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Again, I want to growl at my older brother. Why didn’t he tell me that?

“Either way, the place won’t run itself for four years.”

Reaching for the door, I’m ready to push past Digger and go inside the restaurant. He stops me, putting his arm around my shoulders.

“You need to hire a foreman and let him handle everything. I’m right here, ready to do it for you.”

“You are not my foreman.” I wriggle out of his grip. “Sawyer left me in charge. I’ll decide what needs to happen on my place.”

He exhales an amused noise, and I continue to where Ed Daniels stands beside a booth where a few of the older guys are sitting, sharing coffee. When I walk up, they all stop talking and look at me.

“Noel?” Mr. Daniels straightens, adjusting his cap. “How are you this morning?”

“Fine, thanks.” My voice sounds too small, too inexperienced to me. “I was wondering if you know if there’ll be a late frost?”

The man chuckles. “I’d be a rich man if I could predict a late frost.”

Digger joins us. “Noel wants to have coffee this morning.”

The way he says it makes me wonder if he’s already told these men he’s my foreman. “Sawyer left me in charge. I thought I best know what’s coming.”

“I thought you were making beauty products.” Ed’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes, and I wonder if he agrees with my brother about bringing tourists onto the farms.

“I’ve started my own business, if that’s what you mean.”

Jeff Priddy pipes up. “That’s right. My aunt Jessica called last night. Said she wants to give Noel the old feed shed to turn into a store.”

“She did?” A blend of surprise and confidence fills my chest at this announcement.

“It’s probably full of rats, but she said you can have it if you want it.”

“I do want it. Thank you.” As disgusting as the prospect of rats might be, I’ve got a dog, and the old feed shed is only a quarter-mile from the orchard. I’ll be making an extra special care package for my number one customer tonight.

“As for frost, it’s best to watch the news… and the sky.” He continues, and I wonder if he might be on my side after all. “Moisture keeps the chance of frost forming low, so more rain means less frost. Clear skies are a warning sign.”

“Thank you again.” I nod, and when Flo appears, I hold up a finger.

She brings me a cup of weak coffee, and I take a seat at one of the tables across from the booth where the men sit. I listen as they discuss the latest news. I never cared about politics or what happened at the border before, and I do my best to absorb all they say.

Sawyer said Digger’s dad would watch out for me, but I don’t want Digger being too close to my business. As they continue, I think about what Miss Jessica has done, giving me her old shed. I wonder how much work it will take to turn it into a real store. I’ll have to wait until summer to work on it, until after harvest, but at least I can check it out.

The men start to break up, and I make my way over to Jeff, hoping to get a handle on what needs to be done to transfer ownership. I might have to hold it for a few months, but I don’t want to let it go. One thing I know for sure is you never know what might happen.

I’m still holding those words in my mind when my whole world tilts.

16

Taron

July

“Damn, you look amazing.” I’m lying on my bunk looking at Noel wearing nothing but a beauty pageant sash.

Her small breasts hang in luscious handfuls, rosy nipples hard and pointing upward with a thick white sash draped across the center.

“You’re the first person I thought of when I saw it at the party store.”

“I wish I was there.” She slides her palms up her ribcage, cupping her breasts. “I want to see you touch yourself.”