Mail Order Farmer

by Marie Johnston

  She’d been in a nursing program, but she never talked about it other than mentioning she’d like to look at finishing her degree.

  “Why didn’t you stay in the healthcare field after you left school? Couldn’t you have been an aide or something?”

  Her smile was sad. “Probably, but I wanted a clean break. If I couldn’t finish, then I didn’t want any part of it.” She nudged him. “And I don’t get tips in the hospital.”

  He chuckled. “Probably a good thing. I get it, though. If I had to move off the farm, I don’t think I’d want anything to do with it. It’d be hard to get away from farming in Moore. If I sold cars, I’d have farmers and ranchers asking about trucks up for the job. If I sold insurance, there’d be crop insurance. I’d see people I know from the industry all over town.”

  Frowning, his dad came to mind. Was that Dad’s problem? He missed it? But then why’d he retire? No, there had to be another reason Dad had grappled with town life. And a reason why Mom wrestled with town and country life.

  Daisy squeezed his hand. “I can get away from medical life easier. We toured the hospital in town when I was in high school and I was hooked. As a kid, I was always the one asking Ina how everything with our body worked and running to get bandages for my friends.” She shot him a sly grin. “I may have over-bandaged them.”

  He dropped a kiss on her head. “I bet they had the best care.”

  Her expression grew solemn the farther into town they got. “It’s weird being back here.”

  “Haven’t been back since your dad died?”

  She shook her head, sorrow in her eyes. “When Ina moved in with me, she took care of everything and left.”

  He lowered his voice. “She was that determined not to move in with her brother?”

  Daisy snorted and muttered, “Ina would’ve walked to Manila before that happened.”

  “Can’t wait to meet him.” He gave her a wink.

  He was as prepared as he could be for facing her overbearing relatives. The parents of his previous dates had been congenial enough, but always with the undercurrent of overprotectiveness. Daisy’s family wouldn’t be hostile. Shouldn’t be hostile. He could handle it.

  They reached the bus stop. He shuttled Daisy and Mari off and grabbed their luggage. They both packed lighter than he had and shared a suitcase. He looked high maintenance compared to them.

  Bustling out of the way of the small crowd, he retrieved his phone. “Mind if I call home while you arrange a ride?”

  Daisy nodded and went in search of a taxi, Mari following her.

  He checked the time. It’d be in the middle of the night, but he had to try. Peejong lived outside of Solano and might have a signal booster, but Aaron didn’t want the anxiety of his family without power to overshadow the visit.

  “Aaron?” Dad answered groggily. “Everything okay?”

  “That’s what I called to ask you. Our last conversation had me worried.”

  Dad groaned like he was stretching. “I got the generator going just in time for the power to turn back on.”

  “But you made it to town and back fine?”

  “Yep. At least it wasn’t a wasted trip. They’re forecasting a bigger storm late next week. Hope it doesn’t affect your flight.”

  “What?”

  Dad chuckled. “It’ll be a Thanksgiving to remember, that’s for sure.”

  “How much snow?” His flight might be delayed. Dammit. He was chomping to get back and jump in to pick up the slack he left behind.

  “They’re saying a foot, but you know how it goes. We won’t know until closer to the time. So have you met the family yet?”

  “We’re on our way.” I couldn’t relax until I knew you all were alive and not freezing fingers and toes off.

  “Then go and have fun. Don’t worry about us. We know the drill.”

  Then why were you so unprepared? “Did Mom make it to conferences?”

  The silence on the other end said it all. “She wasn’t feeling well, you know…”

  Aaron hung his head. She had one job. “Yeah. I know.” He lifted his head and forced a sigh down. Daisy waved at him from a kiosk. “Hey, I’ll call again as soon as I can.”

  He disconnected, but the conversation plowed through his mind. Another storm when he was supposed to return home. What if he got stranded in Minneapolis because Moore’s tiny airport couldn’t get a plane in during bad weather? A night or two in the cities wouldn’t hurt, but he’d be gone to help during another whopper of a storm.

  Stuffing his phone away, he adjusted his shoulders and rotated his neck to relax. Daisy didn’t need to see him upset. He crossed to them.

  “Got us a ride?” he asked when he reached them.

  She nodded. “We asked for it right away. Peejong will have a feast ready for us when we get there.”

  “I bet he’s excited to see you both.”

  “Oh yes,” Mari said. Her jaw was tight, and she was scanning the street like Peejong was going to jump out of the bushes.

  She and her sister-in-law must really be on the outs.

  Daisy laid a hand on her mom’s arm. “Peejong will at least. Sally maybe not.”

  Mari harrumphed, but inclined her head.

  Daisy glanced at him. “She assured me they’re always civil, but she hates feeling the judgment.”

  “Yeah, I can get that.” He wasn’t in the same boat as Mari when he walked around Moore. No one person gave him a hard time. It slipped into conversations and he heard about it from his friends and relatives.

  Maybe it wouldn’t burn so badly if half the gossip weren’t true.

  The Jeepney pulled up. He and the driver loaded the bags and they all hopped in. For two short days, he would cast his frustrations aside and marinate in getting to know Daisy through her family. Once they were heading back to Manila, he’d plan his trip back to Moore.

  Chapter Ten

  Dalisay listened as Aaron rambled his plan off to her. Her heart sank more with each detail he shared. She slowed her walk, and he adjusted his pace until they were facing each other. The path around Peejong’s property was cleared of branches, and her cousins used it enough that the undergrowth had worn away to a dirt trail. It’d rained a few days ago, but it was dry enough to walk on without getting her shoes or Aaron’s boots muddy.

  They had arrived the previous evening to a large gathering and a spread of food that stuffed them all. Roasted pig and chicken, rice, and peppers, along with her aunt’s renowned coconut milk pudding.

  Aaron had sampled everything, even the peppers, which he ruefully regretted.

  As he talked, he lifted his hat and wiped his brow. The day was warm, but he’d muttered about the humidity only once. They’d walked about half of a mile from Peejong’s house while she showed him the chicken coops and the rice fields. Her uncle even had a few banana trees and several palm trees they harvested coconuts from.

  His hair stuck to his head. He towered over her, standing so he blocked the sun. Always considerate.

  Except for what he was telling her. Well, he was being thoughtful explaining it all, but it was tearing her up inside.

  “So I’ll change my flight to fly out the day after we get back instead of a week after.” He stopped and gauged her reaction. “I’m really sorry,” he said quietly, feathering a finger along her cheek.

  She turned her face into his touch, wanting so much more. “I understand. The day was coming where you’d have to leave, but I didn’t think it’d be so disappointing.”

  “That’s a good thing then.” His voice had grown husky. Had she moved closer, or had he?

  “I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I’ll call in sick the night before you leave, and we can spend the evening together.”

  Hope flared in his eyes. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  She shrugged. “I never miss work. One night won’t hurt.”

  He skimmed his hand down her neck. For such a warm day, his hot touch should be u
ncomfortable, but she’d welcome the blanket of his body. Neediness uncoiled in her belly. When was the last time she’d felt like this? With her ex? Sort of. Before? Not really.

  She spread her hands on his chest. The rise and fall was steady, like his touch. His gaze dipped to her left hand.

  “I can’t tell you what seeing that ring on your finger does to me.” The rumble of his words vibrated through her center, pooling between her legs.

  “I know exactly what it does.”

  His eyes widened, the stark appreciation written across his face. She glided her hands up his shoulders and buried them in his short hair. She tugged him down to her and he came, slowly, like he was savoring the wait.

  Their lips touched for a moment, then parted, and they met each other’s gaze. Heat vibrated between them. Things were going to change. As if it wasn’t real before, it was now. It’d only been superficial before. The getting-to-know-you stage.

  And, oh, she wanted to know him. Her eyelids drifted shut as he closed the distance between them again. A soft touch at first, before the spark between them ignited into a raging fire. She opened and invited him in. Their kiss deepened until she didn’t know where she stopped and he began. The buildup between them had come to this.

  They’d had to be good for too long. Her family had dominated his time, asking him about Minnesota, the weather, his family. They were genuinely interested and not just ignoring Ina. In fact, Aaron’s presence seemed to deflate the tension Dalisay had expected. That probably won Ina over more than anything else Aaron could’ve done. Her family spoke English as much as possible and Aaron had no problems understanding.

  When Peejong learned Aaron farmed, then there was nothing Dalisay could say to stop the interrogation. Aaron pulled out his phone and scrolled through pictures of massive tractors and trucks. Peejong did the same, but much of his equipment was on a smaller scale. Peejong employed several people. They must’ve been bent over the screens for two hours talking about their farms.

  But now he was all hers. A low growl escaped from him; she answered with a whimper.

  She’d had zero clue that when she’d logged onto a dating site that it could turn out this well.

  His hands roamed up and down her back. God help her, she rubbed against him. Anything to ease the ache in her belly only one thing could cure. Both of them naked and alone.

  It couldn’t happen now, but she’d get as much in as she could.

  He cupped her butt, tightened his hold, released, and skirted a hand up her side as if to cup a breast. He stopped short.

  She pulled away from him long enough to whisper, “Yes.”

  He grinned, captured her mouth again, and licked inside. She opened, greedy for him. Arching her back as much as she could without breaking their smoldering kiss, she gave him the access he needed.

  His large hand scooped under her breast, his finger and thumb seeking her nipple through the thin material of her shirt.

  A moan escaped. If it felt this good with clothes on, how would his work-roughened hand feel when they finally had sex?

  She wanted to find out. Desperately.

  Wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders wasn’t possible without losing the ecstasy he was promising, so she gripped his biceps.

  Rock hard.

  The man worked for a living.

  She rocked her pelvis. It wasn’t enough. She tilted her hips again. He answered with the same motion.

  Their tongues twined; their breaths mingled. He switched hands, giving much needed attention to her other nipple.

  He released her mouth to moan her name.

  They undulated against each other. With their height difference, she was safely ensconced in the protection of his body. She rested her head on his chest, smashing his arm between them, her body bowed to rock against him.

  He kissed her head, nibbled down to her ear. His hot breath wafted over her sensitive flesh and almost pushed her over the edge.

  “Da-li!” a young kid’s voice called.

  She pulled back with a gasp. Peejong’s youngest, her little pal, Mark Rio, was looking for her.

  Aaron craned to look over his shoulder. “I don’t think he can see us.”

  No. And she wasn’t in a state of undress. Neither was Aaron. Although…the impressive bulge in his jeans would give anyone who’d gone through puberty an indication of what was going on.

  He followed her gaze. His smile was sheepish but also full of promise. “We need to walk back slowly so I can get myself under control.”

  She trailed a finger along his arm. “Are you saying I make you lose control?”

  “You make me wanna.” He grinned. His blue eyes sparkled like the river behind them. Taking a breath, he threw his shoulders back and spun them to face the trail back home. “On our leisurely stroll back, you can tell me about the birds I hear. They aren’t the subtle songs of ours back home.”

  “Dali!” Mark Rio drew closer, but she still couldn’t see him. At eight, he wouldn’t give up. The look of utter adoration he gave Aaron wouldn’t let him.

  “We’re coming,” she called.

  Mark Rio started to shout something when a shriek rang out.

  Dalisay didn’t wait to spare a look to Aaron. She took off, Aaron close behind her. Within seconds of flying down the path, Mark Rio came into view. He was sprawled on the ground with his bicycle still between his legs, the back wheel spinning.

  He was crying and trying to move out from under the bike. Each time he gained an inch, he’d let out a holler.

  Blood ran down his leg.

  “Wait,” she ordered.

  He went still, but each time he peeked at his calf, he whimpered. The bike pedal had lacerated his little leg, and the cut was bleeding freely.

  She tried to rip at her shirt for material to press against the wound. Aaron saw what she was doing and yanked off his shirt. Buttons flew in all directions before it was tossed at her. She caught it and dropped to her knees by Mark Rio.

  Murmuring encouraging words to him, she motioned to Aaron to move the bike. With the bike out of the way, she tied the shirt around Mark Rio’s lower leg. As she held pressure against it, she raised it in the air.

  “Aaron, can you carry him back? I’ll take the bicycle.”

  “Absolutely.” He hefted Mark Rio, and she adjusted the boy so his leg wasn’t hanging. Snapping the bicycle up, they trotted back to Peejong’s.

  Ina popped out of the house first, like she’d been on the lookout, having been left at the mercy of Sally. Ina called for Sally and ran toward them.

  Mark Rio was handed off. Dalisay stayed by his side to tend to the injury. The bleeding slowed and once it was washed, it wasn’t as bad as initially thought. She reassured the family and helped Sally securely bandage it. When he was finally resting, Dalisay left him in his mother’s care and went in search of Aaron.

  He was outside of the house with Mark Rio’s teenage brother. They were standing by the chicken coop. Aaron had put on a clean shirt.

  She’d missed him shirtless, so intent on her patient that she couldn’t remember registering that Aaron had been bare chested.

  Her patient. Dare she get her hopes up?

  When he spotted her, he started over. “How is the little man?”

  “Resting.”

  “Good.” A slow grin formed. “Want to go for another walk?”

  Tucking herself back under his arm, they walked back down the same trail they’d come from, and she planned his last night in Manila.

  ***

  Aaron tossed the last article of clothing into his suitcase. Add the last of his toiletries in the morning and he was ready for the long flight home.

  A smaller part of him than he’d expected wanted to go home. Back to his bed. Which wasn’t as plush as this one. Back to his truck. It’d be nice to drive where he wanted to go again. Back to the food he was used to. He’d adapted well. In the first few days, he’d sampled enough to know what he liked and what he should stay away f
rom. He missed his steak and potatoes, but it was winter, and he didn’t grill in the frigid temps anyway.

  Daisy was arriving soon. To his room. To spend the night.

  He rubbed the back of his neck as if it’d stave off the stirring in his manhood. It’d been hard enough to control his body’s reaction to her while they were around her family, then sitting beside her for another six hours on the bus ride back to Manila.

  A box of condoms rested in the drawer of the end table. He’d been almost ashamed of himself for packing them. How could things go so far without him feeling like he was taking advantage of the woman he’d met online?

  But they had. And Daisy had asked to sleep over. He should’ve been the bigger person and planned to cuddle her all night, but the truth was, he’d waited his whole life for a woman like her. He didn’t want to waste one more second. Add in the months they’d be apart waiting for her visa and his early trip home to his hot mess of a family, and it felt right to spend tonight together.

  Spend the night. His mouth went dry. He surveyed the room. The bed was made, and no clothes hung off chairs or were strewn across the floor. He’d have to make more of an effort to keep his house looking this neat.

  There was a soft knock at the door.

  His breath hitched, and he stared at it. With a quick shake of his head, he jumped to answer.

  Daisy waited for him, wearing the same black dress she wore on their boat trip. Her long hair begged for him to run his hands through it. The tint of flush in her cheeks, and the way her eyes licked over his body, made him more certain about tonight.

  “Come on in. Hungry?”

  “Not yet,” she said breathlessly.

  “Me, either.” The click of the door shutting echoed in the room.

  “Daisy—”

  “Aaron—” She giggled. “You go.”

  “I don’t really know what I was going to say. Besides that I think your name is beautiful. Dalisay.” Her family called her Dali, and whenever she’d had to give her name, she used Dalisay.

  Her serene smile cut through his nerves. “But I like when you call me Daisy.”

  The waiting was over. He pulled her close. Starting at her forehead, he trailed kisses to her mouth.