“What folders?”
“Just about getting a horse-riding school up off the ground. I don’t know what’s in them, but I’m hoping it’s a signal to having something profitable.”
I’d heard those words before, about every venture we tried, some stuck, and some faded. I was just glad the goatsweren’t just a fad. I think if it weren’t for the goats, my father would’ve sold off the land to developers even if it went against all his father’s wishes.
“I think we need to get more alpacas,” I said. “People love them, and they’re social creatures, they deserve friends, plus, think about the wool each year. More alpacas, more of their gorgeous fibers we can use to make the best yarn.”
She nodded at me. “I know you’re passionate about that, sweetheart, but they’re expensive, and we’re trying to cut costs.”
Humming, I didn’t want to get into this argument again. We went through it a lot. She left me alone after that. I wished I’d said something else in the moment, but I didn’t. I’d just let it stew, like always, and then burst at the most inopportune time. I didn’t want anything to spoil or ruin the lunch, and I knew it was a big deal for Lorenzo as well. It had to be special. We had a lot riding on this—somewhat literally.
With the savory portion of lunch in little pots in the oven with the pie crusts, I got to focus on dessert. I had a lot of desserts in my repertoire, and I didn’t have long. I whipped up some apple tartlets. Sitting apples on a slither of maple syrup, before applying some vanilla spice and a little cinnamon, then another drizzle of the maple before going over them with some of the flaky tartlet pastry. They would go well with whatever vanilla bean ice cream we had in the freezer, unfortunately, we didn’t have an ice cream maker like they must’ve done at the new bakery in Pineberry. I was still jealous that someone had beat me to it, even if it was only a pipe dream. I could never this place.
I set the table all nice for the five of us, and then mom appeared with Diane in tow.
“Hope you’ve made extra,” she said with a big smile. “It’s smells delish, Jace. As soon as your mom said you were making lunch, I knew I needed a plate.”
“Lucky for you, I did make extra.” It wasn’t because I planned on additional people, but in case any of them burned, I wanted alternates. “But are you sure you could stay?” I asked. “Aren’t you needed out there?”
She waved a hand at me. “Oh no, the giftshop is closed, we don’t have any guests in, and I’m waiting on one of the machines to finish processing the milk.”
“Mhmm. Ok. Well, take a seat then.”
“I want to sit beside Lolo,” she said. “That man is just—” She let out a slight moan.
And on cue, there was a knock at the front door. “That’s probably him, I’ll go—”
“No, no,” my mom said, “you finish setting up, I’ll go welcome him inside.”
Diane approached me, giggling. “I’m not making it too obvious, am I?” she asked, following me into the kitchen.
“To us, yes, to him, also yes, so I don’t think the two of you should sit next to each other,” I said. At the breakfast bar and table, the pot pies were in their ramakins, cooling slightly before going on cool plates. Besides them, the small casserole dish I’d filled with roasted potatoes, and a small serving dish of additional roasted veggies in case I hadn’t filled the pies enough. “Are you going to give me a hand with these?”
She sighed. “I’ve been lonely since the divorce, Jace, just give me some hope, please. You know I’d love to have a little fling, especially with a rough and rugged cowboy from Texas.”
“Mhmm, yeah, I can see the appeal, but I—”
“Then let me sit beside him, go on.”
“Diane,” I said in a hushed tone. I stood in front of her and took both of her hands. “I don’t want to break the news to you before everyone else, but Lorenzo isn’t interested.”
She scoffed. “It’s just wishful thinking anyway, let me entertain it,” she said, her brow quickly furrowing as she glanced at me again, this time her jaw slack. “Wait, break what news?”
“Auntie Diane, you can’t tell anyone.” Not my real aunt, but just as good as one. “Promise.”
Immediately, she hooked her pinky finger around my pinky. “I promise.”
“Lock it in,” I said, pressing my thumb to her thumb.
She giggled. “Go on.”
“We’re dating,” I whispered.
“Oh my god,” she let out with a squeal. “Jace! Oh my god.”
My mom called out, asking if everything was ok, and without another word, we started bringing the food through to the dining room. Diane’s face was pinker now, becoming redder by the second, almost like someone had pinched her cheeks with full force. Lorenzo was stood at one side of the table, giving us both nods as we walked in.
“We should get Olivia and dad in here and then we can have this nice lunch,” I said, nodding at Lorenzo. “If that’s ok with everyone.”
