“Oh, that’s right. I forgot the Atwood family’s related to Jack and Rose.”
“So anyway, Jordan wanted to help out. Probably just wants to make sure I don’t mess it up.” Dillon waited for Margot to go through the gate before securely latching it behind them. “Don’t forget to keep this closed at all times, Margot. Otherwise the deer will invade and devour everything. Grandma would threaten to skin anyone alive who ever dared leave this gate open.”
“Yes, yes, but back to Jordan Atwood. This is very interesting.”
“Really, it’s not that interesting.” Dillon wished she’d kept her mouth shut now.
“Well, Jordan Atwood would be quite a catch, Dilly. And it’s no wonder he’s interested in you.” Margot tweaked an auburn curl. “You’re a very pretty girl. Especially if you took a little better care of yourself.”
“Thanks.” Dillon frowned. “I think.”
“So, anyway, if Jordan’s coming out here to help tomorrow, maybe we should make him a nice lunch.”
“Actually, I’m making him breakfast at seven, but I hadn’t planned on—”
“How about if I make you guys lunch?” Margot smiled sweetly.
“Really?” Dillon felt worried. “Some kind of health food—”
“No, no . . . like I said . . . I’m willing to try your compromise plan. I’m sure I could make you guys a very palatable lunch. Remember when I made macaroni salad and burgers for my planter boys? They didn’t even complain.”
“Probably because they were ravenous.”
Margot gave Dillon a playful punch in the arm. “Anyway, I could serve you guys lunch outside. Make it sort of festive. Maybe under the aspen grove. It should be cool and comfortable there.”
“Why are you being so nice?” Dillon suddenly felt suspicious.
“What? Are you saying I’m not nice? Moi?” Margot touched her chest like she was deeply offended.
Dillon pursed her lips . . . and bit her tongue.
“You might not realize it, Dilly, but I’m actually a very good cook. Don used to adore my cooking until . . .”
“Until?”
“Well, to be honest, he wasn’t a fan of the healthy changes I made. You know, after Mom died.”
“Oh.” Dillon nodded. “How’s old Don doing anyway?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Margot scowled. “But back to your question. Why would I be willing to make a special lunch for you and your handsome painting buddy tomorrow?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Well, I was just thinking . . . if you wanted to help with some housecleaning in exchange, I wouldn’t complain.” Margot’s smile looked sheepish. “You know, I’ve never been too great at housekeeping. Not like you, Dilly-Dilly.”
Dillon considered this. Of course, that was absolutely true. Margot had always been useless at the simplest household chores. Or else just plain lazy. “Fine,” Dillon agreed. “I’ll clean the house if you promise to make a really nice lunch for us tomorrow. And that means something on the barbecue too. And I don’t mean tofu.”
Margot nodded. “Fine. It’s a deal. Do you think you could attack the house today? Dad mentioned it was looking a little shabby this morning. I was actually surprised he even noticed. But he did.”
“Okay. I’ll go do it right now.” Dillon turned to look at Margot. “But one more thing about tomorrow’s lunch. I don’t want it to be just for Jordan and me. That would be weird. I’d like you and Grandpa to join us too. Just a regular casual sort of midday meal, you know? No big deal.”
“Oh, yeah. I know.” Margot winked like she knew better and planned to do exactly as she pleased.
Instead of reacting to Margot’s game, Dillon just headed into the house and went straight into housecleaning mode. As she performed the relatively simple chores—just like her grandma had taught her—she knew she was getting the easy end of this deal. She would have the place looking shipshape in no time. Margot would probably be stuck in the kitchen for several hours tomorrow. And that was fine. It would keep her from meddling. Because the idea of Margot hovering around, making her comments and insinuations that Jordan was there for something more than just plain friendship . . . well, that would be maddening.
CHAPTER
15
Dillon got up early the next morning. Knowing that Jordan would probably want a peek inside of her trailer, she spent a few minutes getting everything perfect. Of course, it didn’t take long to straighten up such a small space. Such a small adorable space! She even took a few minutes to cut some fresh flowers and put them in an old mason jar vase on the dinette. Perfect.
Then she went into the house to start breakfast. She’d already told Grandpa they were having a guest this morning. To her relief, he’d taken the news in stride. No insinuations about romance. And since it was early, she had no worries that Margot would be up.
When Jordan arrived, Grandpa acted perfectly normal, making small talk about the farm and weather and whatnot. And before long, Dillon was dishing up their breakfast.
“It’s nothing special,” she said as she set a generous plate in front of Jordan.
“Not special?” He shook his head. “Bacon and eggs and hotcakes? That is as special as it gets in my book.”
As they ate, Dillon outlined her plan for painting the trailer. “Of course, that’s all based on what I found online,” she finally said. “But it made sense to me.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me.” He forked another hotcake. “To be honest, I took the lazy way out with my trailer. Had it professionally painted.”
“Your trailer?” She got up to refill their coffee cups.
“Yeah, didn’t I mention that I own a vintage trailer too?”
“No.” Dillon stared at him in wonder. “When did you get it?”
“A few years ago, but I never had time to work on it until I moved back here. I’ve been restoring it this past year.”
“What’s your trailer like?”
“It’s an Aloha too. A little older than yours. And not as big or nice.”
“Sounds like trailer envy,” she teased with a good-natured smile.
He grinned. “Yeah, maybe a little. I can’t wait to see the old Oasis.”
“Dillon’s really fixed it up,” Grandpa told him. “I never dreamed it could be that nice.”
“Last time I saw that trailer was on an elk hunting trip,” Jordan said.
“Oh, yeah, I remember those hunting trips. That trailer looked and smelled a whole lot different back in those days.” Grandpa laughed. And suddenly they were rehashing old hunting memories.
“Well, as much as I’d like to keep going down memory lane, Dillon and I probably better get to it.” Jordan pushed out his chair and Dillon started to clear the table.
“You leave that,” Grandpa told her. “You two got your work cut out for you today. I can manage this.”
She thanked him, then led Jordan outside. “My trailer’s parked on the other side of the barn. Under a loafing shed roof.”
“I brought some painting things with me.” He pointed to an old red pickup that looked like it had been carefully restored. “How about if we park it by your trailer?”