Page 11 of Pick Your Spot

Thea reached out and squeezed his arm. “It’s a lot. The barn in the front is an equipment barn and a place to park the vehicles. Tractors, ATVs, multi-bin trucks. There’s no need to check that out yet.”

He locked up the harvest barn with a nod. “You’re right. I thought I was at least a little prepared for what I’d find here, but I wasn’t even close.”

Thea laughed. “I bet. It’s a big, wonderful place. Jay lived in this farmhouse. I don’t think the one nearer the road has been opened in a while. Not since I’ve been here, anyway.”

They walked to where he’d parked his truck.

Thea smiled. “Why don’t you settle in? Check out the space, and get used to the idea.”

He wanted to invite her in, to keep talking, to find out more. But his family was expecting his call. “Thanks. I think I will. I want to get the conversation started with my family, but I have some thinking and research to do before that happens.”

She nodded and backed up a few steps. “Enjoy your night.”

Dusk had fallen in the time they’d been exploring the farm. There weren’t any cars in the driveway and Thea turned toward the orchard. “Will you be here tomorrow? Can I pick your brain a little more?”

She grinned at that. “Absolutely. I’ll be at the compost piles most of the morning.”

“Do you need a ride anywhere?”

She shook her head. “I’m good, thanks. See you tomorrow.”

With a wave, she headed back the way they’d come. Fox stood from where he’d been napping under the trees and bounded over to her. She gave him a full body rub, and then the two of them disappeared into the trees.

He watched for a while, but they didn’t reappear. Loneliness settled around him along with the darkening night.

Where did Thea live? There must be roads near the back of the land. The thought that she was close helped. He slung a duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed a cooler from the back of the truck before heading to the farmhouse.

He set the cooler on the porch and thumbed the fox keychain for a moment before opening the door and stepping inside a mudroom. It hadn’t been more than a week since they’d received their letters about the land, but the air in the house was musty.

Knox brought in the cooler and set it on the floor of the mudroom, then locked up. He was fully confident in his ability to take care of himself, but the loneliness of the night made him want to be sure.

There was a laundry area off to the side and another door that led into the main part of the house.

He pushed through the door and found the light switch right where it should be. He’d called ahead to make sure the electricity, plumbing, and WiFi were in working order. It was a relief to see the realtor hadn’t lied.

Leaving his stuff on the kitchen floor, he decided to explore. The kitchen was enormous with older appliances and a huge dining table that would hold at least a dozen people. Another table for four sat off to the side.

Knox wasn’t a cook at heart but even he appreciated the sensible work layout, the organized shelves, and the huge pantry off to one side. A cook’s dream kitchen, even if it was dated. None of his family dreamed of being a baker, but maybe they could find someone who wanted to buy the apples to use in their bakery. Another potential way to make a profit. Another point in the farm’s favor.

A swinging door led to a hallway and a family room that was larger than Knox’s first apartment. This was obviously where Jay had spent a lot of his time.

A worn leather recliner. A side table that held a stack of hardcover books and magazines. Fox had liked to read as well.

An old TV sat on a stand across from the recliner, and the remote rested on top of the magazines. Two old leather sofas and a few chairs filled up the space. No items on those side tables, indicating Jay had spent a lot of time alone.

The outer wall held a stone fireplace that would be a showcase in any house. The mantle was a single piece of live-edged wood. He figured Ford would drool over the piece.

Excitement picked up as he thought of not only getting his family here but his best friend as well. From what he’d seen, there was enough to keep Ford busy for years. The two farmhouses and the barns. Probably fences to designate outdoor areas. He was sure he could come up with more.

Like Thea’s compost facility. Knox didn’t have a clue what that would look like, but he was sure Ford could build it.

Knox found a formal dining room next. This table was bigger than the one in the kitchen. A couple of matching cabinets sat on the walls. Everyone could share meals together, and they’d have room to spare.

Next, he found two more living spaces. The furniture there was dusty and old enough to predate Jay and Fox. He also found a third space that had been turned into a library. Most of the shelves were empty, but there were a few dozen books covering them. Books on farming and Vermont history. Some mysteries. And two on Abenaki history.

Knox’s heart thumped hard. Fox had owned copies of both of these Abenaki books. Like these, they’d had crinkled corners and bent pages. Both sets of books had been read many times.

The timer on his phone beeped. His five-minute warning for his family call. He picked up the Abenaki books and decided to do his video call from the kitchen. It was the most inviting space he’d found so far.

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