Page 151 of The Wayward Son

“You’re crazy. When are you going to talk to Jade?”

“Already did.”

“And…?”

“Everything is good.”

“Meaning?”

“She’s not moving to Hawaii. She never intended to.”

“What? So this is all my fault?”

He looked at her for a moment. “You’re right. It is. If you hadn’t butted in…”

She put a hand to her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all good Sage. What’s in the box?”

“It’s not for you.”

He tried to take the box from her. “Just tell me what you got.”

She pulled the box away. “It’s for Granddad.” She looked at Sawyer for a moment, then opened the box and showed him the six cupcakes inside.

“Why are you buttering him up?”

“I’m not. I happen to love Granddad.”

“We all do. But we don’t bring him cupcakes, unless we want something.”

“Fine. I haven’t exactly gotten his permission to plant Noko Esty’s garden this year.”

Sawyer frowned. “Why would he have a problem with that?”

She shrugged. “You know how he is about the place. Everything is sacred.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine with it. Since when are you into gardening?”

“Joey was talking about planting a garden at the inn so she can offer fresh vegetables to her guest when she serves breakfast andshe wants to do dinner on the weekends. Eventually, that is. I told her the garden at my house has been a garden for years. At least before it sat for twenty. Anyway. I think it’d still be better than her starting one from scratch.”

“So you and Joey want to plant the garden?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. That seems like a good idea. I’m sure he’ll be fine with it. He let you live in the house. I’m sure you can plant the garden.”

“I hope so. I’m kind of excited about it. Now that Jade isn’t going anywhere, she can help, too. What exactly does this mean for the two of you?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re together, that’s all that matters.”

“Did you stop being an idiot and ask her not to leave?”

“After she asked me to ask her not to leave. Even though she wasn’t planning on leaving in the first place.”

Sage shook her head. “Okay. I think I got that.” They headed for the house and went to the kitchen, where Jacob was trying to tell Jake how to make the omelet.

“Dad. Omelets are my thing. I know what I’m doing.”

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