’d been together for three months, yet Jake felt as though he’d known her all his life. Nicole was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was also the toughest. She worked as hard as her father, yet she still managed to look amazing when she needed to. Jake admired her more than anyone else. He knew he wanted her.
“Relax. You look great.”
“I can’t relax knowing how important this is to your father. I can’t help thinking he needs a break.”
“Is that so? Nicole, could you please tell your boyfriend I’m quite capable of running this pub.”
“Boyfriend? I’m sorry I never meant to give you that impression. Nicole and I are just friends.”
Jake knew he hadn’t believed him. He knew it the moment he saw the twinkle in his eyes. Perhaps Nicole had said something. The thought surprised him. It was true he saw his sweet Nicole as a friend. He’d always assumed she felt the same way. That night he saw her dark eyes for the first time. He wanted to belong to those pools as though he was part of them.
He longed to talk to her. Jake gazed at her raven hair and those mysterious eyes hoping to kiss her soft, gentle lips, yet knowing he couldn’t. He helped her when he saw her struggling with something. Jake was the perfect gentleman, yet he craved more. She was patient. Perhaps a bit too patient with those customers who were known for their fist fights. The pub was great, yet Jake wanted more for her.
“Jake what is it?”
“I was just thinking that’s all.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“Oh, just a life I don’t think I’ll ever have.”
“Yes, you will. You’re the most determined man I know apart from my father.”
Jake gazed at her hoping to see those magical words etched on her face. His heart soared as she smiled. Her eyes shone and her lips begged him to kiss her. He did. The rest was a magical blur. He remembered taking her hand and walking with her to their special place. They were careful. They both wanted it to be special. It was. At least it was for him.
“There’s something I want to tell you…”
The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. It wasn’t until he’d crawled into bed, he realised he’d always meant to say them. She was his rock and he longed to be hers. Jake had no idea how he would provide for her when he was one of many men who worked for her father. Jake knew he was a successful farmer and businessman which meant he would expect his future son-in-law to provide for his daughter. His friends tried to convince him wealth wasn’t everything. They were wrong. Jake was all too aware of his economic status as he watched her father converse with his business associates whenever they entered his establishment.
Jake was aware of her father’s expectations for her. She would be married before he saved those precious dollars. Anyone who thought love wasn’t a race was kidding. Men found themselves competing for their lady love’s attention. No, he would not compete. He would let her choose someone else.
“Jake what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’ve decided to return to the city.
“I don’t understand. I thought you were happy here?”
“Dearest, sweetest Nicole. I am happy here. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
He knew it was cruel. Yet he had to go. She would forget about him. Successive suitors would see she did. Jake knew he would never forget her. She was the reason he had swallowed his pride and returned to what he hated to think. She was the reason he allowed his former friends to gloat at their apparent success.
It was as dull as he feared. The meetings were worse than he thought. His friends shared their ideas with little thought for him and their customers. Her father made him laugh. He knew he could be himself. The civilised world was hard to stomach. Jake told himself he had to accept his new life for her.
“Can I help you?”
“What? Oh, sorry I was thinking about my old life.”
“What was special about it?”
He told her about his former life. As he talked Jake noticed tears in her eyes. He wondered whether she felt the same way. She was the key to his happiness. Jake prayed he was right as he stared at everything except her.
“I’m sorry. How rude of me. My name is Olivia McPherson.”
“Are you…?”
“Am I Christopher McPherson’s daughter? Yes, I am.”
“My name’s…”
“Jake Crawford. I always do my homework before I speak to people.”
“Why me?”
“I came from the country. I plan to return home one day.”
His desire was so great he almost choked. Jake couldn’t help staring at his saviour as she told him about her new business. Miss Olivia McPherson wanted him to manage her rural enterprise. It was a farm stay business for organic producers across the region. It was the perfect job. Jake couldn’t understand why she wanted him when he lacked experience? Perhaps he could accept the job on condition he was an employee?
She had no intention of keeping her promise. As soon as he walked through the door Olivia led him to a large group of people. Jake soon realised his mistake. He was the boss. The thought of having to deal with difficult staff, clients and profit making was too much.
“I have to go.”
“Please help me. I need your skills to build the business. Nicole is half an hour away. You can see her during your lunch break or during your extended holiday.”
“How did you know where to find her?”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t honest with you. Nicole and I are old school acquaintances.”
Jake stared at her for what seemed an eternity. He couldn’t believe his ears. She knew Nicole. Why hadn’t she said something to him? Was Olivia jealous of Nicole? Jake couldn’t believe a woman would do anything to keep him.
It was too good to be true. There she was standing inches away from him. He wanted to pick her up and twirl her in his arms, yet he sat motionless. There was something about her he couldn’t understand. Perhaps he was not in love with her after all. No, he was. Jake knew he wanted her more than anything in the world. She was different.
“Do you love her?”
“What?”
“Olivia. Do you love her?”
“No. Why?”
“I’m sorry Jake. I thought you did. I knew she would dig her claws into you. She told you we were acquaintances. She always does. We were rivals. We still are. She always toys with men knowing they will favour her over me. I don’t care whether she succeeds or not until I meet you.”
Jake sat and stared as he realised how much he’d hurt his future bride. Nicole was his future bride. Her pain was real and that was enough for him. The thought of losing her was more than he could tolerate. He kissed her as he’d longed to ever since he saw her gazing at him from the orchard. Jake knew they would build their life together with love, hard work, and happiness.