Page 93 of The Rebel

“No, they already do too much,” Rosalie insisted.

“Then Annelise will come until you feel comfortable with everything.”

Rosalie’s shoulders slumped. “All right. Let’s move on to the chickens.”

We finished our rounds, as Daisy called it, about two hours later, and one thing was crystal clear: There was no way Rosalie could take care of the farm with the little bit of help they had.

When we came out from the vegetable greenhouse, it was already noon.

“All right, you two, I’m going to prepare lunch,” Rosalie said, a bit exasperated.

“Sure. I’ll show Anthony around a bit, and then I’ll help you with the meal.”

“Nonsense. The kitchen is my domain. I also have to check on your dad. Although he hasn’t called yet, which means he’s still asleep. But I should wake him up anyway to give him something to eat.” She went up to the house, still talking to herself.

Daisy sighed. I immediately went up to her, touching her jawline. “Talk to me.”

“I’m trying to process how to best help my parents, especially if this takes longer than six weeks. I can’t imagine him starting to work right after they take off the cast.”

“I agree. He’s probably going to need crutches and physiotherapy.” I sighed. “Sorry to be so blunt, but I don’t think your mom will get the hang of the machinery. Even if Annelise shows her a few more times.”

“No, she won’t. Mom is good with the greenhouse and cooking and cleaning, but she won’t be able to do this. Or she’ll panic and ask Dad, who will then insist that he can do it, and so on.”

Daisy was getting into a frenzy again. I put my hands on her shoulders. “I have solutions for everything.”

“Maybe I could find a job near here. Samantha said she might have something.”

My blood went cold. Hell no. I always knew Daisy would only be my assistant for a limited time, but I figured she’d find something in New Orleans. My woman wasn’t going anywhere. Now that I’d had her, she was mine.

Not wanting to come across like an overbearing asshole, I kissed her forehead. “Let’s take it one step at a time,” I said in a calm voice even though I was fucking not feeling calm at all. I wanted to tell her there was no way in hell I would let her move so far away. But it would be a selfish thing to say when she was worried sick about her parents.

“But she didn’t tell me exactly where it was. I needsomething close to home. It could take a ton of time to find something in this area.”

Some of the air seemed to return to my lungs. So, she wasn’t considering this a viable option after all.

Her phone beeped, and she glanced down at it. “Annelise is here. I told her I’d take care of everything this morning, but she insisted on coming by. She wants to catch up.” Looking up at me, she blushed.

I wiggled my eyebrows. “How did she react when you told her I was here?”

Daisy laughed. “She wants details, of course.”

“Then I’ll help your mom cook while you two chat.”

I put my hand on her back as we walked toward the house.

The farm was larger than I’d imagined. Daisy’s parents clearly needed more help, and I had vast resources at my disposal. I simply had to convince them to use them.

In the kitchen, a chatty brunette was sitting on the counter. She hopped down when she saw us.

“Hey, girlfriend. And you must be Anthony LeBlanc?”

“Yes, I am. Nice to meet you, Annelise.” I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet her when she came to NOLA.

“Is Dad up?” Daisy asked her mom.

“He woke to eat but then went right back to sleep. He needs a lot of rest, and I think the medication is helping him do that.”

Daisy pouted. “Of course. Although I wanted to see him. But I’ll get the chance later on.”