Page 87 of Grit
Melissa nodded. “Pretty much. But there are good reasons I’m not going to move, and it’s not just because I love this place.” She paused, picking her words so carefully. “All people have things they think are really important. In our family, it’s really important to take care of each other and our neighbors. It’s important to take care of our animals and treat them well, even though they can’t talk to us.”
Abby leaned forward and patted PJ. “PJ talks to me.”
In answer, PJ let out a friendly nicker and flicked his ears.
Melissa smiled. “We also want to make sure the ranch is healthy. That we’re not using chemicals that are going to hurt the pastures or putting anything in the water that could poison it. And we want to help our neighbors keep their land healthy too.”
“I know, Mom.” Abby was frowning. “What does this have to do with Sunny?”
“What I’m trying to say is that not every family thinks the same things are important. Sometimes it’s just different. Your dad and I thought that your grandparents valued different things than we did. Things we didn’t think were as important as the ones I was talking about.”
Abby had a thoughtful expression on her face. “Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes like being rich.”
Bingo.
Melissa nodded. “Yes, they do. And money isn’t a bad thing. I am absolutely not saying that. When you’re older, because your great-grandparents were very generous and worked very hard, you’re going to have a lot of money. And I bet you’re going to do great things with that.”
Abby smiled. Then her smile fell. “Grandma and Grandpa like having money alot.”
Melissa’s heart sank at the conflicted look on her daughter’s face. “Yeah. They do.”
“They’re not very nice to Aunt Audrey either. They said she doesn’t make any money. Even though she has two little kids. And I don’t get that, because Trevor and Austin are a lot of work. I mean, they have a nanny, but they get into everything all the time.”
“I am very sorry to hear they’re giving Aunt Audrey a hard time.” Melissa wanted to rage, but what could she do? She and Audrey weren’t close. They didn’t even like each other much. Melissa still felt for her. Audrey’s parents had raised her to be a pretty girl who would marry someone rich, give them attractive grandchildren, and that was about it. When your whole identity revolved around your looks and your marriage potential, what kind of life did you have?
“I want you to remember something,” Melissa said. “Having money or not having money isn’t what makes you important, okay? Some of the best people I know have had a hard time making money. Sometimes because they’re really generous with people who have even less. Money is not what life is about.”
“That’s not what Grandma and Grandpa think though.” Abby bit her lip. “Are they the ones who want to build houses on the Allen ranch?”
Melissa blinked. “What makes you say that?”
“I heard Uncle Devin talking about it with Grandpa the last weekend I was there. They didn’t realize I was listening.”
“Yeah. I hate to tell you, but they’re part of the business that wants to build a bunch of houses here.”
Abby wrinkled her nose. “I like having neighbors, but that seems like a lot of neighbors. Maybe too many.”
“I know. Personally, I don’t like the idea of looking out that way and seeing nothing but houses instead of hills.”
“Yeah.” Abby sighed. “I don’t think Grandma and Grandpa think the right things are important.”
“But that doesn’t mean they don’t love you,” Melissa was quick to add. “And that doesn’t mean you can’t love them. It just means…”
Abby waited with a small frown on her face.
“That means,” Melissa continued, “that you have to know who you are. And what you think is important. You have to know those things forsure. And never forget what is the most important.”
Abby nodded. “I can do that.”
“Good.” She glanced at her daughter. “I figured you could.”
The Thursday-night farmers’market only happened once a month, and it was more of a social event than a market, but Melissa and Cary set up their booths nonetheless. They wanted to pass out flyers about Jordan Valley preservation in Metlin while they were there. A lot of Metliners picnicked, hiked, and enjoyed Jordan Valley. If they could get some new supporters, maybe Melissa could back off.
Melissa had brought crates of Joan’s jam and marmalades along with a fresh batch of lemon curd. Cary was making gallons of lemonade in every flavor imaginable. Strawberry lemonade. Blueberry. Peach. Tangerine.
Joan and Abby had stayed home, so the only backup they had was each other.
Melissa walked back from the bathroom at INK, waving to Cary as she returned. “Thanks. You need a break?”
