Page 25 of Pick Your Spot

Instead of telling him he was an asshole, Thea had turned quiet and they’d finished the task of putting her groceries away in silence.

Then he’d left her to her own devices and he’d headed out. He walked the orchard, getting turned around more than once.

He found another cabin, one with electricity and plumbing, and spotted at least four sheds. Two of them needed a lot of help. Something he could probably do on his own, but he wouldn’t. He’d use the dilapidated state of the sheds lure his buddy here. Ford hated seeing buildings die a slow death. He loved to rejuvenate them and bring them fresh life.

Knox snapped a few more photos but didn’t send them yet. There was no point in working on Ford until he’d convinced the family to invest in the property. One thing at a time.

When he finally spotted the farmhouse again he smiled. At least he’d found it on his own and hadn’t needed help. The cloudy day meant the sun was hidden but he hadn’t even bothered to check its location as he’d wandered. He’d been too busy kicking his metaphoric ass over allowing his attraction to Thea slip out.

He needed to keep things friendly. Making her uncomfortable would ruin all his plans.

That made him smile. Currently, the long term plans running through his mind and his imagination involved Thea. It was so easy to picture the two of them as a couple with decades behind them.

But if he wanted to explore that possibility, he needed to ensure she didn’t run for the hills. Not only for the sake of the farm but for his own sanity.

Slow and steady.

He’d work on their friendship and see if he was getting miles ahead of himself.

His ex’s voice echoed in his head.“You’re thinking too far ahead, Knox. Not everyone’s looking to make long-term commitments. It’s best to have a little fun and then move on.”

She’d told him he was ridiculously old-fashioned and that no one thought long term after a few weeks.

His imagination had never put him and Dana together decades from then. Not like it was with Thea. Too bad it had taken him a few weeks to figure it out with Dana. He’d be smarter this time around because it felt far more important.

Knox wandered the perimeter of the farmhouse, looking it over for needed repairs. Nothing major but he figured pretty much everything needed an update.

Eventually. The farm itself would come first but they’d need to update the windows and the siding down the road a bit. No one wanted the harsh winter winds sneaking in through windows.

Knox walked the space between the two farmhouses and wondered what this area would need. Jolie would know more about that. Thea probably would as well.

The field was almost as large as a football field. Not quite there but close. Apple trees kept him from seeing the other building but he knew it was there. Weeds, wildflowers, and bushes covered the rest of the space.

The field cried out for someone to love it. He wasn’t a gardener but he imagined the space would intrigue anyone who was. There was tons of Jolie’s potential here. Lots of room to plant flowers and other varieties of trees. Could the farm use a space with picnic tables and benches? Maybe a pond or two.

If he could talk Amber into converting the second farmhouse into a B&B, they’d have to have some outdoor areas devoted to guests. Spaces for kids to have fun. Maybe a few romantic pathways for honeymooners.

He was definitely getting ahead of himself.

Knox had never been a big dreamer. He was generally a practical man. Do the next thing. Keep moving forward.

After the deaths of their parents, most of them had become more practical, especially the older ones. Burke had immediately taken on jobs to help contribute. Lawson had volunteered at the local mechanic’s shop to help him learn the basics. It hadn’t been long before he’d become a junior employee and had found work he loved.

Knox had picked up odd jobs, too. He wasn’t as big or strong as his brothers but he’d taken on a newspaper route and mowed lawns. Walked dogs.

Amber had taken on more than her share of the household chores and even little Jolie had started planting a garden to help feed the family.

Their parents would be proud of them all. They were hard-working and they all contributed to society.

But were they enjoying their lives?

His mom, Halona, had always been about finding ways to balance work and play. She would want them to be happy.

Would you like this place, Mom? Would you approve of my plan to take it on and get the rest of them here?

He hoped so.

In a nostalgic mood, he returned to the farmhouse he was using and let himself in. Locked up behind him and made a note to figure out what it would cost to implement a security system. It wasn’t something they needed immediately but after working in the army and as a bodyguard, he knew the systems were worth it.

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