Page 27 of Always

I didn’t come here to figure Skye out. I came here to figure myself out.

Steve interrupts my thoughts. “This is a golden opportunity for me, Braden. To talk to you about the market.”

I lift my eyebrows. What market is he talking about?

“I’ve been watching the exchange lately. It’s been swinging all over the place. People get so nervous when things dip, like they’ve never seen it happen before.”

Ah. “You keep up with the stock market?” I ask. Then I regret my words. Just because he’s a farmer doesn’t mean he wouldn’t follow the market.

He seems unfazed by my comment, though.

“Yeah, I’ve been investing for a while now. It’s not that different from what I do. You’re planting seeds, watching for growth, knowing when to make your move.”

Interesting. I rub my chin. “What’s your take on it all?”

He swallows his bite of pot roast. “You invest in the right spots, just like I plant the corn every year. Some seasons are good, some are rough, but you don’t go digging up your investments the moment things start going south. You give it time, ride out the bad stretches. It’s all about knowing when to hold and when to shift.”

He’s not wrong. “True,” I say, “but there’s more volatility in the market than farming, isn’t there?”

Steve shrugs. “Volatility’s part of it, sure, but it’s predictable if you’re paying attention. Just like reading the weather. You don’t panic at the first sign of a storm, but you also don’t ignore the signs. Most folks pull out of the market too early, same way they might overreact to a dry spell on the farm. It’s about patienceand knowing when to adjust.”

“So you’ve been investing?”

Steve grins. “Yeah, been picking my spots for years. Bought some tech stocks when people were calling it a fad. Sat through the rough patches, didn’t blink. Knew they’d bounce back.”

“Absolutely,” I agree. “I have a company that’s devoted only to stock investments, and that’s how we look at it. It’s a long-term thing. Diversity is key, but so is patience. You’ve got to let your investments grow, give them time, and resist the urge to jump ship when things get rocky. It’s about finding balance—staying flexible enough to adapt but grounded enough to trust the process.”

Steve nods. “That’s exactly right. It’s the same principle with farming. You have to be patient. You don’t see results overnight, but if you’ve diversified and taken care of things properly, you can handle the rough patches. It’s not about reacting to every downturn. It’s about trusting the process and knowing when to adjust. Long-term thinking always wins out.”

Steve’s a smart man, which isn’t surprising, of course. Skye is extremely intelligent. Good genes.

When all the plates are empty, Skye stands to clear the table. Her mom stops her. “Sit down, Skye. I’ll take care of this.”

“That’s okay, Mom. I’m happy to help.”

She’s no doubt happy to get out of the dining for room a few minutes. Steve’s and my conversation has turned to stock options. Skye has never indicated any interest in such things.

I’m impressed with Steve’s knowledge. He’s done well over the years, choosing stocks to invest in and making a modest profit.

A few moments later, Skye and Maggie return with a pie.

“I hope you have room for dessert, Braden,” Maggie says as she hands me a giant slice of pie topped with a large dollop of whipped cream.

“I always have room for dessert, Maggie.”

Though I’m addressing her mom, my gaze locks with Skye’s.

Dessert, indeed.

Many times, Skye and I have indulged in dessert. I know what I’d like to be tasting for dessert. Just her presence has me hyperaware, my groin reacting.

I blink, tearing my eyes away, and focus back on Maggie.

“Mom’s elderberry pie,” Skye says. “My favorite.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had elderberry pie before,” I say, “though my mother made gooseberry pie once. I remember thinking it was kind of sour.”

Maggie smiles. “Now that takes me back. I haven’t had gooseberry pie in years.”

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