“I was going to invite your father to see my farm.”
My gaze shot to Jarrod.
He gave me thejust go with itlook I always found endearing. He could always tell when I was in over my head—and he’d offer me a lifeline.
“I’d love to see the farm.” Because I honestly did. I wanted to know everything about the life Jarrod had built for himself.
“That’s great.” He beamed.
Takes so little to make him happy.
Had I ever been that way? It felt like such a very long time ago.
“Great.” Adele leapt up. “I’m going to put the dishes in the dishwasher, have a shower, and then get cracking on the books.”
“Right.” I met Jarrod’s gaze. “I guess my day is free.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet the goats.”
Adele stilled. “Goats? Like those cute little things who do goat yoga?”
Jarrod blinked. “Uh, my goats don’t do yoga. They produce goat milk.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. Goat yoga sounds like fun.” She stacked the dishes and took them over to the dishwasher.
I was sort of surprised to see we’d demolished the pile of French toast as well as all the bacon. I eyed the pancakes. “Can you save them for later?”
“Of course.” She came over with a container and handed it to me. Then she went back to the dishwasher. “They’re Caleb’s favorite—so I might’ve been grateful you didn’t eat them all.”
Jarrod rubbed his belly. “Those were mighty fine French toast slices. Better than anything I might’ve cooked up.”
“You’re welcome to come over whenever.” Adele shut the dishwasher and turned it on. “Dad insisted I learn how to cook. I do a mean eggplant parmesan.”
I nodded my agreement. “Far superior to anything I might throw together.”
Adele pecked my cheek. “That’s because Uncle Shaw keeps you busy at work.”
A familiar refrain. I’d told her about a million times that I enjoyed working long hours to keep Shaw organized. I also made it clear she’d always be my priority. Keeping that balance had been easier with Mom around. Now I was truly a single parent. “I can’t believe you turned out to be such a great kid.”
She rolled her eyes. “You always say that.”
“Maybe because it’s always true. When’s your next shift at the pool?”
“I’m teaching lessons on Tuesday night.” She gave Jarrod a brilliant smile. “I’m a lifeguard. Have been for a year now. I do love teaching.”
“Yet you want to be an optometrist.”
“Yep.” She gave a little shrug. “Perhaps a little incongruous, but it is what it is.” She did a little pirouette and pranced out of the room.
I laughed. “All those dance lessons and, in the end, she enjoys recreational badminton and swimming more. I thought she might do it competitively, the swimming, but she really loves working with kids.”
“Kids need glasses too.” He shrugged.
“That’s true—she’ll be amazing with them.” I placed my hand on the table.
He grasped it. “Farm?”
“Yeah. Sounds great. I’ll have to drive, though, because I’m not asking you to make a round trip.”
