The truth was I had thought about it. Especially these last few days. However, I wasn’t sure it was plausible. “It’s crossed my mind. But one, I don’t have enough clients yet, and two, I’d have to line up three full-time projects a month to make it financially viable, and I don’t know if that’s doable. Besides, I’d have to funnel money into promoting the business. Turning it into a brand. I have a website and testimonials, but not enough authors know about me just yet. So far I’ve gotten work through word of mouth.”

“Your schedule is open now, though. Maybe if they knew this was full time, your current clients would recommend you more.”

“That’s true. But self-employment is scary, right? And I don’t want to have to work sixteen hours a day just to make ends meet.”

“Right you are,” he agreed. “It’s a lot of stress and responsibility. Especially when you have employees. But on the plus side it’s bloody nice to be your own boss.”

I smiled, envious. I’d love to make editing a full-time gig, but for now it was just a nice way to keep me afloat without having to dip too far into my savings. Trying to push away my worries, I asked, “Does farming make you happy?”

Roane swallowed the bite of sandwich he’d taken as I slid onto the stool next to him. His gaze wandered to Shadow, who had finished the deli meat and was sniffing all around the bowl as if he might magically find more. “Aye.”

I frowned at the slight hesitation I’d heard. “You don’t sound so sure.”

“No, I am. I’ve always liked the physicality of it. It’s straightforward, the results of your productivity are tangible, and I like going to bed physically exhausted rather than mentally.”

“You’re never mentally exhausted?” God, I envied him.

“Sometimes.” He looked at me for the first time since I’d asked him about his happiness. “I do a bit of maintenance for the tourist board as well. Looking after homes that are rented out to tourists. Farming and tourism aren’t easy industries. There’s a lot of stress involved.”

I mentally berated myself for thinking he had it easy. “Of course there is. Now that you mention it, I’m sure I read somewhere that farming is one of the most stressful jobs out there.”

Roane nodded, studying his sandwich intently. “It can be.”

“But it does make you happy?” I pushed.

Our eyes met, his warm with something I couldn’t name. “Aye, Evie. I’m happy.”

I couldn’t help my wide smile. “I’m glad.”

His eyes flitted past me and landed on the Tupperware box. Surprise flickered across his expression. “Where did you get those?”

“Oh. Your cousin.”

“Caro came here?”

At his shock, I grinned. “Is that unusual? Because she’s unbelievably shy?”