Page 7 of Pick Your Spot

Her heart warmed at his words.

Fox decided Knox was a good guy and licked his hand. Then he moved right in, forcing the man to pat him.

Knox laughed and complied. “What’s your name, bud?”

Thea smiled. “Knox, meet Fox.”

Knox stared at her in astonishment, giving the Pyrenees the opportunity to sit him on his butt. Then Fox crawled into the man’s lap.

Lucky dog.

Knox kept petting the dog, but his eyes were locked on hers. His voice was thick, and she watched him swallow hard. “Who named him Fox?”

“Jay did. He said some might think it was a ridiculous name for a dog, but it fit. What does that name mean to you?”

He closed his eyes as he ruffled the dog’s fur. “My grandfather’s name was Fox. Jay named the dog after his brother.”

Chapter3

Pick My Brain

Knox sat on his ass, patted the dog, and stared at the woman.

Fox.

Fox’s brother had named his dog after him. And he left his property to Fox’s grandkids. What had torn the men apart?

Whatever it was, Knox was sure Jay had regretted it. Maybe he’d wanted to make reparations with Fox but hadn’t known how. This might have been his way.

Or maybe Fox had rebuffed him? Knox couldn’t picture that, but anything was possible. Burke and Lawson were older. They might have some memories that would help him figure out this mystery.

And the mystery might help him lure them all in.

Everything about the farm enticed Knox and made him want to learn more. He wanted to see the apples ripen and discover the best way to pick them. He wanted to know how to sell them and the best ways to make a profit.

He hadn’t gone through any buildings yet but this place already felt like home.

He was almost sure the woman and the dog had nothing to do with that.

Thea sat on the ground across from him and the dog. “I think that’s some proof that Jay never forgot your grandfather. I wonder why they never spoke of each other.”

Knox nodded. “Ortoeach other. It seems impossible that they would have kept in touch without anyone in my family knowing it from our end. Without you knowing it. Was Jay close to anyone else?”

Thea shrugged. “He didn’t leave the property very often. He loved driving the ATVs, but he didn’t like driving on the roads much. I’d drive his truck for him when we needed to go for supplies.”

“Where did you go? What’s close to here? I know Phail isn’t that far.”

She grinned. “Phail is a great town. We tend—tended—to go there for most things, although this area has a bunch of towns in small pockets.”

Her smile dropped. She’d obviously cared for Jay. He hadn’t seen anyone else on the property. He looked round with a frown. “How many people worked here? Is there anyone else around?”

Fox bounced off Knox to curl up with Thea. The dog might weigh as much as she did, but he obviously thought he was a lap dog.

“Jay was still learning the business of apple farming. It was just me and him, although a lot of volunteers came to help with the harvest. Jay paid them with apples and then sold the rest.”

That surprised him. “This is a huge place. There were only the two of you?”

She nodded. “Jay wanted to develop the business, but he hated spending money. He was always in a quandary about it.”

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