CHAPTER NINETY FIVE – FITTING INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE

Their banter was interrupted by the arrival of Samuel, his heavy tread announcing his presence. "Well now, I see you've met our newest hired hand," Samuel rumbled, eyeing the two of them with an inscrutable expression. "Liam, why don't you show Miss Scarlett here the ropes? Get her acquainted with the other chores." Liam sketched a casual salute. "You got it, boss." Turning back to Scarlett, his eyes danced with mirth. "C'mon then, city girl. Let's see if you've got what it takes." As the days melted into weeks, Scarlett found herself settling into the grueling rhythm of farm life with unexpected ease. The backbreaking labor was a welcome distraction, an excuse to lose herself in the simplicities of hard work and honest living. Under Liam's patient tutelage, she learned to harness the mammoth workhorses, their liquid eyes watching her every move with an ancient wisdom. She took to mucking out stalls and spreading fresh hay with a newfound diligence, savoring the way exhaustion weig