Page 11 of It's a Wonderful Knife

“Sure. I guess I forgot.” Ezra gave a brittle smile. “Go ahead and help your mother, son. Me and the boys will handle the men’s work.”

Pink tinted Dakota’s cheeks, but he didn’t respond.

Mona gave Ezra a resentful look, but then she forced a smile. “Okay, if I call your name, you’re with me, and if I don’t call your name, Dakota is escorting you to your cabin.”

Everyone nodded, and one by one Mona started naming names. Max and I ended up being in Dakota’s group along with Lucas, River, Richard Walker, Hermina, and the older man and his grandson.

Once everyone’s name had been called, Dakota ushered us over. We formed a half circle as he studied his clipboard. “Okay, folks, bear with me if I’m not as good at this as my mom.”

“You’re doing just fine,” Lucas said.

Dakota shot him a grateful look. “Mom makes it seem easy.”

“So long as we end up somewhere, we’ll live.” River grinned. “We just need a bed and a roof over our heads.”

“That I can manage.” Dakota laughed. “Okay, everyone, follow me.”

We filed after him, making our way along a gravel road toward the row of cabins. Most of the small guesthouses were brightly colored, and a few of them had chimneys. Even if we didn’t get one with a fireplace, I knew the cabin would be great. I’d never once stayed on the farm that my accommodations hadn’t been cozy perfection.

Sometimes the farm used golf carts to take us to our cabins, but today they had us walk. I didn’t mind walking. It felt great to stretch my legs after sitting on the bus all day, and the air was so crisp and clean, it was like drinking in pure oxygen.

As we neared the first cabin, Dakota cleared his throat. “I almost forgot, I’m supposed to tell you guys a little bit about the history of the farm.” He grimaced. “Is that too boring? I don’t have to tell you anything.”

Maxwell said, “I’d love to hear some of the history. This is my first visit.”

“Mine too,” the older man said, putting his hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “Joe Jr. and I would love to hear how it all started.” The younger boy nodded.

Dakota cleared his throat. “Oh, okay.” He cleared his throat again. “Well, Giggly Elves Farm was started by my grandfather, Charles Preston, in 1965. He called it Giggly Elves because he was trying to come up with a name that made people think of Christmas without actually using the word ‘Christmas’ in the name.”

Hermina laughed. “Really?”

“That’s what Mom says.” Dakota nodded. “Of course, we also have a pumpkin patch for during the autumn season, so maybe that wasn’t the best name. Elves and pumpkins don’t go together so great.”

“You’ve got a lot of loyal customers. I doubt it’s a problem,” I said.

“You’re right. We’re busy in the autumn too.” Dakota smiled. “I suppose when you’ve been around as long as we have, reputation is what matters.”

“Absolutely,” I agreed.

Hermina said, “Mona has done a great job keeping the place going all these years.”

“She has. We also have great help too. They’re like family. Some of our people have been here as long as Mom. Some of you who come year after year know all our long-term employees.”

“I was happy to see Elle and Chloe are still with you,” Penelope said. “Is Leo still here too?”

“He sure is. He’s been here as long as Mom has been running things.” Dakota nodded. “Jameson has only been here a few months, but he’s great. Madison is still in charge of housekeeping, and she and Jax started dating the last year.”

“Sounds like a close group,” Lucas said.

“Yep. Like I said, we’re kind of family.” Dakota laughed. “Only maybe better.”

We all laughed too, but then Maxwell asked, “Was your mother Charles’s only child?”

Dakota frowned. “Yep. Even so, Mom almost didn’t inherit the farm because of his old-fashioned thinking.”

I wrinkled my brow. “Is that right?” I’d never heard that side of the story before. It seemed Dakota was more candid about the family dynamics.

Sighing, Dakota said, “My granddad was a bit of a misogynist. He wasn’t sure he wanted his daughter running the farm. He didn’t think she could handle the responsibility because she was a woman.”