As she glanced toward the barn, repaired, painted and beautiful, she said, “I just hope I can make my ideas for the farm work so the men trying to get me to sell will leave me alone.” The large gathering grew quiet, and her feet stuttered to a stop as Scott’s hand on hers jerked.
“I know that Giardano Farms was interested. Is he still bothering you?” Scott asked.
“He came by a week after my grandfather passed away. But it was Paul Dugan of PD Development who came by the other day, trying to tell me that Papa Beau had planned on selling the farm to him so that he could build a neighborhood—”
The grumbling from all around and whispered curses halted her explanation, and she glanced at the angry faces before turning her face up toward Scott’s.
“I’ve heard about him,” Colt said, “and none of it good.”
That proclamation caught her attention, and she felt Scott stiffen beside her.
“He snaps up land for a song, then builds sub-par houses and sells them for more than they’re worth,” Colt continued.
“And he’s a horrible tipper when he comes into the diner,” Carrie grumbled.
Colt chuckled. “Don’t think that’s a crime, darlin’.”
“Hmph, well, it should be!” Carrie continued to complain.
Scott’s grip on her shoulder tightened, and he said, “Lizzie, you don’t need to be harassed by these men. You tell anyone who’s on your property that they’re trespassing, and they need to leave. If they don’t, you call the Sheriff’s office and me.”
Seeing Scott’s tight jaw and icy gaze, she rushed to assure, “That’s exactly what I told him.” It was her turn to give Scott’s hand a little shake to gain his attention. “I’m not some scared little girl. I shy away from crowds, but that’s not because I’m scared. This is my land, and I’m going to hold onto it.”
“Damn straight,” Scott huffed, the others quickly agreeing.
Wanting to keep the mood light, she finished the tour of her farm, and most of the gathering left after goodbyes and hugs. Sophia walked over and pulled a drawing pad from her large bag.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve done a few sketches of a possible logo,” Sophia said. Flipping open the notebook, she showed Lizzie drawings of adorable baby goats with the alpacas in the background and the Weston Farm sign overhead. “I thought something like this would be wonderful for your farm logo.” Flipping a few pages further, she showed a drawing of two goats with the words ‘Weston Farm Goat Milk Lotion’. “And I thought something like this would be perfect for your labels.”
Tears hit her eyes as she was beginning to see her dream taken further than she could have taken it alone. “Oh, my God, I love these!”
Sophia smiled brightly. “These are just the beginning. I’ll email some more to you and you can choose. Once you decide, it will be easy to have labels made that you can put on your bottles.”
Pulling Sophia into a warm hug, her mind was reeling with the events of the day. Waving goodbye to her, she looked around, seeing that Scott was the only one left.
He stood near the barn, and on impulse, she pulled out her phone and took a picture of him, devilishly handsome standing in front of the red building.
“What are you doing?” he laughed, walking over.
“I wanted a picture to remember this day.” Her arms slid around his waist as he pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt as though I could breathe without the worry of everything pressing down on me.” Tilting her head back so that she could stare up into his eyes, she added, “I owe it all to you, Scott. I don’t know why you’re doing this for me, but thank you for everything.”
Bending, he kissed her lightly before pulling her tightly into his body. “You work harder than just about anybody I know, Lizzie. I want to help make your dreams come true.”
“I’ve felt so alone since Papa Beau died.” She blinked at the sting of tears and the tight feeling in her chest.
He slid his hands upward to cup her cheeks, his thumb smoothing over her skin. They were so close that when he spoke, his breath puffed over her face, warming her deep inside. “You’re not alone anymore. Believe me when I tell you—you can count on me.”
16
Wanting to kiss her once again in the late afternoon sunlight, Scott felt Lizzie’s hesitation. With his arm still around her, he leaned backward, just enough to peer into her face. “What’s wrong?”
She hesitated and he waited, getting the feeling that she was trying to make a decision. He wanted her to believe in the words that he had just said but had no idea if she would trust him.
She sucked in her lips but held his gaze steadily as she said, “There is something I need help with, Scott. But it’s a really big deal, and I don’t know who else to ask.”
Thrilled that she was opening herself up to him, he cupped her face with his hands and said, “Lizzie, you name it, and I’ll help with it.”
“I haven’t gone through Papa Beau’s room yet.”
Understanding flooded him and he was filled with the realization that she had probably been avoiding her grandfather’s room. He was sure that Beau would not want her to agonize over his possessions but knew how hard it was for her to deal with them alone.
“There’s no time like the present.”
Her eyes shot open wide, and he wondered if he had overstepped his bounds or pushed her further than she wanted him to go. Pressing forward, he explained, “Honey, your grandfather would want you to hold on to all of your good memories but not become mired in the past. You have no idea how thrilled I am that you asked me for this help, and I want to give it. If now is not the right time for you, then let me know. But I’m here, I’ve got the time, and I want to help.”
She slowly released a huge breath. Her head jerked in a nod. “Yeah. At least, I’d like us to get started.”
Wrapping his arm around her, they walked into the house together. He turned and asked, “What do you think we should do first?”
“Honestly? I haven’t been in his bedroom since he died. I don’t even know where to start in there.”
“Do you think there will be some items that you want to throw away? And others to give away?”
Her face scrunched in concentration, and she began to nod slowly, her gaze cast toward the side. “I’m sure the answer to both is ‘yes’.”
“Then let’s take some large garbage bags to his room, and we can determine which items to give away and what would be trash.”
Lizzie appeared to be satisfied with having a specific chore to do and went to the pantry, taking out a box of trash bags. She then rummaged in a kitchen drawer and grabbed two permanent markers, saying, “I suppose we might need to label the bags so we don’t get them confused.”
Taking the items from her, he said, “Good thinking.” Lifting his free hand, he was pleased that she immediately linked her fingers with his, and they walked toward the front of the house and up the stairs.
He was not surprised to discover a wide landing and hall at the top of the stairs with multiple doors on either side. From the outside, it was easy to see the house was large, one built for a family. On the second floor, he had no doubt that was the builder’s intent.