Page 86 of Quintessentially

“How can you afford two places?” she asks.

As her question comes forth, it hits me that Kandace has no idea how much money I make or how much money my family has. That alone makes me love her more. She’s never been about material things. “We can talk about that too.”

“Okay. Come to the farm.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

ChapterThirty-Two

Kandace

I’m cleaning up the dishes from dinner while Justin is in the living room playing checkers with Molly. Between her giggles and Justin’s sighs, I keep hearing her say ‘king me.’ It would be fair to assume my brother is letting her win. My focus keeps going through the window to the lane, as I hope to see Dax’s car. Watching the clock, I wonder when he’ll arrive. Since he called, I’ve been thinking about him and his job. I have so many questions. Part of me is sad he quit, and the other part of me is jumping up and down with hope for our future.

“I beat Uncle Justin again,” Molly says, running into the kitchen. She’s still wearing her outfit she wore to school and her ponytail is loose with curls dangling near her ears. Before I can comment, she asks, “Will Dax be here before I go to bed?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. He said he’s staying in Riverbend. So, if you don’t see him tonight, I’m sure you will soon.”

“Can he come to Joyce’s every morning for pancakes?”

“Every morning?” I laugh. “I suppose we can ask.”

Molly goes back in the living room as Justin comes in. Pulling out a chair, he takes a seat at the kitchen table. One look over his shoulder to be sure Molly isn’t near and he asks, “He’s really moving here?”

I nod.

“What’s he going to do, work remotely?”

“I really don’t know. He said he gave his notice. I hate that he’s giving up all he’s done in Chicago.”

My brother leans back and lifts his boots to the corner of the table, crossing one ankle over the other. “Hell, I’ll give him a job. I’m going to need help through harvest with Dad unable to work due to doctor’s orders.”

I push my brother’s boots and they land on the floor. “Eww. Gross. No dirty boots on the table.”

“You’re as bad as Mom.”

“Yeah, they’re coming home tomorrow, and I want the house clean.” A grin curls my lips. “I doubt that helping out here will give Dax the money he needs to maintain two homes. He said his lease isn’t up on his apartment in Chicago for about eight months.”

“I hate to break it to Mr. Porsche, but there’s not that kind of money around here.”

The truth is that there’s good money around here. It’s that Riverbend residents would rather spend their income on next year’s seeds, fixing tractors, and buying work trucks rather than sleek, shiny cars.

My pulse speeds up as I see the dust on the lane as Dax’s fancy car gets closer. “He’s here,” I call out to Molly.

She comes running and heads straight for the screen door. It slams after she plows her way through.

Justin shakes his head. “Five years. He comes back, and in two weeks, he’s her favorite.”

My heart swells a little bit. “You’re going to have to up your game.”

“I let her beat me three times at checkers.”

I’m laughing as I walk out onto the porch and watch Dax park his car near the garages. When he gets out, our eyes meet, and he gives me a grin. A millisecond later, he’s catching Molly who is running full-speed, and he lifts her high in the air. He’s holding her against him as he says, “I was afraid I’d miss your bedtime.”

She looks at him as her golden eyes narrow. “You get afraid?”

Dax nods. “I do.”

“Me too. I was scared about Granddad, but he’s going to be okay. Mommy says.”

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