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Lennon grinned. “That’s the spirit. Anything before three is lunch. We’ll make the big guy make us some food to soak it up.”
That was a far better plan than mooning over my lack of friends. It was high time I made a few of them.
Even if it was only for a little while.
Chapter19
Beckett
Truth & Bridesmaids
Sundays were for checking on the property. After Kain kicked my ass, I wanted nothing more than my horse and a trip around the orchard to make sure things were in good shape. Having so many acres meant there was always something to fix.
By the time I’d scoured the western perimeter, my ribs were aching like a bitch. I sent off my weekly report over to my crew. A handful of fences needed tending and the drip irrigation for the pear seedlings was acting up. I made a note for Justin to check that one out.
He could fix damn near anything.
The sun was well past the tree line when I rode up to the stables by my house. I smoothed a hand down Storm’s neck before stepping down. Casey met us with a happy bark while Tom, the barn cat that had adopted me, snoozed in his usual spot. I quickly rubbed down Storm and left him happily munching his dinner while Casey ran around, trying to get him to pay attention to him.
I dragged my way up the path to my cabin, stripping as I went. I needed thirty hours in my steam shower after the day I’d had. I dumped the clothes in the mudroom and walked naked up the stairs to my bathroom.
I found Casey on my bed as I was toweling water out of my hair. He was burrowed in the twisted sheets, his nose tucked under his tail. “I suppose you need feeding too.”
His ears perked up and his feather duster of a tail swished, but his head stayed on his paws.
I tugged on a fresh pair of jeans and a Henley against the setting sun. Early May meant cool nights. I sat beside Casey and ruffled his ears. “I didn’t get to eat either, bud.”
He leaned into the scratch and closed his eyes with a little groan when I paid special attention to his ears. I pressed my face into his soft fur for a moment. Animals were far easier to figure out. Some love, some food, some sleep—all was right with the world.
I would only be getting one of those for now.
I wasn’t ready to face my big empty bed, or the fact that the room still somehow smelled of her. What the hell was she still doing here? And how long was she staying?
Kain’s confession had surprised me too much for me to quiz him on why Helena has been at the taproom. She’d been wearing Brothers Three gear which had hit me in places I didn’t want to examine. Was it simply because she didn’t have enough clothing before she went back to the city?
It didn’t make sense why she’d be at that taproom anyway.
I should have just manned up and talked to Lennon and Annette, but I was too worried about licking my wounds. Kain had definitely kicked my ass. I could probably tag one of my brothers. Justin always seemed to know what was going on at the orchard, but I was too damn tired to deal with him busting my chops.
I stood up and Casey trailed behind me until we got to the stairs, then he had to be first. Damn herding dog. He ran circles around me much like he’d done with Storm until I dumped a few scoops of food into his bowl and gave him fresh water.
There wasn’t much in my fridge and being in there reminded me of the midnight snack with Helena. I landed on a turkey sandwich, with a few handfuls of chips, and half a jar of spicy pickles. All of which I ate over my sink for easier cleanup.
I grabbed one of my Yankees hats on my way out the door, before I jumped in my truck.
Casey barked from the top of the driveway, and I reopened the door to let him hop in beside me. I rolled down the windows, and he happily stuck his head out to catch the wind as we flew down the back roads to The Lodge.
I boosted the volume on my radio at the new Josh Ross song as we made the short trip into the main orchard. The sun peeked through the trees as we pulled up to The Lodge. Solar string lights cast a glow on the flagstone walkways between the B&B and the now closed bakery. A pair of workers were stacking chairs outside of the café and wiping down tables.
I parked my truck and Casey jumped out to shake down the waitresses for treats. As usual, he got all the attention. He was technically my dog, but he roamed the orchard at will and managed to get food from everyone.
Good thing he was always running around to work it off or he’d be a tubbo.
I headed for The Lodge and was surprised to see one of the girls from the bakery manning the desk. “Hey, Beckett.”
“Hi Jenny. Is Laverne around?” I tapped on the marble-topped check-in desk. Daisies and pink roses exploded out of a pair of vases on either end. It was blissfully quiet save for some dreamy, soothing music being piped through the lobby.
She nodded. “She’s hiding in the Honeycrisp room.” She leaned forward, dropping her voice to little more than a whisper. “Did you see Maple was at the wedding? I mean, wow!”
