Page 69 of No Bed Of Roses

She shrugged. “Everyone worked hard. I can’t believe it’s all done. It’s going to be amazing to watch them grow.”

No one else was recovering from being hit by a car, but he didn’t bring that up. Instead, he enjoyed the deepening of dusk and the feel of her in his arms.

Contentment was exactly the right word.

At the fence, he set her on the top and then swung up to sit behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Hopper wriggled under the fence and then sat beside them, leaning his weight into their legs.

They watched the sun dip to the horizon and light up their fields.

Isla’s voice was barely a whisper. “It’s beautiful. I’m so glad Tansy invited me up here.”

He chuckled. “Me too. And I’m glad Epic talked me into joining his venture. We’ve made a good place here, Isla. I can see our entire future spreading out here before us.” They’d make their own traditions, a blend of old and new.

“I love you so much, Levi. I love what we’re building, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to spend that future with you.”

He swung down from the fence and lifted her into his arms again. “I’m the lucky one, Isla.”

She laughed as she leaned into him. “Let’s call it a tie.”

He could live with that.

CHAPTER 23

Hop On

Isla moved another pot of hops to the plot she’d created behind her greenhouse. The structure wasn’t tall enough to accommodate the plants any longer. She would keep some in pots so she could change the soil elements and test the results. Others would be planted together to see how the varieties coped growing beside other. Maybe they’d get some cross-pollination and create a new strain.

Surprisingly, the hops appeared to be doing best with regular Vermont soil without a whole lot of treatments. That was good news for Levi and his crops, although she’d keep testing and looking for ways to improve and help out Mother Nature. It was going to be an interesting season. Excitement at the possibilities rippled through her.

Stacks of windows and doors rested alongside the barn for her next greenhouses. They had plans to build the second one soon. With the things she’d learned working with the hops, she had new ideas of what to try with some with some other plants with bines. Runner beans in particular could benefit from the things she’d learned. She couldn’t wait to dive in.

Hopper jumped up from where he’d been snoozing in the sun and barked. It had been days since Glen and Ed had been arrested and removed from town, but her nerves were still jumpy. Hopper faced the front of the property and Isla drew in a deep breath as she pulled out her phone.

Three missed texts from her dad. She’d been too caught up in her plants to notice. With dismay, she looked down at herself. Overalls, wellies, and a long-sleeved t-shirt. No flannel or hoody today because it was warm. She’d hoped to change before her dad arrived with Elaine, but it looked like time was up.

“Hey, Glass Farmer, your dad’s rental just pulled in.”

She smiled up at Levi. “Do you think you can stall them while I go change? I lost track of time.”

He laughed and swooped her into his arms for a kiss. “You’re gorgeous and sexy as hell.”

That made her laugh. Nothing about what she wore was sexy. Except to Levi. Her Fairy God Farmer.

After another kiss, he slung his arm over her shoulder and they headed to the front, with Hopper at their side.

Because it was Levi, she was able to say it out loud. “I’m nervous.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “I know, but it’s going to be fine. You’ve spoken with Elaine over video calls and she’s excited to meet you in person.”

Her dad’s girlfriend seemed very nice. No nonsense, which made sense seeing as she’d been CEO of a non-profit for years. The woman had been a corporate power house and Isla was about to meet her with grass stains on her knees and soil under her fingernails.

Reg rounded the hood of the car and opened the side door, offering his hand to Elaine. She rose from the car and pressed a quick kiss to her dad’s cheek, then took his hand.

The couple turned to the cottage, but it only took a moment for them to spot Isla, Levi, and Hopper approaching from the back. Reg grinned and called out a greeting. Elaine smiled and waved as well.

Levi squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve got this.”

She gave a sharp nod. He was right. After all they’d been through in the past few weeks, meeting her dad’s girlfriend should be easy. But it was too important to be easy.

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