Chapter 28
Later that evening, Brynn sat down at her computer and drafted a note to all the people who were in the cheese contest. What a failure it was. But it wasn’t in her control, unfortunately. What should she do next year? Have armed guards standing outside of her cheese shed? If that’s what she needed to do in order to have a successful cheese competition, then that’s what she’d do. What an utter and complete disaster. Pangs of disappointment zoomed through her.
Then she wrote an e-mail to Chelsea. A part of her felt bad for luring a sixteen-year-old to her farm on false pretenses. But she had to remind herself this was no normal sixteen-year-old.
But as she wrote the e-mail, she stopped. She’d planned a visit with Chelsea’s father, Josh, to offer her support. Perhaps that would be a better way to bring up the subject. Yes, she’d take the cheese Danish out of the freezer.
“What are you up to?” Becky said, walking into the room. “You’re not supposed to be at the computer.”
“I’m done. I wanted to send e-mails to the cheese contestants.”
“I could’ve done that for you.”
“I know. But here’s something you can do for me. I want to go out to the O’Connor farm. I’m going to offer my support for the family and take them some cheese Danish. You in?”
“Of course,” she said.
“Good. I’ve got cheese Danish in the freezer I want to take along.”
“That’ll cheer them up. As Granny Rose used to say, a little something sweet will turn a sour disposition. Have the charges been dropped?”
“I have no idea.”
As the two readied for their journey, Brynn found herself wondering about Wes and hoping he was getting rest. She imagined he was more upset than he let on. She needed to touch base with him tomorrow. His dad and brother were here seeing to him. But she still was obliged to make sure he was okay. After all, he was more than an employee; he was a friend, and the grandson of one of her dearest friends. A wave of weariness came over her. The concussion, again. When was she going to get better?
One thing at a time, she told herself as she placed the Danish in a plastic container. Really, she was taking care of three things while visiting Josh and his family. Support, Chelsea, and Wes. After all, she was trying to prove his innocence.
Becky came into the kitchen. “Time for your medicine.” She handed her the pills.
Brynn finished what she was doing and downed the pills. “Ready to roll!”
The drive to the O’Connor farm was a feast for the eyes. Because of all the rain, the field held a plump, full bright green color, along with the trees Farmhouses were edged in colorful flowers and the mountains loomed over it all.
The O’Connors were known for their honey, but they also farmed other things. When the sisters pulled up to the O’Connors’ driveway, Brynn was taken with the gorgeous, detailed bee house at the edge of it. She wondered if Samantha Hildebrand had made it.
“Isn’t that sweet?” Becky said, and she turned into the long driveway.
“I love it.”
The house was simple but large: a white clapboard house. Brynn adored the simple designs of the local farmhouses. A red barn sat in the distance.
Becky parked the car and the two sisters exited the vehicle and made their way down the daylily-lined sidewalk to the front porch. Brynn rang the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door creaked open. “Brynn?” As the door swung open farther, Josh stood there looking almost like another person. He’d lost weight and gained some gray hair. His wrinkles were pronounced and dark circles surrounded his eyes.
Brynn forced a smile. “Hey, Josh. Brought you some Danish.”
He grinned. “Well, well. Come on in. Hannah? Brynn’s here.”
His wife, Hannah, showed up and led them into the well-kept living room, with photos of their children on the walls, along with religious paintings.
“Please sit down,” Josh said.
Brynn handed Hannah the container of Danish.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll put this in the kitchen.”
“How are you doing, Brynn? I heard about the concussion, about Wes getting shot.”
Brynn was touched he’d ask about her when his own troubles were looming. “I’ll be okay. This is Becky, my sister. She’s been taking good care of me.”
“Nice to meet you, Becky. Can we get you-all something to drink?” he asked.
“No, thank you. I wanted to stop by and see how you’re doing, offer my support. If there’s anything I can do . . .”
He frowned. “Thank you, Brynn. I think things are going to work out with the lawsuit and everything.” He turned to look at Hannah as she walked in. “But I still can’t make sense of it . . . and I killed that boy.” His voice cracked.
“But you didn’t mean to,” Hannah said, sitting down next to him on the couch. “Accidents happen.”
“I know, but I swear it was as if the tractor was being controlled by someone else.”
For some reason, Brynn remembered the remote cars she and Becky had as girls. “You mean it might have been controlled remotely?”
“Yes, precisely. I know it doesn’t make any sense. But I had it in drive and the damned thing kept reversing and turning.” His face grew pink. “I know it sounds crazy.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Hannah said. “All of these new tractors are sophisticated computers. So when they break, or something’s wrong with them, things go wacky. They’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure they will,” Brynn said. “These days, I’m almost afraid to use the computer. We were hacked with something called ransom ware.”
“Us too!” Josh said. “We were talking about that. We had to get Charlie out here to fix our computer.”
Brynn nodded. “That’s one busy guy.”
Hannah sat forward. “Isn’t it strange? Technology is supposed to help us, to make our lives easier. I swear sometimes it would be better to go completely off the grid.”
Just then Chelsea came into the room. “I’m heading out,” she said.
“Wait,” Josh said. “Have you met Brynn? And this is her sister Becky.”
She smiled. “Hey good to meet you.” She gave a little wave.
“Actually, you’re part of the reason we’re here,” Brynn said.
Chelsea suddenly looked like a doe caught in headlights.
“Me?”
“Yes, and I’m glad your parents are right here because what I have to say is something you should consider together.”
“I really have to run,” she said. “Just talk to them. I’m sure whatever it is—”
“Sit down, Chelsea,” her dad said, and she complied.
Brynn cleared her throat. “It’s an idea we’ve been kicking around at Buttermilk Creek. We’re considering hiring a spokesmodel. And Chelsea was homecoming queen and has won some other contests. She really does have that . . . fresh appeal we want to give off, to have associated with our products.”
Silence permeated the room.
“Well, please think about it. And Chelsea, I’d love it if you came out to the farm. I could show you around and get to know you. It’s not a done deal yet, simply something we’re thinking about.”
“Well, thank you for all your kind words and thanks for considering me.” She seemed genuine and maybe embarrassed. Brynn felt a pang of guilt for every bad thing she’d thought about the young woman. And for manipulating the situation. It wasn’t like her at all, which spoke of her desperation.
“I don’t know,” Josh said. “She’s busy with school.”
“It’s true,” Hannah chimed in.
“Okay, well, it’s something to consider. The invitation stands.”
As Brynn and Becky took their leave, Brynn sensed she’d stepped into something she hadn’t quite counted on.