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“I think it’s a great idea,” Jackie jumped in. “Don’t you, Brent?”
His brother looked less convinced. He rubbed his jaw as he seemed to be considering everything Luke had said. Then he glanced toward his wife and nodded. “I don’t know of anyone locally who sells fresh trees. Usually, we get some from a guy who’s a few towns over. It’s probably one of the smartest ideas you’ve had so far.”
Luke exhaled and laughed. “You like it?”
“I like it,” Brent confirmed. “And I think you’re going to be surprised at how well it’s going to do. Personally, I would have liked it if you would have clued me in from the beginning. I would have shared the investment cost with you.”
A smile spread across Luke’s face. “Really?”
Another nod from Brent and he laughed. “You really have to start being more confident in these family meetings. We’re going to start wondering if your ideas are actually good ones.”
Jackie whacked him in the arm. “Be nice. You know how hard it was for him to get your father’s approval. He died still arguing about how the farm wasn’t a good idea.”
Luke’s focus bounced from Jackie to Brent and back. He wasn’t aware that his life had become pillow talk for these two.
Well, right now it didn’t matter. There was still so much to do in order to prepare for the arrival of the trees next week. Thanksgiving weekend was prime time for selling Christmas trees. “Allie is going to help with the stand and some signs so we can set up at the little market area by my office.”
That statement seemed to capture their interest. “Allie?” Jackie murmured. “As in Molly’s teacher?”
“Yeah. She wanted to volunteer her students for the sake of the charity.”
Jackie looked over at Brent but didn’t comment on why that confession surprised her. “That’s nice of her.”
“I know, right?” Luke got up from the table and gathered his dishes. “I was surprised too.”
“I’m not,” Brent muttered.
Luke shot him a strange look. He had to have misheard his brother, but he wasn’t willing to ask him to repeat himself. At the moment, all he could think about was Allie and telling her how well his conversation with his family had gone.
Calling her seemed so… impersonal.
No, he wanted to share this information in person.
Only there was one problem.
He didn’t have her address.
* * *
“What doyou mean you want her address?” Pippa demanded, her arms crossed. She glanced to her side to watch a waitress take a few plates then stopped them with her hand. “Wait. You’re forgetting the garnish.” She snatched something green and placed it atop the dish the waitress was holding before turning back to him.
The restaurant was in full swing despite being a Sunday evening. Dishes clattered, chefs talked over each other, the kitchen was in uproar. But that didn’t detract from the absolute delectable smells emanating from the pots and pans simmering on the commercial stoves.
Pippa gave him a dark look. What was the problem? He just wanted to visit his friend and tell her how things were going. Yes, he’d seen her yesterday, but he had this need to share his good news and there was no one better than Allie.
“I wanted to pay her a visit and… thank her for meeting with me.”
His sister lifted a brow. “Shemetwith you? As in another parent teacher conference thing? Geez, Luke this is going too far. You’re taking advantage of her.”
He held up his hands and took a step back. “I just wanted to clear the air. I think I offended her.” The way he’d practically accused her of keeping things from him—his tone of voice—he was certain she wasn’t thrilled about how their last conversation had gone.
“Youthink?” Pippa dragged her hand down her face and let out a groan. “You can’t be this dumb.”
“What are you talking about?”
She shot a steely stare at him. “Okay, maybe you are this dumb. Why do you think Allie isn’t married?”
Luke didn’t know what he was expecting her to say next but it wasn’t that. He stilled and his hands dropped listlessly to his sides. “How would I know? She’s your friend. Maybe it’s for the same reasons you’re not married.”
