Love Heart Lane

Fergus flicked a quick glance over towards Drew before taking a deep breath. He focused his gaze and threw the rope successfully over the little pony’s head.

‘Yes!’ Drew shouted, triumphantly punching the air. ‘Keep hold of the rope,’ he shouted down the bank before turning towards Felicity. ‘Can you remember how to drive the tractor?’

Felicity thought for a second. There had been many summers she’d helped out at the farm. ‘Yes, I think I do.’

‘You jump in and drive it slowly, and I mean slowly. I’m going down to the water,’ Drew continued, beginning to clamber down the bank.

The snow wasn’t slowing down, and thick flakes pelted against their cheeks, clinging to their eyelashes and hair. Even though Felicity was frozen to her core it was nothing compared to what Fergus must be suffering right that very second in the freezing cold river.

Climbing into the tractor, she was relieved to have shelter from the flakes. She started driving the tractor slowly.

She could hear Drew yelling behind her and opened the door quickly to make sure everything was okay. He was back on the top of the bank and gave her the thumbs up. She continued to drive forward. She’d no clue what was going on behind her but then suddenly Drew was at the side of the vehicle banging on the window. Immediately, Felicity came to a stop and turned off the engine.

‘They’re out.’ The look of relief on Drew’s face said it all. ‘But we need to get Fergus back to the farmhouse ASAP. I’m going to take the pony over to the stable block, but I need you to drive him back. He needs to get out of those wet clothes and get warmed up. His body temperature has dropped considerably.’

Just as Drew was talking, the passenger door opened, and an exhausted Fergus wearily climbed into the tractor and slumped into the seat. He was soaked to the bone, his head bent low, his lips blue and he couldn’t stop shivering.

Felicity’s heart began to race as she took him in. She knew this didn’t look good.

‘Felicity,’ Drew said in a stern tone. ‘He needs to get out of those clothes, wrap him in blankets and put him in front of the fire. He needs a warm drink and make sure he can swallow properly. Any concerns, ring the emergency services.’

Felicity nodded, taking in every instruction even though she knew in this weather there was no ambulance getting over the bridge and up the track into Heartcross today.

Her gaze slid to Fergus again. No matter the distance and time that was between them, Felicity’s attraction towards him had never wavered. His eyes, his skin and his toned muscles still made her pulse race and as much as they had their differences, Felicity didn’t like seeing him like this. She felt worried and knew there was every possibility his condition could worsen. They didn’t speak as Felicity ploughed the tractor through the snow and pulled up outside the farmhouse.

Almost immediately the solid oak door swung open and a very pregnant Isla was standing in the doorway. Felicity jumped down from the tractor while Isla did a double take.

‘Felicity, is that you? It is!’ Isla swooped out of the doorway.

‘Isla, we need to get Fergus inside quick. He’s been in the river.’

Isla stopped in her tracks and glanced towards the passenger side. ‘The river?’ she questioned. ‘In this weather?’

‘A Shetland was stranded in the water. We’ve just rescued it. Drew’s seeing the pony into the stable.’

Fighting against the snow that was still falling heavily to the ground Isla flung open the tractor door with vigour. Taking one look at Fergus, she assessed the situation, knowing that the circumstances were serious, and began to coax Fergus down from the tractor, his body limp and shivering.

Felicity felt heartbroken and hated seeing him like this. He’d put himself in danger and was now paying the price. She knew they needed to act fast so he didn’t deteriorate any more.

‘Can you speak?’ Felicity asked softly.

His words were slurred and his teeth were chattering, ‘I’m freezing,’ he managed to say.

‘He’s not in a good way,’ Isla quickly observed. ‘Help me get him inside.’

Felicity didn’t hesitate and hurling his arms over each one of their shoulders, they helped carry Fergus into the farmhouse.

The second they were inside, Felicity supported his weight, while Isla skinned the sodden shoes and socks from his feet before leading him into the kitchen.

With the welcoming heat from the Aga and the log fire roaring, the kitchen was toasty warm. ‘Peel those clothes off him now,’ instructed Isla, ‘while I grab some towels, blankets and some of Drew’s clothes.’

Felicity hesitated, her face heated.

‘Now Felicity—’ Isla’s tone was firm ‘—time is precious, and it’s not as though you haven’t seen it all before.’ With that, she hurried out of the kitchen.

Inside her head, Felicity gave herself a talking to. Isla was right, there was no time to lose.

‘Is that okay … Fergus?’

With his teeth still chattering he just nodded and Felicity guided him to the rug in front of the fire. He continued to shiver and didn’t object to Felicity helping him out of his clothes, but he avoided eye contact with her at all costs. As she stripped off his damp clothes the familiarity was all too much for Felicity. She gently touched a body that she’d spent time loving but now, he was a distant stranger. She ran her hand over the scar on his shoulder and for a second, he allowed her a moment’s eye contact before quickly looking away.

Suddenly, it hit her hard how much she’d missed him, and a twinge of sadness ricocheted through her body. He was still overwhelmingly sexy, and she knew the second she set eyes on him she was still attracted to him. But there was no going back. She knew from past conversations with her mum that Fergus had moved on and had a family of his own now. These feelings for him were ones she needed to curb for the two weeks she was back home in Heartcross, for everyone’s sake. Fergus and Felicity had a past, as childhood sweethearts who had made plans and dreams. But that was over now.

Felicity sighed inside. What was the point in raking up the past? It wasn’t going to help either of them.

Isla returned a few minutes later, armed with blankets and a set of Drew’s clothes, and while Felicity held a towel around Fergus’s waist Isla quickly began to dress him then draped the blankets over his shoulders. Once he was safely in the old battered armchair in front of the fire she put the kettle on the hotplate of the Aga.

‘He needs warm sweet tea.’

Felicity perched on the edge of the small coffee table next to him and automatically placed her hand lightly on his knee. His eyes skimmed hers for a split second. ‘Are you feeling any better?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice bright.

Fergus looked up as Isla placed a steaming mug of tea in his hand and one in Felicity’s too. ‘Drink this slowly,’ she said to Fergus. ‘There’s a couple of sugars in that.’

He nodded and took small sips.

Isla turned back towards Felicity. ‘I’ll finally say my hellos,’ she said, with her arms open wide. Felicity stood up and hugged her as best she could with Isla’s heavily pregnant stomach in the way.

‘Good grief, you’re sodden too,’ she said, pulling away quickly. ‘Do you need a change of clothes?’

‘Honestly, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,’ Felicity said, not wanting to make a fuss. ‘I’ll sit here and get warm by the fire. And congratulations! Look at you, all blooming. I believe it’s any minute now for this little one to make an appearance.’

Isla patted her stomach. ‘Blooming fed up. I’m more than ready for this wee one to come out now, and me, you and Allie, we need a proper catch up. I’m so glad you’re home.’ Isla pulled Felicity in for another quick hug.

Felicity felt relieved there was no awkwardness between her and Isla. It was like they’d never been apart. Isla had always been the calm friend, the voice of reason. She always saw the good in everyone and Felicity was thankful she’d welcomed her back with open arms.

Then, her thoughts turned to Allie. She knew it might not be as easy to build bridges with her. Allie was without a doubt the friend with lots of character, the feisty friend, who could hold a grudge until the cows came home … stubborn beyond belief. But even though the three of them had had their spats over the years they’d always stuck by each other no matter what … until Felicity had left the village. It was safe to say Felicity felt nervous at the thought of catching up with Allie.

‘How will Allie feel about that?’ asked Felicity, with a worried expression etched on her face.

Isla took a moment to answer. ‘I won’t try to hide the fact she was mad when you left without telling her. In fact, imagine one of those cartoon characters with steam shooting out of their ears, stomping around … I’m only joking,’ laughed Isla seeing the look of horror on Felicity’s face then taking a swift glance towards Fergus suddenly realising he’d been the reason Felicity had fled so suddenly in the first place. ‘But we know her from old, she’ll be fine,’ she quickly added, giving Felicity a knowing look with a tilt of the head towards Fergus.

Isla knew the heartache and devastation that Fergus had gone through after the tragedy; she and Drew had been left to pick up the pieces. But Felicity had no idea the effect her leaving had had on Fergus. Isla and Drew had never seen him so low, and he’d been lost without Felicity.

Fergus coughed and they both spun around towards him.

‘How’re you doing, Fergus?’ Isla asked, tentatively.

‘I’m okay, I’m just starting to feel a little normal again.’ They both noticed his teeth had finally stopped chattering and it was also a good sign that Fergus’s speech was normal, the colour of his lips gradually returning to a pinkish colour.