Page 49 of No Good Deed

Interesting. She’d have to study up on small farms. This might be something they could advertise. Hobby farms. Self-sustaining properties or maybe seasonal rentals. “Maybe we can use those as selling points. Lots of land. I assume it’s good for both animal and food farming?”

He nodded and smiled. “I like the way you turn what might be a negative into a possibility. There’s Kimi’s place. And these next few farms are empty, which means they’re available.”

She smiled as they moved. “The farmhouses are gorgeous. I bet a lot of people would love to own those. And I can see people wanting to fix and flip them. The houses are large, and most of them appear to be in decent shape. I’m sure we can create another page on the website for available properties. Keep people interested by rotating them out every week or so.”

Troy nodded. “Another great idea. In fact, you’ve got me thinking about my other project.”

“Can you tell me?”

He chuckled. “It involves my brothers in arms. In the Army, Marcus and I were part of a six-man team for almost a decade. The other guys are drifting. They haven’t found their spots. Part of the reason I want to grow the town is for them. If we have more opportunities, I think I can talk them into moving here.”

His voice was wistful, and it was easy to hear how much he missed them. It had her doubling down on her determination to help him and Phail succeed.

Which could be another slogan. “Come to Phail to succeed.”

He grinned and tapped the steering wheel. “I like that. I don’t understand how your brain puts all these things together, but I’m glad as hell that it does.”

He pulled into a driveway that had been recently plowed and parked beside a small farmhouse that was full of charm. Wide porch with room for rocking chairs or a swing in the summer. Bright blue siding with neat white trim.

The front door opened as soon as they were out of the vehicle, and a man waved them in. “Come in out of the cold.”

Stan Phail was probably in his eighties. Pure white hair and bright eyes that looked her over with curiosity. When he spotted Oreo in her arms, he boomed a laugh that warmed her.

“Fearsome beast indeed. How are you, little fellow?”

Oreo wiggled his butt and licked Stan’s hand before the man reached out and took him from her grip. “Take your things off and I’ll get to know my new friend here. What’s his name?”

“Oreo.”

That brought another laugh and they disappeared down the hall. Troy helped her off with her coat and then kissed her. “You’re going to like Stan.”

“I already do.”

They found Stan in the kitchen playing fetch with Oreo. Troy held out a chair for her at the table, a chrome piece that probably had been made sixty years before.

Instead of sitting, Troy patted Stan on the back. “I’d like to introduce you to Piper Keenan. Piper, this is Stan Phail.”

Stan smiled and reached out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Piper. Are you new in town?”

Which implied that she might be staying. Which she wanted more with every hour that passed. “I’ve been here for about a week.”

Stan raised his eyebrow at Troy. “You work fast, boy. Always knew you were smart.”

Piper’s cheeks flamed, but she laughed along with the men. It had been fast. It had also been right.

Troy opened the fridge, and put the food he’d brought away. He also grabbed some glasses and filled them with filtered water from a container in the fridge. He brought them back to the table and set out a plate with muffins, grapes and cheese. “When was the last time you ate, Stan?”

Stan waved away the question and threw the ball for Oreo again. “I had some of those enchiladas from your cousin’s place earlier. I’m good.” But he picked up a muffin and took off the wrapper.

Oreo curled up in a ball beside Stan’s chair to take a nap. Troy offered the plate to Piper, and she took some grapes and cheese.

It was only a few minutes before they chatted like they’d known each other for years. Stan was quick-witted, charming, and stubborn. He didn’t want to leave the home he’d lived in for decades, even though he couldn’t do the upkeep himself.

“Brody does a good job with the plowing, but I can handle the steps and the porch by myself. Young pup should know better than to try to do them for me.”

Piper watched Troy roll his eyes. “Brody is trying to be helpful. Let him.”

“Not a chance. Although I suppose I could send him into the woods to see what’s making those lights at night. Then I’d probably never see him again.”

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