Page 74 of No Bed Of Roses

He swayed with her in the deepening dusk, running his hands over her to remind her she was loved and safe.

“On a happier note, my dad and his attorney finished setting up the scholarships today.” Reg and Elaine were back in Texas but returned every few weeks for a visit. It was amazing to have him back in her life.

“What did he decide to do?”

When Isla had assured her father she had no desire to inherit his money, he’d asked her for help in deciding what to do with it. “He’s started scholarships at several Texas colleges for students who are from low-income families who want to study agriculture and eco-friendly sciences. I don’t understand the financial end of things, but he’s put a ton of money into investments that should keep the scholarships going for years. He’s going to make so many lives better.”

Levi chuckled again. “He’s made some huge turnarounds for a man who was so invested in appearances and gathering more and more money.”

She smiled as Levi turned the swaying into a dance. “He’s so different now. I love the changes, and I’m so glad I have a real dad now, and not just a father. I think Elaine is at the root of most of the changes.”

This time, the chuckle was an outright laugh. “Maybe at the beginning, but I know a certain gorgeous Glass Farmer with unshakable ethics who had something to do with that as well.”

That made her laugh, too. “Let’s call it a team effort.”

They kept dancing slowly through the gardens and the flowers as the dusk deepened into night. Hopper rose from the porch and stretched, then barked at them.

Levi kept moving. “Looks like our mutt wants his supper.”

When they didn’t immediately respond, Hopper bounced off the porch and came to check out their dance. He tried to worm his way between them and nearly sent Isla into a tumble. Of course, Levi didn’t let her fall.

In fact, he swooped her up into his arms, one of her favorite places to be, and headed for the cottage.

Isla patted Hopper’s head as he trotted along beside them. “Okay, buddy, we’ll get you fed.”

Levi kissed her head. “That too.”

She laughed. The man was insatiable, and she’d discovered she was as well. “You have a plan, do you?”

Levi grinned at her. “With you in those overalls? I always have a plan.”

Late summer

Levi woke even earlier than normal. Today was the day. The first hops were ready to harvest.

He tried to slip out of bed, but Isla's hand rubbed over his chest. “Today’s the big day. You ready?”

“I feel like a six-year-old at Christmas.”

She laughed and kissed his chest before leaning up on her elbows to smile at him. “Then we’d better shower together to save time. Let’s go.”

After a shower that did not save them any time but ranked high on the list of best showers ever, they grabbed some apples and headed outside. Hopper had barely stirred from his bed.

The sun wasn’t showing above the horizon, but the light was brightening, showing the bines. Hard to believe they’d reached over twenty feet in a few months. They were laden with hops.

Each row held a different variety and would be ready to harvest at various times, giving them some time to breathe between the harvests. The hops at the top ripened more quickly with their better access to the sun, so each bine would have several harvest times as well.

For today, Levi would use a ladder and harvest the first crop of hops by hand. Eventually, he’d use the machines, but he wanted the thrill of the harvest the way his ancestors had before him. His parents had always harvested the first hour by hand to remind themselves of those who’d gone before, and he was going to honor that tradition.

They moved to the correct row with gloves, buckets, and the crazy-tall ladder. He set up the ladder and grinned at Isla. “Ladies first.”

She shook her head. “Not a chance. This is your baby. We checked out my greenhouse babies yesterday. Your turn.”

Throughout the season, they’d made adjustments based on Isla’s experiments, and they had pages of notes for more adjustments to be made the following year.

Unable to wait any longer, Levi donned his gloves and climbed. The hops were sticky, and the bines liked to scratch the unprepared.

At the top, he checked the cones. Faded green, with the tips starting to brown. He ripped open one and found the inside had turned a deep yellow, almost orange. Definitely ready to go.

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