The UTV dashes down the well-worn track, while Jed gives me a quick rundown on which trees are which and a little bit about their renewable planting they’ve been implementing. That interests me a lot since the majority of the supplies used to buildmy house were from eco-friendly sources, or near as dammit. I also love to up-cycle and reuse materials where I can.
“It’s incredible,” I say to him honestly. “This place suits you, bro.”
“The Lawless family is good to me. They kinda took me in when I started working here as the leading farmhand. Sylvia and Frank will hand it over some day to Zane and his sister, Isabelle, but for now it’s all a family affair. And they treat me like I’m part of it,” he says.
“That’s awesome,” I agree, happy for him that he’s found his calling. But a touch of sadness washes over me when I think about how I had mine, orthoughtI did. Lately, it’s felt like all of that is slowly slipping away.
When he pulls up at an enormous shed, bigger than my two-story cabin, a black and white Border Collie comes running out with a woof and a wag of its tail, bounding straight for Jed. No sooner have we stepped off the thing and the dog runs around to my side and starts sniffing me. It’s friendly and barks a loud woof by way of greeting.
“Hey there,” I chuckle as the beauty nudges its nose into my hand. I love dogs. Unfortunately, I was never home for long enough to take care of one. I scruff it around the face and ears as he or she jumps up excitedly.
“Meet Maisie,” Jed offers with a wave of his hand. “She’s the Lawless family mascot.”
I bend down to give her some more attention and doesn’t she just lap it up.
Mid-pat, I hear a high-whistle. Maisie stops in her tracks from licking my face, turning to look at the big guy who just walked out of the shed. From Jed’s description of him: tall, burly and brooding, this has to be Zane.
“Maisie, you don’t need to give it all up front,” he gruffs out as he walks toward us.
Jed laughs as Maisie bypasses him and runs up to Zane like it’s the first time she’s seen him, and once he’s close enough, Jed introduces us.
I reach out a hand and Zane takes it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brett,” Zane says as he grips a strong hand in mine.
“Likewise.” I nod. “Jed has told me a lot about you guys, and this place.”
“It had all better be good.” Zane side eyes him, but his tone is more on the playful side.
“Always.” Jed holds his hands up.
“Jed says you’re here for a while, for a change of pace?”
If he knows anything about me or where I’ve come from, he doesn’t show it. And I know Jed hasn’t told anyone about me.
“Yeah, nothing like getting out of town for a while. Escaping what you know and all of that.”
“Can be good sometimes, for sure,” Zane agrees.
“How about we have lunch and we can show Brett around,” Jed offers. “He brought burgers from the diner.”
“Nice.” Zane nods and thumbs towards the big shed, “You’re gonna fit in great around here bringing food.”
We all walk to the shed, Maisie trotting happily in front, leading the way. It’s a well-organized machine from the look of it with shelving adorning the walls and segmented areas for different things. Large machinery sits over to the far side, and a makeshift seating area opposite that. We walk over and take a seat and dive into the food.
“Appreciate this,” Zane says, taking a bite that is so big, half the burger disappears.
“No problem. I ate there last night, it was great,” I say. Then Bailey flashes in front of my face for the millionth time, and I chuckle under my breath at the thought of her sliding on that lemon wedge and using me to break the fall.
Jed’s eyebrows knot together as he looks at me. “What’s that smile for?”
“Nothin’” I shake my head.
“The burgers there aren’t that comical,” he says as he lobs a bit of his burger bun towards an eagerly awaiting Maisie. “Spill, dude.”
Now I’m thinking about Bailey. I can’t wipe the jackass smile off my face.
For fuck’s sake. I need to move off this subject. It’s a small place, there’s a high possibility they both know her, but my lips are moving before I can stop them.
