Page 145 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
“Oh! He’s my little boy. He’s only five—just started kindergarten actually.” I hold up the goat so I can look into her face. “And he would love you, Sweetpea.”
“You’re welcome to bring him by anytime,” Hannah says. Her gaze shifts, like there’s something she isn’t asking. Is she wondering if I’m married? If Jack’s father is still a part of my life? Or do Iwanther to wonder because that would mean she’s wondering if there might be something between Perry and me? But if thatisn’twhat she’s thinking, and I bring it up, will it make me look desperate and grabby? Like I’m trying to rope her soninto liking me? I’m not wearing a wedding ring, at least. Maybe I ought to just let that speak for itself.
Or maybe I should stop thinking so hard and just cuddle this baby goat and forget about everything else.
“This feels like therapy,” I say, nuzzling the goat a little closer.
Hannah laughs. “You aren’t the first person to say so. They’re pretty sweet. And they don’t smell nearly as bad as the rest of the farm. This place makes a pretty decent sanctuary.”
“Think Perry would let me move my office out here? I’ll set up right here next to Sweetpea’s stall.”
“Will you be working in person from now on then?” Hannah asks.
“Oh. I don’t know, actually. I’m happy to do either. Whatever is going to be the most helpful to Perry.”
She nods. “He tells me you’re helping with the festival.”
“I’m trying. There are so many details to keep straight. I don’t know how Perry is doing it all.”
“He’s always been a details guy. Even when he was little, he was very exacting in the way he did things. It made him a little prickly and controlling when he was a kid—his siblings hated him for it—but as an adult, it does make him very good at his job. He’s managed to trim the farm’s expenses by close to twenty percent. He’s good at spotting the extra. At finding the bloat and cutting it.”
I think of the way Perry worked his way through the festival layout yesterday. “That definitely sounds like Perry.”
Hannah studies me. “I take it you’ve already discovered his exacting ways?”
I smile. “Maybe a little.”
“Well, you’re still working for him. Hopefully that means he didn’t hurt your feelings too badly.”
I shrug, my lips pressing together as I fight a smile.
“Oh, no. He did hurt your feelings?” She shakes her head. “That boy . . .”
“No, no. It wasn’t that bad. And his apology was very convincing.”
Her eyebrows lift. “An apology is a good sign.”
“He’s even taking me out for a picnic lunch in the apple orchard this afternoon.” Sweetpea bleats. “And honestly, if I get to snuggle baby goats on a regular basis, I’m happy to handle his exacting ways.”
Hannah’s expression freezes, her hand lifting to cover her mouth.
My stomach drops. “What? What did I say?”
She clears her throat. “Perryis taking you out for a picnic?”
“Yes? Is that . . . should I be scared about that?”
“No, no,” she rushes to say. “It’s wonderful. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time.”
Sweetpea squirms, and I shift, leaning over the edge of the stall to place her back in the hay.
“Lila, honey, are you single?” Hannah asks. “You mentioned a son. I don’t want to presume, but . . .”
“I’m single,” I say quickly. “Widowed, actually. Jack’s dad was a pilot in the Navy. He was killed in a training exercise a few years ago.”
Her expression softens. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She takes a step forward and reaches for my hands, holding them both in hers. “It seems especially unfair that someone as young as you are should have to weather such a storm.” She squeezes my hands, and I squeeze hers right back. I’ve only just met the woman, but it’s clear her kindness is genuine.
She reaches up and smoothes my hair, a gesture that, from anyone else, might seem overly familiar, but from her, it just feels motherly.
