Page 71 of When I Fall In Love

“I’m coming over to your place so we can sign this tonight and then it’s done. After seeing the farm… I just can’t let this drag on any longer, not for ten million dollars more. Let’s just let it go.”

I nod wordlessly at the screen. Done. I’m done in more ways than what he could ever imagine.

36

HUNTER

On Friday afternoon, I’m on my way back from Montpelier with Ethan after checking in on Bill.

Ethan is busy on his phone and it’s quiet in the car. The past few days have been like a nauseating rollercoaster ride and we’re finally getting off, legs rubbery, but the adrenaline has spiked. With Bill already looking better than yesterday, there is solid hope in the air and we both simultaneously let go of a sigh.

I chuckle and look his way. “All good?”

“Yeah.” Ethan shoots me a glance. “My additional leave application has been approved.”

“I didn’t know you applied for additional leave?”

“I did, on Sunday night, knowing I’ll be needed here. I didn’t want to tell anybody in case it got declined. Luckily I’m already on furlough and not deployed. No chance they’d authorize this then. I have another month.”

“Jeez, that much?”

“I had some days banked. Better to take it now while I can help out.”

I nod, relief sinking in. “That’s great.” With Ethan on hand at Brodie Farm for the next month or so, it will take considerable pressure off all of us. Between the three of us we will be able to manage the milking and everything else until we’ve managed to source someone to help permanently with all aspects of the farm. There’s no telling whether Bill will go back to work full time. For the foreseeable future, it’s out of the question.

“We can work out a schedule and make sure we cover everything that needs to be done.” I stroke at my jaw and the stubble that’s starting to turn into a scruff. “We can’t let things fall through the cracks here.”

“Raiden’s on it,” Ethan says. “For someone who left the farm at fifteen, he’s pretty clued in and very hands-on. He knows exactly what needs to get done.”

Yep, Raiden is hands-on. I’m not sure why I’m even worried about anything anymore. My brothers and cousins have all stepped in like one man in this time of crisis. It strikes me that they’re no longer kids and haven’t been for a very long time. I knew this, of course, but it’s as if I’m seeing them all clearly for the first time.

“Any chance you could drop me off at Sharky’s?” Ethan asks as we drive onto Ashleigh Lake’s main thoroughfare. “I’ll be at the barn later for milking.”

“Sure. You’ll make your own way?” He isn’t going to play a round of pool with a few of his bros now, that’s for sure. I bet he’s going to check in with Sasha.

“I’ll catch a lift with someone. Raiden’s probably around.”

At the level he knows people in town, I don’t doubt it. I roll into an open parking spot about twenty yards from Sharky’s. “Going to play with fire, are you?” I don’t know why I say it. Something big-brotherly in me wants to stop him from doing something stupid that could break his heart.

“Just toying with some matches, Hunter. Don’t get your nuts in a knot over me, okay?”

“Oookay… and ouch.”

“Yeah, ouch indeed. Catch you later.”

With a groan I continue and eventually turn to take the long detour to the factory. As I park my truck outside the admin building, I pause. The place is still standing. That’s a good thing.

For a long moment I sit and stare outside. Two delivery trucks with our logo drive off the premises, laden with the good stuff. Funny that. I had zero hand in making that happen. I’ve had zero hand in this business for ages now and only oversee the whole process. I don’t even play around with recipes anymore since we have a tasting and development team that fits into the whole production line.

I’m not even sure how it all happened. One day I’m licking a cone with my siblings, then fifteen years down the line I own an organic ice cream company.

As I sit and stare blindly, everything that’s happened over the past month tries to fall into place. It feels as if my life is a Tetris game and I’m struggling to make all the pieces fit.

And the biggest piece I have to fit into my life is Beth. I haven’t heard a word from her yet today. She’s stuck in a hearing. Waiting six weeks until Bill has the all-clear would be the right thing to do if I had the time. But I don’t. I can’t wait anymore and won’t waste one more minute.

My mind is already made up when another truck pulls up to mine and revs its engine. I laugh when I see Raiden sitting there, hitching his eyebrows at me. He kills his truck’s ignition, clambers out and walks around to come stand at my window.

“What’re you doing?” he says extra loud so I can hear him through the closed window.

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