Page 36 of Brands

“Perfect timing!” Lori waves from the end of the huge dining table. “We’re in the middle of garden planning.” She gestures over the spread of magazines and notepads scattered across every flat surface.

Char giggles, and shifts herself to reach the drink I had to her.

Her poor belly seems like it’s doubling daily. She’s bigger than Lori now, and I think she’s a month behind her or more?

Twins. They change the rules.

“I hope everyone likes strawberry?” I pass one to April, who’s idly thumbing through a grain catalog.

“My favorite.” She smiles.

“I do!” A deep voice comes from the hall near the kitchen where Mason appears.

I stare down at the last two cups. One for me, and a half sized one for Paisley. “Girls only today, sorry. Unless you want to take one from a toddler.” I hold up the tiny smoothie and rock it back and forth.

His chuckle makes his honey-colored eyes light up. “Nah, I’ll steal a little from Lori.” As if to prove his point, he leans over and kisses her just as the straw leaves her lips.

Fucking horndog like his brother, Dixon.

I’m jealous.

I have my very own hot older cowboy, but I’m not allowed to touch him.

“Does yours taste okay?” Char looks at me, a hint of concern pinching her brows.

“Huh? Yea. Just thinking about why I’m here for the squad help.” I guess if I can get the farm, I’d have a chance to prove to Dad I’m mature enough to make decisions about my relationships too.

One can hope.

“So, I just came from the bank—” Folding my leg under me, I take one of the empty chairs. “—they say I don’t have the income of the farm to buy it…because I don’t own it yet.” Splaying out my palms, I’m struggling to convey my frustration. “It’s like I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”

Char leans her elbow on the table and props her cheek against it facing me. “So, what about your cows? Do you own enough that you can run it on your own with just them?”

“Nope. Dad’s counting the equipment into his sale numbers.” I pick at the sticker on the plastic side of my drink. “So I need to either come up with a way to buy himout, or just let him sell mine too. Won’t make much sense to keep ‘em if I can’t milk ‘em.” I think I’m around forty head now.

Waytoo many to milk by hand.

“Well, if you do have to downsize, I can help you work up a feed program that bumps production.” April pushes a pan of fresh cinnamon rolls towards me. “Here, we can all be fat together.” She grins, then winks at Char.

“Lori, you’re amazing. You should totally open a bakery.” I peel one of the sticky buns from the dish and catch the oozing frosting with a paper towel.

“April’s found a few holes in our regimen that’s already showing gains,” Mason interjects.

April’s cheek turn pink. “Why thank you. Makes the schooling worth it.”

“I appreciate it. But I won’t need grain without any cows.” I feel my mouth fall. “I’m just super frustrated. Dad isn’t old enough for the state medical aid, so he’s screwed on his hospital bills. This would be my best option to help, and keep the farm going.”

I’m starting to wonder if selling everything might be the best option after all.

Sophia reappears with her baby brother on her hip. “I read this book recently—”

Lori’s green eyes widen. “How spicy was it?” Her lips purse as she fights a smile.

Sophia fans herself, making Jack giggle in her arms. “Like ten alarm fire! Anyways, it had like this mafia guy who took out a loan on his club, but he got to keep operating it, he just had to pay back the big boss.”

“That would mean I’d need an investor…hopefully someone who won’t break my legs. Where do I find a gangster in the middle of Montana?”

Mason reaches out and grabs a napkin, then rips it in half, stuffing each piece into his cheeks to puff them out. “Make me an offer I can’t refuse,” he says with a thick Italian accent.

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