CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Jessie helped her mother clean up their breakfast dishes.
She was about to leave for her morning on the farm when Paul and Trevor strode into the house, causing Gus to yelp excitedly.
The old hound bounded around for rubs until he got bored and went back to his doggie bed.
Daisy hugged both men as Jessie made her excuse to prep for her day.
While she hardly needed a lot of time to get ready, she wasn’t in the mood for the current love fest happening in the kitchen. She had no trouble with Paul and her mother, but she still felt off about how things were going with Malcolm.
And by things, she meant that they still hadn’t talked to each other. Her phone remained void of any contact, and it was starting to piss her off. He kicked her out of his place, he should make the first move. Right??
After throwing on her sneakers and her favorite pair of overalls, she headed to the kitchen. “Morning,” she greeted the clan with a wave as she poured orange juice.
Trevor snorted at her ensemble as only an older brother could do. “Good morning, Farmer Jessie. You excited to see your new boyfriend today?” He made obnoxious kissy noises, egging her on.
“How dare you speak ill of Oinks.” When their mother had her back turned, Jessie flipped him the bird. “Are you going to make fun of me every day you see me in overalls, or just today?”
Daisy tipped a pan of scrambled eggs into a bowl and placed them in front of her children.
“Trevor, be nice. We’re all thrilled that Jessie found a job she loves.
” Before stepping back, she nudged Jessie with the blunt end of her spatula, “and I saw that middle finger, sugar. Watch your table manners.”
Jessie was incredulous. “How did you ...?” but her question died as Paul chuckled, tucking his napkin into his collar.
Both siblings muttered apologies as Daisy joined them at the table.
“Trevor’s sore that he won’t get Friday night with his girl.
” She scraped some butter on her toast, waiting for her brother to take the bait.
“Whit’s allowed to have a social life,” he said primly before muttering, “although I like it when her social life involves me.”
Paul passed Trevor the hot sauce, a smirk fixed on his face. “Son, you’ve hitched your wagon to a good woman, but she’s also a popular woman. Get ready to share.” He winked, turning his attention to Daisy, who flushed as red as the strawberry jam on their toast.
Jessie slurped from her coffee, anxious to get out to work and away from all this romance. “Face it, big brother, Whitney likes both the Mays siblings.” Despite all her teasing, Jessie truly was thrilled to have a girls’ night out with Whitney.
Firehouse chatter quickly took over the conversation as Paul said, “Couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the photos so far for this calendar. I have to give it to Ortiz, he chose a great photographer. Everything is tasteful and professional.”
Trevor nodded his agreement, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin. “You’re right. Javi knocked it out of the park. He even got Smithy to finally relax for the pictures. I think it’s going to be real hoot.”
Daisy stood, pulling a tray of turkey sausage patties from the oven. “Almost forgot these,” she said. Not only were they healthier, but since Jessie had started at the farm, she couldn’t stomach pork products.
Paul pierced a sausage patty and dropped it on his plate with a thud. He took a bite and met Daisy’s gaze. “These are new,” he surmised, drenching it in syrup when no one was looking.
Daisy shrugged, distracted by sneaking Gus a few pieces.
“It’s turkey. It’s probably better for all of us anyway.
” She looked up and smirked at Jessie, who took a patty of her own.
No offense to the poultry on the farm, but Jessie didn’t love them enough to go full vegetarian.
She mouthed thank you after taking a big bite.
Trevor, clearly bored with the topic of breakfast meats, changed the subject. “So while you’re out with Whit, I’m having the guys over for pizza and the Braves game.” He pointed his fork at Paul. “You wanna join us?”
“Thanks for the invite, son, but I’ll have to decline.” Paul tugged his napkin free, wiped his hands, and stood to collect his and Daisy’s dishes. “I’m taking your momma out to dinner.”
Daisy beamed. “Paul’s taking me to that new seafood restaurant just out of town.
” There were limited dining options in Pinegrove.
While they were all delicious, there were only so many low country boils and BBQ a person could handle before they needed something more refined.
Jessie was well aware of the restaurant; it was the type of romantic place you went to with your sweetheart.
It warmed her to see Paul doting on her momma so much. The woman deserved nothing less.
“What guys are joining you?” Jessie asked, mostly to keep the conversation going.
She’d assumed Malcolm would stay with his parents, so she nearly dropped her mug when Trevor said, “Likely just Javi and Smithy. I invited George, Calvin, and Maxwell, but they all have plans.”
“That’s good that Malcolm’s up for coming out. Is he driving yet?” Jessie asked, hating that she didn’t already have the answer. Hating that she didn’t have the right to have that answer.
Trevor lifted a shoulder, helping Paul with the dishes.
“Don’t know, but I’ll confirm the details later.
” He was quiet for a moment as he collected the condiments and stashed them in the fridge.
“I will say, he was surprised to learn you had a job at Hog Hollow. I can’t believe you didn’t tell him. ”
Daisy’s head whipped up so fast, she nearly lost an earring. “You didn’t tell Malcolm you’re staying?”
Jessie held her hands up in defense, backing away slowly. “We haven’t exactly been on speaking terms since he threw me out. I figured when he wanted to talk, he’d reach out.”
Trevor moaned, covering his face. “Jesus Christ, Jessie. No wonder he seemed bothered by the news.”
“Language,” Daisy warned, swatting Trevor with a tea towel. The commotion woke Gus, who slowly sniffed around the table until giving up on the hopes of more scraps. He sauntered over to the patio door, collapsing into a beam of sunlight.
A new question hit Jessie square in the gut. “When did you tell him?”
Trevor cocked his head. “I dunno, yesterday I guess?”
Yesterday. Malcolm had known for twenty-four hours that she took a job not only in Pinegrove but in their favorite place and he hadn’t called. No text. Not even a carrier pigeon. What did that mean? Was he angry? Excited?
The questions threatened to choke her, so Jessie made a hasty retreat and ran out the door for work. “Tell Whitney I’ll see her tonight!” she shouted to no one in particular as she snatched her purse off the hook by the door and sprinted outside.
She needed to clear her head, and she knew work would be the perfect distraction. Jessie sped through the backroads until she reached the entrance to Hog Hollow. Now that she was an employee, she got to drive around the back of the property and park by the farmhouse.
Once the car was off, she fumbled in her purse for a stick of gum.
She knocked her purse off her lap, scattering the contents all over the floor.
“For the love of Pete,” she mumbled, collecting her belongings.
Her wallet had opened in the fall, and mixed in with a cluster of coins was Malcolm’s promise ring.
She picked it up, the metal cool in her palm.
She thought of tucking it away again, hiding it with the rest of her feelings, but instead she slid it on her finger.
It felt like playing pretend when she was a girl, and right now it’s just the talisman she needed.
After taking a long breath, Jessie walked up the stone path, finding Gladys and Richard on the porch with a few notebooks, animatedly discussing something.
“Good morning, y’all,” Jessie greeted as she took the porch stairs two at a time, her sneakers squeaking with each step. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Right on time, Jessie.” Gladys shook her notebook in front of her, the pages rustling like leaves. “Richard and I had dinner with our son, Davey, last night.”
“Okay?”
Richard gestured to a vacant rocking chair for Jessie to sit. She hadn’t had as many interactions with the other half of the farm, but he’d always been sweet, if not a little stoic. Kind of like a certain man she was trying to forget ...
“Have a seat, Jessie. Gladys and I want to talk a few things over with you.”
“Okay?” Jessie collapsed into the rocking chair, her breakfast turning to cement in her belly. They were going to lay her off, right after she’d made plans. Now that would be ironic, she mused.
Gladys smiled, taking the seat next to Jessie. “Honey, we’re not about to send you to the electric chair.” She patted Jessie’s knee. “You look like you sucked a lemon.”
Going for broke, Jessie exclaimed, “I know it’s only been a week, but I’ve enjoyed working here.
I love the gardens and the grounds, and I think Oinks and I have bonded, and I know it’s just a few Facebook posts, but Hog Hollow has gained a hundred followers this week.
This is Pinegrove, so that’s basically going viral. ”
The longer she babbled, the more confused Richard looked. “Viral? Has one of the hogs gotten sick?” He shot a worried look to Gladys, who waved him off.
“Jessie, I mean this with all due respect, but please hush up.”
Jessie clamped her mouth shut, sitting on her hands to stop fidgeting. So much for playing it cool ... “Okay,” she mumbled.
“We spoke to Davey,” Gladys continued, “and he thinks your idea is brilliant.” Her smile was so wide, the skin around her eyes crinkled.
“My idea?” Jessie pointed to herself.