Page 52 of Pick Your Spot

“Hope so.”

Troy nodded and held up the keys. “You’ll do it. If you’re in town for anything else, I can get these done for you before you leave.”

“That would be great. We’re too late for the diner, but is the Saloon open for food at this time?”

Troy nodded. “Branna will be there. She’ll be happy to make you up something. I’ll bring these over when I’m done.”

“One more thing. Thea remembers Jay talking with a few friends about the farm. They used to own their own farms but have retired. Any idea who they might be or how to find them? We’d love to bounce ideas off them.”

Thea nodded. “One was named Stan, but I don’t know his last name and I can’t remember if I ever knew the names of the other two.”

Troy grinned at her. “That one’s easy. Stan Phail is my grandmother’s cousin. Mo and Paddy are probably the others. They all farmed years back and love to give advice, whether you ask or not. Levi calls them hisold geezer network,and they love it.”

Knox and Thea both laughed. “That’s the kind of network we need in on. Thea’s an expert in all things soil and compost, but I’m way behind on the learning curve.”

“How about I give Stan your number? He doesn’t trust a lot of out-of-towners, but if I vouch for you, he’ll be ready to help.”

“Sounds good.”

Knox and Troy chatted for a few minutes until another customer came in. They left Troy to it with a wave.

Once they were on the sidewalk, Knox put his arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him reveling in the close contact.

A few people walked their dogs along the path in the park. Some kids were playing a loud game of tag with parents chatting on benches nearby. Flower pots filled with tulips and daffodils sat outside nearly every door she could see. “The town is busier than it was when I first saw it. It’s growing.”

Knox stopped to look around. “That’s good news for them and for us. More people in town leads to more potential customers. And we can maybe be another lure for people to spend time here.”

“I don’t know what Jay had planned for the future of the farm, but I think he would like your vision.”

Knox’s smile made her wonder if she was thinking of his grandfather again. “That’s good to hear. I know Fox would approve of anything that kept the family together. Which makes it so weird that he and his brother didn’t keep in contact. Family was the most important thing to Fox.”

She took his hand where it rested on her shoulder. “That’s not going to happen to you and your siblings. You’ll make sure of it.”

He leaned down to kiss her. “Thank you. With you at my side, I feel like I can do just about anything.”

They wandered along Phail Way and into the Saloon. Compared to the first time they’d visited the town together, Thea felt much more comfortable. She’d always felt like an outsider and had mostly stayed in the shadows, waiting for Jay to finish his business.

Walking with Knox with their relationship out in the open for anyone to see made her feel more confident. More a part of things. She hadn’t been a part of a group very often, and it was a heady feeling.

Branna smiled at them as they entered. “Thea, Knox. Or should I say Annie?”

Knox grinned. “Either. I’m used to it. I’ve heard all the jokes a million times. All of them.”

Branna laughed. “I don’t know about that. There’s something about this town that brings out really bad jokes from all directions. Better be prepared to face the music.” Then she whistled, “It’s A Hard Knock” life as she brought water glasses to the table.

“Sorry. Couldn’t resist. It’s just me here today, so you’re limited to easy things I like to cook. The menu is on the chalkboard. Can I get you something to drink while you decide?”

They ordered a couple of drafts—Epic Phail Pale Ale and the Pilsner of Oz—and checked out the menu. They decided to share some wings and the Phailure To Choose, an appetizer platter filled with whatever Branna wanted to make.

“Any allergies or things you hate?”

Thea shook her head. She’d never had the luxury of being fussy about food. After checking with her, Knox smiled. “Whatever you’re in the mood to cook is good with us. Thanks.”

They sat at adjacent sides of the square table, and Knox reached over to take her hand. “I could get used to this.”

She smiled. “Me, too. I don’t even remember the last time I was on a date.”

He studied her with those serious eyes of his. “Well, get used to it. You deserve to be spoiled.”

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