“Sorry, pipsqueak. Let’s get the keys to the UTV, and we’ll head on out.”
It took only a few minutes to get everyone situated in the back of the vehicle. Alex triple-checked the girls’ seat belts before she took her seat beside me. I found it endearing that she was being so cautious. It hadn’t snuck past me that she even made sure there was a booster seat in her truck for Eloise this morning.
As I was pulling up the map on my phone, Alex pushed her body against me. At first, I thought she planned on getting cozy with me, but she continued to nudge and nudge until I stepped out of the UTV, and she took over the driver seat.
“I know this land like the back of my hand. I don’t need a map to show you your property.”
I tried to argue that I’d need to know how to get there on my own, since I started testing my prototype robot on Monday, but she didn’t relent. Instead, she turned the ignition.
“Fine. You win.” I crossed my arms against my chest as I sat in the passenger seat.
“I always win,” she said as the UTV shot forward, and we were on our way.
Once we started going, I realized it wasn’t going to be difficult to find the plot of land. When we reached Sunny Brook Farms, there were small paths leading in all different directions. The farther we got from the farm, the more forks in the road we came across. Alex continued to take the left paths until we reached the very end.
“Here we are. Home sweet home.”
Once I extracted the girls from their seats, Eloise and Molly ran through the dirt plot. I had a sneaking suspicion Nash commissioned someone to trim down the yard just for me, because the other fields all had waist-high wheat and corn. Alex confirmed my inkling and pointed out that the testing plots were across the farm on the other side, closest to the event venue.
The hundred-acre spot was expansive. It went as far as the eye could see.
“Where is your plot of family land?” I inquired as we gathered the girls and got back into the UTV. Alex wanted to show them the creek at the back of the yard in the woods.
“Next door. Welcome, neighbor. But don’t worry. I won’t come over to borrow sugar or anything.”
The field whipped past us, and in a few minutes, we were staring at large oaks and pines that were centuries old. They towered over us, and I bet they had some stories to tell.
The creek was serene, and the gentle patter of the water moving around the rocks was calming. I could sit there for hours and relax. I wanted to take it all in.
“So, girls. What do you think about building our new home here, maybe an acre away from the woods?”
“How big is that?” Eloise questioned. She was forever learning and investigating the world around her. Glancing beyond the forest, I pointed toward the top of a small hill and explained that was about an acre away. “Yes. I like it.”
We didn’t linger around long, as dusk would descend on the grounds soon. The days were getting longer, but I wanted to be back at the B&B before nightfall.
In the kitchen, Alex pulled out a wok, chicken breasts, and a slew of vegetables. I offered to run into town and pick up Chinese food, but Alex dismissed me.
“I can make some stir fry and fried rice. We don’t need to order out.”
I wasn’t going to argue with her, because she seemed thrilled to get to cook the meal, and I was fascinated to watch.
As she continued to pull items from the pantry and fridge, I was growing overwhelmed for her. It seemed like a lot to take on for one meal. I asked her if she wanted me to assist in any way, but she just laughed in my face.
With my daughters up in their temporary bedrooms, I took the time to watch Alex. Really watch her. Even walking around the kitchen, her moves were lithe and fluid. It was amazing I hadn’t noticed it before, because everything about Alex screamed dancer.
She was so patient with Molly and Eloise earlier. From the way she spoke about the moves and made sure the girls positioned their feet correctly, I could tell she was passionate about it. It left me wondering why she gave it up.
“Can I ask you about the dancing?”
Without missing a beat, she threw the vegetables and chicken in the wok. The instant sizzle was enough of an answer. It wasn’t something up for discussion.
“Can I thank you again for coming to both my and Eloise’s rescue this morning?”
“You can, but it’s not necessary.” She broke an egg into the pan with the rice and began stirring it all around. With her other hand, she tossed the wok back and forth over the gas stove a few times, setting down the spoon to pour in a few different sauces.
She wasn’t kidding when she said she had it all handled.
Needing to do something, I walked over to the cabinet by the sink and began pulling out plates to set the table. I did the same with utensils and glasses. As I finished, she asked me to get the girls.
