I swiveled on my chair and pinned my gaze on my mother. How did she know about that idea? I only ever mentioned it to my sisters.
“Don’t look so surprised. Nothing is sacred in this house. Remember how I told you the walls have ears? Well, those ears lead straight back to me.”
I didn’t want to think about the things she might have heard. All those times Alex and I snuck out when we were in high school and then the nights the girls and I spent gossiping about boys. My inner teen cringed.
“Is that it, Autumn?” my father asked and I spun back to face him. “You want to know if you can turn the old barn into an event venue?”
“Well, it’s more of a backup plan. I want to apply for some jobs but if say, in six months or so nothing pans out, maybe I could do that. If you’d allow me to, of course.”
“I thought you wanted to be in the big city?”
“I did. I mean, I do. But my prospects aren’t looking too good right now. And I have missed you guys.”
“And what would happen if we get this all up and ready to go and you get a job offer in one of those bustling cities you’re fond of?”
“I. . .I don’t know, Dad. It was just a thought. Something that I think would be good for the farm and good for us.”
“How about I make you a deal?”
My ears perked up at that. I was always willing to take a gamble. It ran in our blood, after all. That’s how we lost the house on the hill.
“I’m listening.” I immediately raised my voice so my mother could hear me. “I really am listening this time.”
“Shush,” she mumbled and I bit my lip as I giggled.
“Okay, Dad. What’s your bargain?”
“Spend the next month here. Really take it all in. The town, the farm, the life. Remember how it felt to grow up here before you knew there was anything more outside of the county lines. And if, after a month, you still have the itch to leave Ashfield, then we’ll continue to support you as you search for a job. But, if you have the slightest longing to stay, I’ll let you follow through on the wedding venue. But you have to make an effort, Autumn. That’s a lot of time and money for all of us. You have to promise to at least give the town a try again.”
“I feel like you’re pressuring me to stay if I want to do the venue.”
“I’d never pressure you to do anything. We’ll always support you, but if we get it started and then you up and leave, who would run it? We could hire someone, sure, but the love behind it would be gone. Do you see what I’m saying?”
I did. It all made sense. We were both taking a gamble on this venture. And it wasn’t that I hated being in this small town. I remembered how the townspeople always rallied around each other. Like when Alex had her tonsils removed, the town brought ice cream to the house for weeks. I had nothing against it and it had been a great place to grow up. I just had aspirations that didn’t exist here.
“I do, Daddy.”
“Do it. Autumn,” Aspen commanded, as she stepped back into the room wearing gray sweatpants and a pink t-shirt. “You have nothing to lose. Stay here for a month, which is inevitable if you think about it, and then decide what you want to do.”
I thought about what they were both saying. A month wouldn’t kill me. And there were things I could do to occupy my time. I had the information regarding the dream house to delve deeper into as well.
“Fine. You’re right. You’re both right. Okay, Daddy. I agree. One month, and pretty much I’ll make my decision.” Holding out my hand, I expected him to shake it like we were in a board meeting, but he brushed it aside, stood to his full height, then leaned down to hug me.
“I can’t wait to see what you have planned for that hunk of wood,” he whispered in my ear.
“What makes you so sure I’m staying?” I joked.
Pulling back, he held my shoulders in both of his hands as he gazed down lovingly. I wish I could bottle up that feeling. It would sell like hotcakes.
“Not sure. Just hopeful.”
A commotion sounded from the side door and I stood from the table at the same time my father rushed forward toward my mother.
“Autumn! Autumn!” the voice called out as it grew louder and louder. Suddenly, an out of breath Alex stood at the doorway of the kitchen. One hand gripped a stack of what looked like newspapers, while the other grasped the doorjamb as Alex bent over, her back lurching as she gasped for air.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I rushed to her side. “Why are you out of breath? Didn’t you drive?”
She lived in an apartment in town above the bar she worked at. Her only way to the farm was in her truck.
