CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE #2
Richard chuckled. “Yes. Your idea for events, for doing more with the land. If you’re interested, we’d like to bring you on full-time.
You can help us get the events started, including expanding the petting zoo.
Oinks isn’t the only draw; we have a barn full of animals that we could show off.
” He puffed out his chest, nodding at the idea.
“But we need someone who has a little more ...” He trailed off, waffling his hand back and forth.
“Energy,” Gladys supplied. “Neither one of us has the vigor to do this, but we think you’re the woman for the job.”
It took less than a heartbeat for Jessie to nod enthusiastically, her excitement palpable. “Holy shit, yes!” She clapped a hand over her mouth and winced. “Sorry, sorry! I’ll join Momma at church on Sunday,” she promised, causing Richard to snicker.
“Don’t worry about the language. We’ve heard it all.”
The trio talked about their ideas, sharing notes until the sun hung directly overhead. “My stars”—Gladys gasped—“we need to feed the hogs.”
Jessie shot to her feet, helping her bosses collect their notes. “I’m on it,” Jessie said, bounding down the steps.
Richard cupped his hand over his mouth and shouted as she descended the hill. “You want those full-time hours to start today? I could use some help in the meadows after lunch.”
“Good luck getting rid of me now!” Jessie laughed as she spun to face the house. “Thank you!”
The pair waved from their perch, their grins matching her own. This felt right, this felt like something worth savoring.
By the time she reached the hog barn, Jessie was giddy to see Oinks.
Over the last few days, this silly swine had turned into her favorite being.
She’d swapped Malcolm’s curls for a curly tail, and she wasn’t complaining.
Quickly, she filled the other pigs’ buckets with slop before getting to Oinks’ pen.
“Hey, buddy,” she cooed as she carefully slid through the gate.
Oinks seemed as excited as usual to see Jessie—which meant he wasn’t excited at all.
He lifted his snout, sniffed twice, and then relieved himself by her shoes.
Jessie jumped out of the way just in time, laughing as she filled his bucket and climbed onto the top of the pen.
Feet hanging over the side, she listened to her surroundings.
The other animals were eating their late breakfast, the tabby cat even making an appearance with a mouse in her teeth.
Jessie shuddered, but turned her attention back to Oinks.
He’d already demolished his meal, snuffling through hay for any lost treats.
“Well, now that I have your undivided attention,” Jessie said, toying with the straps of her overalls.
“I get to share the great news that I’ll be working full time here.
You won’t be able to get rid of me.” Oinks sneezed, and Jessie took that as permission to keep talking.
“I’m excited, really.” She let out a long exhale.
“I’m still a little worked up over the whole Malcolm thing.
I miss him, Oinks. I miss him so much it physically hurts.
But do you know what’s funny?” She hesitated, as if she were Cinderella and the animals would start talking back.
“Good things are still happening. I had a nice breakfast with my family, and then I saw Gladys and Richard, and boom.” She clapped her hands, the sound echoing through the stalls.
“I got a job offer that gives me goosebumps. I get to work here, with you and this motley crew, and I’m excited.
We’re going to get events going, the petting zoo back, grow more flowers, and who knows what else. ”
Behind her, one of the goats bleated. “Thanks, pal!” she yelled over her shoulder. “I really appreciate the support.”
Realizing she’d spent ten minutes pouring her heart out to farm animals, Jessie collected her things and headed toward the outbuilding to grab her gardening supplies.
She had a little time to kill before lunch.
The sun peeked through the grove of pecan trees, the light casting streaks across the grass.
It looked like something out of a movie, and she quickly grabbed her cell phone and took pictures for social media.
When she was done taking photos, she opened the Notes app on her phone.
This vantage point would be lovely for event pictures, whether they be for wedding albums or graduation photos.
The space between the groves and the meadow was perfectly flat, ideal for tents and tables . .. maybe even a dance floor.
The more her mind wandered, the more notes she took.
Jessie envisioned small, intimate weddings being held at sunset, the grounds cast in moody purples.
Or maybe family reunions in the middle of a sunny Saturday afternoon, the kids running away to play with the animals .
.. with Oinks holding court by the barn.
As she strode up to the house for lunch, she had a desire to text Malcolm one of the pictures.
Not only did she feel a deep sense of pride for what she was doing, but she’d been flooded with happy memories with her favorite person.
Many late-night rendezvous on Hog Hollow had been spent dashing through the pecan groves on their way to stargaze.
Jessie was pleased to discover these memories didn’t hurt as much; she was able to look back with fondness and not bitterness.
Some relationships last the test of time, like Gladys and Richard or her momma and daddy, while others aren’t meant to burn bright forever.
Perhaps that was where she and Malcolm had ended up, safely in the burned-out category. Since she was staying in Pinegrove, she wanted to take a step toward friendship; toward having him in her life. Choosing the best picture, she sent it to Malcolm with a note:
It’s a beautiful day here, and I couldn’t help but think of you.
Jessie hit Send before she could talk herself out of it.
The text was a test, an olive branch to see if Malcolm felt the same way about her as she did him.
They’d hardly talked earlier at the firehouse, and she wasn’t about to walk on eggshells anytime their paths crossed.
This was Pinegrove; they’d be bumping into each other all the time.
Hell, they were going to the same blasted book club next week.
After her first full day on the farm, Jessie bid farewell to her bosses and hopped behind the wheel.
She hummed to herself the whole way back home, eager to get ready for her night with Whitney.
Jessie had finally realized that Pinegrove was where she belonged, and she tried not to let it bother her that Malcolm hadn’t responded to her text.