10. Delilah #2
When I was younger, I would have given just about anything to have a sister.
When that didn’t work out, I opened up to being okay with a brother instead, figuring maybe I’d been too picky with my request. But Stella kept moving between men, and no siblings ever showed up.
Spending time with Jasper’s family would be good for me.
I’d figure out what I’d been missing by being an only child.
As I nodded to myself, doing my best to convince myself to get back out there, someone pounded on the bathroom door.
“Get out of there, asswipe. You know I’ve got to clean up before dinner.”
I gasped and grabbed onto the counter. “I’ll be out in a second.”
The pounding stopped. “Abby?”
“No, this is Delilah. I’m just finishing up.”
Another voice joined the first in the hall. Muffled voices argued with each other, and I wondered if I should hide out until they left or open the door and get it over with.
“What are y’all doing?” Abby voice joined the mix. “Come on out, Delilah.”
I cracked open the door and peered through. Three men stood in the hall, each one of them bigger and broader than the next.
Abby held out a hand. A hand free of Sly the lizard. “It’s okay. These are my brothers. Davis, Trent, and Mitchell, meet Miss Lovin’ Texas, Delilah Stone.”
Jasper
I made sure the trailer was level, then checked and rechecked the connections. I couldn’t afford to have anything else go wrong for Delilah. The fact Lacey hadn’t chewed me out yet for letting Delilah’s trailer get overrun with crickets meant it was just a matter of time.
Her laugh pealed out over the sound of my dad mowing a section of the orchard.
Turning, I caught sight of her and Abby moving toward the pasture.
She’d changed into a pair of jeans. I did a double take, surprised the woman owned something made of denim.
Her hair flowed wild and free, blowing over her shoulders in the late afternoon breeze.
Abby said something and Delilah laughed again. The sound of her happiness brought a smile to my face. I kept an eye on the two of them until they disappeared around the back of the barn.
“Who the hell is that?” An arm whacked me across the stomach.
I spun around.
Three of my brothers faced me, their arms crossed over their chests. “You want to tell us who Trent almost walked in on in the bathroom?”
My hands clenched into fists, a sense of protectiveness washing over me. “You better not have walked in on her.”
“He didn’t.” Mitchell gave Trent a little push forward. “But he wishes he did.”
I silenced the growl that threatened to escape my lips. “She’s a guest. And she’s judging that contest. Don’t piss her off, she might be the only chance we have at keeping the orchard.”
“You’re not kidding.” Davis let his arms drop to his sides. “Dad said something about a family meeting tomorrow night. Is that what he wants to talk about? Are we really at risk of losing the orchard?”
“No.” I huffed out a breath. I shouldn’t have said anything. No need to drag my younger brothers into this. At least not until I figured out what our next step ought to be.
“Then why did you say that?” Mitchell asked.
“Did Dad really say he wants to talk tomorrow night?” I brushed my hands against my jeans. My dad hadn’t said anything to me about a family meeting.
“Yeah.” Mitchell leaned against the side of the trailer. “What’s up with this eyesore?”
Everything had happened so fast, I hadn’t filled my brothers in on my new role. “This belongs to Miss Lovin’ Texas, otherwise known as Delilah Stone, otherwise known as the woman who’s joining us for dinner and staying over, at least for tonight.”
“So, Abby was telling the truth.” Davis shook his head. “What the hell have you gotten yourself involved in?”
I rolled my shoulders under the weight of their collective gaze. “Mayor Cherish needed someone to pitch in last minute, so she asked me to be Ido’s hospitality host. Ms. Stone is in town to judge our efforts to be voted the most romantic town in Texas.”
The three of them stood in silence for a long beat. Then the laughs started.
“Just stay out of her way.” I gathered my tools and started to make my way back to the garage.
“Wait.” Davis grabbed for my arm. Out of all of my brothers, Davis was the most likely to end up working a desk job. His ability to analyze a situation far surpassed the other Taylor brothers. “What’s in it for us?”
“What could possibly be in it for us?” Mitchell asked. “Jasper doesn’t know shit about being romantic. The mayor should have given the job to Tie Dye instead.”
Trent almost bent all the way over as he cracked up.
But Davis pressed on. “There’s got to be something in it for the farm. What’s your angle?”
I slung an arm around my brother’s shoulder. “Mayor Cherish said if we can get Ido named the most romantic town in Texas, we’ll be an even more desirable wedding destination.”
Davis nodded. “And?”
“Well”—I pulled my arm back—“if we can snag that title, we’ll have even more weddings coming to town. Mayor Cherish is looking for other complementary businesses, and I thought if we could spruce up the barn—”
“It would be the perfect place to hold a wedding.” Davis turned to me, his eyes bright. “What did Dad say?”
“He thinks it’s a stupid idea. But if we spend the insurance money fixing up the barn, we can host weddings and trail rides and other events to tide us over until the new trees we plant start producing.”
“That’s genius.” Davis nodded, the wheels in his head probably spinning out of control with the possibilities.
“Would you be on board with an idea like that?” I elbowed my brother.
“Yeah. Hell yeah.” At twenty-four, Davis had already graduated from college but was having a hard time finding a job nearby that would put his engineering degree to good use.
It was only a matter of time before he’d make the decision to move away.
Maybe if we could build up a big enough business, he wouldn’t have to.
“Does that mean you’re up for helping me?” I asked.
“I’m in.” He motioned for Trent and Mitchell to come closer. “What do we need to do?”
“I’ve got to keep an eye on Delilah and make sure there’s no doubt in her mind that we’re the most romantic town in Texas. Lacey wants me to pull together a big event.”
“Like what?” Davis asked.
“That’s just it, I don’t know. Something that reeks of romance. Like a big Valentine’s party, but in October. Got any ideas?” Colin might be the ladies’ man, but Davis was definitely better at seeing a project through. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head. “I think I’ve got something.”
“What?” Davis shot me some side-eye. None of the Taylor brothers were known for being super in touch with their softer side.
“What if we built a trail kind of thing? Then we can have people stop and take pictures in super-romantic spots.”
“Like what? The only place in town that might be considered somewhat romantic is the kissing cove down by the river.” Davis squinted, making his eyes scrunch up, like kissing someone was the worst possible thing that could happen.
“We’d have to make them up. Like a tunnel full of those white lights.
You know, the kind they string around town during the holidays.
Maybe have an arbor or something. Just lots of little romantic spots around town where people can pause and sneak a kiss.
” I executed a neck roll as I tried to think of something romantic.
“I don’t know. If that’s all you’ve got . . . Christmas lights . . . we’re going to need some more help.” Mitchell wasn’t on board. I could tell by his scowl.
“I’ll ask Lacey. And maybe I can try to get some info out of Delilah.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “What if we all keep the conversation around romantic stuff during dinner? We’re bound to get some ideas.”
“If you think it will help, I’m game.” Davis lifted a shoulder.
Mitchell and Trent shrugged and nodded as well.