Josh stepped out in the early morning light, relieved to see the sun cresting the horizon. If the good weather held, he planned to finish his wheat harvest before the day was through. Anxious to start, he’d been promised extra help since it was a Saturday. As Jake pulled into the driveway, Josh waved a hand in greeting and motioned him into the house.
With the one combine and truck he owned, Josh could complete the harvest over the course of several days, as long as the weather held out. To speed things along, Steve and Clay generously offered the use of a combine, along with three trucks to haul the grain into town to the grain elevator. There, it would be weighed and graded before shipping out to wholesalers.
Josh and Steve would each run a combine while Clay, Jake, and Tyler Johnson drove the trucks. Callan planned to help Jenna prepare food for the men who would be starving by the time they took a break for lunch. Bobbi relished the opportunity to keep Audrey and Emma at her house, so they weren’t underfoot.
One of Jake’s buddies volunteered to drive the fourth truck, but he was unexpectedly called in to work. Desperate for a driver, Josh called his dad and asked if he’d like to drive the truck.
“Boy, would I, Joshie! What a way to spend a day. I haven’t driven a grain truck in years. You might have to give me a refresher course, but I’ll be there in just a bit,” Big Jim said with his characteristic enthusiasm when Josh phoned him that morning. True to his word, he was at their door an hour later, raring to go.
Steve thought they could work in the same field, finish it then move to the next one, so they both started cutting on opposite ends of the field, the trucks falling into line behind the mammoth machines to catch the golden kernels as they spewed out. While one truck filled, the other drove to the grain elevator in town, unloaded and returned.
Mid-morning, Josh’s combine broke down and he tinkered with it hoping it would be a quick fix. Wishful thinking got him nowhere as he worked to find the problem.
Finally, Big Jim got out of his truck and asked Josh a few questions before he started poking around. He spent forty years as a farm equipment mechanic and was one of the best during his working years. Retired for the last ten years, the equipment had changed, but the fundamentals were the same.
“Well, Joshie, looks to me like you just need to get these two wires working together.” Big Jim was oblivious to the cringe crossing Josh’s face when he used the nickname.
His dad had called him Joshie for as long as he could remember and he hated it. Absolutely hated it.
“I assumed that much, Pop, but I can’t exactly bring a soldering iron out here.” Josh tried to keep the irritation out of his voice. Not only was his dad annoying him, he lost precious daylight with the breakdown. “Let me see what I can find in the toolbox,” Josh said, walking around to the other side of the combine and lifting the lid to the toolbox.
Big Jim walked over to his truck and leaned against the side for a few minutes before an idea struck him. He opened the door and pulled out the cigarette lighter. He hustled over to the wires on the combine and fused them together.
“Hah! I knew that would do the trick,” he said, admiring his handiwork. He warmed the lighter up again, just to make sure the wires were good and tight. As he stepped out of the truck with it, he stumbled, dropping the lighter.
“Pop, I think I’m going to have to run to the shop,” Josh said as he walked back around the combine in time to watch his dad stumble and drop the cigarette lighter in the dry, ripe wheat. It immediately sparked and ignited. So surprised by what happened, Big Jim stood watching the tiny flame grow bigger and bigger instead of getting away from the fire.
Josh ran up and tugged his dad back behind him. “Pop, get back!”
By now, the fire was about the size of a campfire. In the dry wheat, the whole field could be aflame in a matter of minutes. Frantic but trying to hold back his panic, Josh pulled his water jug out of the combine and dumped it on the flames. It sputtered then roared back to life.
Yanking a shovel off the combine, he started digging around the fire for all he was worth, dumping the dirt on the flames and trying to keep it from spreading. Big Jim recovered from his initial shock enough that he jumped in the truck and backed it up then pulled out a shovel and began helping Josh throw dirt on the fire.
When Jake pulled into the field on his return trip from town, he barreled out of the truck, grabbed Big Jim’s shovel, and worked with a fury nearly matching Josh’s. By the time they had the fire out, a spot about the size of one of the trucks had burned. The smell was awful and made their eyes water.
Gasping for air, Josh leaned on the shovel and mopped at the sweat running down his face with his arm. What could have been a disaster ended much better than he expected. He was thankful Jake showed up when he did.
Jake bent over trying to catch his breath with his hands on his knees.
Josh reached over and clasped Jake’s shoulder.
“I can’t thank you enough for jumping in to help,” Josh said, hoping Jake knew exactly how grateful he was for his efforts.
“You’re welcome,” Jake said, still waiting for his breathing to return to normal as he grinned up at Josh. “Here you’ve gone and got your pretty face all dirty.”
“Well, you won’t be winning any beauty contests today, either,” Josh teased.
Josh gave Jake another thump on his back then straightened just as Big Jim collapsed on the step of the truck.
Josh ran over to him, followed closely by Jake. “Pop, are you okay? Pop?”
Big Jim’s face looked pale and his skin felt clammy when Josh touched his forehead. Jerking off his ball cap, he fanned it in front of the old man’s face, stirring the air and hoping it would help revive his dad.
“Pop, don’t you do something dramatic. We’ve had enough fun already today.”
“I won’t, Joshie, just need a breather.” Big Jim’s voice came out in a weak whisper, but he opened his eyes and tried to smile reassuringly at his son.
Josh dug his cell phone out of his pocket and called Callan. “Cal, can you come get Pop? We’ve had a little excitement and I think he really needs to go back to the house now.”
“Sure, Josh, is he okay? Do I need to take him to the doctor?” Callan asked, worried.
“No, I think he just overdid and needs to rest.” Josh watched the color return to his dad’s face. “If I asked nicely, would you be game for driving a truck for a while?”
“Um… I… well…” Callan stuttered, then released a sigh. “Just give me a minute and we’ll be there.”
“Bring some water with you, please?” Josh begged before Callan hung up.
Jenna and Callan pulled up in Josh’s pickup a few minutes later. Jake and Josh stood beside Big Jim where he slumped on the truck step. The sight made them both concerned.
“Hey, girls,” Big Jim said when they got out of the pickup. “You missed the show.”
They stared at the scorched spot in the wheat field and looked at Josh, openly curious as to what transpired.
“I’d say we did, Daddy.” Callan held onto her father’s arm to help him balance as they walked to the pickup. “You know, I’ve been wanting to drive this ol’ grain truck and the boys are holding out on me. Would you mind if we traded spots for a while? Jenna and I have lunch all planned, but she could still use your help while I play out here. What do you say?”
“That sounds like a deal to me, sweet daughter. I was about ready for a break anyway,” Big Jim said as he climbed into the passenger side of the pickup. Callan dug out a couple of water jugs, two wet towels, and some sandwich bags filled with cookies.
Jenna leaned near Josh and whispered, “You can fill me in later.” She and Big Jim waved as they took refreshments over to where the rest of the crew worked on the other side of the field before returning to the house.
Jake and Josh both kissed Callan’s cheek when she handed them the cold, wet towels. They wiped the refreshing cloths across their faces and necks, removing soot and dirt. They wasted no time in consuming the water and the cookies before observing Callan’s outfit.
She’d traded her shorts, tank top, and sandals for a pair of Josh’s jeans, one of his shirts, and Jenna’s boots.
Unaware she’d be called into service as a truck driver, Callan dressed to be inside the air-conditioned house. Being a good five inches taller than Jenna and a size or so larger, she couldn’t wear her clothes, even though their feet were the same size. There was no way Callan would drive the truck wearing anything less than jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. She’d seen the men in her family itching like mad from the wheat chaff and dust on numerous occasions.
“Aren’t you the Miss Farmer of the Year fashion plate?” Jake teased, tugging on Callan’s borrowed ball cap.
“Don’t you get lippy with me, buster,” Callan warned, pushing the hat back up. “You can take me like this or I’ll go back to the house.” She studied the ground where there had most certainly been a fire and pointed her hand to it. “What happened?”
“Pop.” Josh ran a hand through his hair, shaking out some of the dirt and soot covering him from head to toe. “I broke down and was digging in the tool box to see what I could find. When I walked back around the combine, Pop stumbled and dropped the cigarette lighter in the wheat. It literally burst into flame. I dumped my water on it and then started shoveling like crazy. Pop was trying to help. He may have had a heart attack if Jake hadn’t jumped in when he did.”
The three of them walked over the charred area and found the cigarette lighter. Josh picked it up in his gloved hand and set it on the dash of the truck. He’d worry about fixing it later.
“You know what the best part of the whole thing is, Cal? He fixed the problem.” Angry at the destruction of the crop his dad almost caused, Josh also felt pride that Pop managed to make the needed repairs.
“Yep, that’s Daddy.” Callan tugged her borrowed jeans up and tightened the belt. “This looks like it’s going to be a very long day, so if you want me to help, let’s get the show on the road. Just so you know, the first load I drive into town, I’m stopping by my house so I can change. Now somebody show me what to do.”
Callan rode with Jake while he filled his truck. He gave her detailed instructions on what to do when she got to town before he turned her loose in the truck Big Jim had been driving. She fell in line behind the combine and did just fine. Before she knew it, her truck was full and she drove down the highway toward town.
She stopped on the way to Tenacity to change, unable to make herself appear in public looking like she was dressed for some hillbilly costume party. When she arrived at the grain elevator, the guys working it were surprised to see her instead of Big Jim. After giving them a brief explanation, they helped her unload and soon had her on her way back to Josh’s.
She and Jake got into a good rhythm of alternating loads. Just when she thought she might die of heat and thirst, Josh declared it time for the noon break.
They sat around the big farm table in the dining room enjoying the air-conditioned coolness of the house as well as a lively lunch conversation. Big Jim was back to his normal jovial self and Jenna seemed to be holding out well. She would have to take a nap before thinking about preparing dinner, though.
Everyone pitched in to do the dishes and Callan suggested they put a roast in the slow cooker so Jenna wouldn’t have to worry about the main dish. That left Jenna free to rest for a few hours. Big Jim sat down in Josh’s recliner and fell asleep.
The crew gathered plenty of cold water bottles and snacks before heading back out. Jenna stood on the porch giving Josh one last hug when they heard Jake yell and watched him fly out of his truck, jumping around excitedly. Clay broke into uproarious laughter, removing his hat and slapping it against his leg.
“Got ya!” he hollered at Jake, pointing a finger his direction.
White as a sheet, Jake glared daggers at Clay. “That is so not funny, man. Not funny and not cool,” Jake grumbled, growing angrier by the second.
Josh walked over to Jake’s truck and spied the rubber snake Clay had wound around the gearshift.
“It’s a little funny.” Unsuccessfully, Josh tried to hide his snickers. Jenna pinched his arm, making him laugh aloud.
“Score!” Clay gave Josh a high-five as he winked at Callan.
“Be warned, you’ve just started a war.” Jake leaned inside the truck and used a screwdriver to dislodge the rubber snake. He tossed it Clay’s direction before climbing in the truck and heading back to the field.
Josh picked up the snake and threw it in the garbage. He knew if Jenna came across it later, she’d scream her head off, forgetting that it was a fake.
As Callan walked out to her truck with Clay, Jenna heard her say, “That was so mean, Clay. Funny, but mean. You know he’s terrified of snakes.”
After everyone left for the fields, Jenna retired to her bedroom for a rest. She awoke from a two-hour nap refreshed and energized. When she wandered out to the kitchen, she spotted Big Jim sitting in the recliner watching television.
“Hi, Pop. Did you get some rest?” she asked, leaning over to kiss his weathered cheek.
“I sure did, honey. Do you need some help in the kitchen? I’m pretty handy at peeling spuds.” Big Jim got out of the recliner with a few creaks and cracks in his joints.
“I’d love some help.” Jenna hooked her arm through his. She enjoyed spending time with Josh’s dad. Although she didn’t know Josh’s mother well, Margo took joy in making cutting remarks and being unpleasant. The woman passed away not too long after she began dating Josh.
Jenna often wondered how Big Jim stayed married to such an unhappy woman for more than fifty years. He was one of the most sincere, kind people she’d ever encountered and he lived to make someone else’s day. However, she did think his name was somewhat misleading. Even with his shoes on, he wasn’t quite as tall as her five-foot six-inches. What he lacked in stature, though, he more than made up for in heart.
“If you can tackle the potatoes, I’ll work on putting together a salad or two, and whip up some biscuits. How does that sound?” she asked as she got out a large bag of potatoes and a big pot.
“Sounds dandy to me.” Big Jim slid onto a barstool and accepted the peeler she handed him.
They kept up a friendly conversation and soon had the meal nearly ready. Big Jim helped her unload the dishwasher from lunch and they set the table for dinner.
“Just think, this time next year, you’ll have two high chairs pulled up to the table,” Big Jim mused as he laid down silverware at each place setting.
Jenna stopped and stared at him. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, but his observation was correct. As she started to look forward to the arrival of the babies, Jenna wondered if they’d be boys for Josh to train in all things farming or girls for her to pamper like princesses. Maybe they’d have one of each. That would be fun.
“You’re right. Next year everything will be different, except you’ll be right here keeping them entertained while I cook.” Jenna smiled at her father-in-law and gently patted him on the back.
“I certainly hope so, honey. I can’t wait to meet these two very special babies.” Big Jim sounded wistful. “You know, I never expected to be blessed with my sweet daughter and Joshie. They were both wonderful surprises. Then when Clay and Callan couldn’t have children, that was a disappointment, but it worked out so well with them adopting Audrey and Emma. Now, you and Joshie are going to give me two more babies to love. I don’t think it can get any better than that, can it?”
“Not when you put it like that, Pop.” Jenna gave him an impulsive hug, surprised by how frail he seemed. She supposed that was to be expected, considering he was eighty.
“Where is everyone? I’m about ready to belly up to another good meal.” Big Jim pushed aside the kitchen curtain so he could look out the window.
“They should be in soon. Josh planned to be done by six so they’ve got a few minutes yet,” Jenna said noticing the clock read a quarter before the hour.
Josh grinned as he watched Jake and Clay pull out of the field to haul the last two loads into town. After climbing down off the combine, he walked over to Steve and shook his hand as he stood next to his own combine.
“I don’t know how to repay you for this.” Josh waved his arm at the newly harvested field. “It would have taken me all week if not longer to get done what we accomplished today. Thank you so much.”
“You’re more than welcome, Josh. You help us all the time. The least we can do is give you a day of our time and a few pieces of equipment to use.”
“I appreciate it, so much. You’ll come have dinner with us, won’t you?”
“You couldn’t keep me away. I heard Callan mention berry pie and Jenna said something about chocolate sheet cake. You don’t think I’d miss that, do you?”
“Nope.” Josh chuckled and turned back to his combine.
By the time they arrived at the house, Callan had washed up, changed her clothes, and helped Jenna put food on the table. Tyler went home since Laken was working the closing shift at her store and he needed to be home with their kids.
Clay and Jake soon arrived and laughed good-naturedly as they strolled in the door. Apparently, hunger chased away the imminent threat of the snake war.
After giving thanks for the meal and the blessings of the day, Josh thanked everyone again for their help. The conversation moved onto the final cutting of hay, school starting, Jake’s new job, and, of course, the upcoming arrival of the twins.
“Have you started thinking of names?” Callan asked Jenna.
“I hadn’t really got around to it yet.” Picking out names hadn’t occurred to Jenna. She needed to start a list of things to accomplish before the arrival of the babies.
Jake laughed. “You only need to pick out boy names. I already told you, we’re having boys.”
Clay slapped Jake on the back and gave him a devilish smile. “We? What’s this we business? I’m pretty sure you weren’t involved, at all, in any part of these babies coming to be.”
Jake turned an annoyed glare at Clay. “Josh and Jenna said the babies could call me Uncle Jake so that makes it my business.”
“Oh, I see.” Clay attempted to look and sound serious as he considered Jake’s statement. “And I suppose you have grand plans of teaching them all about farming and ranching and how to be expert snake handlers.”
Jake let out a long-suffering sigh and leaned around Clay, turning a pleading look to Callan. “Tell me again why you wouldn’t wait to marry me and instead spend your days having to tolerate this joker? Please, tell me why, Callan?”
When Callan and Clay wed, Jake served as their ring bearer. He thought she was marrying him and his little six-year-old heart was broken when he found out she was, in fact, marrying his cousin Clay. It had been a running joke for years between them that she should have waited for Jake to grow up.
Callan let out a wonderful, warm laugh, and winked at Jake. “I couldn’t help myself. This cowboy swept me off my feet and captured my heart completely. What’s a girl to do?”
“Wait for me, that’s what.” Jake feigned an indignant look. He smiled when Callan leaned over and kissed Clay’s cheek, gazing at him with her heart in her eyes. He hoped to find someone to love as completely as Clay and Callan loved each other. Until then, he’d keep himself entertained by trading jokes and barbed comments with Clay.
Josh turned his attention to his sister. “So, Cal, if you ever decide you want to give up your event planning business, I’m still looking for a hired hand.” Josh raised an eyebrow her direction and nodded his head encouragingly.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass. One day in the trenches is more than plenty to suit me.”
“You did a really good job.” Josh’s admiration carried through in his voice. “I appreciate your help.”
“I will deny it if anyone sitting here brings it up again, but it was kind of fun,” Callan said with a pleased smile. “For one day.”
The group laughed and continued eating their meal flavored with animated conversation.
When the dishes were finished and everything put away, Steve drove the combine back to the ranch followed by Clay, Jake, and Josh, each driving a truck. Callan would drive over her car to pick up the girls and Clay while Jenna would take her car to bring back Jake and Josh.
When the other men drove down the lane, Big Jim gave both Callan and Jenna a kiss ready to return to his retirement center in Tenacity.
“Thanks for a great day, girls. Call anytime you need help or someone to liven up the place,” Big Jim teased as he sauntered out to his car.
“Will do, Daddy,” Callan called, waving to him.
“Drive safe, Pop,” Jenna said, watching as he climbed behind the wheel. “Thanks for keeping me company.”
Callan put her arm through Jenna’s and they retreated to Jenna’s sitting area, decorated in soft blue tones with chocolate accents. Josh called it her girlie room, which was fine with her. It meant all things greasy, smelly, and remotely resembling manly men stuff stayed out of her room.
“We’ve got a few minutes to sit and rest before we need to head to the ranch. It’ll take Steve a while to get the combine there and the trucks will stay with him on the drive over,” Callan said as she sat down with two glasses of cold sweet tea.
“I can’t believe Pop set the field on fire.” Jenna couldn’t hide her look of astonishment. “That could have gone so badly. I’m feeling rather blessed, not only by our family and friends, but that things turned out so well.”
“I know what you mean. I really think Daddy is starting to show his age. How did he do in here this afternoon?”
“Oh, fine, I think. I slept for a couple hours after lunch and he must have slept most of that time, too. He helped with dinner and was his usual talkative self. When I hugged him, though, he seemed kind of frail.” Jenna put her feet up on the couch and held the tea glass against her throat. Sometimes she got so hot she thought she might melt.
Callan held up a magazine and fanned her. “I thought the same thing. I guess we’ll have to keep a closer eye on him. He does so well on his own, I forget to pay enough attention to him. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rush of our lives.”
“You aren’t the only one. Maybe we all can take turns checking on him or taking him out to eat, that kind of thing.” Jenna closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze Callan created with the magazine. They were quiet for a few minutes, then Jenna opened her eyes and smiled. “Your arm will fall off if you don’t stop and you worked as hard as the men today.”
Callan returned the magazine to the coffee table and leaned back with a sigh. “Don’t tell the guys, but I wouldn’t want to do that every day for anything. I don’t think I’m ever going to stop itching, my arms are rubbery from trying to steer that old truck, and my hindquarters feel permanently bruised from bouncing around in the field. Driving the truck was kind of fun, but not enough I’d do it every day.”
Jenna laughed. “Cal, you are something else. Josh said you worked just as hard and did as well as any man would have done.”
“That is quite a compliment, coming from my little brother,” Callan said, unable to hide her pleasure at Josh’s praise.
“I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do if you set your mind to it,” Jenna said thoughtfully.
“There are one or two things.” Callan grew somber and quiet, thinking of the babies she would never have and the one she lost. There were definitely some things she could never do, which is why she didn’t let her thoughts linger there and moved on to a different topic. “There are two things I would really like to do for you, if you’d allow me.”
“What’s that?” Jenna sat up, gazing with curiosity at her friend. Callan had that intense look on her face she got whenever she was in the middle of planning something amazing.
“I’d like to help you decorate a nursery for the babies and I want to host a baby shower.” Callan made mental lists of the things they’d need to accomplish before the arrival of the twins.
“Really?” Jenna grabbed Callan’s hand in her own, unable to contain her excitement. “You’d really help me decorate the nursery and throw my baby shower?”
“I’d absolutely love to.”
“Then yes, please!” Jenna beamed, thrilled with Callan’s offers.
“Let me get the girls back in school and then we can start talking about details.” Callan stood and gave a hand to Jenna as she got to her feet. They slowly walked to the back door. “Are you going to find out if you are having boys or girls or one of each?”
“We haven’t decided yet. On one hand, I want to know. On the other hand, I’d like to be surprised. What do you think?” Jenna asked as she opened her car door.
“I think you and Josh should talk about it and decide together,” Callan said with a grin.
“That’s a very diplomatic and not at all helpful answer.” Jenna rolled her eyes and laughed. “See you at the ranch.”
When they arrived at the Matthews’ ranch, Jenna and Callan found the men at the house enjoying a glass of cold lemonade. Emma bounced around between Josh, Clay, and Jake while Audrey sat next to Steve, telling him all about her day spent with Grammy.
“Mama!” Emma yelled as Callan stepped out on the patio, launching herself into her mother’s arms. Callan swung her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “How’s my Sweet Pea? Were you good for Grammy today?”
“Yep, we had a marvelous time.” Emma used her favorite new word. Everything for the last two weeks had been marvelous.
Laughing, Callan set her down. “I’m glad to hear it.”
After draining their glasses and setting them in the kitchen, Josh and Jake thanked Bobbi for the lemonade and walked out to Jenna’s car.
“Babe, I’m beat. Do you mind driving?” Josh asked as he held open the driver’s side door for her.
“I guess not. Are you two going to sit in the back and make me be the chauffeur?” Jenna teased as she slid behind the wheel.
“What a great idea!” Jake hopped into the back seat, sitting as regally as possible in his dusty, sweat and soot streaked clothes.
Josh jumped in on the other side then rapped on the back of the front passenger seat with his knuckles. “Home now, if you please, Jamesette.” Using an arrogant tone, he tipped his nose in the air with a feigned haughty look out the window.
“Jamesette? What kind of a name is that?” Jenna laughed at their antics.
“We can’t very well call you James. Isn’t that what they always say in the movies, ‘home now, James?’ Isn’t the chauffeur always named James?” Josh waved airily to Audrey and Emma as Jenna pulled away from the ranch house, making them break out in giggles as they waved goodbye.
“Right you are, my good man.” Jake affected a British accent and nodded his head in agreement. “Hurry it up please, Jamesette. I’ve got an important engagement this evening. If I don’t make haste, I’ll be unforgivably tardy.”
“And this engagement, for which you can’t be tardy, is her name Bambi, Roxy, or Trixi?” Jenna teased, glancing at Jake in the rear-view mirror.
“None of the above.” Jake’s brows furrowed and he glared at Jenna with indignation. Just because he couldn’t remember his date’s name wasn’t important and beside the point. He didn’t appreciate Jenna’s insinuation about the type of girl he’d be seeing later that evening, even if she’d accurately pegged his date.
“Let me guess - she’s blond and petite with a small vocabulary and large… assets.” Jenna couldn’t help goading Jake. She’d seen him out on dates a few times and it wasn’t hard to picture the type of girl he’d take out.
Openly annoyed, Jake wondered how Jenna knew exactly the type of girl he liked to date. It wasn’t like he ever brought one of his dates to any family gathering. He refused to let her unsettle him with her taunting. “For your information, she is in her third year of college.”
“Oh, that’s great. What school is she attending?” Jenna asked, sincerely interested.
“The community college,” Jake answered, realizing too late the fodder that provided for Josh and Jenna’s tormenting.
Josh laughed aloud. “Three years at a two-year college. That’s great Jake. Sounds like a real Einstein. What’d you say her name is?”
“I… she… never mind,” Jake huffed. He squirmed in his seat, anxious to escape both the teasing and the scrutiny of his friends.
Aware of his irritation, Josh nudged him with his elbow and wiggled his eyebrows, getting a small grin out of Jake.
“If you can give me a minute of your time when we get back to the house before your date with Bambi, I’ll run in and write you a check for today,” Josh said as Jenna turned down their lane.
“No can do, dude.” Jake shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything for today.”
“Jake, we can’t let you do that. You worked too hard to not receive adequate compensation. Besides that, if it wasn’t for you, I might have lost my entire wheat field with Pop and the fire.” Josh didn’t know if Jake fully realized how close they came to the field going up in flames.
“Really, Josh, I won’t take more of your money. The last check you gave me was more than generous. Seriously, dude. That bonus was incredible.” Jake grinned and playfully punched Josh in the arm. “How about if we call it even and the next time I have to run to the rescue, you can pay twice what I’m worth?”
“Deal.” Josh shook Jake’s hand and gave him a grateful smile as Jenna pulled into the garage.
“You’re welcome to come in if you want Jake, but if you hit the ground running for your date, we understand,” Jenna said, parking the car then turning around to glance at him.
Jake leaned over the front seat and pecked her cheek. “Thanks, Jen. I’ll stay for a visit next time. You can give me a list of baby names for my nephews then.”
Jake jumped out of the car and ran to his pickup, creating a cloud of dust as he tore down the driveway and headed back toward town.
“There goes one great kid,” Jenna said as she and Josh watched Jake drive off.
“Yep. One really great kid with terrible taste in women,” Josh observed as they walked inside the house. “But then again, not everyone has my excellent taste.”
Jenna stood on her tiptoes and surprised Josh with a warm kiss. “You do taste pretty excellent.”
He started to pull her into a hug but Jenna twisted free and ran giggling down the hallway, Josh hot on her heels.
“Don’t get your itchy, nasty wheat chaff all over me, Josh Carver. You stay away until you’ve had a shower, or three.”