“It’d be great if we could turn enough of a profit I could buy one.”
“We’ll get there. But speaking of money, how about some rent on that other cabin? Emma is ready to book people in the next couple weeks. So she’s pushing me to get out, and I love Ma and Pops, but I don’t want to move back in with them.” He stops to take a sip of his water and watches me.
“It’s yours when you want it, but I’m not takin’ your money. You know that.” He raises a brow, rehashing the conversation we’ve had.
“You can, and you will. I did some research and found an average for the others that are going for rent and talked to Wyatt about what he rents his for. So I think that fifteen hundred a month is fair.” I lean on the rake, staring him down.
“Nope. No way. That thing needs fixing up and you know it.”
“The price reflects that. And I’ll do all the work, maybe get you to help me if you aren’t too wore out.” We’re in a staring contest at this point. “I’m not backing down. Take it or I’ll have to move out of town to one of the more expensive rentals that the millionaires own.”
“Boy, if you give those fuckers more money for buying up the property out from under us…” he warns.
“Then stop being a stubborn old man and agree to my rental terms.”
“Fine, but only if we settle on a thousand a month.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“Twelve hundred. And I buy the materials,” I counter his offer.
“Fine.” He walks back over to the patch, muttering under his breath about what a pain in the ass I am.
I smile to myself. I won this round.
Working in the greenhouse brings me peace. It helps to clear my mind of all the spinning thoughts I can’t get control over. It also helps that Aggie is here with me, entertaining Lily. Today she's trying to teach her about planting tomato seeds. Lily is doing well, if you don't look at the soil all over the ground.
"Loot, mommy! I pwanted maters for Coopa!"
"I bet Cooper loves tomatoes, baby"
“He does.” She glares at me with furrowed brows. How dare I agree with my four year old going on fourteen.
At that precise moment the man running rampant in my mind walks into the greenhouse with Tommy.
"Coopa! I made you maters!” Lily runs to him holding the seed starter in her two little hands.
"How did you know tomatoes are my favorite vegetable?" He leans down, taking the small pot of dirt from her.
"Towd you, Mommy!” she says with too much sass for someone who needs me to wipe her butt still.
I roll my eyes in Aggie's direction as she holds her belly from laughing so hard. She is zero help.
Composing myself, I turn to Lily. “I just knew he would, love.”
She cuddles in Cooper’s arms after asking him to pick her up and I can’t help but sigh. Her attitude lately makes me feel like I’m failing at this whole mom thing.
He leans down to whisper in her ear. I can’t hear what he’s saying from over here, but when he’s done she has a small pout on her lips.
“Sowwy, Mommy. I won’t be wude anymo.”
“Thank you for apologizing, love.” I walk over and kiss her forehead.
The most important thing that has me ready to throw in all my fears and give all of this a real go, is his unwavering support of me as a mother, and the manners that I try to instill in my girl. Even when I’m ready to throw in the towel.
He places Lily back on the stool next to Aggie for them to continue planting before coming over to my station.
“Would I be able to entice you to join me at Rebels this weekend with the whole crew? Everyone is going Saturday night and I was hoping you would join me.”
Tommy speaks up before I can. “She would love to.”
