“We were pretty lucky with the local businesses in the area. Once I put out the word that I needed sponsors, speakers, and demo farms, they came to me with people who wanted to take part.” Darcy shrugged. “I didn’t have to do any marketing other than open my big mouth at an economic development meeting last summer.”
Dane chuckled. “You’re pretty good at that, aren’t you? Opening your big mouth.”
“Some things never change. I wasn’t elected cheerleading captain in high school for being a church mouse.”
“So you’re planning to go bigger next year?”
“That’s the plan, though I don’t know how we’re going to squeeze anyone else in here or at the motel in town.”
Dane thought of Hilary and her B & B dream. Too bad she wasn’t local. He’d love to shoot some business her way. “Short-term housing might be your only option. Maybe some Airbnb folks could help with lodging.”
“Yeah, I’ve thought of that.” She stood upright, stretching her back. “Sean and I need to open another lodge I guess.”
Dane snorted. “What, you don’t have your hands busy enough with this place?”
They walked over to the barn, dragging the ends of the hoses where three sixty-gallon rain barrels sat alongside the back wall.
“What’s one more inn?” she joked. “I think one of our attendees has plans to offer lodging on her farm.”
“Yes, Hilary Larkin and her sister, Jorie. Jorie is the one who missed her flight and decided not to come.”
“I keep forgetting to check in with Hilary, see if she has any questions specific to innkeeping.” Darcy gave him the side-eye. “I’ve seen you with Hilary more than once during the last two days. Did you two find some things in common?”
His first reaction to Darcy’s observation was to deny it. He hadn’t come to the conference to connect with anyone. It felt opportunistic, like he was trolling for a hookup. That was so out of character for him, even before he dated Felicia. But Darcy knew that about him. He didn’t need to shy away from her question.
“She’s fun to talk to.”
Darcy nodded. “And very pretty.”
He smiled, not looking at her. “That too.”
Dane threaded the first hose onto the spigot near the bottom of the barrel. “She seems a little unsure of herself, like she’s at a crossroads.”
“Hopefully what she learns here can help her with that.”
“I’ve been giving her a little direction.”
“Uh-huh,” said Darcy. “I’m sure you have.”
“No, not like that. Anyway, she’s married.”
Darcy stopped twisting the hose onto the spigot of the second barrel. “That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, well. It’s just my luck.”
She cast him a sympathetic look. “There’s someone out there for you, Dane. Don’t let one bad apple rot the whole barrel.”
Dane chuckled. “No worries. It’ll happen when it happens.”
The tour busesreturned three hours later. He and Darcy finished up forty-five minutes earlier and were enjoying lemonades on the patio. They watched the group disembark from the buses, noticeably slower than when they’d left at lunchtime.
“Looks like they’re all ready for a collective nap or something.” Darcy rose to greet everyone while Dane drained his glass.
Dane sought out the olive-green coat with the Larkin Farms logo on the back. She was easy to spot with that spill of chestnut hair. That, and she was limping.
He set his glass on the side table and hurried to catch up to them as the group filed into the inn.
“Hilary.”
