Page 84 of Every Beat of My Heart

I handed Owen the gloves, then the saw. “Just put the blade here, dig in, and slide it back and forth.”

Owen bit his lip as he complied with my instructions. When he pulled away frustrated not to see any progress, I said, “You’re not using enough pressure. Don’t worry. You can’t get hurt. I promise. I’m right here.”

“Okay.” This time he pressed harder, and the blade slid through the bark.

“That’s it. You’ve got it.”

Owen’s face became more determined as he continued to saw through the trunk. He responded well to praise, but it also told me that he didn’t get much of it from his father.

That was going to change when it came to me. Owen would come to expect praise, encouragement, and guidance when he needed it. He’d never need to wonder where he stood. I vowed to always make time for him. I wasn’t just in a relationship with Claire. Owen was just as big a part of the equation as she was.

“Timber,” Owen cried when he sawed through the trunk.

I jumped up to grab the tree from Claire, who was struggling with the weight. “I got it.”

I dragged the tree behind me toward the truck.”

“Do you need help?” Claire asked.

I flashed her a grin. “I’ve got it. I’ve been carrying trees since I was a teenager.”

“Now that I can cut down the trees, can I help out more on the farm?” Owen asked.

“Let’s keep doing what you’re doing. I don’t think your mom wants you cutting down trees unsupervised yet.”

Claire smiled at me. “Let’s not grow up too fast.”

Owen rolled his eyes. “I’m going to grow up at some point.”

“Just give me time to get used to it.”

Owen sighed. “Fine.”

“Besides, that’s the prime job around here. You have to put your time in at the other positions before you can move up.” That’s what my father had told us. We usually didn’t allow volunteers to do this part, but Owen felt like he was becoming part of our family.

I could see him growing up and taking on more responsibilities. But that was dependent on my relationship with Claire, and I didn’t want to think too much about that.

CHAPTER 18

CLAIRE

It was heartwarming to watch Jameson and Owen interact. He was so patient with him. And I could tell that Jameson wanted Owen to feel good about accomplishing these tasks. Eric didn’t think it was important for Owen to learn how to cut down a tree or change a tire. But there was so much more to it, a sense of responsibility, independence, and confidence.

Why hadn’t I thought of those traits when I met and fell for Eric? I think I was looking for safety and security, and Eric represented that financially. I could count on him to come home at the end of the day and pay for the mortgage. But I’d forgotten the most important piece of all—the emotional one.

When we reached the truck, Owen helped Jameson get the tree into the back.

At this point, most everyone had chosen a tree and were working on wrangling them into the various pickup trucks we’d driven up here.

Al paused in front of us. “We’re going to head home, eat some leftovers for lunch, and then open the farm for the day. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I’d love turkey leftovers. Those are my favorite.”

“We have so much; we can even wrap up a bit to take home with you,” Daphne called over to us.

“That would be amazing. Thank you.”

Al smacked his palm on the truck. “Let’s head back. Customers will be here before we know it.”

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