But knowing it and doing it were two different things.
Marcus had worked beside me for over two years. I’d trusted him enough to make him a manager. Especially compared to Bodie, he’d always been a little moody, but I figured that was just his nature. He got his work done and seldom complained. But I should have paid more attention to Jordan’s dislike. Should have been the one to stick with Anna, so I would have known to fetch the lemonade myself.
I ran a hand over my face and let out a slow breath.
But work on the farm wasn’t going to wait forever. The week ahead would be full. There was the usual work, but also the large custom order I’d driven out to scout just days ago. It had come through faster than planned, which meant scrambling to get the right trees and shrubs tagged and staged for transport. On top of that, the Christmas tree committee was scheduled to visit later in the week. Now we were a man down. And not just any man, but the one who’d been managing those fields.
Today was cleanup day, as the dance had gone on too late into the night to do anything afterward. From our bedroom, we could hear the music carry on until somewhere around midnight, then the noise of people cheerfully calling goodbyes as cars pulled away. Later than planned, but that meant everyone had gone back to enjoying the dance. I was glad for Anna’s sake. She’d worked too hard for it to fall apart because of fucking Marcus.
I eased out of bed, careful not to wake Anna, and pulled on jeans and a worn T-shirt. She barely stirred. She’d put in long hours getting ready for the dance, and she was tired. Add the trauma of last night, and I was determined she was going to rest today, just as the doctor ordered.
When I headed to the kitchen, Jordan was already at the table with Jack at his feet. He slowly stirred a full bowlof cereal that had given up any pretense of looking like breakfast. The milk was clotted with flakes that had turned to mush.
“Morning, buddy,” I said, ruffling his hair on my way to the coffeepot.
“Mornin’,” he mumbled.
“You okay?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t sleep much.”
“Yeah,” I said, sliding into the chair across from him. “Me either.”
There was a long stretch of quiet. Then Jordan said, “He really hurt her.”
“Yeah, he did.”
The spoon clinked in the bowl as he let it go and stared at his lap. “I thought it was bad when stuff happened to me. But somehow this feels worse. Like…I dunno. She makes everything better. And then someone does something shitty like that to her.”
I didn’t bother correcting his language. “Jordan, listen. Shitty things happen, even to good people. And Anna is the best there is. But I’m not going to let anything happen toeitherof you ever again.”
Large eyes narrowed at me. “You can’t promise that. You could get sick and…”
Die.Like his mom. I reached my hand across the table. “No, you’re right. But I can promise I’ll be here for you. Always. And that’s a promise Icanmake. In the meantime, the lesson is that we love and live the best we can now.”
“Amen to that,” a soft voice called behind him.
Anna stood leaning against the door frame, her hair still tousled and eyes a little sleepy, but smiling.
“What are you doing out of bed?” I scolded, immediately jumping up and at her side in two strides.
“You’re not supposed to get out of bed,” Jordan added, getting up, too.
“I’m fine,” she answered with a laugh as I guided her to a chair like she was a piece of fragile porcelain.
“You sure? Are you nauseous? Dizzy?”
“Do you want some coffee? Tea? Juice?” Jordan asked, already on his way to a cabinet.
“Do you want a pillow for your back?”
“What about your hand? Do you need ice? Let me get you some pain meds.”
“Can I make you breakfast? Toast? Eggs? Something soft might be best.”
Laughing, she held up both hands as Jordan and I talked over each other. “Guys. Please don’t fuss. I’ll be okay. It could be much worse.”
That shut us both up for half a second as that thought sank in. Then we both jumped in again.
