“I can hardly believe this is the ugly yellow house I saw on your lot a couple weeks ago. It’s downright cute now.”
“Not bad, if I do say so.” He nodded. “How’s everything inside? All the appliances and mechanicals working okay?”
“Care to check it all out?” She led him inside, where the AC was keeping it nice and cool. They walked through and gave everything a good once-over and, as far as they could see, it all worked fine.
“It’s gonna be nice,” he observed.
“I was so glad to hear Dad calling ithishouse. I’m still not a hundred percent sure he will want to live here with Mom, but I’m hoping.”
“Do you think he even knows where he lives? I mean, no offense, but he seems pretty far gone to me. Surprised you don’t want to put him in some kind of care place.”
She bristled but tried not to show it. “Mom wants to keep him with us as long as possible.”
“Might get to be too much.”
“It might.” She studied him as he looked out the window. He was probably the kind of guy who would put his own folks into assisted living without blinking an eye. And maybe that was okay. For him. But she planned to respect her parents’ wishes as long as she could. And like Mom kept reminding her, they’d take things one day at a time.
25
Jewel
Jewel had gotten into the habit of strolling around the farm property in the evening. She liked to slip out right around sunset. With her parents usually on their way to bed and Cooper occupied on her phone or playing some game with Anna, this became Jewel’s time of peace and quiet. A gentle regrouping after a hectic day. And today, after the disagreement over the paint mishap and the noise of the construction crew all afternoon, the serenity felt extra welcome. As she walked along the edge of the fragrant lavender field, she could breathe deeply, silence her nagging doubts, and almost imagine that everything was going to work out.
“Jewel?”
Over her shoulder, she spied Miguel walking the fence line toward her. She waved eagerly. She had been hoping to express her appreciation for how he came to Dad’s defense today. She leaned against the fence with an extended hand. “Hello, neighbor.”
His eyes lit up as he grasped her hand. “Hello back at ya, neighbor. Nice evening for a walk.”
She smiled in amusement that he was still holding on to her hand. “Can you smell that lavender?”
“You bet. When the wind blows this way, it drifts right overto us. Nice.” He gently released her fingers. “Want any company on your stroll?”
“Absolutely.”
“Mind if I come over there?” He bent down, and she gladly helped to hold up the wires as he slipped through the fence.
“Welcome.” She beamed at him. “I wanted to thank you for your help with Dad today. I’m not totally sure what all transpired, but I’m glad you stepped in. I think Dad was too.”
“Well, I was coming over to see if you needed any more help with painting, but when I saw Aaron and his boys there, I almost headed the other way.” His strides lengthened, as if he was getting worked up about it.
“But you didn’t?” She quickened her pace to match his.
“Nope. Because I heard yelling, like something was wrong. I came on over and when I got there, your dad looked pretty upset so I stuck around, trying to be a peacemaker. Although to be honest, I might’ve made things worse. Aaron wasn’t too pleased to see me.”
“I’m sorry about that. Aaron can be, uh, difficult. Sounded like he was pretty rough on my dad too.”
“I guess he doesn’t get it.” He slowed down his pace.
“He doesn’t get a lot.” She grimly shook her head.
“I don’t think compassion comes easily to him.”
That was an understatement, but Jewel didn’t say so.
“So was your dad okay afterward?” He stopped walking and turned toward her with a concerned expression. “I felt so sorry for him when Aaron scolded him like that.”
“I’m sure he’s forgotten all about it now.”
