Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

J enny strode across the living room and gave Bailey a tight hug. "Are you serious? Of course you wouldn't be dishonoring his memory. My goodness, Bailey. All he wanted was for you and the boys to be happy."

Another hand touched her back and she let Nate's warmth and calming presence wash over her.

"Joe once told me that he liked the idea of the farm because he hoped the two of you would eventually be able to work together. I don't think he would've cared if it'd been here or if you'd bought and run a pizzeria." His voice was gruff. "It was always about spending time with you and the boys."

Jenny leaned back and looked Bailey in the eyes. "As far as keeping Joe's memory alive for Seth and Jordan? You, my friend, are that connection. Not this house or that lamp on the table or even the tire swing outside. You. The stories you'll tell them, pictures you'll show them. You're the one who's going to keep Joe alive for them. And do you know what?" She paused dramatically. "You can do that from anywhere."

Bailey chuckled and swiped at her tears. Heat suffused her cheeks as she cast a glance at Nate. "I'm sorry. I promise I don't normally cry this much." She pressed her hands against her face and willed herself to stop blushing.

"Are you kidding? You're a beautiful person inside and out, no matter what." The words left his lips, and he seemed surprised that he'd spoken them out loud.

Jenny nodded. "I couldn't agree more." She glanced from Nate to Bailey. "You've got to give yourself a little grace, girl. You've earned it." She gave Nate a pointed look.

He dropped his hand from the small of Bailey's back. "Why don't I check on the boys for a few minutes? Make sure they're not getting into too much trouble." He let out a whistle and led the way upstairs, Minnie on his heels.

As soon as he was gone, Jenny placed her hands on Bailey's shoulders. "This isn't just about the farm, is it?"

"What do you mean?" Bailey stepped away to retrieve a tissue from a box on a nearby table. She blew her nose and then grabbed another to swipe at her eyes.

When she turned back, Jenny was standing there, hands on her hips, with an unconvinced look on her face. "I've known you and Nate long enough to see something's shifted. You two are acting differently toward each other. Did something happen?"

Bailey shrugged, but her face must have revealed the truth.

Jenny slapped a hand over her mouth to cover a surprised gasp. "Something did happen. I knew it."

Bailey glanced at the stairs and lowered her voice. "We kissed yesterday. "

Her friend looked excited and then sobered. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly? I don't know. Like you, Nate's one of my best friends. The idea of something ruining that makes me physically sick."

"The fact that you're such good friends is a big plus. Nate knows exactly what you've been going through. He's been there for you and the boys. I mean, as soon as he knew you were in danger, he was ready to do anything in order to keep you guys safe."

"I know." Bailey groaned. "Then there's Joe. We're talking about his best friend here. I should feel horribly guilty for even thinking about this, much less for how I'm starting to feel toward Nate. But I don't. Which makes me feel even worse." She gave a half sob, half laugh. "I'm an absolute mess. Seriously."

"You need to talk to Nate. I guarantee you, he's having similar struggles, wondering if Joe would think he's stealing his girl. Hoping that you don't think less of him for caring about you that way."

Bailey blinked at her friend. "Has he said anything about it to you?"

"No. He's never said a word, but I know him just like I know you." Jenny led the way back to the couch where they both took a seat. "Talk to Nate. Pray about it. Most importantly, leave your heart open to the possibilities. Not just with Nate but with where you want to live and what you want to do. Don't let guilt rob you of the future God wants you to have."

Bailey nodded, her friend's advice beginning to sink in. "I'll think about it. Thank you." She reached over and gave Jenny a hug. "You're a straight shooter. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate that? "

"I'm glad because my mom says that's why I haven't landed a man yet." Jenny laughed, but it was obvious she meant what she said.

"Your mom is a sweet lady, but sometimes I wonder about her."

"You and me both." Jenny gave her another quick hug. "Seriously, I'm going to get out of your hair for a while. Give you a chance to talk to Nate or put your feet up for a while. But you know I'm only a phone call away, right?"

"Yeah. I know. Thanks, my friend."

"You're welcome." She cupped her hands around her mouth and hollered toward the stairs. "I'm heading out, guys. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."

Moments later, it sounded like a herd of elephants were stomping down the stairs. The boys appeared at the bottom, followed by Nate. They all gave Jenny a hug before she left with a smile and a wave.

Bailey closed the door behind her and took in a cleansing breath as Seth and Jordan bounded toward her.

"We're hungry," Seth announced. "And bored. Can we play a game?"

"Or watch TV?" Jordan looked up at her hopefully. "Please?"

Bailey was bone weary. The boys didn't need to just camp out in front of the TV by themselves for hours, but she wasn't sure she was up for a game either. Then she got an idea.

"How about we pop some popcorn and watch a movie? What about Aladdin? That always makes us laugh. And I think we could use a lot of laughing today. What do you think?"

She couldn't stop her smile as the boys jumped up and down with excitement .

"Come on, Jordan. Let's go pick a stuffed animal to watch with us."

The boys hurried back upstairs, leaving Bailey and Nate alone.

Nate smiled, a hint of worry lingering in his eyes. "That's a great idea. If you three need time alone, I can hang out upstairs or even go for a long walk with Minnie."

"You should stay. If you want to, of course. No pressure, no judgment. Not everyone loves Disney movies."

He gave her an amused look. "I don't know. I think only monsters don't like Aladdin. I mean, I'd watch it for Robin Williams' genius if for no other reason." He slipped his hands into his pockets as his expression sobered. "I'm worried about you. Are you okay?"

She nodded, unwilling to talk about it now. "I will be." God willing.

She felt his eyes on her as she walked to the kitchen and started making the popcorn.

Ten minutes later, they each had a bowl, something to drink, and were settled in for the beginning of a movie that Bailey could easily quote from memory. The boys had set up on the floor with pillows and their stuffed animals, leaving the couch for the adults.

Bailey leaned into her corner, propped her feet on the coffee table and exhaled. For the first time all day, she felt completely relaxed. One minute, she was eating popcorn and watching the movie. The next, she was curled on her side on the couch, her head resting on her arm and a blanket draped over her shoulders. It took a moment to remember where she was and what was happening.

When she sat up, she saw that Nate had moved to the floor to sit with the boys, leaving her the couch to nap on.

How long had she been asleep ?

A glance at the TV told her they were in the last fifteen minutes of the movie.

Nate spotted her and moved to join her on the couch again. "I hope you got some rest."

"I did, thank you. I obviously needed it. I don't even remember lying down."

"You've had a rough few days. Besides, I've enjoyed watching with the boys. I didn't realize how much more fun it is to watch movies like this with kids. Helps you see them in a whole new way, doesn't it?"

The movie ended, and Nate turned off the TV. Seth jumped up and ran over to the couch. "Wouldn't it be so cool to find a place full of treasure like the Cave of Wonders?"

Bailey chuckled. "Yes, it would. Very lucrative, too."

"Can we look for treasure tomorrow? Maybe there's more that we haven't found yet?"

"Look for treasure? Where?" Bailey prayed he was talking about Lego bricks or something similar, but worried he was referring to the old barn. If the latter were the case, she was about to squelch that idea. She really wished Seth didn't like the place so much.

"By the sunflower field where the lady found that watch. Maybe there's more."

"I forgot all about that." She sat up straight as all remnants of sleep disappeared. "I'm sure someone just dropped the watch near the field and then couldn't find it again. If there were a treasure, surely we would've noticed it by now."

Seth gave her a look of disbelief. "Then why didn't we see the watch before?"

He wasn't wrong.

"Maybe we can go out in a few days and take a look around." She doubted they'd find anything, but it might be fun to go for a walk and look for treasures even if those treasures ended up being pretty rocks and discarded feathers. In the end, it would be a good adventure for the boys anyway, which was all that mattered.

That seemed to satisfy Seth. "Come on, Jordan. Let's go pretend we're treasure hunters."

They ran off together to play.

Nate looked curious. "Who found the watch? Do you still have it?"

"A customer brought it in. I intended to post something about it on social media, and then everything fell apart. It's in the drawer in the kitchen. I forgot all about it."