a thermos mug. “I’m off to work on the barn. I’d better get a move on it. I told my brothers to be there first light.”
“And I need to pick some potatoes before the market opens.” I shake my head. “This working seven days a week is bullshit. I mean, even God took Sundays off.”
He laughs. “You don’t have to pick the potatoes.”
“Yeah, I do. I owe you guys that. Just point me in the right direction.”
“You know where the corn ends?” I nod, and he says, “Just beyond that, but I’m going to join you to show you how it’s done.”
I drink up, knowing he’s ready to get going with his day, then set my cup down. Outside I follow him to a barn, where he grabs a bucket and a big garden fork. As the sun rises higher, it heats the land, and warms my skin. I wipe my brow as we walk past his cornstalks.
“You opening the U-Pick soon?”
“Tomorrow, actually,” he says.
“You excited?”
He grins. “I am, actually. I hope we get a big crowd. I’m looking forward to teaching others about sustainability.”
“I’m sure people will come in droves,” I reassure him.
We stop at the potato garden. “Okay, you need to dig eight to twelve inches from the plant, that way you won’t stab the potatoes.” He shows me, hands me the rake, and I move right along.
“Easy peasy,” I say and he nods.
“You got this?”
“I got this.” I lift my chin an inch, displaying confidence.
Before I realize what’s going on, he presses his mouth to mine and gives me a kiss so deep, so steeped in need, it nearly stops my heart. He pulls back, leaving me breathless, and without a word, he walks away.
I spend the next half hour digging up potatoes, and I take them to my market to wash, sort, and bag. Tires crunch, and I step outside, expecting to see Cindy coming in for her shift, but instead, it’s Bryce Kent.
He steps from his vehicle, and this time, he’s dressed a little more casually in khaki shorts and a polo shirt. He looks like he’s about to hit the golf course. I instantly tense as he comes my way, and I step from the barn and meet him near the playground.
“What can I help you with?” I ask.
He rocks on his feet. “Have you given any thought to my offer?” He glances around, takes in the new paint on my house. I only managed to paint a small part of it. There’s been no time. “Cleaning the place up for sale, are you? I’ll take it as is. No need to make any changes. That house will be demolished anyway.”
My heart jumps into my throat. “What are you talking about? Why would you do that?”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.” He looks a bit cagey as he turns back to me. “How about that offer?”
“My uncle loved this farm. I’m not giving it away,” I say, digging my heels into the ground.
“Sounds to me like you do want to sell. Fine then, I’m willing to go a little higher.”
He pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and puts it in my hand. I read the number. It’s a better offer, but the farm is worth a lot more. A sound comes from behind, a scraping of sorts, and I turn to see Jay standing there, watching the exchange between the two of us. Honest to God, maybe I should just take the offer. How the hell can I stay here and face Jay every day, knowing he can never be mine? He literally just told me he wasn’t into serious relationships, and I came here to get my life in order. Now it’s more chaotic than it’s ever been.
I don’t see an easy solution to any of this.
Chapter Sixteen
Jay
As Alyson drives us out of town in her Tesla, I adjust the radio to a local rock station and angle my head. She’s hugging the steering wheel tight and concentrating on the dark road ahead. With the smell of skunk cleared, she moved her stuff back into her house earlier today, and I hate how lonely my cottage feels without her. Even Capone seems to be missing her.
“How long are you planning on keeping this rental anyway?” I ask.
Beneath the dashboard light, her fingers tighten on the steering wheel. “I’m not sure.”
I nod at that. Yeah, if she was planning on staying longer, she’d have sent the car back already