“What my family thinks or doesn’t really isn’t an issue. This is our pretend world, and we might have an argument along the way. But to ease your jealous mind…”
“I am not jealous,” she declared.
He parked at the end of a long row of vehicles. “Sounds to me like you could be.”
She turned toward him and gave him a double dose of stink eye. “Do you want to come home on weekends and go on blind dates? Shall I call Audrey and see if I can borrow the potbellied pig to bring to the café? You’ve got as much skin in this game as I do.”
“Geneva lives in southern Louisiana and is in this area to settle her grandfather’s estate,” Knox said. “Roman Wilcot owned the land between here and Nocona that I want to buy. I called her yesterday afternoon, and she quoted me a good price if I would buy the whole acreage. She gave me a hug because she thought she would have to sell it off in piecemeal style and maybe have an auction for the house and its contents. Now she can go home to her husband and four kids and not stay in Nocona any longer.”
Lottie should have been satisfied with that explanation, but she wasn’t. “Why did she come to this church?”
“Because her grandparents attended services here their entire lives. They were both born in Spanish Fort, got married in that church, and their funeral services were held there,” he answered, “and she wanted one last memory of the place. Any more questions, or are you still jealous?”
“Why are you buying a big chunk of land?”
“Because it’s got a nice little two-bedroom frame house on it, and I’m tired of living in a trailer,” he answered as he got out of the truck.
He was right. Knowing his business wasn’t any concern of hers, and yet a nosy streak came out to replace the jealousy. “How much land is it?”
“Six hundred and forty acres,” he answered.
“Why buy all…that…when…” she stammered.
“Because I can and because I want to and because I have a vision for the future,” he answered as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. “I talked to Tripp, and he thinks it’s a solid investment, so other than signing papers, it’s a done deal. Time to get into character, darlin’. Smile and look at me like you could be falling in love with me.”
Pasting on a smile and looking into his eyes wasn’t difficult. “What is this vision of yours anyway?” she asked out the corner of her mouth.
“That’s classified right now.”
* * *
Eggs, plastic and real, were scattered all over the huge backyard and around the barn, and Knox even hid half a dozen behind the pots of flowers on Bernie’s porch. The ones that Daisy and Heather had put glitter on sparkled like diamonds when the bright sun rays hit them. He stopped and took a picture of the freshly mowed yard, now covered with hundreds of eggs waiting to be picked up. The sound of vehicles arriving, along with folks telling their kids to be patient, took his attention away from the sight. Folks who thought if you didn’t arrive fifteen minutes early, you were late carried food to the tables that had been set up in the barn. Kids wereblurs as they chased around in the part of the yard that wasn’t roped off for the egg hunt, or else ran into the barn to check out what they could buy later with their bunny money.
This was Knox’s second year as a part of the Easter celebration, and he loved it all. The excitement of the kids made him wish he had a child big enough to carry a basket all over the yard. All the elderly folks sitting in the shade and talking about the good old days brought back memories of visiting his grandparents on Sunday afternoons. He had never heard of a leftover potluck until he came to the Paradise, but he loved the idea. He was so deep in his own thoughts that he didn’t hear or see Tripp until his brother was right beside him.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Knox snapped.
Tripp nudged him with an elbow. “Seems to me like we are switching personalities. You are becoming the introvert that I used to be, and I’m getting more outgoing. What were you thinking about anyway?”
“Grandpa, and how we used to go to their house on Sunday for dinner. We would sit in the backyard with him until Nana called us to come in and wash our hands,” he answered.
“I loved those times, but what on earth brought him to your mind?” Tripp asked. “This looks nothing like his house or yard.”
Knox smiled and nodded toward a group of old farmers sitting under a shade tree. “No, but that did. Different place. Different time. Not as fancy or as enormous, but people are people whether they are rich or poor.”
“You are so right, and it is a beautiful day for this, isn’t it?” Tripp said. “Did Geneva find you after church?”
“Yes, she did, and I’m glad you think my idea is a good one,” Knox answered. “The lawyers will take care of all the paperwork, but I have the keys to the place, and she said for me to feel free to move in anytime.”
“I guess that means you have a real house of your own. You won’t even have to stay at the Paradise when you come home for weekends,” Tripp said.
“Does that make you happy or sad?” Knox asked.
“A little of both. We won’t see as much of you because you’ll be busy with your new project, but I’m happy that you will be doing what you love and that you’ll be back close to the rest of the family. What did you do wrong?”
“That was an abrupt change of subject. What are you talking about, anyway?”
Tripp pointed.
