Page 124 of Forever By Morning

Justin slapped the hood as he walked by and got in after me. “You know I’m right.”

I stomped on the gas and fishtailed once in the dirt before the tires gripped and we took off up the lane to Jack Brennan’s office.

Justin gripped the handle near the window with a shake of his head.

I was saved from more of that conversation by Jack waiting outside the door as we pulled up. I slid out and held my hand out to Jack. “Sorry about being late. My morning got away from me.”

“No problem, son. I know how it goes. Why I’m trying to automate as much as possible up here.”

I swallowed down the acid that was burning up my throat. Someone else trying to tell me how to do things. Just what I needed.

“Well, I’m happy to take that big ol’ Farmall off your hands.”

Jack slapped my arm. “I’ve got a Deere too. If you’re shopping for more than one.”

“Well, let’s take a look and see what’s what.”

Not looking at my books was coming back to haunt me. I could feel my brother’s gaze on the back of my neck.

One more screw up today and I hadn’t even had my damn coffee.

Chapter27

Helena

Into the Dirt

“Helena, get over here and eat something. You’ve been digging around in the garden for hours.”

“Just another minute.” I dragged another of the oak barrels to the conversation area I was making at the edge of the garden.

It would be a quieter area for some of the older people that would be coming to the party. I’d pored over the guest list with Bells earlier that morning. Most of the party would be around the same age group with a few at the top and bottom of the age ranges.

The grandmother and matriarch of the family was eighty-two and used a walker. I wanted to make sure she had an easy place to settle yet she’d still be able to get around to all the stations if she had a mind to.

The flagstone path was slightly overgrown due to the rain. With the staff being eaten up by the three weddings this week, I’d jumped in and gotten my hands dirty.

I glanced down at my ragged nails. My mother would be horrified. Me? I actually found I liked getting into the dirt. I’d even offered to replant a few of the stone urns that had gotten broken in the craziness with Willow.

I twisted the half barrel and picked a few deadheads off of the sweet-smelling purple flowers. They had dainty petals with little candlestick-looking things that needed to be pruned off. I snapped a few more off as a shadow fell over me.

“Ma’am.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not hungry.”

“Girl, you need water and a sandwich, pronto.” Bells put her hands on her hips. “We need to go up to the taproom, anyway. Kira found a few more barrels for you.”

“Fine.” I sat back on my heels. “I suppose I could use one of Kain’s pork tacos.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“Have you met Kain yet?”

“No. Cara’s been fielding all the taproom stuff so I could get this tablet thing down.” She waggled the purple one in her hand. “I think I finally managed to get all my logins working for ordering food. Sugar Rush is taking the brunt of the desserts, thankfully. I’ve made some calls and found two places who could do the food. We can check them out on the way back.”

I stood and wiped my hands on the apron I’d borrowed from the catering closet. “Sounds good to me. Just let me get cleaned up.”

Bells glanced down at my dirty knees. “You’re really getting in there.”

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