So why reinvent the wheel?
“I don’t know if you were aware, but Charlie actually had to put the farm up for sale back in February.”
Hannah’s fingers fly to her lips. “Oh my. I knew it wasn’t easy lately, but I didn’t realize...”
“Yeah, that’s one of the reasons he took me on as a, uh, an intern this spring. I’m working on an MBA and he’s letting me use the farm as a case study.” Being honest with Charlie doesn’t mean she has to be honest witheveryone. Baby steps. “Part of the problem is that he doesn’t have the time or resources to sell his products widely. This is his only farmers market right now. And he does well here, but he’s missing out on a ton of profit by not being able to get his stuff in front of more customers. So he thought maybe you could sell some of Gilded Creek’s cheese and soap at your table at the other markets you do, maybe talk to your gift shops and B and Bs on his behalf? In exchange for a percentage of the profits, of course.”
She tilts her head. “Interesting proposition.”
For some people, it would make sense to lean into the potential financial benefits of this arrangement, but Hannah’s crush on Charlie Waybill is clear—painfully clear—to Gretchen. So, even though it annoys her, she says, “Charlie thinks you’re such a fantastic saleswoman, you know, and that you would represent Gilded Creek with professionalism and charm. That’s why he wanted to askyoufor this favor.”
Hannah’s cheeks pinken. “Oh. I... Well, I’m very flattered. And you can tell Charlie I would love to help him out however I can. Really no problem. My pleasure.”
Gretchen laces her fingers together and holds her hands under her chin in an exaggerated gesture of gratitude. “Thank youso much. He’s going to be so relieved. This will make a huge difference, maybe even help him keep the farm.”
“Well. Anything for a friend. And we’d hate to see him leave.” Hannah drags the toe of a red cowgirl boot over the parking lot’s asphalt, watching its progress in order to hide her smile.
Of course, Hannah means thatshewould hate to see Charlie leave. For a split second, Gretchen wonders if the chance of success here is worth the possibility that Hannah and Charlie wind up growing close. Dating... getting married... having children. Wow. The thoughts really keep escalating.I’m jealous.It’s strange how the realization doesn’t bother her the way it would have before. Just a fact of life now: Water is wet, grass is green, and she doesn’t like the idea of Charlie with anyone that isn’t her. Yet, at the same time, she knows someone else—someone more like Hannah—is who he will probably wind up with one day.
She hopes. Jealousy aside, she’d hate for him to have to be alone too.
—
What Gretchen didn’t count on is that Charlie would come join her at the farmers market after he left the hospital.
“You didn’t think I could handle things?” she asks when he strolls over and sits down in the empty folding chair beside where she’s standing. Part of her appreciates that he doesn’t even seem to think about kissing her hello.Better to keep this uncomplicated. Easier when I have to leave.
“Never said that.” He folds his arms over his chest. “They discharged Grandpa, so I made sure he got settled back in at Meadewood and then figured I’d check in with you here since itwas on the way.” Gretchen doesn’t know this area super well, but she does know that Meadewood is not even in the same state. Certainly not “on the way.” “All good here?”
“All good,” Gretchen confirms, although it comes out slower than she’d like because at the same moment, she catches Hannah giving Charlie a little wave and a brilliant smile from across the way. “Um, but I do need to tell you... I did something—”
“You— What did you do, Acorn?”
But before she can answer, Hannah appears in front of their table. “Hi, Charlie.”
“Oh, hey, Hannah.”
“Didn’t expect you today, but glad you’re here. Gretchen already told me what you were thinking, and it’s a great idea. I’d love to help. Do you want to maybe, um, grab a coffee after we’re done here? To discuss the details?”
Charlie’s eyes are daggers, flaying Gretchen alive. “Uh, sorry,” he says, turning back toward Hannah. “I—”
“Don’t forget, you’re supposed to meet Deborah at one,” Gretchen says. She hopes he doesn’t mistake the rope it’s intended to be as a snake.
“Ah, yeah. Deborah. Right. So, maybe another time?” Charlie glances sideways at Gretchen very briefly, as if checking if this is the right response.
“An email is probably best when working out business stuff anyway,” Gretchen says before Hannah can suggest dinner instead. “Good to have things in writing, right? That’s what they’re always saying in business school, at least!”
Hannah reluctantly agrees, “Yeah, definitely.”
“We’ll send you something early this week,” Gretchen says.
“Great. Well. I’ll just be getting back to my booth, then.”Hannah points over her shoulder with her thumb. “Again, really glad you could make it today after all, Charlie.”
“Thanks, me too. And um, Hannah?”
She stops mid-turn. “Yeah?”
“Your hair looks really nice.”
