Page 81 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Gavin strained to pull the mesh fencing tight to the new wooden post. Once in place, he secured it to the pole and gave it a wiggle. Sturdy enough. The deer fence Mike had put in wasn’t optimum, but it did the job.

A peal of laughter sounded from across the orchard where Laurel was inspecting the trellis. Emma scampered nearby, trying to catch Sunny’s tail.

He and Laurel had been working as a team for more than a week now. It took him back to those early days, back to that English project that had first paired them up. It didn’t take him long to figure out what a great partner she made—in school, and later on in life. He’d been the one to ruin that.

Gavin’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he checked the screen. Wes. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”

“Hey. Just checking to see if you got my message the other day.”

Gavin winced. “Yeah, I did. Sorry. Things have been a little hairy here between the harvest and campground and all.”

“Yeah, no problem. I went ahead and called the drywall crew. They’ll be out tomorrow to fix those seams upstairs.”

“Great. Thanks, bud. Appreciate you stepping in.”

“That’s what I’m here for. Have you had a chance to confirm the painters?”

He squeezed the back of his neck. What was wrong with him? He was letting his partner down even as their business was starting to thrive. “No, I haven’t. Sorry I dropped the ball.”

“No worries. I might as well save you the effort. The Johnsons changed their mind on the paint colors, so I can pass that information along while I’m at it.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.” The phone bleeped an incoming call and he checked the screen.

Patty.

“Listen, I gotta run. Got a call coming in.” Gavin made a beeline for Laurel as they quickly wrapped up the conversation, then he accepted Patty’s call.

“Hi, Patty, how’s it going?” As he approached Laurel, he caught her eye.

She dropped everything and moved his way.

“Hi, Gavin. Hope it isn’t too early to call.”

“Not at all. We’ve been out in the orchard an hour already.”

“Right, right. You all are so good to keep up the work there. Mallory would’ve appreciated that.”

Emma was entertaining Sunny a good distance away. “I’m putting you on Speaker, Patty. Laurel’s right here.”

The women exchanged greetings.

“Listen,” Patty said. “This has been so painful for me, and you two have been very patient. I’m going to get right to the point—Robertand I have decided we can’t do it. This is just something we don’t feel we can take on. I hope you understand.”

Gavin locked eyes with Laurel, seeing the same veil of distress come down over her features.

In the distance Emma’s laughter carried across the field.

“I want you to know”—Patty’s voice quavered with unshed tears—“this is just breaking my heart. It really is.”

Laurel cleared her throat. “We understand this was a big ask, Patty.”

“I so wish I could just...”

Gavin fought through the disappointment. Laurel had said she’d step in if Patty stepped aside. But had she really meant it, or had she just said it in the heat of the moment? Either way, there was no point keeping Patty on the hook. “We understand. We appreciate you taking the time to consider it.”

They’d already decided if Patty turned down the guardianship, they wouldn’t mention Darcy’s petition. It wouldn’t be fair to Patty and her fiancé—or even Emma—to force them into something they didn’t want.

“Please,” Patty said. “Is there some way I can stay in touch with her? I still want to be her aunt—I’d love to have her down for visits and come see her at the holidays. Is that even possible?”

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