CHAPTER TWO
Charly ignored McKinnon as she took her photos, some of the house, the barn, and the outbuildings. She was aware that he was again leaning on the car and watching her, but then, that was his assignment. When she had finished, she approached the car to put the camera in it, but he was leaning against her door.
"Excuse me, please. I'd like to get rid of this before I go inside. Coming for a coffee?"
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world, Miss Benson." He straightened and pulled the door open for her.
"Keeping you amused, am I?" She realized her question was a bit flippant as soon as she uttered it, but his silent watchfulness was beginning to irritate her.
"Immensely amused. I haven't enjoyed myself this much in years."
Small things amuse small minds. She missed the sharp look he threw her. It was difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic, because his comments were all delivered in the same conversational tone. She decided it was best to say nothing further, and turned to the house instead.
Mr. Baker had set the table with coffee mugs, cream, sugar, serviettes, and a plate of fresh muffins. Not wanting to offend him, Charly ate one. She was very surprised when he admitted he had baked them.
"Since my wife died, I've learned to do a lot of things that I'd never done before, like laundry, housecleaning and cooking. But I enjoy it."
As he was speaking, Charly suddenly became aware that McKinnon's eyes were riveted on her left hand where it curled around her coffee cup. And he was frowning. Outside of a murmured "Thank you" to Mr. Baker, he had been silent.
Completing a quick tour of the house, Charly thanked Mr. Baker for his hospitality and, when invited, said she would love to come back just to visit. And she meant it. She sensed the loneliness in him and decided he probably didn't have many visitors.
Back on the road again, she suppressed the urge to ask, 'How did I do?' Her mind was already reviewing the next two farms and then there was the problem of lunch. By the time they reached their next destination, it would be 12:30 and not a good time to disturb a farmer.
Making her decision, she drove into Belleville and parked in the lot of her favourite pizza parlour. It wasn't crowded yet because it was only 11:30, so they didn't have to wait for a table. She didn't ask McKinnon what his preferences were and she didn't really care. She normally ate a salad for lunch and she knew this was one restaurant with a decent salad bar.
Once seated across from him, Charly began to feel uncomfortable. He was so dammed uncommunicative and this was suddenly a social situation. It had been relatively easy to brush off his presence until now. But there he sat, big as life, just across the small table, studying the menu.
Knowing exactly what she wanted, Charly didn't need to look at the menu. So she looked at him instead and she saw him for the first time as a very attractive male. He would be mid-thirties and his features were rugged, rather than classically good-looking. His eyes were dark velvety-brown, covered at the moment by the sweep of long and slightly curled lashes. His hair was a dark mahogany with reddish highlights, and it was just a little longer than the average cut.
Too bad the personality is the pits. She almost died when he glanced up sharply, and stared right into her eyes. Almost as though he could read my mind, damn it. She looked away as the waitress approached, and quickly gave her order for the salad bar and coffee.
Muttering, "Excuse me, please," she left the table and made her way to the Ladies' room. How embarrassing to be caught staring at him, like a schoolgirl! No doubt he's doing his best to unnerve me, but he isn't going to succeed. I want this job and I'm going to get it.
The self-administered pep talk seemed to help, and she made her way to the salad bar, where she piled her plate with all her favourite things. As she seated herself at their table, she noticed that McKinnon was eating a steak sandwich and thought, suits you, and again looked down quickly as he again glanced sharply at her.
This is ridiculous! We're two grown people, having lunch together, and I'm acting like an idiot. I've got to break the ice somehow, but how? He hates women, he answers questions in monosyllables and he definitely doesn't want me to have this job. Oh, the hell with it. I can be rude too.
Ignoring him completely, she proceeded to eat her lunch, reviewing the next two farms in her mind. Once mentally involved, it was easy to carry on as though she were alone. The next two farms were dairy and beef, respectively, and she could see no reason why either one should pose any problem. But no doubt there were problems, or he wouldn't have chosen them.
"You didn't tell us you were getting married, Miss Benson." The statement brought her quickly out of her reverie, and she immediately noticed his eyes again fixed on her left hand.
"That's because I'm not, Mr. McKinnon." And besides, it doesn't happen to be any of your damn business anyway. Again, he looked sharply at her and once more, she had the feeling he could read her mind.
"Sorry. My mistake." And he returned to his meal, as though he hadn't spoken. But she caught him looking several more times at the diamond on her left hand.
Glancing at her watch, she finished her coffee and was planning to leave, when McKinnon ordered a piece of coconut cream pie, and she was forced to sit and wait while he ate it. Slowly, it seemed to her.
Paying for the meal on the way out, Charly asked for a receipt and filed it away. Once hired, she would be allowed expenses for mileage and meals, so why not think positively and start now? She noticed there was no comment from her shadow.
The next farm was well maintained, but it appeared that the bulk of the money went into the barns, equipment and outbuildings. As she approached the house, Charly noticed the beds of beautiful roses, but the building was old and needed some paint to freshen it up.
The reason for McKinnon's choice was evident as soon as the door was answered. The farmer's wife was young and pretty and probably not at all enthusiastic about another young female going into the barn with her husband. Well, no problem. After introducing herself and explaining her presence, Charly put her left hand up to her hair to push it back, turning slightly so the sun would catch her ring. At the same time, she commented on the roses with genuine interest, because she had been helping with her Dad's bushes for years.
As the discussion moved from insurance inspecting to roses and rings, Charly sensed McKinnon moving off out of hearing range. Tough luck, McKinnon. Foiled again. Mrs. Gordon was quite friendly now, and apologized to Charly because her husband was in town, and could she do her inspecting without him? Charly assured her that would be no problem and got on with it. McKinnon followed silently.
Climbing around through barns was nothing new to Charly, but doing so, dressed as she was, was a nuisance. She hated having to be aware of her clothing all the time and vowed this would be the last day she was dressed inappropriately. It would be easier to get at wiring to check it more carefully if she was in blue jeans, as she would be at home. Oh well, tomorrow was another day.
Her notes complete and pictures taken, Charly returned to the driver's seat of the SUV, ignoring McKinnon as he again folded his length into the tight quarters. She replaced the Gordons' file and withdrew the next one, glanced at the map, and started the engine. He buckled up his belt, and proceeded to stare out through the windshield.
Driving to the next farm, Charly had some time to wonder about him. How could anybody stay silent for so long and be so gloomy? It just wasn't natural. Why all the animosity towards her? Although she had a strong feeling it wasn't just her. In fact, she'd be willing to bet he treated all females with the same distant dislike.
Being a very outgoing person herself, Charly was finding it more and more difficult to remain silent, but knew herself well enough to know that if she started a conversation and he didn't respond, she would likely end up being very rude. And she couldn't afford to be just now. So she held her tongue and drove on.
A surprise awaited her at the last farm of
the day. When the door was opened, an old school friend, with whom she had lost contact, greeted her enthusiastically. She could almost sense McKinnon snorting with derision as they rapidly chatted about the years they had lost. She deliberately prolonged the conversation an extra few minutes.
After promising to return on her days off sometime for a real visit, Charly completed the inspection. She was aware that McKinnon had perched himself against a bale of hay and was letting her get on with it by herself. Could that mean he was beginning to trust her, or was he just testing her? She wasn't concerned because she knew her inspections were thorough and professional.
Overall, the day had been easier than she had expected. The actual work gave her no cause for worry. Her only fear was that McKinnon would find some reason to justify not giving her the job. So far, so good, and tomorrow was another day.
Charly walked back to where she had left McKinnon, only to find that he had gone outside. Joining him by the car, she put her files together neatly and prepared to leave. With the car once more out on the highway, she had time to look at her watch and feel pleased that it was just after five, in spite of her coffee break in the morning and her two afternoon chats.
Arriving back at the office at five-thirty, Charly went into the now-empty building with McKinnon to return the completed files to the boardroom and pick up three more for the next day. Still he maintained his silence, speaking only when necessary.
"We're staying on the Isle tomorrow, so we should finish early." Handing her the files he had chosen, he turned to the door and waited with his hand on the light switch, until she left the room.
Charly couldn't wait to get away from him. The `Isle' was Quinte's Isle, Prince Edward County, bordered by Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte. She had grown up on the Isle and knew many farmers who were neighbours of her parents while they had been farming, so it was quite conceivable she would know some of the farms he had chosen. Leaving the building, she tossed a "See you tomorrow," over her shoulder, as she headed for her car. He didn't reply, just unlocked his Cadillac and got in.
With another forty-five minute drive ahead of her, Charly took a minute to read the file names. What luck! Uncle Henry! Well, she knew for sure which farm she would visit first. And maybe she'd just give McKinnon something to think about while she was at it. Her mind was busy formulating plans all the way home, so the time passed quickly.
The weather had been unseasonably warm for May and Charly knew the farmers were expecting a cold spell soon. Although she now lived near the city, she still kept an ear to the weather from habit. The forecast also called for rain and winds by mid-week from a storm front moving up from the Eastern States. She had learned at a young age that the weather was one thing farmers had to accept and work around.