Page 64 of Always Meant for You
The brothers’ grins widen.
“They’re ours. Well, sort of yours, actually,” Kenny replies.
I peer at what’s left. “Mine?”
Abe nods. “They’re from the Elverna Bakery, but the strawberries and amaranth flour come from your family’s field. We mill it ourselves now.”
I take another bite. “That’s impressive. And how are you guys doing?”
“You probably guessed it, but we work for your dad and Cal,” Abe says. “Our trailer’s parked by the west field.”
“I noticed your names on a whiteboard in Cal’s office,” I reply.
They exchange another look.
“What?” I ask.
“You’ve seen Cal? Have you spoken with him?” Kenny keeps his tone measured.
Something is going on.
“He picked me up from the diner,” I answer, watching the twins closely.
More glances between them. Whatever that means, it’s not neutral.
I shift my stance and press my fist to my hip. “Did Cal say something about me?”
Kenny’s eyes widen slightly. “No, he didn’t mention anything.”
“Your dad called while we were at the town square for the farmers’ market,” Abe says. “He asked Cal to pick something up from the diner.” His voice dips with a trace of irony. “Guess that something was you.”
“Fresh off the bus,” I say, forcing a brightness I don’t feel. I pause. “Elverna has a farmers’ market?”
“We sure do,” Kenny says. “I figured your dad would’ve told you.”
“No, he didn’t mention it. But you know how he is. Not much of a talker.”
“Good luck finding a farmer who is,” Kenny adds.
“What’s done is done,” I say, doing a horrible rendition of my dad.
We chuckle, and I smile. It’s small, but it holds.
“I can’t believe the farmers’ market is up and running. Jamie used to talk a lot about wanting to do that here.” I reach for my M charm, and for a second, Jamie doesn’t feel so far away.
I hold up my muffin. “You should sell these there. Muffins this delicious would be gone in a matter of seconds at any bakery in New York.”
Kenny shifts his stance. “We do sell them there. The bakery has a stall, but nobody shows up.”
“Nobody shows up?” I take another bite.
I would’ve ridden the subway from SoHo to Queens for one of these.
Abe checks the wall clock. “The meeting’s about to start. Cal runs a tight ship. You better get to your seat.”
I nearly choke on my last bite. “Cal runs the meetings?”
“Yeah,” Kenny answers. “He’s on the town council. Betty Young’s the mayor now, but you know Betty. She only talks when it matters. Since Cal’s in charge of the co-op and heads the Sustainable Farming Initiative, he leads.”
