“I know I don’t usually think ahead, but your mom set things down in her book. You know, instructions for important things?”
“Mom left a book!” I caught myself and lowered my voice. Mom hadn’t known she was going to be taken, at least that’s what I thought. Was I wrong?
“She said in case anything went poorly, I was to unlock it.”
“It was locked?”
“Yeah, with a key and everything. Anyhoo, she said to make your twenty-fifth special.”
My chest ached with heaviness. “That’s not for another year.” Without Mom, every year was a weight of missing her.
“Special takes time. You have to grow it.”
“Oh. Kay. What exactly are you growing?”
“Ha, you completely KNOW me. I’m blowing it, but I have a special strain that we’ve created—Sorrel Special.”
I snorted. It was so perfectly a Bud present. “Whoa, I’m honored, that’s really cool. But I don’t get why you are contacting Worthington.”
“Because… Cookie, this will really blow it. Sure you want me to?”
“Go for it. I promise to be surprised.”
“I bought you a farm, or I’m buying it. By then, it will be in full production.”
“You bought me a marijuana business of my own?” I repeated it so I would understand it. It was beyond bizarre. I was going to be responsible for a working farm?
“Yeah. Are you excited? I know I am! Don’t worry, I’ll be running it for you unless you want to run it. Figured some new family income stream would be a great legacy.”
I looked at the sky, breathing out relief. “I’m… I have no words to describe what I’m feeling.”
“I knew it. Your mom said to make sure you had a safe place and to make sure your coming-of-age party was special. I figured I’d roll them into one. Get it?” He laughed, and I laughed with him, but I was rubbing my forehead.
“That’s amazing, and I promise to forget about it. But apparently, Charles wants papers signed or something. I bet you’ll have to do something too.”
“Right, I’ll call him next week. Hang on, why were you calling, then? Because of that?”
“I’m good-ish. What time will you be home? You can show me the book.” It was just like Bud to vaguely remember to tell me things.
“We’re almost done rebuilding the pump. I’ll be down this weekend. But you know that anytime you want to talk I’m here, Cookie. And by the way, next time you come up, I have some new strains for you to try. Since I blew it, you can try some of theSorrel Specialtrials.”
I laughed. “Okay, Bud. That will be amazing, I cannot wait to try them. Thank you. See you later.” The part about being excited to try the strains was honest, but the idea of all the rest was bigger than I could deal with.
“What’s up? I saw the sky look,” Ori asked.
“I can’t even explain because it’s a secret. Don’t worry, it’s one we want to keep until we need to tell.” I was still a littlewoozy from the drug thing, and Bud’s wild revelations had done nothing to help that.
Ori wrinkled her nose. “Okay. Are you calling the lawyer now, then?”
“I doubt it’s going to get us anywhere.” I dialed the number. “Hi, I’d like to speak to Mr. Worthington. It’s Sorrel Redwood. I’m returning his call.” I waited while his secretary went to see if he was free.
“Ms. Redwood. Thanks for getting back with me. I have papers here…”
“I know, I’m happy to sign them. Send them over.”
“Actually, you need to come in for the deed transfer.”
“Bud told me. Great. We’ll come up with a time. Actually, Mr. Worthington, I’m calling for something else.”
