Rose's Rush Hour.

Chapter Sixteen

I told Ed what I planned to do as we had breakfast at my home on the patio. I'd resolved to keep showing up before Callum and to stick to him like glue until he acknowledged how serious I was about keeping our friendship. He also wanted me in his life and I found it pointless to stay away from him.

"Simply listening to you makes me feel like I'm reading a novel," Ed said as she peeled the crust off her bread. "In fact, it vaguely reminds me of that book, Fields of Temptation."

"You read it?" I asked in surprise.

"How could I not after you narrated to me your little library escapade?" she replied, tossing the crusts onto my plate.

"Lara Devine and I have no similarities whatsoever," I argued, referring to the protagonist, who happened to be a seductress.

"You're aiming to get Callum's attention, aren't you?" Ed said as I stirred my tea. "The only thing missing here is the hot and heavy scenes. Did you get to the part where she cornered him and they got down and dirty in the hay-"

"My God, Ed!" I reprimanded, bringing a hand to my temple.

She snickered at my reaction. "Of course, you didn't, you squeamish little girl."

I glared at her. We were both virgins, but I didn't understand how she read each and every erotic scene so easily, like she would a newspaper.

"But don't worry," she continued. "It's why fate chose me to be your dearest friend. I will read and obtain all the dirty knowledge so that when the time comes, I will be able to coach you properly in the arts."

She grinned at her innuendo and I frowned, cringing.

"I'm eating, for goodness sake," I groaned and she snickered again.

*****

In the afternoon, I happily made my way to Mr. Vaughn's work place. I was in a good mood, because I believed this hurdle Callum and I were facing would soon go away with my effort. I found Mr. Vaughn standing in the shop with another man while they discussed something. They soon shook hands and smiled, and the guest left. I greeted him as he exited through the door.

"Rose! What a pleasant surprise," Mr. Vaughn's voice reached my ears.

I smiled at him as he placed his hands on his hips. "Good day, Mr. Vaughn."

He smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. "Good to see you, Rose."

"Uh..." My gaze darted around, specifically to the door in the corner. "Could Callum be back there by any chance?"

His smile slightly faded. "No, sorry. He and his brothers usually work at McGregory's farm on Saturdays."

"Oh." My face fell in disappointment.

"They're still there," Mr. Vaughn said, directly meeting my eyes. "I mean, if you really wish to see him. They clock out at 7:00pm."

I gave it a thought. There were quite some hindrances, the first being that McGregory's farm was quite far and on a somewhat hilly area. It was more than an hour's walk from the Town centre, and the farm itself was humongous. It would take longer to locate Callum, and I'd probably reach him when the sun had set.

Was it worth it?

"I better get going then," I chirped, and Mr. Vaughn's smile was back.

"Good luck," he wished me.

"Thank you."

I would definitely need it.

*****

I decided to take a coach up to the McGregory's farm. The two-storey farmhouse was simple and nice. Between the flower fields to my left and the stretch of grass to my right was a clear stone path that led to the house. There were post and rail fences barricading the flower fields and the lawns.