Chapter 6
In between phone calls, Brynn took quick breaks and peeked out of the window to check on Jewel. She’d been standing in the same corner for hours. The dog had startled her. Not all cows liked dogs. Brynn had worried about that with her own cows, but the stray had wormed her way in, especially with Petunia. In fact, she’d made a huge difference to the grieving cow. People said animals weren’t sensitive beings. Those people needed to spend time on a small farm, like hers, and get to know them and their quirks.
Now Brynn witnessed the sweet little Highland cow eating the grass and hay mix Brynn placed there for her. That was a good sign.
A rolling hillside swooped up, over, and behind her backyard field, on the other side of which was the church that had burned down. A group of locals had formed a country church foundation and were raising funds to rebuild the place. And it was coming along.
The house Brynn lived in was the old rectory from years ago. The church hadn’t been active for generations, which was why her friend Nancy bought it, lived in the basement, and planned to renovate it into a farm shop. That didn’t work out and Brynn was still mourning the loss of her good friend Nancy.
Revitalizing the church was a good idea—so much better than living next to an empty building.
A phone call from Wes interrupted her thoughts. “There’s a problem with the shed. There’s no AC, and I specifically asked for it.”
“Can we get it at this late juncture?” Brynn asked, glancing out the window to her grazing cows.
“I hope so. I’ve raised enough of a fuss. But the contestants are bringing their cheese here by tomorrow at noon. They won’t be able to install the AC until tomorrow morning.”
“Can we get a few window units on our own?”
“It’s against the contract.”
“What?”
“Yeah, only the rental company can install window units. Insurance or some excuse like that. Let’s remember this next year and find another company.”
“Absolutely.” Brynn didn’t want to go into the whole rigmarole of trying to find a shed rental company that would even talk about bringing a shed to the Shenandoah Valley. It’d add to the stress of the moment. “Well, let’s hope they mean early in the morning.”
“I’ve told them that. If they don’t, I say we don’t pay the whole rental fee. They’ve screwed this up.”
Brynn agreed. But she also believed in giving people chances. “Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt for now. If they don’t get it done early, I’ll have words with them.”
“I ran into Willow.” Brynn heard the car door open.
She walked over and sat back down at the kitchen table, where her list of cheesemakers sat. Two more calls left on the list. “How is she?”
“Not good. She’s still shaken.” He paused. “I’ve heard strange rumors. Like that Josh had threatened Evan. I can see a father stepping into this situation. But Josh? He’d not intentionally hurt anybody. I don’t get it.”
Brynn thought of her own father during her teenage years. He went a little crazy about the boys visiting the house for her, though there weren’t many. She didn’t date much. She often wondered if she’d dated and gotten serious with someone in high school how her father would have reacted. “Dads can be overprotective.”
“As they should be,” he said. Brynn heard the car door shut, and the car started. “I’m a guy. I know.” He laughed.
“You’re one of the good ones,” Brynn said.
“Thanks.” He laughed even more. “Not sure my parents would agree.”
After they hung up, Brynn called Willow. “You should come over tonight for some of the best tomato sauce I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
“Just tomato sauce?” Willow said.
“Well, no, over pasta. We ate it last night and talk about a foodgasm.”
Willow paused. “Well, who can pass up a foodgasm? Besides, I can use the company tonight.”
“You know you don’t need an invitation, right?” Brynn said with a more serious tone than she meant.
“I know, but . . . I hate to barge in on people. Schuyler’s got the market cornered on that.” She laughed.
“Yes, but you can’t help but love her,” Brynn said. Perhaps she’d invite Schuyler, too. Maybe not. Maybe Willow needed to eat and have a quiet dinner with friends, relaxing. Schuyler would inject another brand of energy. Not that Brynn didn’t love her. But Willow might need some extra care.
“How’s the craft hall shaping up?” Brynn asked.
“Not bad. There are some talented people around here. How do they find the time to quilt and crochet and all of that stuff, let alone do it so well? Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Great,” Brynn said, clicking off.
She remembered the Parmesan cheese she’d had aging in the basement. Tonight would be a perfect night to try it.
She hoped tonight would help Willow forget about the hideous accident she witnessed—even if just for a little while. Good food, wine, a special cheese to go along with it all, along with the relaxing company, should help Willow’s spirits. At least Brynn hoped it would.