26. Glow Worm
Two weeks later
Thea hugged Fox and ruffled his fur. The dog had added Knox to his daily routine, and he hugged him next. It was one of her favorite parts of her new life here in Vermont.
Because it was a life. A full one. One she’d never dreamed was a possibility for her. That little girl on the Merck farm learning all about soil and growing things would be shocked to know that not only had Thea managed to go to college and learn all she could about soil, but she’d found a home.
A real home. In a gorgeous old farmhouse with a man she loved more than she’d thought possible. A man with a heart as big as the world.
Knox was the steadying force in her life. The source of all the good that had come her way. He loved freely and easily, always ready to help anyone in need. Always ready to bring someone else into their circle.
With Fox at their side, they walked through the orchard and watered the compost. Even with the Worminator at work, it was important to have other sources of compost. The dead trees and plants from the property would enrich the ones that were thriving. The compost from the plants was different from that produced by the worms and the Worminator. Together, the composts would combine and help the farm thrive.
They’d cleared a few more trees from invasive plants. There were dozens and dozens of acres to go, but they’d made good headway.
After she’d put away the hose, she turned to Knox. “It’s too bad Jolie couldn’t make it for today.”
He nodded. “I know. I’d like her to meet the people who have helped us so much.”
They’d planned a Worminator party for the day. They planned to serve lunch and show off the compost facility in action. They’d even followed online directions to make dirt desserts , complete with layers of soil and gummy worms.
Ford’s truck rumbled down the lane, and they moved to help him unload the coolers of food and drinks.
Soon, the farm was filled with the people from Phail and Midnight Lake. They had met them all more than once, and they were great people. She, Tansy, Levi, and Isla had made an online chat group with Levi’s old geezer network, including Stan Phail and his buddies Mo and Paddy. It was another favorite part of her life to check in on the group chat at the end of the day. The group was creative and she loved throwing ideas around with them all. She figured Knox’s sister might like to join in as well once she was here.
When she moved to clean up some of the food, Knox materialized by her side. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “Hey there, Warrior. You doing okay?”
She smiled. “I’m good. A few months ago, the size of this crowd would have overwhelmed and exhausted me.”
“And now?”
She turned to look at their friends. “Now, I’m comfortable. I know them all. They’re such good people.”
“Comfortable enough to do your Queen of the Compost speech.”
She laughed. “My what?”
He grinned. “Your Queen of the Compost speech. The entire gang is here because they’re fascinated by the Worminator. Who better to show how it all works than the Queen of Compost?”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“But you love me, anyway.”
She reached up to kiss him properly. “I do. More than anything. More than I thought possible.”
He kissed her back until someone nearby whistled, making them break apart, laughing. Knox took her hand. “Let’s go show off the Worminator.”
She laughed as the group gathered around them. There were no speeches involved, but she and Knox moved through the various parts and explained how it all worked. “We’ve hooked up the current irrigation lines, so the compost concoction can be delivered straight to the roots. Most of the orchard isn’t irrigated, but we’ll work on that soon. We’ve also got a few sprayers we’ll start using when we have more compost to use. It’s good for the leaves to be exposed to the compost tea as well.”
“You mean worm-poop tea, don’t you?” Elina’s voice was laced with laughter.
Thea grinned. “I do. I don’t suggest drinking it, but the plants love it.”
Elina held up her tablet. “And that gives me an idea for another comic.”
A thrill ran through Thea. Elina drew an online comic strip that was popular around the world. The fact that the artist, Paxi, was her friend was astonishing.
Elina grinned. “In the meantime, we have a gift for you and Knox.”
A gift? This whole party had been their way of thanking their friends.
Marcus and Troy moved to the center of the group, holding something under a cloth. Marcus smiled. “This is our way of welcoming you to the neighborhood. We’re glad you’re here.”
Elina moved between them and lifted the cloth.
The men held a board that was probably eight feet long and a foot high. The words The Worminator had been carved into it. Happy worms and apples had been added as well. The sign was charming and Thea clapped her hands at the sight of it, then grabbed Knox’s hand. “That’s amazing. It’s absolutely perfect.”
Knox laughed. “It couldn’t be more perfect. This is incredible.”
It didn’t take long for the group to mount the sign on the front of their working compost facility.
When it was up, Thea couldn’t stop smiling. It was truly perfect.
Knox handed her a glass and tapped his to it. The crowd was suddenly silent. He lifted his glass. “To the Worminator and the Queen of Compost.”
The crowd laughed and lifted their own glasses. “To the Worminator and the Queen of Compost.”
K nox watched Thea interact with their new friends with pride. She was an amazing woman, and she was beginning to actually believe that. At least part of the way. He’d spend the rest of his life reminding her she was incredible.
Dodge appeared beside him. “You’re happier than I’ve ever seen you.”
Knox nodded. “You’re right. Being in love will do that for a guy.”
“You told her that yet?”
He nodded and couldn’t contain the grin. They’d celebrated their love in spectacular fashion more than once.
Although Knox didn’t say a word, Ford laughed. “Good for you. It’s good to see you happy, man.”
“Thanks. You happy you came up this way?”
Ford nodded, but the shadow in his eyes didn’t back it up. “This is a good place. I’m happy to be here.”
He was going to ask more, but a whistle had them both turning to where Troy and Marcus wore shit-eating grins. “One more surprise.”
A quick glance at Thea proved she didn’t have a clue what was going on either. He moved to her side and wrapped his arm around her. While she would know their friends would only have a happy surprise in store, she wasn’t used to things that weren’t planned or part of a routine.
She leaned into his side but worried her bottom lip.
Epic didn’t keep them waiting long. “Thanks to Piper, we have a new tradition in Phail. Actually, we have a ton of them, but we’re only focusing on one tonight.”
Knox still didn’t have a clue.
Troy grinned. “We’ve brought that tradition here today.” He waved them around the back of the Worminator. The cloth they’d used to cover up the amazing Worminator sign was now tacked to the back wall.
Rows of lawn chairs had been set up.
“We thought it would be a good night to watch a movie. A classic. A particular favorite of Knox’s. Have a seat, everyone and we’ll get started.”
Oh shit.
He and Thea were shown to the seats in the middle of the front row, and everyone piled onto seats around them.
He didn’t think Thea had figured it out yet, but he wasn’t in the least surprised when the opening scene of Annie filled the screen.
Thea laughed, and the rest joined in.
Thea smiled. “I know some of the songs but I’ve never seen the movie. This is amazing.”
When “It’s A Hard Knock Life” came on screen, everyone sang along. Of course, they all emphasized Knox instead of Knock, making Thea laugh. Hell, it made him laugh, too.
He glanced at Dodge. “Mara would love this.”
Ford grinned. “She really would. Going to have to show the movie again if I can convince her to come for a visit.”
Knox hoped that would happen. He still didn’t say anything about hoping they could convince her to be their baker. He’d need to know if that was something she would want in her life or if she was happy where she was.
When the credits rolled at the end of the movie, everyone stood and cheered.
A new voice broke into the cheers. “Well, I didn’t expect that kind of welcome, but thanks.”
Jolie. It was Jolie.
Knox spotted his sister at the edge of the crowd, grinning. He jumped out of his chair and ran to throw his arms around her.
She laughed as he lifted her to spin her in a circle. “Jolie. You made it. You really made it. I’m so glad you’re here.”
She squeezed him extra hard, and Knox wondered again what had happened at her last job. Or was it something else? Had someone hurt his baby sister?
Now wasn’t the time to ask, so he swung her around again, making her laugh. “It’s so good to see you, Knox. But I’m sad I missed your namesake movie.”
Of course, she knew about his army callsign. It wasn’t just a joke with his army friends. It was now a family joke too, along with Bobby and Boss Man, Lawson and Burke’s call signs.
“You’ve got to meet Thea. Come on.”
Thea smiled. “Hi, Jolie. It’s so nice to meet you in person. Welcome to your home.”
Jolie’s eyes misted for a moment, but she cleared them with a blink and then threw her arms around Thea. “I’m so glad to be here and to meet you in person. Thank you for everything you’ve done for my brother. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
Knox felt his cheeks heat at her words, but they were true.
Thea hugged Jolie back. “The same goes for me.”
Jolie squeezed her again. “That makes it even better. I love everything I’ve seen so far. This place is gorgeous. Full of potential.”
Knox laughed. “Your favorite word.”
She nodded. “It is.”
He had to hug her again. “It’s good to have you here, Jolie. I’m counting on you to help me bring the rest here as well.”
She grinned. “I like that plan.”
Again, a shadow passed over her expression. He forced himself to ignore it for now. Not the time.
Jolie looked around the group. “You’ve made a lot of friends for only being here a short time.”
That made him grin. “I’ve got a connection with a couple from my army days. The rest are friends of theirs from Phail and Midnight Lake.”
“I don’t think I actually believed the town was called Phail until I drove through it.”
“Let’s meet the man behind the name.”
For the next while, he and Thea introduced his sister to the group.
When their friends headed out, it was just him and Thea, Ford, and Jolie left. They double-checked the locks on the shed and Worminator before heading up through the trees to the farmhouse.
Fox loped in to greet Thea first. Then him and Ford. Then Fox stood looking at Jolie.
She grinned and squatted down. She held her hand out for him to sniff. “You must be Fox. I’ve heard so much about you from my brother. Thanks for helping him keep Thea safe.”
Knox swallowed the lump in his throat, and Thea leaned into his side.
Fox licked Jolie’s face and his quick acceptance of Knox’s sister had his heart warming.
The five of them strolled through the orchard, talking quietly about the farm. At his usual spot, Fox barked and bounded off into the night.
The farmhouse was lit with solar twinkle lights they’d strung along the edge of the porch roof. The place was warm and welcoming.
Home.
It was home.
And soon, he’d fill it up with the rest of his family.
This was his spot. The spot he’d ensure was filled with love, family, and laughter for the rest of his days.
B onus Scene
Ford Evans
Ford stared out the window in the bedroom he’d chosen in Knox’s farmhouse. Night had fallen not long after the Worminator celebration party had broken up.
The name for the compost facility made him smile. As did almost everything about this place. He hadn’t had enough smiles in the last few years.
Being the second youngest kid of nine made for an interesting life. Unlike his younger sister, all the boys—men—in the family lived to build and fix things. The tradition had been passed through three generations and ran strong in them all.
Ford loved building new things, but fixing broken things was even better.
Which reminded him of the shadows in the eyes of Knox’s little sister. He’d met her a few times over video chats when they’d been deployed overseas, but seeing her in reality had nearly knocked him straight on his ass.
Keeping his eyes off her for the evening had been a challenge.
The woman was good at putting up a front. She was outgoing and friendly with everyone. But the shadows were there, even when her laugh filled the orchard.
And he wanted to fix it. Find out who’d caused those shadows and kick his ass.
Ford shook his head. He had no business lusting after his buddy’s sister. Or defending her honor. She appeared quite capable of kicking asses by herself.
That long, strong body. Glorious ass. Legs for miles.
Ford sighed and shook Jolie Malssum’s image out of his head.
Now that the Worminator was operational, he needed to tour the entire farm. Farmhouses, barns, fences. He’d make a priority list and focus on that.
Not on those long legs.
Not on that laugh.
Not on the shadows in her eyes.
Right. He could do that.