“I’ve heard that.”
“What I love the most is how the kids have found their own niches within the business. We’ve got Hunter doing the books, Colton and Max making the maple syrup, Hannah’s jewelry, Wade with the health and wellness, Lucas’s woodwork, Landon running the Christmas tree farm, Will with the Vermont Made line, Ella and Charley overseeing the store and the sales force and inventory, and Grayson handling all the legal work. It’s truly a family affair with new family members being added to the team all the time.”
Amanda took notes as he talked. “How do you think the arrival of the catalog will change the business?”
“I predict it’s going to grow in leaps and bounds. Ever since Linc pitched the idea to me, I’ve been eager to see how it would work out.”
“Does Linc still consult you on business decisions?”
“We talk about most of the big stuff, but then again, we talk about most everything. He’s like a son to me.”
“I’ve heard rumblings about a side project you two have been involved in having to do with some matchmaking, perhaps?”
“Not sure where you would’ve heard something like that.”
She smiled at him. “I hear you and Linc are determined to see all your grandchildren settled down.”
“Nothing but rumors,” he said, his eyes twinkling devilishly. “Speaking of that, how are things with Landon?”
Amanda loved the not-so-subtle segue. “Things are good.”
“Just good? It’s seemed a little better than good to the casual observer.”
“Are you fishing for information?”
“Absolutely.”
Amanda cracked up. “I’ll only tell you that your grandson is a wonderful guy, and things are really good between us.”
“That’s what I want to hear. I have a confession to make.”
“What’s that?”
“From the first time I saw you with Landon, I had a feeling about you two.”
“Even though Lucas was there, too?”
“Even though. I can’t explain why, but the thought popped into my head that you’d be great for our Landon. Maybe because I saw the way he looked at you.”
“How did he look at me?”
“Like a man who’d just stared directly into the sun. A little gobsmacked after having seen the light.”
“You saw all that in the span of a few minutes?”
“I pay attention, sweetheart. I don’t miss much.”
“I’m glad Landon has someone like you looking out for him. I never knew any of my grandparents.”
“I’m sorry you missed out on that. I love being a grandfather—and a great-grandfather. It’s the best job I ever had.”
Amanda wrote furiously to capture that quote.
“Linc tells me you’re going to be sticking around to oversee the catalog going forward.”
“That’s the plan.”
“I think you’ll make a fine addition to our company.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I do. We all do. You fit right in around here.”
“That’s so nice of you to say. I feel more at home in this little town than I have anywhere I’ve ever been.”
“Butler does that to people. It rolls out the red carpet and makes you feel welcome. Not everyone can handle the long winters and the other hardships of living in the mountains. But those of us who love it wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
“I can understand why. It’s a beautiful place to live.”
“That it is, and it’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”
Amanda smiled, because how could she not smile around this delightful man? “I guess that means you’ve heard my daughter will be coming to live with me at some point.”
“I did hear that. It’s an amazing thing you’re doing for her and her mother. You’re giving them peace of mind at a time when they need it badly.”
“That’s a nice way of looking at it. I have all these mixed emotions about it. On the one hand, I’m so happy to have Stella in my life. But on the other, I’m heartbroken for her mother and for her.”
“Which is totally understandable.”
“Having her in my life is a dream come true, but I hate that it’s happening this way.”
“I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason, sweetheart. Years from now, when you look back at this time in your life, you’re going to see that everything that happened, from your work sending you to us, to the fire, to meeting Landon, to reconnecting with your daughter… It’s all part of a bigger plan.”
“I do love a good plan,” Amanda said, smiling. “For all the good they’ve done me lately.”
“Ah, that’s the thing about plans. They’ll make a fool out of you every time.”
“That’s what Landon said, too, and he gave you credit for that pearl of wisdom. I’m certainly finding it to be true lately. Anyway, enough about me. This story is supposed to be about you.”
“This story, my story, is about all of us. If you take away nothing else from our meeting, take that.”
“I will. Thank you for making me part of your family’s story.”
“It’s a pleasure to have you, honey.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“A man doesn’t plant a tree for himself.
He plants it for posterity.”
—Alexander Smith
On Thursday, Amanda and Landon had breakfast at the diner before meeting his cousin Izzy at the Grange for their ten o’clock photo shoot. They’d heard a few stories from his siblings about the shoot but were about to find out for themselves what it was like to be models. By all accounts, modeling was boring and tedious, but Izzy made it fun.
Amanda, who’d been up late working on her profiles of Mildred and Elmer, was looking forward to meeting the renowned photographer who was Landon’s cousin. She’d FaceTimed with Stella the night before, which had been amazing. She already felt like they’d known each other much longer than a few days and could only hope her daughter felt the same way. She wanted Stella to be comfortable with her by the time Stella came to live with her.
“I can’t believe I have to spend an entire workday doing this,” Landon said as they walked down the street, past Nolan’s garage, on the way to the Grange.
When he saw them, Nolan and his assistant, Skeeter, came out to say hello.
“Skeeter, this is Amanda,” Nolan said. “Do not shake his hand. He’s filthy.”
Amanda smiled at the smaller man. “Nice to meet you, Skeeter.”
“You, too, ma’am.”
“Are you two the models of the hour?” Nolan asked.
“Ugh, yes,” Landon said. “My dad is out of his mind using us as models.”
“I don’t think he is,” Nolan said.
“My girlfriend, Dude, says the ladies will be coming from all over looking for the Abbott boys,” Skeeter said, giggling.
“That’s great,” Landon said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Just what we need.”