Page 37 of Horn of Plenty
“Cal, we’re in this together. We’re here representing Elverna,” she said, wanting desperately to get his mind off whatever was making him so despondent.
“I know,” he answered with a pained breath.
She glanced up to see Preston and Logan heading their way.
There was no turning back now.
She unzipped her purse and slipped her phone inside, and Cal winced.
She had to get to the bottom of this. Eat Elverna had potential. Big potential. And supplying cities with organic food had to be part of the equation. Otherwise, they were ignoring a huge market. But if there was one area where her broody farmer excelled, it was the ability to shut something—or someone—out. She’d lived on the receiving end of that gift for too many years. Still, this didn’t feel like his typical moody farmer vibe.
This cut deeper.
She squeezed his hand. “We’ll talk later. I don’t understand what’s going on with you. But we’re here now. You agreed to this. We both did.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s…”
“What?” she pressed.
He shook his head. “Let’s see what the chefs have to say. You’re right. We want to help as many people as we can.”
Okay, that was a start.
She kept him in her peripheral gaze as she retrieved the bag of items she’d brought specifically for Logan and Preston.
“Welcome to the city!” Logan said, opening her door as Preston came to his side.
“We’re grateful for the donation. Our guys can unload while we show you around if that’s okay with you?” Preston asked, then threw a wary glance at Cal.
“That would be great, right, Cal?” she answered, praying they weren’t about to have a repeat of what happened the last time they’d seen the men when Cal had barreled in like the Hulk.
“Yeah, go ahead,” he answered, giving the man a weak grin.
At least, it was something. She glanced up at him and, as much as he was trying to be the big, stoic farmer, he was hurting. She’d known him long enough to catch his rigid posture and the hard set of his jaw.
“Is that for me?” Preston asked, peeking into her bag.
“Yes!” she replied, eager to get this visit going as she handed him a casserole dish. “Betty Young wanted me to give this to you. It’s a new recipe with heirloom tomatoes, scarlet globe radishes, and mountain rose potatoes. She’d mentioned that you enjoyed the casserole when you’d visited the farmers’ market.”
“My husband has barely spoken of anything since then,” Logan replied with a chuckle. “I’d say he’s gone casserole crazy.”
“And the Elverna bakery sent these,” she added, handing Logan a box. “They’re gluten-free muffins made with amaranth and strawberries from my farm.” She glanced at Cal. “Our farm. Muldowney Farms. We brought another twelve dozen to donate from the Elverna bakery. They’re in with the rest of the produce,” she finished, glancing at the back of the truck to find that a pair of men had already started unloading.
“This is absolutely terrific,” Preston said, smiling ear to ear. “We’ve wanted to support local agriculture, but it’s tough dealing with so many individual farms. Your Eat Elverna co-op, where the town works together, makes it so much easier to collaborate.”
“It was my brother’s dream,” she began. “Well, Cal and my brother’s dream. Jamie, that’s my brother, passed away four years ago while the town was transitioning to organic and sustainable farming.”
“I had no idea. I’m sorry for your loss,” Preston replied as his husband’s expression grew somber.
“That’s kind of you to say,” she answered, her throat tightening with emotion. She hadn’t planned on mentioning her brother. But the truth was, they could use his help. This is what he was good at—the back and forth, the dreaming and brainstorming, the schmoozing.
She felt for theMcharm, then glanced at her giant stoic farmer.
We could use some of your magic, big brother! And if you could do something about your cranky best friend, it would really help land this deal!
“We’ll show you the food pantry and then head over to our restaurant,” Preston said, cutting into her thoughts.
“Is the food bank new?” Cal asked, and her jaw nearly hit the floor.
