CHAPTER TWENTY
Jessie and Gus attempted the fastest land speed ever accomplished by an aging basset hound on the trek back home.
There was a buzz surging through her every pore, an excitement over a new challenge.
Granted, this wasn’t the huge career opportunity she’d expected through the Peace Corps, but it was a good job.
She would be helping around the farm, doing random social media posts, and whatever grunt work Gladys and Richard wanted to avoid.
It meant a paycheck and a purpose, and right now she’d take it . .. gratefully!
And let’s be honest, she wanted to spend more time with a few curly cuties—Malcolm and Oinks.
“Don’t read too much into it,” she told herself as she approached the house. Her brother’s car was parked in the driveway, as was Javi’s pickup truck. An old sedan was parked in the street, and Jessie recognized Chief Warren’s car.
Gus barked, sauntering off to his favorite shrub to mark his territory before loping up to the front door. Jessie fumbled for her keys, but Trevor was too quick.
The door flung open and her brother stepped aside for Gus to get inside before ushering Jessie in. “’Bout time,” he teased. “Momma’s got dinner ready, and I don’t think Javi will wait much longer.”
“I heard that!” Javi shouted from inside. “I’m a perfect gentleman and will let Ms. Daisy work her magic as long as it takes.”
Trevor pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Please don’t talk about my momma that way; it’s creepy.”
“Agreed.” Came the chief’s booming baritone. “Stand down, Lieutenant.”
Javi simply laughed, and Jessie snorted as soon as she crossed the threshold. “I hope I’m not messing with your dinner plans too much,” she said as she hurried into the kitchen with her bounty from the farmer’s market. “I got a little distracted.”
Daisy kissed her daughter’s cheek as she took the tote, quickly pulling out the tomatoes for the salad. “No worries, sugar. Everything okay?”
Whitney emerged from the pantry, her hands full of bottles and cans.
Trevor went over to lighten her load, placing a kiss on her temple.
A sweet blush crept across Whitney’s cheek, and Jessie felt a pang of loneliness.
She wouldn’t mind a certain fireman by her side to hear her news and share a meal with family.
Jessie’s footfalls faltered at the realization that she’d made a major life decision without consulting Malcolm.
Granted, their conversations in the past usually involved an argument and tears, but this choice meant staying in Pinegrove.
This plan involved putting down roots. Her skin itched at the notion that Malcolm might not be thrilled with her choice.
She looked up to see Whitney staring at her, clearly having just said something. “Huh?” she articulately asked, tossing the empty tote bag under the sink.
Trevor rolled his eyes, pouring drinks for everyone. Muttering under his breath, he said, “Always a lady, Jessie.”
Whitney’s smile remained in place. “I asked, how was the market?” Whitney hip-checked Javi to get across the kitchen.
Nibbling on her bottom lip, Jessie considered saving her news until after everyone left.
Her enthusiasm was fragile, and she feared a barrage of questions from well-meaning family would sour her joy.
But looking into Whitney’s eager eyes now, Jessie wanted to share her news.
If she couldn’t savor the moment with family, then what was the point of staying in Pinegrove?
“Well, um, the market was good.” She shuffled her feet in place, leaving smudges of dirt on the floors. Fortunately, her mother was too distracted to notice the mess.
“Oh yeah?” Daisy asked, dicing the tomatoes into perfect cubes. She tossed them into the waiting salad bowl before drizzling vinaigrette over the top.
Whitney added a handful of homemade croutons and carried the bowl to the table. It was set for six, and Jessie rubbed at the knot in her belly that one of these chairs wasn’t for Malcolm.
Daisy raised an eyebrow. “Did you get a chance to talk to the Hansons?”
Whitney, the newest resident of Pinegrove, asked, “Who are the Hansons?” She handed a bowl to Paul, who muttered his thanks before tucking a napkin into his collar.
He was seated at her father’s old seat, yet Jessie was pleased that she didn’t feel anything other than relief at seeing her mother so happy, so cared for.
Trevor filled several glasses with sweet tea, sliding them across the table. “They own that farm up the road; we’ve driven past it before. It has the sign for the petting zoo.”
Whitney nodded but looked to Jessie. “What were you doing at the farm?”
Although fearful of everyone’s reactions, Jessie went for broke. “Well, I um, sort of got a job.”
The room grew silent, save for Gus’s snores from the corner of the room. Since food was involved, the basset hound preferred napping near the table in case anyone dropped anything.
Paul found his words first, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “What kind of job?”
“Working at the farm, Hog Hollow. I bumped into Gladys while Gus and I were walking the grounds, and she mentioned they were hiring.” Raising an eyebrow at Daisy, she chuckled. “Plus, Momma’s Pinegrove gossip radar alerted me they could use the help.”
Daisy’s manic expression should have scared Jessie, but she knew it was coming. “I know they could use more than a little help. What will you be doing?”
Jessie took a moment to chew her bite of salad before answering.
This was hardly a job that would make her rich, but she was giddy with anticipation, with possibilities.
“Well, it’s mostly grunt work. I’ll help with the animals and the grounds.
Since I did a lot of that with my Peace Corps assignments, it shouldn’t be too hard.
” She shoved another bite into her mouth and offered, “And Gladys said they need help with social media. I’ll flex my baby millennial muscle. ”
Javi raised his fist in celebration, reaching across the table. “Congrats, Jessie. That sounds really cool.”
Jessie hit his fist with her own and the pair made explosion noises. “Thanks, Javi.” It was cool, and she was relieved everyone seemed to think so. Jessie liked knowing her days would vary on the farm, and she couldn’t deny how excited she was to see Oinks again.
“So you’re staying in Pinegrove then?” Her mother nearly vibrated off her chair. Paul leaned close and rested a hand on her shoulder, keeping her seated.
“Yes, Momma. For a while, at least. I don’t know how long Gladys will need me. We’re going to talk more specifics once I get started. Right now the only thing we confirmed is that Oinks is safe from the meat market.”
The table grew silent, everyone sharing matching expressions of confusion. “Beg your pardon, Jessie, but who is Oinks?” Paul asked, mustache twitching.
“He’s my right-hand man, Paul. Also known as a pig who used to be the focus of the petting zoo. Gladys made a comment about how he wasn’t as lively, and I told her I’d only take the job if they spared Oinks from the slaughter.”
Trevor was incredulous. “You’re rescuing pigs now? What is this, Jessie’s Web?”
Javi chuckled, joining in the fun. “How are your web-slinging skills? Could you write some pig over his pen?” He fanned his hands out in front of him, earning a glare from the chief.
Their matriarch got them back on track. “Saving pigs or not, it’s a big farm,” Daisy mused, her fork piercing a cucumber wedge. “The Hansons could need you indefinitely. Maybe forever.” Daisy’s megawatt smile could melt the polar icecaps.
“Real subtle, Momma,” Trevor muttered before clearing his throat. “That’s awesome, Jessie. Glad you found something new.”
Whitney nodded her agreement, her smile nearly as bright as Daisy’s. “I’m so glad you’ll be here longer. We can hang out more!”
“Hopefully not too much more,” Trevor grunted, snaking Whitney’s hand and kissing her palm.
“Calm down, Trev. Whitney is allowed to have friends, you know.” Jessie rolled her eyes at her brother, then winked at Whitney. Jessie truly did love Whitney’s company.
“Yeah, man, welcome to the twenty-first century. We’ve been waiting for you.” Javi’s comment earned him a crouton to the forehead, which clattered to the floor. Gus was on it in less than two seconds.
Paul snapped at Gus, who sat at his feet. He pulled off a piece of chicken and tossed it to him. “Good, boy,” he said, earning a tail thwap against the floor.
“You’re spoiling him,” Daisy admonished. Her tone was serious, but she still pulled off a piece of her own dinner to share with Gus.
Javi’s plate was already clean, so all he could offer the dog was a belly rub. “You need to come over faster for scraps from me, buddy,” he cooed.
“Let me help clear the dishes,” Whitney offered, collecting her and Trevor’s empty plates.
“I can help,” Jessie said, hopping to her feet and nearly tripping over Gus.
Daisy stood, dusting crumbs from her lap. “How would everyone like some pie out on the deck? It’s such a lovely night.”
She and Paul gathered plates and the pie pan, Trevor and Javi leading the way and holding the door.
When the door snicked shut, Whitney cornered Jessie by the coffee maker. “Okay, girl, spill it.”
“Spill what?” Jessie asked, her hand trembling as she poured coffee grounds into the filter.
Whitney placed her hands on her ample hips, entirely focused on Jessie.
“I know I’m the newbie here, but all I’ve heard since I met your brother is how much you want to travel and how much you and Malcolm mean to each other.
Now he’s not joining us at dinner and you’re getting a job in town. What gives?”
“I’m taking pictures of pigs. It’s not that deep.” Jessie was proud of how casual she sounded. Hopefully Whitney didn’t have x-ray vision to see how fast her heart raced.
“Uh-huh, and I’m the Magnolia Queen. Does this mean you’re getting back with Malcolm? What does he think of your news?”
Jessie poked Whitney in the side with a spoon. “You’ve been hanging out with Momma too much. Me finding a job has nothing to do with Malcolm. There’s been a few changes with my job with the Peace Corps, and I’m not in a hurry to leave. Nothing else is going on here.”
Whitney’s lips pursed together, but she didn’t argue. “You realize I’m going to need more dirt than that if we’re going to be besties.”
“When I have dirt, you’ll be the first to hear about it.” Jessie raised a finger in warning. “But you better not say a word to Trev about this. He and Javi are the biggest chinwags in town. The fire station has turned into the gossip hub of Pinegrove.”
“My ears are burning,” Javi teased from the doorway.
Trevor came up behind him, putting him in a headlock. “Are you causing trouble with my girls?” His buddy pinwheeled his arms in the air like he was really gasping for breath. These two could start side hustles in the pro wrestling circuit ...
Turning her attention to her brother, Jessie whined, “What are you goobers doing? You’re interrupting my and Whitney’s girl talk.”
Javi broke free, arms crossed over his chest. “I can be one of the girls.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Besides, you know I love gossip.”
“At ease, Ortiz,” Trevor said, opening the freezer and pulling out a tub of vanilla ice cream. “Save some of that charm for the photo shoot tomorrow.”
Whitney perked up. “The photos are tomorrow? Can Jessie and I stop by?” Turning to Jessie, she added, “If you’re not working?”
Jessie lifted a shoulder. “I told Gladys I’d stop by in the morning, but I can pick you up after lunch.”
Bouncing on the balls of her feet, Whitney clapped. “Hooray! I get to see my boyfriend in a sexy photo shoot.” She made camera clicking noises with her tongue.
“Tasteful photoshoot,” Trevor corrected, shooting a scowl at Javi. “I’m serious, man. No strategically placed hoses.”
Javi blew raspberries and snatched the ice cream from Trevor’s grip. “You’re literally no fun, man. That captain promotion went to your head.”
From outside, Paul shouted, “This pie could really use some ice cream. On the double, men.”
Whitney patted Trevor’s butt and scooted past him outside. “Here we are,” she said, handing out plates and forks.
As their little party of six ate dessert in the dwindling twilight, Jessie couldn’t help but look up at the stars.
A few of the constellations she remembered flickered back at her, almost winking their ridicule.
Tonight had been nearly perfect, from the food to the company, yet someone very important was missing.
Well, two people were missing, but her father wasn’t coming back. As Jessie watched Paul and her momma giggle over slices of pie, she felt herself yearn for her next stage in life. Trevor had found his happily ever after, and Jessie wanted to find her own. She thought the time was finally right.