The Farmer Next Door by Patricia Davids Page A

moved aside to let Samuel use the booth.
    Adrian said, “I have several other errands to run. I need to pick up some bushel baskets and the new blades for my sickle mower should be in.”
    “They are. I heard it on the message machine.” She leaned closer. “And Samuel has a new grandbaby.”
    Adrian chuckled, “I’m glad my blades have come in. It will be time to put up hay in another few days and I must be ready.”
    “Is the work in my orchard taking up too much of your time?”
    “ Nee, I’m glad of the extra work. I don’t mind waiting for you at the doctor’s office as long as you don’t mind waiting there if you are done ahead of me.”
    A ride into town seated beside Adrian was more appealing than it should have been. Should she accept? What was the harm in it? There was no need for both their horses to make the trip. “I accept your offer, gladly, and I won’t mind waiting.”
    “ Goot. I will be back with my wagon in half an hour.”
    “I will be ready.”
    Samuel stuck his head out the door, a wide grin on his face. “I have a granddaughter.”
    Faith laughed. “I know. Congratulations.”
    When she looked back, Adrian had already started toward his farm. Faith bid Samuel good day and hurried as fast as she could to her house.
    Once there, she quickly freshened up. She changed her worn and stained everyday dress and apron for her best outfit. After patting down a few stray hairs, she decided she looked well enough to go into town. The blue of her good dress brought out the color of her eyes. Would Adrian notice? The thought brought her up short. Now, she was being foolish.
    Her practical nature quickly reasserted itself. It wasn’t that she wanted to impress Adrian. She merely wanted to look presentable when she met the doctor. Having rationalized choosing her best dress, she gave one last look in the mirror,pinched some color into her cheeks, put on her bonnet and went out to wait for Adrian with excitement simmering in her blood.

Chapter Eight
    A drian called himself every kind of fool as he drove his green farm wagon up to Faith’s gate. He was about to give his nosy neighbors and his family food for speculation by driving the widow Martin into town. Knowing smiles and pointed questions would be coming his way for days. What had he been thinking?
    Cousin Sarah would be sure to hear about this. She would make certain his mother knew before the day was out. He began lining up explanations in his head so he would have them ready. His mother was certain to drop by his house before nightfall.
    He tugged at his beard as the source of his coming discomfort limped down the walk and crossed behind the wagon to the passenger’s side. He glanced down at her as she prepared to step up into the wagon. Something of what he’d been thinking must have shown on his face.
    A look of concern furrowed her brow. “Is something wrong?”
    There was no point in ruining her afternoon with his glum thoughts. He extended his hand to help her in. “ Nee. I’ve much on my mind. That’s all.”
    She laid her hand in his without hesitation. He realized itwas the first time she hadn’t flinched away from him. A sense of satisfaction settled in the center of his chest.
    Her hand was small and delicate in his grasp. His fist completely engulfed it. She was light as a feather when he pulled her up. She might be a tiny thing, but what she lacked in size she more than made up for in determination. He admired her tenacity. She had done a lot with her rundown inheritance. She was making the place into a home.
    He turned the wagon around in the yard and set his gelding to a steady trot when they reached the highway. The drone of the tires on the payment, the clatter of the horse’s hooves and the jangle of the harness were the only sounds for the first few minutes of the ride.
    Adrian suddenly found himself tongue-tied. He hadn’t spent time alone with a woman since his single days. What should he talk about? Or should he