Page 34 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)

Fix It Upper

G ray hefted another sugar maple into the hole he’d prepared. The trees had gone dormant, and their leaves had dropped, making it the perfect time to transplant them into their new homes.

He wanted to have a small grove of maples in this corner.

They co-habited well with apple trees and he thought it would be fun to tap them for maple syrup down the road.

To that end, he’d bought fully mature trees.

Hard on the wallet, but he didn’t want the entire garden to look new.

He wanted it to be welcoming and friendly.

He also wanted to tap those trees soon rather than a decade down the road.

It would be fun for them and their guests to give it a shot.

Eventually, the maple syrup could be another theme for Amber’s guest rooms if she ever expanded to the third floor.

And another income stream that would please Boss Man and maybe lure him to the farm.

Although he couldn’t imagine Burke being content with a job that only lasted a few months in the spring.

Maybe it would be a good hobby to lure him here for that time of year, though.

Gray’s eyes drifted to the inn where Amber worked, Boomer at her side. It had been a few weeks, but neither he nor the dog were ready to leave her alone, even for a moment.

At least Allard and Spade were in prison and likely to stay there for a good long time.

Marcus kept in touch with his contacts at the FBI and Chicago.

Gray kept in touch with Norm Cassidy, who had his own connections.

Through them all, they’d learned that the Lauzon family had indeed cut all ties with the assholes.

They’d acted on their own and no longer had the protection of the family.

Gray didn’t expect prison would be easy for them, but he couldn’t find it within himself to care. They’d get what they deserved.

Amber still woke from nightmares, and they should pay for that.

Hell, he had nightmares, too. Feelings of hopelessness because he couldn’t find her. Couldn’t save her.

Boomer was good for them both. The dog seemed to sense the bad dreams early. He’d nuzzle them awake, so they didn’t get trapped there.

Hell of a dog.

Gray checked the time. Another hour before he would see her for lunch. Sure, he could go into the inn and check on her, but she wanted to spend time on her own without panicking. He wasn’t interfering with anything that built her confidence.

She was brave and deserved to believe it.

Satisfied with the placement of the maples, Gray turned to the perennial bushes and spring bulbs he wanted to install along the paths. Tulips, daffodils, and the rest would brighten the space while the bushes recovered from winter.

He’d laid out the paths with stakes and strings. Wide enough for wheelchairs and people to walk side by side. Lots of twists and turns, romantic nooks.

The veggie and herb gardens would mostly wait until spring, but he had them spaced out, and he’d planted berry bushes and a bunch of garlic. If the inn was going to thrive, they’d want a cook, and any chef would appreciate fresh garlic and produce.

If Amber wasn’t ready to hire a cook or provide meals at the inn, they’d use it all themselves, giving extras to their friends. It wouldn’t go to waste.

That made him smile. Not much went to waste on this farm. Not with the Worminator and the other composting area Thea organized.

The compost he’d added to his gardens was good stuff. Rich and healthy. His plants were going to thrive.

His mamma and Angelina would have loved it here. His heart filled with memories. Regrets about losing them, but no regrets at how much time they’d all spent together. They’d been a good family.

Which had him thinking about creating a family with Amber. He wanted that. A few bambinos running through these garden paths and helping with the orchard and whatever else might be happening on the farm.

Deciding to follow up on the idea that had been percolating in his brain for the past few weeks, Gray finished planting a stand of lilacs, then pulled out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and placed a video call to his buddy, Nash.

When his friend picked up the call, he grinned. “Hey, Claus, how’s it going up in Bumfuck Nowhere?”

Gray laughed. “Hey, Alice. We’re good up here. Real good.”

“Is the asshole bothering your woman still in jail?”

He nodded. “He is. And he’s no longer under the protection of the Lauzons.”

Nash grinned. “Good. He deserves to rot uncomfortably. Are you planting?”

Gray nodded and flipped the camera view to show his progress. “I’ve got the gardens mostly planned out. Paths and benches. A few play spaces.”

“Looking good. Are you happy there?”

He flipped the camera again. “Very. You might be too.”

Nash’s eyebrows shot up. “Me? In Vermont?”

Gray nodded. “It’s a great place, Nash. I think Charlie would love it here.”

That had his buddy’s eyes softening. Alice was a single dad, having lost his wife in childbirth. Charlie was his whole world.

“And what is a bartender going to do on an apple farm?”

“Cider.”

Alice blinked a few times. “Cider?”

“Yep. Knox and his family love this place and are looking for ways to make it better, to diversify and create new income streams. We’ve got millions more apples than we know what to do with.

I figure you could take your brewmaster expertise and play with the apples.

I can plant other fruits for you to experiment with. Hell, I’ll plant anything you need.”

“You guys have snow.”

Gray laughed. “Any day now. I’m looking forward to it.”

Nash patted his heart. “You’re from Florida, man. We southern men don’t do snow.”

“It’s going to be fun. Charlie would agree.”

Nash rolled his eyes with a grin. “Of course he would. He’s ten.”

“Smart kid. How’s he doing?”

Nash’s eyes clouded. “Okay. Things at school have been a bit rough, but okay. His best buddy moved away, and he’s taking it hard.”

Gray grinned. “Sounds like time for a new adventure for you both.”

Boomer barked, and Gray turned to see the dog and Amber approaching.

Nash laughed. “From the sappy look on your face, that’s gotta be your lady.”

He walked toward Amber. “It is. You got a minute to meet her?”

“Not much more. Charlie’s bus will be here soon.”

Gray reached out his free hand, and Amber took it, questions in her eyes. He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Alice is on the phone. I want you to meet him.”

He widened the camera view, so they were both on screen. “Amber, this is Nash, fondly known as Alice.”

Nash smiled. “Nice to finally meet you, Amber. Glad you’re safe. If you ever need help kicking this guy’s ass, I’m your man.”

Amber laughed and leaned into Gray’s side. “Nice to meet you, Nash.”

Boomer barked, and Gray squatted down to put him on the screen too. “You want to meet my buddy, Boomer? This is Nash. Friend.”

Boomer tilted his head, making Nash’s smile widen. “Hello, Boomer. I hear you’re quite the hero. I’m glad Charlie’s not home yet. He’d fall in love with you and beg me to meet you in person.”

Gray laughed. “Sounds like a good reason to haul your asses up here for a visit. See if life on an apple farm fits you as well as it does me.”

Nash looked off-screen. “Saved by the bus. Nice to meet you, Amber. You too, Boomer. Talk later.”

Gray ended the call and shoved his phone in his pocket, then kissed Amber properly.

She hugged him. “You recruiting?”

He nodded. “I know it’s not my place, but I think Nash and his boy would love it here. They need more happy.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s most definitely your place, and it’s a good one to find more happy.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” And then he kissed her, finding even more of that happy for herself.

A mber patted Boomer’s head, and they moved back to the threshold of the room to look it over. “What do you think? Does it all work?”

Boomer sat on his haunches and tilted his head as if to study the room. She hadn’t ordered mattresses or bedding yet, but the room was taking shape.

She had found lots of old equipment in Tansy’s basement that would match the decor of various rooms. Homemade cider presses. Metal baking tins, handmade rolling pins, and kitchen utensils. An old wooden beehive that would work as a nightstand. She was now determined to have a Honey Bee room.

They’d found a small crate filled with miniature replicas of trucks, tractors, and farm equipment. Tansy had been thrilled to give them to her for more decor.

Hand-crafted picture frames and small crates that would match the atmosphere she hoped to create.

The frames she planned for this room stood along one wall. She’d need to find photos before making final decisions, but she wanted to get the overall feel of at least one room.

This room would be Apple-y Ever After. It was the largest room with windows on two sides that overlooked the gardens and more apple trees bordering the property. The spring blossoms would be glorious, and Gray’s gardens would add some magic.

She didn’t want to classify it as a honeymoon suite, but it would be the most romantic room. The huge clawfoot tub was original to the house and Amber had almost claimed it for the owner’s suite, but it would be great in promo photos for this room.

She could picture thick white towels and a bath rack with fancy soaps. She’d have to find out if there were any local artisans who made soap and if she could special order ones shaped like apples. Or apple blossoms. Maybe bees for the apiary room.

She grabbed her notebook from the floor and added the soap idea to her ever-growing list.

Should they have specialty towels with apples as well?

Or would that encourage guests to snitch them as souvenirs?

She wouldn’t have extra disposable income for a while, so she added that to her dream list. The same applied to robes emblazoned with the logo she had yet to create.

“We’re going to make it come true, Boomer. ”