“I’d love to!” Brynna set the coffee canister down. “I’m on my way.”
When she got to their temporary campground behind the barn, Jan handed her a plate of hotcakes, hash browns, bacon, and eggs. And Mike gave her a hot mug of coffee.
Brynna thanked them and sat down. “This is a lot better than the yogurt I planned to have this morning.”
“Well, Mike was making hotcakes on his little cookstove and I’d already started the other things.” Jan grinned. “Glad you could join us.”
Brynna stretched her neck with a little groan. “This is a morning when a little TLC goes a long way with me.”
“Why’s that?” Mike asked. “Something wrong?”
She explained about her unexpected houseguest last night. “I gave Luna the bedroom, but the sofa’s not so comfy.”
“How long does Miss Luna plan to stay?” Jan asked.
“I don’t know. I, uh, I think I’d like to leave with you guys after all.”
Jan frowned. “Just because of Luna?”
“I’m in over my head.” She spoke quickly, not giving them a chance to interject anything. “I know that Leroy’s daughters are central to his life and I totally respect that. I feel certain there’s not room for me in his world. Luna clearly resents me, and I’m pretty sure Leroy’s youngest girl, Gina, feels the same. They don’t even know about my relationship with Leroy yet. At least, I don’t think they do. But if I get more involved with their dad, I know it’ll cause problems.”
“Naturally, there’d be an adjustment period,” Jan said pragmatically. “But that’s normal. I think you’re giving up too easily.”
“And too soon.” Mike pointed his fork at her.
“Leroy is extremely close with his daughters. They were all he had after his wife passed. I have a feeling that’s the way it’s always going to be. The way it should be. I just don’t see how I can possibly fit in here. Well, other than as an employee. And, as much as I’ve loved working here, I can’t keep doing it. Not under these conditions. I’d be like the odd girl out. The fifth wheel. The kid with her nose pressed up against the toy store window.”
“Wow.” Jan sipped her coffee. “Sounds like you’ve given this some thought.”
“I was up half the night stewing over it.”
“Well, maybe leaving really would be for the best,” Mike told Brynna. “Might give Leroy the chance to decide if he wants to chase you down.”
“Chase me down?”
“Yeah, if he loves you, he’d probably go after you.” He winked at her.
Brynna wasn’t so sure about that. If Leroy hadn’t bothered to chase her down thirty years ago, why would he now? Maybe it didn’t matter. She was probably just tired.
“So you’ll be ready to leave with us today?” Jan asked as she refilled Brynna’s coffee mug.
“I guess so. But I only want a ride to the nearest town. I’ll find my own way home after that.”
“And since it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, we won’t hold you to it,” Mike teased.
“We could stick around a few more days,” Jan added, “give you time to figure things out.”
“It’s not a bad spot to camp.” Mike gestured toward the rows of grapevines.
“Well, maybe you should at least stay one more night,” Brynna told them. “I almost forgot to tell you that it’s Leroy’s birthday today. They’re having a barbecue this afternoon. His daughter Sophie is in charge, and she told me to bring you guys. It’s supposed to be a surprise, and I promised to help her. She’s got two kids under five and another on the way, so she could use another hand.”
“I remember Sophie from when we dropped you here,” Jan said. “She seemed like a sweet girl.”
“She really is.” Brynna took a last bite of bacon. “That’s just one more reason I think I should leave. Sophie would be caught in the middle of everything with her sisters and her dad. I don’t want to do that to her.” Brynna checked her watch. “Speaking of Sophie, I should probably give her a call and see if she needs help yet.”
She thanked them for breakfast and told them when to comeover to the barbecue. Then, trying to convince herself this was no big deal, Brynna headed back to the cottage. She felt certain that leaving with Jan and Mike was the right decision. It might not be easy, but it was for the best ... for everyone. A widower with three grown daughters didn’t need another woman in his life.
Leroy hadn’t expected to spend so much time with his mother, but for some reason she seemed insistent on keeping him around. First she wanted help in her garden, and then she had some fencing that needed to be moved. Finally, around two, she announced she was in need of some things in town. “You don’t mind taking me, do you?” she asked as she reached for her handbag. “It won’t take long.”
