Page 62 of Pick Yourself Up
“Agreed. I’ve got a ton of suggestions from Mort, and Sally has my head spinning with ideas. I’m glad I hadn’t made final decisions because I have a ton of things to tweak now. They all know so much about native plant species and are so generous with their knowledge.”
Amber nodded. “Through Fox and Jay, we sure landed in a wonderful place.”
Gray lifted her hand to kiss it. “And we’re going to help make it even better.”
Knox demonstrated how to gently pick the apples, and the group spent a couple of happy hours filling the bins.
Back at the farmhouse, a few of them helped everyone transfer the apples to the baskets and cartons they’d found for them all.
Amber helped Gray, Ford, Knox, and Thea bring the food out to the tables they’d set up near the farmhouse. When she handed her brother a charcuterie board, he studied her. “You doing okay? That was a lot of new people.”
She smiled. “I’m good. They’re all great.”
He nodded. “They are. And the awesome dogs don’t hurt either. I think Boomer made some new friends, too.”
She smiled, knowing her brother was reminding her the dogs added another layer of protection to the farm—another method to help her feel safe.
For another hour, the group sat around the tables and chatted. About the land, the area, and climate change. Books, music, and movies too. And ways to bring more tourism dollars to the Phail area.
Mostly Amber just listened and watched, but then Piper and Jolie lured her into sharing her vision for the inn. To her relief, none of the neighbors objected to having an inn on the property. She’d worried they might hate the increased traffic and people, but they all approved. Another worry she could set aside.
After the group dispersed and they’d cleaned up, she took Gray’s hand and they walked up the quiet road to the inn.
She leaned into him. “I’m tired out, but that was a good day.”
He squeezed her hand. “It was. We’ve got some really terrific people around us. I can see Boss Man strategizing how to incorporate their businesses with ours to improve everyone’s bottom line.”
That made her smile. “You’re right. Burke is always thinking of ways to improve the lives of everyone around him. He loves assisting small businesses. That’s another hook we can add to lure him in.”
He chuckled. “Annie’s got you helping him get Bobby and Boss Man here, too?”
“Yes. Knox had the right idea all along. Not a surprise, as he’s always been one to make plans that help others out. He’s always seen to the heart of all of us. And this farm can be that heart. For everyone.”
Along with the man at her side, it was exactly that for her.
Chapter 17
Up And About
Gray hammered another short stake into the ground. He wanted them to last through the Vermont winter, so he’d chosen to use sturdy stakes rather than thinner dowels. Some of them might fall over with the snow, but the overall plan would be there. He’d probably tweak it over the winter anyway, but at least he’d have a base to work with early in the spring.
He attached the string to the stake and moved another few feet before repeating the process. In a space this large, it would be helpful to see the paths laid out rather than simply on paper or a screen.
The field had natural dips and valleys. Following those would be the best plan. Laying out the stakes and strings this way meant he’d be able to visualize things better and figure out what should go where.
He was sure the land between what had once been two kitchen gardens would work for one of the small ponds he had in mind. Not a deep one like Jolie’s pond at the back. A small one with lily pads and other hiding spaces for frogs and toads. Maybe a waterfall feature using some of the large rocks they’d unearthed over the past few weeks. He could install a pump to keep the water moving without it being visible and ruining the natural effect of the setting.
His phone beeped with a call, and he checked the display. Norm Cassidy. While Gray considered his former boss a friend, he wasn’t one to call much. Text? Sure.
The name had Gray’s stomach pitching, and he checked to see if anyone was around before he answered. Just in case.
“Norm. What’s up?”
Norm didn’t bother with pleasantries, either. “Potential trouble.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly. Allard is out of jail. Worse, he’s been disciplined by the Lauzon family.”
