by Len Webster
“Was I supposed to wear a shirt with the farm’s logo on it? I can go back home and change,” he said to his boss’ wife.
Mads laughed and then took a step towards him. “You look fine. Better than fine. Are we impressing a certain woman tonight?”
And that was where it became uncomfortable for him.
He liked Madilynne. She was not only his boss’ wife, but she was also Peyton’s best friend. Whatever he said, he was sure she’d repeat. He didn’t want to screw things up with Peyton because the last two weeks with her had been amazing. But he wanted a lot more than friendly tea and chats every day.
“Thought people should see me in something other than my work gear.”
“Suuuure, that’s the reason,” she deadpanned and led him to the table of food. “The hotel looks pretty, huh?”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“She made this place her own. He’d be proud of her.”
Cooper looked at her. “What?”
“Nothing,” Mads muttered. Then she shot him a smile. One he saw right through. “I’m going to go find my husband. Enjoy tonight, Coop. Take this all in.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome the woman of the hour and my inspiration, Peyton Spencer, on the stage. Come up here, Peyton!” June Sinclair said through the microphone, gaining his immediate attention.
He swung his gaze to the stage to find Peyton in a beautiful pink dress that fell just past her knees smiling at June as she took the mic. She took a deep breath and then turned to the audience. “Hi, everyone. I’m Peyton and I’m the owner of the Spencer-Reid. I just wanted to welcome you all and thank you for coming to the first ever cherry blossom festival. I hope you all have fun and enjoy June’s amazing voice.”
Then the crowd on the dance floor clapped and cheered as Peyton returned the mic to the singer. Cooper watched as she walked down the stage’s short steps and mingled with people. He decided that he would wait until she was free and done with her hosting duties before he’d see her. He wanted her to find him when she was ready.
“Drink, sir?” a waiter asked, blocking his view of the dance floor.
Cooper took the beer off the tray and thanked the worker. As he took a sip, he tilted his head up at the pink and white lights that created the cherry blossoms.
They were beautiful.
They reminded him of her.
“Hey,” Peyton said once she had stood in front of him. It had been almost a half hour since she had made the speech. Cooper didn’t mind. Many of the townspeople that he’d delivered to had stopped to chat with him.
They all asked how he liked Daylesford.
The same questions to which he gave the same reply.
“You did well up there,” Cooper said as he set his full beer bottle on the table behind him.
She let out a nervous laugh. “I winged it. Jenny was supposed to do the welcome greeting, and there was more to it, but she had to deal with one of the guests.”
“Well, you did really well for winging it.” He couldn’t help the smile he made. It was her allure. Her pull. It was all her that made it happen.
Peyton let out a heavy exhale and tilted her chin up at him. “Would you like to dance?”
It was the moment Peyton Spencer rendered him speechless.
So he nodded.
She reached out and held his hand in hers. That little reminder in the back of his head echoed. The voice that told him Peyton was the one. However, as they headed towards the middle of the dance floor, and she turned to face him, those echoes became sirens.
It’s Peyton.
The music slowed its tempo and the flash in her eyes had him in awe of her.
“This is my favourite song of June’s,” she confessed in a soft voice.
Cooper stepped forward and brought her in close to settle his other palm on her hip. Peyton made a small gasp. After a few seconds, she set her hand on his shoulder.
“What’s this song called?” he asked, not recognising it.
She smiled. “It’s a song she’s never released. She wrote it last year. It’s called ‘Sometimes.’”
“It sounds sad.”
“Because it is. It’s about someone losing someone they loved. And all the could-have-beens and the life they were supposed to have together,” Peyton clarified.
“That’s pretty sad,” Cooper said as he began to rock them into their first ever dance together.
Peyton didn’t take her eyes off him as she said, “I don’t think it has to be sad. I think she’s trying to show the beauty in it.”
His heart clenched when her lips pulled into a sincere smile.
“You have a beautiful outlook on it,” he said. “You have a beautiful outlook on … everything.”
He noticed that she swallowed hard and her eyes glazed over.
“I never used to,” she admitted. “I held on to a lot of hate and anger.”
Cooper stopped their dance and his hands left hers. In the middle of the dance floor, he stared at this beautiful, vulnerable, and guarded woman.
“I think that’s what makes you even more beautiful. You held on, you let go, and you saw the beauty in things people don’t see.”
“Cooper,” she breathed.
“No, I’m serious, Peyton. I think you’re incredible, and I don’t even know your entire story,” he confessed and took her hand.
Her lips slowly parted as if she were about to say something, but Cooper decided that this was his all-or-nothing moment.
He yanked on her hand, bringing her close, and then cupped her face in his palms. He gave her no time for second thoughts as his lips found hers. Cooper had watched her eyelids flutter close before he clenched his shut, enjoying, loving the feel of her lips on his.
It was slow as if they were discovering each other.
It was perfect.
She was perfect.
This kiss would not be their last.
He was determined to never be a sometimes to her.
Each brush of her lips was an explosion in his chest. If he had any doubts, they were surely vanquished.
Cooper reluctantly pulled back, realising where they were when the song had changed its pace and blurred into a completely new one. He rested his forehead against hers, Peyton’s eyes still closed, as he whispered, “I’ve been wanting to know what it felt like to kiss you for a long time.”
She opened her eyes; the confusion and uncertainty swept and swirled in those light blues. Peyton reached up and wrapped her fingers around his wrists, pulling his hands off her.
All she did was blink at him.
No reply.
No comments or suggestions.
Nothing.
“Peyton!” He heard Mads’ horrified scream.
Cooper kept his eyes firmly on Peyton’s as her best friend made it to her side. She had said something to Peyton, but Cooper hadn’t heard. Then she nodded and Madilynne took her hand and led her away, leaving him alone in the middle of the dance floor with countless pairs of eyes on him.
She didn’t want it to happen.
She had said nothing.
“Shit!” he muttered, realising that Peyton had only ever wanted to be his friend, and he had ruined that.
Ruined it with the most perfect first kiss he had ever known and felt.
But I would be lying.
“To be honest, with all the problems we’ve had, the only way is to get a new system. Hell, even replace all the sprinklers,” Cooper commented as he examined the sprinkler head that had stopped working this morning.
“Mr Scott ain’t gonna like that,” Trent drawled as he wiped the beading sweat off his forehead.
“Well, it’s the only way. It’s gonna cost more to fix in the long run than a replacement. We can do it sector by sector.” Cooper stood up from his crouched position on the dirt lane between the rows of lavender and handed the faulty device to Trent. He was much older than Cooper was. In his late forties. He’d been working on the farm since he move
d to Daylesford with his wife twenty years ago. He had raised his kids in the small town before they went off to the city for university.
“What’s the damage?” Graham asked once he’d reached them.
Cooper sighed, hating that he’d have to break the news. “We’re talking an entirely new system, Graham. New sprinklers, valves, pipes, and operating system. It’s gonna cost quite a bit.”
His boss let out a heavy exhale and nodded. “I’ve needed a new one for years. Trent, you mind doing a little research to see what the other farms around us are using? Call up Old Man McGiven first and see what his apple farm is using.”
“Sure thing, boss. I’ll go do that now.” The machinery operator nodded his head and then left.
Just as Cooper was about to walk back to the office, Graham said, “Coop, you mind if we have a little talk?”
“Ah … yeah. Sure. Everything okay?” He scratched at his short beard to settle his anxiousness.
Graham removed his baseball cap, and his blue eyes darkened. “It depends.”
Depends …
Shit.
Cooper knew that it could only mean one thing.
Peyton.
If it were work related, Graham wouldn’t have sent Trent away.
“Okay?”
“I saw what happened last night,” Graham said, bluntly. “I saw you kiss Peyton.”
The protective tone in his boss’ voice had him straightening his spine. Cooper knew that Graham and Peyton were best friends. If he had crossed a line, he would surely lose his job for it.
“Graham, look—”
“Listen,” he interrupted Cooper. “You’ve seen just how incredible she is. But you don’t know what she’s been through. And I’m asking you, not as your boss but as your friend, to stay away from her.”
Cooper winced. “What?”
“I couldn’t protect her last time, and I don’t want to see her in that much pain again.”
“Did she say something to Mads?” Cooper asked sounding desperate.
Graham shook his head. “You’ve probably seen it. Those moments when she kinda fades from the conversation. That’s her lost in her memories and pain. She’s come a long way, and I don’t really want to see her hurt again. It’s not fair for her and what she’s been through. She’s come out stronger, and I don’t want you to ruin that for her.”
“You think my kissing her hurt her?”
I read too much into my attraction to her.
She only wanted to be friends, and I took it too far.
“I honestly think it did,” Graham confessed. “Plus, your contract is only a year. You said it yourself; you’re going back to Warren Meadows after you’re finished here in Daylesford.”
I did say that.
Cooper nodded, hating the pressure in his chest. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
Graham had run his fingers through his hair before he put his hat back on. “I know you don’t, Coop. I know.”
I don’t want to be just her friend.
I want to be with her.
But that means hurting her.
“I … uhhh … better get back to work,” Cooper said, excusing himself from his boss, hoping to get back to the office quickly to be alone with his thoughts.
It had been a day since Graham Scott had told him to stay away from Peyton. If it had been any other person telling him to stay away, he’d have laughed. But Graham was her best friend, and he had to trust that he had Peyton’s happiness in mind. Which didn’t include him. Cooper wasn’t going to do that to her. He wasn’t in the business of hurting her, especially with her coming so far. He wasn’t sure what she had overcome, but he was proud of the person she was. The Peyton he knew and cared about was inspiring, and he wasn’t going to ruin that.
He was tempted to go to the hotel and apologise. He had taken advantage of the moment and saw more into it than there actually was. But with all his deliveries today, he’d been all over town. Mrs Peterson had insisted that Cooper have morning tea with her. Fortunately, for him, this time, he didn’t have to catch White Rabbit. It was almost four p.m., and after his last delivery, he would go home and watch TV until he fell asleep. He hoped maybe tonight he’d stop thinking about Peyton, and her lips, and her laugh.
He hoped soon enough that he’d forget what it felt like to kiss her.
The softness of her lips.
Stop, Cooper.
You’re just torturing yourself.
He halted his steps and turned to stare out at the lake. He took a deep breath to calm himself. It was true; he was torturing himself. But there wasn’t much he could do about it. The beeping of his phone had him fishing it out from his shirt pocket.
Cooper unlocked it and opened his new message, careful not to drop the bouquet of lavender he had to deliver to one of the ladies at the realtors.
Margot: Did you forget that it’s Phil’s birthday?
Cooper: Shit. Sorry, I have a lot going on here. I’ll call him later.
Margot: Are you okay?
Cooper: Yeah, I’m all right.
Margot: You’re a dirty liar. Daylesford girl not in love with you?
His fingers wrapped tightly around his phone. Margot had the worst humour and timing.
Cooper: No. She’s not.
Once he had sent that text, he returned his phone to his pocket and began to make his way towards town. He felt his phone vibrate but ignored it. He’d talk to his little sister later. As he continued up the path towards the turn-off into town, he lifted his chin and stared at the hotel. From what he had understood, Peyton had worked hard to make it as successful as it was, and he wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. Then he saw her. Peyton walking towards him. She had faltered in her steps, almost tripping once she had noticed him. He watched as a cautious smile spread across her lips.
That tiny ounce of hope he had died.
He had hurt her.
When they were almost in front of each other, Peyton said, “Hey, Cooper.”
Cooper stopped and avoided eye contact with her. Scared to have her light blues stare at him. “Hey. Listen, I have to go. I’ll see you later.” Then he walked past and sighed in relief.
“Wait!” Peyton called out.
And he stopped.
Like she had commanded him to.
He clenched his eyes tightly shut and mentally cursed himself. A deep breath later, he spun around to see the fear consume her face, and he swore her lip quivered, too. Peyton inhaled deeply and balled her fists. She appeared frightened, and he couldn’t blame her.
“Peyton, I have deliveries to make,” he said, trying to escape those sad eyes of hers. He was sure she wanted an explanation for kissing her, but he wasn’t sure what to say.
“I just need to ask you something.”
“Fine,” he said, completely frustrated with himself rather than her.
She was silent for several seconds. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”
What?
Cooper pressed his lips together, stifling any words from escaping.
She had asked him on a date.
Just as he thought he could have something with her, her uncertain expression from the festival invaded his thoughts. Then he remembered what Graham had said.
Cooper would be leaving at the end of his contract. There was no reason to start something that would end. He let himself enjoy the sight of the hope in her eyes and allowed his clenching heart to consume his entire body with its pain.
“No.”
“No?” she asked, the horror in her voice had him hating himself. Her eyes flashed and he saw the devastation in them.
“I’m sorry, but I’m interested in someone else,” he said in a controlled voice. Cooper then spun around and began to distance himself from Peyton as he headed towards town.
He refrained from looking back.
To see her reaction.
Instead, he allowed himself to feel the repercussions of saying no to a date with Peyton Spencer
.
It was his first ever heartbreak.
We’ve had an adventure, and adventures come with many complications and many successes.
Margot: Okay, so you’re ignoring all my calls. It’s been three days. And I’m sure you’ve read my messages or, at least, opened them. I know you, Coop. You hate those red balloon notifications. You are OCD about them. I’m going to call you after school’s finished and you had better answer. So help me, Cooper, I will drive all the way to Daylesford and slap you silly!
Cooper: Margot, I’ve been busy at work. Today’s been my first day off in a week. I was enjoying it. And yes, I will answer this time.
At 3:05 p.m., his phone rang from the coffee table. Cooper reached over, saw that it was his little sister, and picked up the call.
“Hey,” he greeted.
“All right, the preps have all gone home and I am not on yard duty today. So talk. Tell me about this girl,” Margot demanded.
“There’s nothing to say,” Cooper said as he leant back on the couch. “I think she asked me out so I wouldn’t feel bad about kissing her.”
“Wait, what? She asked you out after you kissed her. How are you all ‘she doesn’t love me’?”
“I sent that message before she asked me out,” he clarified.
“So what did you say?”
He took a deep breath and stared at his balled fist and white knuckles. “I said no.”
“You said no?” She almost screamed it. “You love this girl and you said—”
“Whoa,” Cooper interrupted. “I didn’t say I loved her.”
Margot made a huffing sound. “You didn’t have to because I can hear it. You do. You love her. Now, let’s talk this out so we can fix it. Okay?”
Cooper tuned her out and focused on the movie that was on TV. He hadn’t been paying attention to it. The Rock was starring in it, but that was all he had taken in from it. Throughout the entire film, he had thought of Peyton. He’d screwed up. He had said no when he should have said yes. There was no way he could take away the guilt he felt in his chest. It weighed heavy, making it impossible to breathe properly.
