Here Comes the Groom Read Free Page B

toying with his glass. “I wasn’t happy leaving this place vacant—isolated the way it is—so I stay over weeknights. I’m still working on the farm every day with Rob. It’s more convenient to sleep here.” The nineteen-year-old farm hand rented the old cottage at the other end of the property, and had been looking after the farm dogs since their move to town.
    The amber liquid burned a path down Dan’s throat,warming all the cold places. “Town’s only a fifteen-minute drive away. Hardly a commute. And Rob’s only a few acres over.”
    â€œNow you sound like your mother.” Herman went and got the whiskey bottle. “Anyway, it was only until you came home.”
    â€œSo I’ve been holding up your retirement plans?” He hadn’t been home in almost a year, spending his leave with one of his younger twin sisters—Viv—in New York.
    â€œNot my plans, son—hers. Personally I’m in no hurry to turn into an old dodderer.”
    â€œAt sixty-five? Hardly.” Herman Jansen was still a vital, handsome man, with a full head of hair, piercing blue eyes and a strong Dutch jaw. Popeye, as his three children affectionately referred to him. “Isn’t retirement about having freedom? To travel, play golf…” Dan grinned. “Spend quality time with the grandkids.”
    His father shuddered. Privately, Herman called Tilly, his granddaughter—offspring of the domesticated twin—Attila.
    â€œI can rejoin the SAS,” Dan offered. “Mom need never know I was here.”
    â€œHell, no. I’d give up six farms to keep you home safe.” Herman stopped, cleared his throat, but his voice was gruff when he added, “Your aunt and uncle are still taking it very hard. When I think—”
    â€œDad.”
    For a long moment they stared at each other, then Herman nodded and refilled their glasses. “All right, son,” he said. “All right.”
    He’d been wrong; his father could look old. Dancleared his own throat. “How’s this trial handover going to work?”
    â€œI thought I should hold the reins for another few weeks…just until you settle in. And I promised Rob a holiday as soon as you came back.”
    He wasn’t fooled by his father’s nonchalance. Giving up a farm you’d run for forty years wasn’t something to be hurried. Neither was taking one over. “I was hoping you’d hang around. I’ll need a refresher course.”
    Though he’d made a point of keeping up with farming innovations, Dan had been off the land for thirteen years. Managing a 550-hectare property that ran over three thousand sheep and four hundred beef cattle wasn’t a walk in the park.
    If it had been, he wouldn’t have been interested. “Be sides, you’ve got to make sure I’m competent, if Mom’s going to be spending money renting villas in Tuscany.”
    Herman gave a resigned grunt. “She’s been making me take Italian lessons,” he grumbled. “ Accettate carte di credito? Do you accept credit cards?”
    Dan laughed.
    â€œIt’s not funny, son. Back me up on a handover period or she’ll have me on a plane before you can say arrivederci. ”
    â€œRelax, you’ve got at least twenty-four days. Mom won’t go overseas before my wedding.”
    â€œWhat?” His father nearly dropped his whiskey. “You’re getting married? Danny, you making fun?”
    Pulling an invitation out of his pack, Dan slid it acrossthe table. “Herman, I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.” He knocked back his drink in one burning gulp.
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    E VERY MORNING FOR THE past year when Jo woke up she sang the same silly tune under her breath. “I’m A-live, A-wake, A-lert, Enthussss-iass-tic.”
    The friend’s preschooler who’d taught her the song performed it with matching