Chapter 16

Sixteen

H enry

I would have thought our first time together would sap our energy. But after Jane and I wreck each other, the result is the opposite.

Jane and I spend the rest of the day creating signs, building a corn kernel pit for kids to play in, arranging the gift shop to look more appealing, and she even plots out a game for kids involving the corn maze.

We complete it all in a few hours and then we break for lunch. I insist on going up to the house to make us biscuits and gravy with a side of corn on the cob.

“This is the most carbalicious lunch ever and I’m here for it,” she says, loading up her plate at the stove. “My boyfriend is an amazing cook.”

“I’m the whole package,” I say.

Jane slaps me on the ass as she walks past me carrying her plate to the kitchen table.

Chatting, joking, eating together—I let the feeling of having her here in my kitchen wash over me.

But I know the serious talk is just beginning.

“I have to tell you some things about my past. Well, about my uncle’s past.”

She places her hand on my forearm. “I have something to tell you . My nosy neighbor told me about your uncle. And I want you to know whatever it was that happened, you can rest assured it’s not going to change anything about the way I feel about you.”

I tell her the whole story. About the rainforest museum scheme, about how Uncle Howie took all the town’s money to the casino boats, hoping to make up the difference between what the townspeople had donated and what the project demanded up front. He knew the sales tax wasn’t going to bring in cash quickly enough. His gambling scheme backfired, of course. He lost it all and never came clean about it. I only figured it all out after he died.

Jane doesn’t even blink. It’s like she’s used to stories like this one.

I continue, “I don’t have their money; I told them all I don’t have the responsibility to pay them back. If I had deep pockets, maybe I would. But I don’t want those donors to get their hopes up. I wish they could get their money back, but I just don’t have it. I feel guilty about it, but that’s my cross to bear.”

Jane sits up straight and speaks with authority. “I’m very familiar with how this kind of thing works, and I’m only going to say this once: Stop it. You did nothing wrong. You aren’t personally responsible for his debts if his estate didn’t cover them. It sucks for those donors, and it sucks for the town. I feel for everyone involved, but trust me, you did nothing wrong.”

I chew on my biscuit and marvel at the beautiful human being sitting across the table from me. “Thank you,” I say. “I wish there was a way to pay them back. They’re good people.”

Jane nods. “I would expect you to feel that way. The best thing you can do is take care of your own business. People want to go to a corn maze. They want to pick pumpkins. They don’t want to have to drive to the next county for it. You’re hardly in this thing to make money. You’re going to help people make memories and that’s way better than money.”

I laugh. “Let’s not get carried away. Memories don’t put money in the bank.”

“Maybe not, but I have a feeling money doesn’t matter that much to you beyond what it takes to secure your own comfort,” she says.

I sit back in my chair and sip my iced tea, eyeing her over the glass. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” She blinks at me.

“See me.”

She smiles and says, “Because you showed me who you are. Seeing someone is easy when you have love in your heart.”

I sit forward and say, “Don’t say any more. Don’t beat me to the punch, OK? Save the rest for Saturday night. Now go on home and spend some time with Sarah. I got stuff to do.”

Jane looks perplexed. “But there’s more to do. At least let me help you clean up the dishes.”

I shake my head no. “I have a little surprise I want to work on,” he says.

“Oh,” she replies, looking a little sad.

I wrap her up in a hug after she clears the table. “You’re going to like the surprise. Go home, get some rest, and I’ll call you later tonight, OK? I want you to go enjoy the rest of your day with Sarah.”

She only agrees to leave after a little more making out. In the kitchen. On the porch. Against her car. I’m happy to oblige, but I have to summon all my strength to send her away.

First, I need to go sanitize Big Daddy. The statewide pumpkin judge will be here tomorrow.

Then, it’s time to get started on my surprise.