Page 64 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

“Nothing,” she says, her voice sounding very suspicious.

I look around as Sylvester finds a single parking spot, a spot that feels oddly reserved.

“Crutches or a wheelchair?” he asks as he gets out and walks around to my side.

“Crutches, please,” I state as I slowly open my car door. He hands them to me and helps me out.

I swivel and stare up at the banner I’d ordered for the grand re-opening. It’s hanging above the open giant barn doors. There’s Elisha with a small tent serving coffee, Max’s restaurant is in a tent next to hers with mocktails, and there are two local artists with crafts and paintings next to them.

Joy walks up to me and I smile at her. “You haven’t had the re-opening yet?” I ask.

She shakes her head and pulls me into a hug as much as she can with my crutches in the way. “No, sweet girl, of course not. We were waiting for you,” she explains as she pulls back. And looks down at my leg. “How are you feeling?” Joy has emailed me a few times about my medical leave and she has asked about how I am doing. But something about hearing it straight from her feels different. It wasn’t just business for her. She cares, like she really cares.

I take a breath to keep my emotions at bay. “I’m good.” I tap my leg in its brace. “I started PT this week. The doctor says I’m making really good progress and should be walking without assistance in another month.”

“That’s wonderful!” she exclaims as Earl and Buck walk over.

“I knew no tractor could take you out, kid,” Earl says with a wink. “You’re stubborn as hell.”

I laugh and shrug. “It tried, but it didn’t stand a chance. Is it…OK?”

Earl lifts his hand and points over toward the animal barn. “Eric kicked it a lot but Buck and I got it going again. She’s good as new.”

“Good,” I reply.

Buck hugs me. “No more taking tractor rides without us, OK?”

“Yeah, I think my days of tractor operating are over,” I agree.

“Come see it. You did great, kid,” Earl says as they all usher me toward the farmstand barn. I’m greeted by so many people from town. Hugs, well-wishes, and funny news surrounds me.

Katia leans over as I take in the new farmstand. “You did this?” she asks. “It doesn’t look anything like the pics on the website we looked at when you applied.”

I smile at her. “Thank God,” I tease.

She laughs. “No shit. This place was horrible. But now, it’s kinda country-cute. I mean, I’d stop here if I felt like doing the small-town-shopping thing.”

Kingsley walks over and hugs me. “You like it?” he asks.

I nod. “It came out even better than I planned.”

I look at all the artwork, the new shelves, the new flow of the store, the fresh paint, and Mooman, walking toward me.

“Hey, buddy,” I say as I give his head a rub.

“I mean, he’s cute for, like, a cow,” Katia states as she stares down at him.

“This is Mooman. And he’s adorable. Aren’t you?” I ask Mooman who moos back at me on cue. Everyone around us laughs.

A tapping of a microphone draws my attention to the far corner. A hush falls over the crowd.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today. Windsor Family Farms has been an important part of Storyview Falls for a little over twenty years and we look forward to the next twenty.” There’s a round of applause. “I guess I need to first let everyone know that Lamberta is the winning name.” He pauses to point to our lamb who is in a small pen in the corner. A few people laugh and clap. “I delayed this opening for a few weeks because we were missing the most important person on our team, Ariana…Titan. She was the one who dreamed this up and made it happen. She’s put our little farm on the map. None of this would be possible without her.” He walks toward me with his wireless microphone. I take a deep breath and immediately regret it. He’s close enough that I smell his cologne. I need to be mad at him, but I don’t want to be. I just want him to hold me and tell me everything will be alright.

“Would you like to say a few words?” he asks as he holds the microphone out toward me.

I realize then that I’m staring at him. I quickly look away, taking in the small crowd that’s gathered inside the barn.

“I…thank you all for coming. This is quite a surprise. I wasn’t expecting to make it to our grand re-opening. This took a village to put together, and I want to thank everyone involved for their help. The Windsor Family Farm is a special place.” I glance at Eric. His eyes are fixed on mine. I blush. “And I’m happy to be part of it. So, thank you for coming today and I hope you’ll continue to come here every Saturday this spring and summer to enjoy our local vendors and this new incredible farmstand.”

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