“I understand your concerns,” Sandy said carefully, her eyes flicking toward Smoke, “but is it possible you’re overthinking this? I mean, it’s not like she came here to gather intel. We asked her to come and share her thoughts on the orchard, and that’s exactly what she did.”
“And we were the ones who asked her to come back,” Kate agreed, picking up the thread. “It’s not like she invited herself.”
“What about when you were having coffee? Was she asking a lot of questions?” asked Cage.
“Not really. Mostly, we just caught up with each other,” Sam said. “Sorry, guys, but you and Sanctuary really didn’t even factor into the conversation.”
“In fact, we were talking about making it a regular Sunday afternoon thing,” said Kate. “It seems like a win-win for everyone. We get to have some girl time, and all of us get to benefit from her knowledge and experience.”
“Fair enough,” Church said, nodding. “We’ll play it by ear for now, and if the situation changes, we’ll adapt.”
As their impromptu meeting broke up and people started to leave, Church said, “Doc, got a minute?”
“Sure.” He hung back until the others filed out. “What’s up?”
“Make sure you know what you’re doing where Tina’s concerned.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
When Church opened his mouth to speak again, Doc put his hand up to stop him. “Seriously. I get it, and I’m telling you, you’ve got nothing to worry about there. Anything else?”
Church looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn’t. “No.”
“Cool. Good talk, Dad. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tina
“Judging by the smile on your face, you had a good time today,” Tina said to her grandmother as they drove away from Mr. O’Farrell’s.
“Ah, it was lovely. The man knows a thing or two about how to treat a lady.”
“Do tell.”
“He plied me with chocolates and flowers, and we talked for hours.”
“And? That’s a pretty powerful glow you’ve got going for someone who spent the afternoon talking.”
Lottie’s face flushed, and her eyes sparkled. “Never underestimate the power of a good talk, my dear, especially if it’s been a long time since you’ve had one.”
Tina laughed. “Right. I’ll mind my own business.”
“What about you? How was your day?”
“It was great.” On the ride home, Tina told her grandmother how much she’d enjoyed coffee with Kate, Sam, and Sandy.
She’d almost forgotten what it was like to have real girl time with women she liked and connected with. Her sisters-in-law definitely didn’t fall into that category. Any hopes she’d had of gaining “sisters” she could talk to and do things with through her brothers’ marriages had been dashed pretty quickly.
Tina was still talking as they went inside the caretaker’s cottage. Tina grabbed the bottle of bourbon and poured out two shots while Lottie put the kettle on for tea.
“And you should see their greenhouses! Truly amazing, cutting-edge stuff, things I’d love to try myself at some point—if I could get Gunther and Rick to see the possibilities, but they’re too stubborn.”
“They take after your father.”
“True, but at least Dad was willing to listen and consider all sides before making a decision. Gunther and Rick treat new ideas like they’re personal attacks on their characters or something.”
“It’s not their characters that are feeling threatened, dear. It’s their pride.”
Tina exhaled heavily. Yes, she knew they resented the fact that she’d gotten the opportunity to travel the world and get her master’s degree—Rick more so than Gunther. He often complained to anyone who would listen that she got special treatment because she was the youngest and the only girl. Within the family, he cited her health issues. That only made her twice as determined to prove herself.
At least Gunther had managed to get his bachelor’s degree. Rick had gotten himself kicked out before he finished his freshman year.
“He could have done more, too.”
“He could have, but he made bad choices,” Lottie said bluntly. “He’s just not that smart. You are special. Your father saw that. Unfortunately, your brothers do, too.”
“It’s pointless and stupid. We should be working together, not against one another.” Tina exhaled heavily in frustration. “It’s never going to change, is it?”
“Probably not.” Lottie reached over and patted her hand in sympathy or empathy—Tina wasn’t sure which. “But enough about them. Did you see that young man today? Dr. Watson?”
Just that quickly, the heavy shadows weighing down Tina’s thoughts lifted. “I did.” She told Lottie about Duke and how she’d caught Doc looking at her during