Page 92 of Small Town Firsts
“No, this next part will fall under that category.” At her frown, I rushed on. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t dig into his background. I know you’re thorough with research on employees.”
She tossed back the rest of her drink and set the glass down on the small table beside her. “That’s a lot to ask.”
“I know it. He’s not a criminal—don’t worry about that. But he’s got a lot of heavy shit to work through, and I think the orchard will be good for him. I didn’t really see the kitchen being part of that, but it’s probably the best place for him. He’s well-traveled and has a huge knowledge of food and cooking. While he may not have gone to culinary school, he’s got a lot of hands on knowledge that will help us. He’s also very business minded.”
That was an understatement, but I didn’t want to lie to her.
“He looks like he belongs on a beach.”
I laughed. “You’re not far off. His family is from Hawaii, though he moved here a long time ago. It’s how we metactually. Bumming around the Pacific Coast Highway, working just enough for us to get to the next place to surf.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “But Kain got his shit together and so did I. We got real jobs and moved on from our bum ways, but never lost touch. I have a good feeling his energy will be exactly what we need. Where you wanted Lennon because of her rep and flair, Kain will do the same with food. He’ll pull people in. I can almost promise you that.”
“Almost.”
“Nothing’s a guarantee, Sunshine. I think you know that more than most.”
She frowned at me and her face closed off again as she folded her arms in her lap.
I knew there was more to Kira’s story than she told me. Especially when it came to the backlash of what her sister did. But she held that piece of her in a tight little box and didn’t want to share it with anyone. I also didn’t want to ask about it because gossip was always heavier than the reality of what happened.
It wasn’t going to be today unfortunately. I pushed off the ground and stood. “I’m going to go home and shower off this day and we’ll start again tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Best I could ask at the moment. “Okay.”
Leaving her there didn’t feel right, but I knew I wasn’t welcome. Annette and Matt were pulling the garage doors down as I dragged myself up the stairs into the dining room. “Hey guys. Thanks for today.”
“No prob, Ronan.” Annette brushed her fingers off on the leg of her pants.
The dry days were bringing some extra dirt in when we had everything open. Another thing to worry about for keeping things clean on all the dark stain and ironwork in there. Furtherreminder of all the things on Kira’s list that I was oblivious about.
“Make sure she leaves when you guys do, okay?”
Annette nodded. “Will do. She’s still mad at you, huh?”
I grinned. “Probably will be a forever thing.”
“You’re good for her. I’ve known Kira a long time. She might be pissed at you, but it’s only because this matters so much.” Her voice lowered. “And because you get under her skin. No one has in a long time.”
I wasn’t sure what to say there. Kira didn’t really want people to know there was an us. I could see where she was coming from, even if it grated on me. And seeing how close she was with Beckett, with the natural intimacy between them—all of it left me unsettled.
Mostly because I wanted that with her.
It pissed me off that I didn’t have it, because I damn well had to earn it.
And the only way I’d be able to do that was to keep showing up.
“Because you’re one of her friends, I’ll tell you—she gets under mine too. See ya tomorrow.”
Annette leaned on the pole used for drawing down the doors. “Never boring in here, that’s for sure. See you tomorrow.”
My feet felt like cement bricks as I trudged through to the front doors. I said a small prayer when I saw my truck parked in the lot. Kain must have dropped it off since my truck bed was empty except for a bunch of loose tie downs.
I climbed into the cab and found my keys under the mat. “Just like old times.” I turned the truck over and backed out of the parking lot. The orchard was quiet in the waning sun.
