“Is it okay to just leave them like that?”
Ross started the truck. “It’s what he requested. He’ll bury her on the farm.” The muscles in his jaw bunched repetitively. He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles went white.
Elisabeth slid across the seat and buckled up next to him. She placed one arm over his shoulder and rested her head against him.
“You have a hard job,” she said honestly.
“Sometimes.” He kept his eyes trained on the road.
They rode the rest of the way in silence. There was no need to hash out his feelings—she sensed his heartache in every breath. When they arrived back at her house, he was still reserved. He reached for her and held her for a long time.
“I was really glad you were with me. Thank you.” His voice sounded strained.
“But?” She searched his eyes. They were a strange mix of confusion and something else she couldn’t read.
“Your being there made me feel much more than I usually do. It was difficult to remain detached from what I was doing.”
“Ross, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
He pressed his lips to hers. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I just noticed a difference. I hadn’t realized how numb I’d become. You opening me up may even be a good thing.”
After Ross left to get ready for work, Elisabeth checked on the animals and fed Kennedy. Her mother called, and after listening to her talk about the party she’d gone to that weekend, where she’d met a few A-list actors, Elisabeth was getting antsy to get on with her day.
“Mom, I’ve really got to get going. I’ve got a ton of baking to do, but I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Oh, honey. I always have a good time. Before you go, just tell me this. How are you really doing out there all alone? Don’t you want to come back?”
There was something needy in her mother’s tone that made the question feel strange coming from her. “Mom, are you okay? Why do you want me to come back so badly?”
“Tsk. I just hate to think about you out there, wasting your assets in that little town. You should be here, with family. Not out there all alone, living a simple life. Honey, I know you loved Cora. She was my sister, and I loved her, too. But you’re too smart to live a simple life like she did. You’re destined to marry a great man and live a big life.”
That’s what this was all about. She was jealous that Elisabeth had chosen to follow Cora’s life path instead of hers. After the morning she’d had, she didn’t have the energy to try to explain to her mother that living a simple life actually allowed her to live a more fulfilling life. She was happier taking care of the animals and being with Ross than she had ever been in LA, and no amount of fame could replace the joy of seeing Kennedy grow, or walking through the pasture, hearing Rocky crow every morning, or waking up in Ross’s arms. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough words in the English language to convince her mother of those things.
“I know you worry about me, Mom, but I’m happy. I really am.”
She ended the call and baked the orders for the next day, then baked a little something for Kelsey and her grandfather. She was still not sure how she’d gotten a handful of new orders over the weekend, but it brought joy to an otherwise difficult morning.
She spent the next few hours delivering pies. The bell above the door at the Trusty Diner announced her presence, and all eyes turned toward her. Her stomach took a nervous dive. She should be used to sideways glances and whispers by now, or at least expect them, but in the joy of baking, she’d somehow managed to forget that part of her day.
“Elisabeth Nash, what have you done to my Sam?” Margie shoved an order pad into her apron pocket, placed her hands on her hips, and ran a scrutinizing gaze down Elisabeth’s arm to the cooler she was carrying.
“Sam?” Was something wrong with the pies? She quickly ran through the ingredients in her mind. She hoped he wasn’t allergic to something in the raspberry-apricot pie she’d made for him.
“He’s added eight raspberry-apricot pies to our order for the week.” She sidled up to Elisabeth and spoke in a hushed tone. “Did you put something addictive in that pie?”
Oh, thank goodness! Elisabeth tried to contain her excitement. “No, but maybe I should. I’m so glad he liked it.”
“Liked it?” Margie scoffed. “The man took one bite and then hid the pie so no one else could have any. Then he had the nerve to rattle on and on about how delicious it was to the mailman, the bread delivery man, and our dairy supplier, without offering them so much as a bite.”
The day just got a hundred times better.
After delivering the rest of the pies, she stopped by Wynchels’ Farm to pick up more raspberries and apricots. Three of the dogs bounded toward her as she crossed the parking lot. She loved them up, shaking her head at their thick tangles and the dirt they’d already gotten into.
“You guys must be having tons of fun,” she said to them.
“They’re never far from fun, that’s for sure.”
Elisabeth turned at the slow drawl and deep voice. Two men who looked to be in their fifties, wearing cowboy hats, jeans, and boots fell into step beside her.
“Hi,” she said with a smile.
“You’re Cora’s niece? The dog groomer?” the taller of the two men said.
“No, she’s a baker. She took over Cora’s business,” the other man said.
“Actually, I do both. I pamper pets and bake pies.” She held out a hand in greeting. “I’m Elisabeth Nash.”
The men tipped their hats and ignored her hand.
“Well, I don’t know much about pamperin’ no pets, but let me know when you come up with a beer pie. That would catch my attention.” The taller man laughed at his own joke.
“Heck yeah. I’d buy one every weekend,” the other man agreed, before they nodded a goodbye and headed for a truck in the parking lot.
Beer pie. Beer cake. Elisabeth’s mind was spinning. When in Rome…
Inside the barn, she gathered the ingredients she needed for the next few days and set them on the counter.
“Harvey loved the pie,” Wren said without looking at her.
Harvey loved the pie! “I’m so glad.” She handed Wren money to pay for the fruit. “Who’s Harvey?”
“My husband. He says no more bows on the dogs.” Wren gave her the change.
“No more bows. Got it.”
“Can you make me three more?” She glanced up at Elisabeth as she bagged her purchases.
“Three more?” Hope swelled in Elisabeth’s chest.
“Pies. To sell.”
Elisabeth couldn’t stifle the smile that stretched across her lips. “Absolutely. Let me just buy a few more ingredients.” She turned to pick up more fruit and had to squelch the urge to do a fist pump.
On her way home, she stopped at the liquor store and the grocery store. The county fair was the weekend after next, and she wanted to come up with the perfect cake to win over the community.
The last stop she made was at Ross’s clinic. Kelsey wasn’t at her desk when Elisabeth walked in. A plump pug waddled over on a long leash and sniffed Elisabeth’s feet. She had brought the cake she’d baked for Kelsey and her grandfather and set it on the desk before bending down to pet the pup.
“What’s your dog’s name?” she asked the woman holding the leash.
“Wiggles. When he was younger, he wouldn’t sit still.” She smiled and tugged lightly on the leash. “Come on, Wiggles.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind him sniffing me.” She rose to her feet as Kelsey came down the hall with Knight on her heels. Knight bounded over to Elisabeth.
“Oh, hi, Elisabeth. Ross is with a client, but you can wait if you’d like.” Kelsey sat at her desk and eyed the Bundt cake.
“Actually, I just stopped by to see how you were doing.” She loved up Knight and then turned her attention back to Kelsey. “I made this for you and your grandfather.” She set a small gift bag on the counter. “I brought you chamomile tea, too. I don’t know if you and Jim drink tea, but…”
Kelsey smiled up at her. “Thank you. My grandfather loves cake, and I love tea, so this is perfect. I’m going to see him after work. This was really thoughtful of you.”
“I’m really sorry about Gracie. Well, I won’t hold you up. I know you’re busy.” She gave Knight a final few pets and turned to leave.
“Don’t you want to see Ross?” Kelsey asked.
“I will, when he’s off work. I came to see you.” She turned to the woman with the pug. “Enjoy your day with Wiggles.”
ROSS WORKED UNTIL after dark. With the county fair right around the corner, there was a long list of animals to be seen and paperwork to complete. It didn’t matter that he had sent out reminders to his clients sixty days earlier announcing that the fair was coming up and to remember to get their animals checked early. Some clients had taken note, but he found it difficult to teach old farmers new tricks.
Elisabeth had been on his mind all day. They’d exchanged texts during the afternoon, and they made plans for him to stop by after he was done for the day. He did a quick workout, showered, and changed, then loved up the boys and played with them for a few minutes before piling them in the truck and heading over to her place.