Page 81 of Love Off-Limits
I shook my head.
“Then why?”
I moved to the spot Kelly had marked for the first post and jammed the shovel into the ground. “When my grandfather felt lost, he built things,” I said. I wiggled the handles and looked up at Kelly. “Am I doing this right?”
“Just twist it a little and pry the handles at the top farther apart.”
I heaved out a generous scoop of dirt and dislodged grass. “He built tables. Chairs. A business, eventually. I’ve never had a job that required physical labor. I guess the idea of having a bunch of tangible work to do every day felt... safe, maybe? Like there would be a guaranteed measurable outcome? That’s easier than creative work when you sometimes have no idea what you’re even working toward.”
“I get that. But you’ve been doing some creating too, right? I’ve seen you with your camera. We all have. Are you working toward something specific with that?”
I pulled up another scoop of dirt. “How big am I supposed to make this hole?”
“Six, two, eight. Six feet apart, two feet deep, eight inches across.”
I repeated the numbers back. “Got it.” I pulled off the flannel I’d thrown on over my Stonebrook Farm t-shirt and tossed it onto the ground behind me. It was still early, but the morning was already warm. “I wasn’t working toward anything specific at first, but I think I’ve got a plan now. Actually, if I could finish a little early today or tomorrow so I could take advantage of the clear weather and the afternoon light, I’d appreciate it. It’ll help Olivia, I think. If that matters.”
“You still want to help her after...?”
That was just it. In my mind, things hadn’t ended with Olivia, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d seen our interaction differently. A sudden pulse of uncertainty filled my gut. But it didn’t last long. Even if Olivia had deleted my number from her phone and told me to leave and never return, I’d still want to do this for her.
I loved her.
I almost laughed, the certainty of the realization nearly bowling me over. I loved her, and I would do anything for her. Sharp longing sent a tingling sensation through my entire body, quickening my breath and making me feel more alive than I ever had before. I’d had a small taste of what life with Olivia might feel like, and the opposite was bleak. “I’d do anything for her, Kelly,” I finally said.
She whistled for her dogs and backed up a few steps. “I hope whatever you’re planning works. Take whatever time you need to get it done.”
“Hey, Kelly?” I called impulsively, suddenly seized with a desire to ask her a question.
She stopped and waited, her eyebrows up.
“Has Olivia ever talked to you about her restaurant idea?”
Kelly nodded and walked back to where I stood. “Yeah.”
“Doyouthink it’s a good idea?”
“I mean, I don’t have a head for business, but...do I think people would drive out here for a farm-to-table dinner? Sure.”
“I don’t understand why her family’s so against it.”
“I’m not sure Ray would be if not for his stroke. He hasn’t been particularly risk-averse when it comes to Stonebrook—that’s why it’s so successful.” She shrugged. “But now that he’s put Perry in charge—I don’t know. I assume he has his reasons.”
“I just don’t like to see Oliviasitting on her hands. Seems like a waste.”
Kelly studied me for a long moment. “You really see her, don’t you?”
“I’d like to think I do.” I leaned on the post-hole digger. “Though I’m not sure it’ll make any difference.”
“It has to make a difference. Love always does.” She pulled a pair of gloves from her back pocket. “I almost forgot,” she said before tossing them at my feet. “You’ll need these.”
I leaned down and retrieved the gloves, sliding them over my hands as I watched Kelly and the dogs head back to the farm.
I hoped love was all I needed to make a difference. But it might be nice if a little luck chipped in as well.
The sun had dipped behind the mountains by the time I finished the last hole and made my way toward the bunkhouse. I passed by the employee parking lot, post-hole digger in hand, and ran into Olivia. She normally parked over behind the farmhouse, so it was unusual to see her on this side of the property. Though she was dressed for the farm, not the office, so maybe she’d been doing something with Kelly, or her mom, if the goats were involved.
I was filthy, dirt caking my boots and streaking up my arm. I expect I had a good bit in the places I couldn’t see too.
