“Here you go. To tide you over while you’re away.”
I’m enamored by how she gently strokes the top of the plant’s crowning glory with her index finger. Just by touching the flower, I know her skin will hold an immense aromatherapeutic scent from the precious essential oils for the rest of the day.
I suddenly want to hold her hand and bring it to my nose to test my theory.
“Thank you, George. You’re very kind.”
I take off my cowboy hat and hold it in my hands. Even though my back is drenched with nervous perspiration, I try to act cool. With eyes focused on her pretty mouth, I hardly notice the blazing sun searing the back of my neck.
“You’re welcome, Madison.”
After a beat, she clears her throat, imploding my dreamy stance. I awkwardly shove the hat on my head and nod.
“There’s more where that came from when I can show you the fields.”
She sniffs the purple flower and smiles. “If you’re sure it’s not any trouble.”
“No trouble at all.”
“Great. Goodbye, George. I’ll see you soon.”
“Goodbye, Madison. Love you.”
Immediately, I slam my eyes shut and grimace. My face is hot with embarrassment. I shift uncomfortably and stare at the ground, too mortified to look at her.
“I’m… I’m so sorry. It’s a habit of mine.”
“—telling strangers you love them?” She interrupts, her voice tinged with an awkward giggle.
I look up, her syrupy eyes fixated on mine. I’m surprised by her relaxed demeanor. She doesn’t appear to be offended in the least.
“My… my late grandmother instilled it in me. She said, ‘One mustn’t ever forget their I love yous.’ So… I tend to say it fairly regularly to my grandfather, especially when I say goodbye.” I shrug. “Old habits die hard, I guess. My apologies.”
The sweet expression on Madison’s face lets me know right away I’m forgiven. “No apology necessary, George. I think your grandmother was on to something.”
I watch her get in her car and I step out of the way. As she drives off toward the freeway, I wave. I wait until her car disappears over the hill before I get in my truck. My hands become annoyingly sweaty as I drive home, and I keep glancing in the rearview mirror to make sure Madison hasn’t changed her mind and might be following back to the farm.
But why would she?
Maybe I imagined her. Or maybe she was nothing more than a mirage in the heat of the day or some wild fantasy I made up in my head.
One thing is for sure, the swell of pride in my chest is undeniable for being bold and inviting her to the farm. Proud of not making a complete fool of myself when I slipped up and said, “Love you.” Proud of believing I’d see her again.
And for some reason, I know I will.
Chapter Eight
Madison
I drive home in silence, reflecting on my time spent in Heartsboro. It isn’t long before the vast open fields and small towns give way to a five-lane highway and the cityscape of Atlanta.
I must head home because I’m unprepared for an extended stay at the Wild Daisy Inn, especially after my time in Savannah and Heartsboro. I need to repack with more casual summer clothes and find my cowboy boots, my motivation to not stick out like a city girl’s sore thumb the next time I’m at Jamison Farm.
I also need to catch up on some of my other work duties, call my boss, and fill him in on the latest. But how in the world will I explain Ralph’s request to Kevin so he’ll understand? How Ralph wants me to stay for a while and get to know the town and the community? To get to know his grandson, George? I’m still perplexed and trying to wrap my brain around the unusual request myself.
Kevin probably thinks last night is a done deal. In fact, as I dart in and out of heavy traffic through the city, I can imaginehim working on the contract at this very moment. At least, with it being the weekend, I’m pretty much off the clock. But weekend or not, Kevin’s text from this morning burns a hole in my pocket.
Did you kill it?
