He nods, his steely eyes focused on my face. “A friend, huh? Well, why didn’t you say so?”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Hmmm. Well, he came back from working the stand all morning with his panties all in a wad. Said he had some kind of emergency to tend to.”
Panic bolts through my core. “Oh, no. It’s not Ralph, is it?”
Kip shakes his head. “Nope. I just saw Ralph poking around the barn a few minutes ago. He’s fine. George didn’t say what got him riled up.” There’s a flash of frustration in his eyes. “He sprinted through the fields toward Pine Mountain Ridge saying he had to take care of something.” He points in the distance toward the hills covered in dark clouds, the low rumble of thunder a sign of an approaching pop-up storm.
A streak of worry shoots through my heart. “And you have no idea where he might’ve gone?”
We’re interrupted by Ralph’s voice. “Hey, Madison. How are ya?”
I turn to greet him, my relieved smile immediate. “Hi, Ralph. I’m… good. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m fair to middling,” he chuckles.
“Hey, Ralph. She was just asking me about George. I told her I saw him run off through the fields,” Kip says.
I reach out and touch Ralph’s shoulder. “Do you know where I can find him?”
Ralph scratches at the stubble on his chin. “Well, he’s probably out there tending the flowers in the back fields. I know we have a big order that came in for Home Foods. But then again, it’s pretty late in the day for him to be harvesting anything, especially with the storm rolling in.”
“You know, sometimes George runs off like this when he’s upset,” Kip suggests. “I’d check out the pond or the old fort. Maybe he’s letting off a little steam?”
“You’re right,” Ralph says. “Come on, Madison. I’ll walk with you.”
“No. It’s too hot and it’s too far for you. And I can hear the thunder.”
“I’m good.” He turns toward Kip. “There’s rain in the forecast. You best be getting those pallets back in the barn.”
“Yes, sir.” He grins at me and tips his hat. “See ya later, pretty lady.”
I grimace, thankful when he turns and walks away.
Ralph notices and shakes his head. “He’s harmless, I swear. Come on.”
I raise my eyebrows and keep my mouth shut for now.
We follow the gardenia-lined path past the barn and stop at the slope, which reveals the picturesque landscape. The rows of lavender dance in the humid breeze, the deep violet and pastel purple colors gorgeous from underneath the darkening sky.
Strands of hair whip across my face as I stand and scope the fields, hoping to catch sight of George in the distance. Ralph is doing the same.
“Kip is right. If George isn’t in the fields, he’s probably at the pond or the old fort and broken treehouse.”
“Why would he go there?” I ask.
“It’s a safe haven for him. You know, a place to think. He’s had a lot on his mind trying to deal with my prognosis.”
My heart falls to my feet when I think of another possible reason.
“Did you tell him the real reason why I’m here? Not that it matters anymore, because I know you’re not selling.”
Ralph immediately shakes his head. “No. He doesn’t know. But we do need to have a conversation about it. I need to give him that option.”
“He’ll never leave this place.” I look out over the achingly beautiful landscape. “This is his home. He’ll never give it up. And he shouldn’t have to.”
Ralph kicks at a rock with the pointy tip of his boot, his head bowing with uncertainty. “But what if he has no other choice? He can’t run this place on his own without me.”
