Page 13 of Pick Your Spot

She hated pickles.

Jay had loved them and begged her to try these, saying they weren’t that pickly.

She rubbed her hand over her heart and sent best wishes for Jay out into the universe. “If you’re out there somewhere, Jay, I hope you’re happy. Maybe you and Fox are making up for lost time. Thanks for everything you did for me. But I’m still not eating the pickles.”

Knox set a bright yellow flour canister on the table and propped his phone against it. The canister implied someone baked, and Knox wondered if Fox or Thea was in the habit of making apple pie. He could go for some pie.

And if his imagination went straight to him and Thea baking together in the kitchen while exchanging a kiss or two, it couldn’t be helped. She was enticing. Somehow, he doubted the strong and sexy woman who dug so happily in compost loved to bake, but a man could hope. He could practically hear her telling him to bake his own pie, and that made him grin.

Knox checked his backdrop, then angled the phone to avoid showing the broken tile on the backsplash behind him. The fewer weaknesses they could see, the better.

Sitting down, he took a deep breath and then initiated the family chat.

As usual, Jolie signed on immediately with a happy smile and a wave. Lawson and Burke were next with nods to the others. Finally, Amber signed on. Sort of. Her square was black.

“Are you there, Amber? We can’t see you.”

His sister laughed ruefully. “I’m here. Dropped my phone today and something wonky happened to the camera. But I can hear you fine.”

Damn. Knox had wanted to show her the farmhouses. “Can you see us? Or is it broken both ways?”

“Both ways. Sorry.”

“No problem. I can show you around the next time we chat.”

Burke’s eyebrows shot up. “Next time?”

He refrained from rolling his eyes. “You weren’t planning on talking to me next time? You’re going to ignore my call?”

Burke frowned. “That’s not what I meant. You’re grinning like you’ve got a plan, and I assume it involves the property you went to check out.”

Knox nodded. “I do. It’s an amazing place.”

Burke sighed but Jolie clapped her hands once. “Tell us all about it.”

He loved his youngest sister’s enthusiasm. “It’s full of potential, Jolie. There are acres and acres of trees. At least three barns. Sheds around the property for easy access to equipment close to where it’s needed.”

“Is it functional?”

Of course, Burke asked that. “Not completely. The trees are producing apples, but not at top quality or quantity yet. Jay was working to upgrade the composting area, and apparently, that’s the key to success.”

Jolie grinned while Lawson laughed. “So dirt and shit are the keys? Not sure I’m eating apples ever again.”

He laughed. “Just wait until you see the machinery they’ve got here for you to work on. Trucks. Tractors. ATVs. Something called a multi-bin truck. And all kinds of things I haven’t seen yet. You’d have a blast here.”

Lawson’s eyes widened with interest, but he didn’t comment.

“And Jolie, the soil consultant explained the importance of increasing the biodiversity of the farm. She wants to build a composting center and fix up a pond. I think you’re going to love her ideas.”

Burke scowled. “Of course, she would. That’s not the point, Knox.”

This time he let the eye roll fly. “And what would be the point, Burke? I thought we agreed that I would come out here to explore the options and the possibilities. But as soon as I say something positive, you’re shooting it down. Do you only want me to focus on the negatives? Have you already made your decision without knowing all the facts?”

Burke grimaced. His brother knew Knox had a point. “Fine. Have you seen the books? Is the place making any money at all, or is it a complete financial drain that will only suck up our own money?”

Damn. Burke had a point, too. “I haven’t seen the books yet. I’ve only been here for a few hours. I spent almost all of that time checking out the trees and the land.”

And learning from a sexy woman who intrigued him like no one else ever had. But he didn’t say that part out loud.

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