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J.T. smiled. “Yeah, Dad. It’s just really good to have you home.”
Chapter twenty-three
"I don't think Mr. Goose is very happy."
Genny had a small section of property on the ranch where she raised chickens, ducks, and geese, along with a few interesting birds such as pheasants, peacocks, and Guiney hens. She also had four ostriches. She sold the various eggs year-round, and sold hatchlings in the spring. She made a pretty good living from it. Not that she needed a side income. She was a full partner with Jake in the ranch. Jacob signed it over to them eight years ago, even though he was still actively involved in the daily operations. Up until two months ago, that is. She contributed to the operation by taking care of the books. It was something both Jacob and Jake were happy to have her do. She’d convinced the men they should invest in a new breed of cow that was proving to be profitable. And they were currently in negotiation for the ten thousand acres bordering the left side of their property. It was mostly grassland and would allow them toincrease their herd further.
Genny had asked Jake to come with her to a woman on the outskirts of town who was looking for a home for her two mated Canadian geese. Never one to turn down birds, Genny rushed right over. She was affectionately known in the area as the bird lady. If you were in the market for birds or had some to get rid of, you called Genny O’Connell.
They were headed back to the ranch with the two geese and six bantam hens. The hens were something the woman offered at the last minute.
As they drove through town, Genny pointed at the grocery store as they approached it. “Pull over. I need to see if Brady has any trimmings for me.”
John pulled in front of Miller’s Grocers and turned off the truck. “I’ll wait here.” He’d only been back a few days, but word had gotten out and Jake was tired of fending off questions he couldn’t answer. He’d been staying home as much as possible, but Genny wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He knew she was just trying to get him past his hermit stage. But under the circumstances he liked being a hermit. He was feeling disoriented and home was the only place he felt comfortable. Although, even there he felt like he was missing something.
“No. Come in with me. I might need you to carry a box for me.”
“What about the birds?”
“The birds are fine, Jake.”
They left the truck and entered the grocery store. As they headed for the produce section, John stopped at the cookie aisle. “Hold up.”
“This is the cookie aisle.”
“I know. I need to find something.” He turned down the aisle and started searching through the dozens of packaged cookies.
“What are you looking for?”
“Chocolate chip cookies.”
“Jake. I’ll make you some. Since when do you eat packaged cookies?”
“Just give me a minute.” He wasn’t sure what he was looking for. But he was pretty sure he’d know it when and if he saw it.
Genny watched him for a moment. “Jake, honey. What’s this about?”
He glanced at her. “I don’t know. I…” He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to think. Trying to pull up whatever was eluding him. He shook his head and opened his eyes. “Dammit. This is so frustrating.”
“You don’t see it?”
“I don’t know if I see it or not, Gen. I don’t know what the hell I’m looking for.” He took a breath and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’m just really…. exasperated.”
She took his arm. “How can I help?”
“You can’t. No one can. It’s either going to come back to me or it’s not.”
“Do you want some cookies?”
“No. It’s not about the cookies. Come on. Let’s go get your produce.”
They left the cookie aisle and continued to the produce section. Brady Miller had run the department for the last twenty-five years. He and his brother Rory owned the store passed down from their father.
Genny and Jake grew up with Brady and Rory, though the Millers were two and four years older, respectively.
When Brady saw them, he smiled. “Afternoon.” He shook with Jake. “Glad you found your way home.”
“Yeah. Apparently, it was a long road.”
