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“I think it’s part of a point, Dad.”
He almost laughed out loud, but caught himself because she was being utterly sincere and quite rational. “I need to work, honey. And usually I go where the work calls me.”
“But what if you can work in this town?” she insisted. She perched those hands on her hips and squared up. “Dad, I think there are lots of things to do here, and if we love it so much, and it has cows, why should we leave? Have you looked for a job here?” she wondered, head tilted and her cute little eyebrows drawn up.
“Unfortunately, finishing a megamillion-dollar project has kept me tied up, but I promise I’ll check things out soon.”
“For real?”
She didn’t give up easy, that’s for sure. “I’ll include it in my list of possibilities. I promise,” he added when she looked doubtful. He spotted Josie’s car pulling into the parking lot near the kitchen area. “Josie just pulled in. Let’s walk over and see what’s up and we can explain about tomorrow.”
Addie had come home from school on Friday night with an impromptu invitation to a Sunday afternoon birthday party for a classmate. Addie’s invitation had gotten lost, and when the mother discovered that, she’d emailed Jacob to resend the invite. And, of course, Addie wanted to go, but she longed to visit the farm, too.
Josie spotted them and waved as they approached. “Hey, guys. Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
“The plants got a drink of rain,” Addie told her as she hop-skipped up the walk. “It was just like God planned it all out—the warm sun, the drink of rain and now warm sun again. Did you know that plants and animals all need water? Without water we’d shrivel right up.” She pretended to do just that, curling inward and making a ghastly dying noise. “And die.”
“Then bring on the rain.” Josie laughed. “I take it you’ve been studying the water cycle in school?”
“That is exactly what we’re studying, and how did you know that?” Addie half squealed the question in amazement. “Do you know about the water cycle?”
Josie handed over four slim books, banded together. “For you, kid. I had them in my car for tomorrow, but since I’m seeing you today, here you go.”
“The Magic School Bus!” Addie slapped a hand to her forehead. “How did you know that I love The Magic School Bus show so much?”
“Well, I loved these books when I was your age, so I thought they might be just right for you. I’ve got more, too. My mom has a whole crate of them. And speaking of my mom, there she is.” Josie waved toward a car that seemed to be creeping into the cordoned-off lot, unsure where to go. The driver spotted her and parked. Three women exited the car and came their way. “Jacob, you met my mom and Kimberly over at my place. This is Kimberly’s mother, Kate Gallagher, the gal who made Kate & Company one of the biggest and best event coordinating centers in the Finger Lakes.”
Jacob had heard Kate Gallagher’s name before, essentially being synonymous with her highly regarded business. He extended his hand. “You’ve met with our incoming management team, Mrs. Gallagher, but I haven’t had the pleasure as yet. It’s very nice to meet you. I hope the inn will become one of your most sought-after business partners.”
“We’ve got seven events lined up so far,” she told him, “including four weddings, a Christmas charity gala and two bridal showers. If those go well, I expect Kimberly and the crew will enjoy a long and happy relationship with the Eastern Shore Inn. Your setup is gorgeous, and the positioning on the hill overlooking the lake is perfect for pictures. I can’t wait to see it all once the landscaping is in place.”
“It’ll only get better,” he told her, then he turned toward Josie. “We have a scheduling problem for tomorrow.” He palmed Addie’s head as she made an undeniably cute frowny face toward Josie. “Addie’s been invited to a birthday party for a classmate. The invite got lost, and the mom called last night, apologizing. Addie really wants to go to the farm, but she wants to go to the party, too. Can we do the farm another day?”
