“Are you okay? You seem on-edge.”
“I’m just stressed about getting everything ready for tomorrow. But it’ll be fine.” She exhaled heavily. “I’m glad Joshua’s going to be able to help us.”
“Yeah, it’s very nice of him,” Mallory agreed. “Why have I never met this friend of yours?”
“I’m sure you have. I stop by his booth every time I’m at the farmer’s market.”
“Oh, well, that explains it. I haven’t been to the market with you guys in forever.”
“Good point. Even when you’re in town, you never accept invitations to go.”
Mallory shrugged. “It’s just not that fun. And you always go so slow. No offense.”
Callie smiled. “I like to take my time.” They turned onto the side road that took them to Joshua’s farm and came to a stop right outside tiny farmhouse. Before she stepped out of the car, Joshua walked out onto the front porch and waved.
“Oh, wow.” Mallory laughed.
“What?”
“Nothing,” she said, opening the side door. “I just didn’t expect this farmer friend of yours to be so handsome. No wonder you wanted to come alone! You’ve got a little crush on him, don’t you?”
Callie gawked. “Mallory, no! That’s—that’s preposterous. Of course I don’t have a crush on him. Why would you say something like that?”
“Oh, calm down, mom! I’m just joking.” She snorted. “Sheesh. So, everyone else is allowed to poke fun at me andmylove life, but I can’t do the same?”
Callie shook her head and got out of the car, still taken aback by this comment. If she wasn’t nervous before, now she was practically going to be sick from her anxiety. She smiled tensely at Joshua but noticed that he didn’t have a box in his hands.
Oh no. Please don’t invite us inside.
Callie had really hoped this would be a quick hi-bye situation.
“Hey there,” he said cheerfully. “You brought company.”
Callie introduced Joshua to Mallory and then had no choice but to accept Joshua’s offer to go inside the house to hisoffice. He didn’t have the veggies with him, and it would’ve been very strange if she insisted on staying outside while he went to fetch them for her. He led the way and then lingered to shut the door behind the two women. “Sorry it’s a little messy.” The front room was cluttered with a desk that was far too big for the space, a couple of chairs, boxes, and piles of paperwork. “If I’d known earlier that you were coming over, I would’ve put some of this junk away.”
“We’re the ones barging in at the last second,” Callie said. “Don’t even worry about it.”
Mallory was looking curiously at the boxes.
“Yeah, I know.” Joshua rubbed the back of his neck and laughed sheepishly. “It looks like pure chaos, but I promise, I have a system.”
“A system that works?” Mallory shot him a knowing smile.
“Nowthat’sa good question,” said Joshau with a laugh. “And one I’m not going to answer for fear of judgment. I’m trying to make a good impression on you, after all.”
Callie’s hands tightened into fists, like her body was getting ready to jump into fight or flight mode. Mallory looked a little surprised as well by his comment, but she didn’t say anything in response.
“But come on now, I know you two didn’t come here to talk shop,” Joshua said. I’ve got your veggies all boxed up in the kitchen.” They followed him down the hall, passed a bedroom that was much neater than the office space, and a bathroom that was spotless. For a man who lived as a bachelor, Callie was pleasantly surprised with how clean his house was.
“Alright,” Joshua said in the kitchen, placing his hands on top of the cardboard box that sat on the counter. “I have all the replacement veggies in here and I also threw in a few extra goodies. For the spinach dip recipe, I think you could turn it into more of a southwestern dip. I threw in some really goodcorn and peppers too. I know that’s not necessarily a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but—”
“No, that sounds perfect,” Callie said. “We’re not going with a super traditional menu anyway. Two of my children don’t like turkey very much, so we’re going with chicken, and I’ve had to make a couple other swaps so my grandkids will actually havesomethingto eat. Do you have a recipe for it?”
He smiled. “I already texted you a picture.”
“Oh, wonderful.” She reached for the box. “You’re on top of it.”
“If only I could show this much initiative with my other work.”
