“Or because it’s all they know,” she counters. “I didn’t want that for you. I wanted you to go to school so that if you chose this life, it was a choice, not an outdated legacy established by your great-great-grandfather.”
My gut clenches. I get what she’s saying, but I don’t have to like it.
Maybe the farm is all I’ve ever known, but it’s all I ever want to know. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life or raising a family any other way. I love my life.
“We let you take on too much responsibility from a young age, and for that, I’m sorry. We should have let you be a child.”
“There’s no need to apologize.” I rub my palms against my thighs. “I wanted to be involved. I wanted to be the man of the house. To look after you and Gran, just like Pops wanted.”
She presses her lips flat. “If he asked that of you, he was wrong. I love my father, but he was stuck in his ways.”
I snort and she holds up a hand. “I know, but I’m working on it.”
Piper laughs and quickly slaps a hand over her mouth.
Because isn’t the only one set in her ways…
“Point taken,” I concede, shooting her a wry grin.
“Brady, your Gran and I are so proud of you and when you graduate, if you want to move back to Willow Bend and work the land, we’re prepared to make you an equal partner with full responsibility for establishing and managing the agritourism arm of the business.”
My pulse quickens and I’m sure I misheard. “Did you say equal partner?”
She grins. “Yes, and I also said you’d be responsible for everything relating to agritourism. Your Gran and I are limping along, but it feels like a young person’s business.”
“I— Of course it’s what I want. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“Good.” She gives a firm nod. “As the current majority owner, I’m going to need you to show your commitment to this expansion by taking on some of your duties immediately.”
I lean forward, eager to get started. “Sure. What do you need me to do?”
“I’m going to put on the Santa suit and run the photo booth tonight. My regular Santa got grounded for breaking curfew.”
Piper snort-laughs and I join in because what the hell.
“Oh, and Piper, dear? I need an elf as well.” She pauses, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Unless, of course, you’d rather play Mrs. Claus tonight?”
33
PIPER
“We’re going to do what?”
Brady grins and hooks his thumbs in his belt loops. He’s dressed like a freaking lumberjack in a plaid button up, work boots, and a sexy knit cap and apparently, it’s my jam. “We’re going to cut down a Christmas tree. It’s tradition. We do it every year on Christmas Eve.”
I leap out of the bed and launch myself at him. “Give me twenty minutes. No, fifteen. I can be ready in fifteen for sure.”
He chuckles. “There’s no rush. We’ve got all day to find it and then we’ll decorate it tonight.”
How is this even my life right now?
The last few days at Willow Bend have been incredible. Molly has treated me like family from the start, right down to that stunt she pulled with the elf costume. Joke’s on her, though. This elf got railed by Santa Claus in the hayloft and loved every second.
It’s been so much fun pitching in at the Winter Wonderland and brainstorming ideas with Brady for next year. It’s been low stress and low drama and even though Christmas isn’t until tomorrow, I already know it’s going to be my best one yet.
Thirty minutes later, my teeth are brushed, my hair is combed, and I’m standing in the middle of a Christmas tree forest inhaling the glorious scent of pine.
“I’ve never had an actual tree before. How do we choose?” I shove my hands in the pockets of my jacket and turn to Brady. “Are there any special requirements I should know about?”
