A Family Forever by Helen Scott Taylor Read Free Book Online

it won't be very wildlife friendly. I was hoping I could put the animals in some of your field hedges. It shouldn't inconvenience you."
    The old man's gaze narrowed, his bushy eyebrows wriggling down like two hairy caterpillars. "I ain't got nothin' against you, Cantrell, but I won't help that O'Shea woman."
    His words fired Adam's protective instincts. Victoria obviously hadn't exaggerated the farmer's bad attitude. "Whatever you think she did to offend you, I'm sure it was unintended."
    "The answer's no, Cantrell. And if I see any of them hedgehogs in my fields, I'll kill 'em."
    Disgust at Andrews's callous attitude turned Adam's stomach. But arguing wouldn't solve a thing. He glanced over his shoulder at where Victoria sat in the car. Thank goodness she hadn't heard the threat, otherwise she'd worry for the safety of the hedgehogs that had wandered away from Larchfield and already lived in the fields. At least the animals were nocturnal and the farmer was unlikely to see them.
    The old man's jaw set in a stubborn line. Adam knew he'd be wasting his breath to say another word. He simply turned his back and headed to the four-wheel drive.
    The sound of shuffling footsteps made him look over his shoulder. Andrews hurried after him with his bandy-legged gait, his gun clutched in his hand. Adam picked up his pace. He jumped in his vehicle and started the engine.
    Victoria's breath hissed in as the farmer appeared at her side window.
    "Get off my land!" He banged a fist on her window. "You ain't welcome here."
    Adam gunned the engine, trying to drown out the man's words.
    "Stay outta my fields and keep them prickly vermin out as well."
    Adam pressed his foot on the gas and shot down the bumpy drive. A glance in his rear view mirror showed Andrews was staring after them waving his gun.
    "That guy's got a screw loose. I should have listened to you. I'm sorry to subject you to his temper," Adam said.
    Once they reached the road, Adam eased up and glanced at his passenger. Victoria's eyes shone with tears as she bit her lips.
    Oh, hell. Why hadn't he listened to her and kept away from Willowbrook Farm? He pulled onto the edge of the road and reached for her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry."
    She leaned into his arms and he cradled the back of her head in his hand. Her silky hair slid against his palm. He leaned down and touched his nose to the top of her head. Her sweet floral fragrance filled his senses. Lord, the woman smelled good. And he shouldn't be thinking this way. Not when she was upset.
    She pressed her face against his shoulder. "It's-not-your-fault," she whispered, obviously struggling not to cry.
    He wished desperately he hadn't taken her to Andrews's farm. "I'm going to sort this out for you. He won't shout at you again." He wasn't sure how, right now. But he'd find a way.
    She shook her head. "No. You'll just make him worse."
    Adam longed to press his lips against her forehead. Instead he pressed his lips together.
    He was damned if he'd walk away in a few days and leave this situation unresolved. The miserable old blighter was obviously intimidating Victoria. Adam would not stand for that. He treated people fairly and had a good rep among his employees, but he could be tough when he wanted to. In some countries where he'd worked, that was the only way to gain people's respect.
    Geoff Andrews might think his behavior was none of Adam's business, but Adam had just made it his business.
    Her silent tears dampened his shirt. "I wish I had a clean, neatly folded hanky to offer you," Adam said, "but I'm not that well organized."
    She gave a watery laugh and drew back. "Sorry, Adam. I didn't mean to blubber all over you." She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. "I promised myself I wouldn't let him get to me."
    "You shouldn't have to put up with that kind of treatment."
    She sighed and leaned back in her seat. "Can we pop in to Prickly Ball Cottage for a few minutes? I'd like to freshen up a little and repair my