Page 5 of Finding Basil (Foggy Basin Season Two)

Chapter Three

Coffee at the metal table with the half-torn laminate that was supposed to look like white marble was wonderful. He watched the man as if he was going to paint him, and Herb couldn’t draw a bit.

“My name, yeah, well, my grandfather was a picker, you know, he came to the US to pick fruits and vegetables. He married my grandma and got his citizenship when he was thirty, and worked three jobs, saving money for a farm of his own.

“The thing was, he tried to learn it from the farmers he picked for, but he had a terrible time of it. Finally, though, fifteen years and four kids later, he grew his first small crop. The crop was basil, so it’s a family thing.”

Basil’s dark lips moved so smoothly as he spoke. Herb was captivated.

“That’s a wonderful way to get a name. My name is a family name too, but there wasn’t a story to go with it. My great- grandfather’s name was Herbert Buffet, but my mother hated the name Herbert, so they shortened mine to Herb.”

Basil smiled so sweetly, and when he drank his coffee, the way his Adam’s apple slid under the smooth flesh of his neck…

“Well, we only have a couple of acres now to actually farm. My dad wanted to do an orchard, so he did. We have fifty apple trees now.”

“I love apple pie,” he said, laughing. “Now I know where to get the apples.”

“Ours are great for pies, apple butter, all that. What were you thinking of growing?”

Herb was almost embarrassed, but if Basil was going to help him, he had to tell the guy. “Herbs.”

Basil set his cup on the table and laughed. “No, really?”

“Corny, I know. Herb’s Herbs.”

“That’s really corny,” he said, laughing more. “I like it though. People are crazy about herbs now, not just to cook with.”

“I thought an apothecary would be nice to own once I get the herbs to do it. Find a wholesaler for the other ingredients, if this house doesn’t break me first.”

“Yeah, it’s old, all right. All the houses in this part of town are. They were here before there was a Foggy Basin. Just a bunch of farmers.”

Basil was so handsome, Herb was terribly distracted. He had to get down to business. “Well, Basil, when can you show me some of the things I’ll need to do?”

“You’ll have to buy seed, and you have a greenhouse, so you can start some plants in there. You probably have glass you’ll need to replace, I’m guessing.”

“I do, but I’ve never even stepped into a greenhouse, so I don’t know the first thing about it.”

Basil was finished with his coffee and took his cup to the sink before he said, “I’ve been in them all my life. My mom has one that she keeps stocked with vegetable plants for the winter months, which are coming fast. It was pretty cold last night.”

Letting his crazy imagination go for a moment, he saw in his mind a roaring fire in his fireplace and he and Basil cuddling on a rug in front of it, drinking wonderful wine and kissing.

Romance hadn’t been big in his life, as he’d been too busy to plan anything romantic.

The few boyfriends he’d had were done with him once he’d had to cancel too many dates.

But now he was staring at a guy he’d have quit his job for, and he didn’t even know if the man was gay. His gaydar was pinging madly, but he feared it was wishful thinking.

“I’d appreciate any help you could give me, and of course, I’d pay you.”

“I’m looking for a job, so that works out. My family, well, they’ll need me at harvest time for the apples and the cabbage.”

“You grow cabbage?”

“We have a contract with the local supermarket for it. They make amazing coleslaw and prefer the cabbage and carrots to be locally grown. It’s a little hippy dippy, my dad says, but it works to put food on the table for us.”

His blush was out of the blue, as they weren’t talking about anything that should cause that pink to ascend over his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. That could only mean one thing. He was thinking things that could cause it…

Naughty things?

“Well, Basil, I’m going to enjoy working with you. I…I feel like we’ll complement each other.”

“The one that knows what he’s doing versus the guy that is clueless?” he asked, laughing. “Just kidding, really.”

“No, you’re right,” Herb said as he nodded and laughed with him. “I’m as clueless as they come. I was stuck in the city my whole life, destroying instead of growing things or making things.”

“I’d hate that.”

“I did. I was done. I ran away to the country, to a house that seems to be falling apart, because I was too excited to read the appraisal.”

“These places always have a glitch, but they’re worth it. My brother lives in the suburbs of Chicago in a new house. He said it’s like a cardboard box.” Basil jerked his head toward the front. “I can help you fix that hole, if you like.”

“I have a contractor on it, and he’s replacing the entire porch, but thanks. I may hit you up to fix a few more things around here, though.”

That blush creeped quickly back over his cheeks. That was no mistake, that was no coincidence. Basil was thinking things that Herb would definitely like to know.

When he bid goodbye to Basil, it was at the back door, and Basil lingered, like Herb had hoped he would. “So, the greenhouse, uh, I’ll go look at it and then I’ll be back soon with a tape measure. I have a truck, so I can pick up the glass we’ll need.”

“I’ll send you with a credit card.”

“Unless you just want to come along? I mean, with the house as it is…you might need to know where the hardware store is.”

That made him smile wider. “Funny!”

“You like that?”

Man, the guy was sexy, funny, sweet…everything Herb dreamed of with a guy.

“Okay, well, let me get the measurements, and we can hit the hardware store tomorrow. They do glass cutting in the back. They’re gonna love you.”

“Yeah, I’ll definitely be putting all their kids through college.”

“You probably will, yeah.”

Herb hated to see him go, but before he had time to mourn, there was yet another knock on the door. “I swear, people are alive too early here.”

There were two little girls on the porch, and both were smiling gayly as they chimed in unison, “we’re from the Camp Eckley Club, and we’re here to give you the opportunity to buy the world’s best popcorn!”

“Oh, wow, great. Let me see what you’ve got.”

As one handed him the brochure, the other, a little blonde girl with her hair in two long braids, asked, “Did you know you had a big hole in your porch?”

“Yes. I was aware. Thanks.”

He had the plumber come at exactly eight, and as the man worked, Herb unpacked more of the boxes. Having the kitchen and his clothes out of bags and boxes felt like a ton was off his shoulders, and it was the first bit of accomplishment he felt since moving.

Later that day, Cordelia arrived with a flourish, coming in just as Herb opened the door.

“I brought some bad news. The contractor is busy for this week. He had to repair the town hall basement; it had some water damage from the boiler. A friend of his, though, will come do a fast repair so no one falls through that hole and gets hurt enough to sue you.”

“Well, that’s…good, I guess.”

She sat on the orange couch, cringing. “This is the ugliest couch.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“There’s a furniture store on the interstate about thirty miles from here that has nice things.”

He sat beside her and sighed, “If I can afford it after all the repair work around here.”

“Oh, right. Best wait. Now, you’ll need the chimney cleaned before winter, so I’ve called someone to come do that.” She had a tablet in her hand and was checking off the list of things she was handling for him.

“Cordelia, it was my own fault for not reading the appraiser’s letter. I don’t expect you to do all this.”

“It’s a small town, Herb. Being that most folks pass their homes down to relatives, that means I don’t have a lot to do. Besides, I will never have a client say I sold a terrible house and didn’t help make it better. And I’ll likely charge you for my services. I have a family to feed, after all.”

She was at least sixty. He didn’t imagine she had young kids, but he wasn’t one to assume things about others.

“I’ll gladly pay you. My condo had a super, and I paid monthly for the services, so this wouldn’t be a lot different from that.”

“Good. Okay, we’ve got all that handled, and oh, I’ll need your help to unpack my car. I brought you some groceries to get you started. I’ll send a bill.”

He had a feeling he’d get a lot of bills from her. “I’m grateful. I don’t have a lot.”

After he unloaded her car of the six bags, she helped him put everything away in the cabinets and fridge, and then she suggested a maid. “You might not need one to come regularly, but for now, to help get this place spick and span, you’ll want the help.”

“I think I can manage that. I’m a pretty clean guy.”

“Most men think they’re clean when they’re not, but it’s up to you. Now, have you found anyone to help you with the farm?”

“Oh! I actually have. Basil Jimenez is going to help me out.”

Her eyes widened, and then she smiled. “Wonderful. He’s such a nice boy. Gay, you know.”

He perked up right before he grew annoyed. “You shouldn’t out people, Cordelia.”

“I wouldn’t if I thought you were a bigot, but you’re gay too, are you not?”

He took a step back and asked, “How did you know that?”

“I do my research,” she said with a wink of her dazzling blue eye. “Well, you’re set for now. I’ll be back in a day or two. And beware. You have a neighbor that is…less than welcoming.”

“Lila?”

“You’ve met her already?”

“She came by very, very early.”

Scoffing, Cordelia said, “She’s a mean old snake that didn’t want this place sold. She said it was nice having no neighbors here. She didn’t get along with the last owners and really hated their grandson. Well, anyway, I’ll see you soon.”

Exhausted already, and it wasn’t yet noon, Herb went into the kitchen to make himself a sandwich from the food Cordelia had brought. As he sat eating, he thought of what she’d disclosed about Basil.

He was gay.