Chapter 4

Chapter Four

W hat Bailey really needed was a calm afternoon followed by an uneventful evening so she could get a decent night's sleep. Instead, she'd had a difficult time falling asleep, only to be awakened an hour later by a thunderstorm rolling through. There was no tornado activity, but the lightning and thunder were enough to keep her awake. How the boys slept through all that noise, she'd never know.

Once the storm passed, she kept hearing noises outside; her imagination kept playing tricks on her. She'd close her eyes and picture someone sneaking around outside the house. Finally, she checked the windows to make sure they were locked and saw where the rain was dripping onto the windowsill, causing the sounds she'd heard.

It was nearly four in the morning before she finally fell asleep again. The six o'clock alarm sounded way sooner than she was ready for. Two cups of coffee later, and at least she could pretend to feel human again.

"I don't see them anywhere." Seth's voice was laced with disappointment and worry .

Bailey's heart clenched at the sound. They had taken care of Poppy and made sure she was medicated and set for the morning. They'd also fed the ducks and finished their morning chores. Now, they were driving around hoping to spot Pansy and Petunia before opening the country store.

"I don't see them either, sweetie. We might not find them."

"What if a wild animal hurts them?"

Bailey glanced in the rearview mirror to see that Seth's words had brought tears to Jordan's eyes. They'd lost a couple of ducks to coyotes in the past, so the boys weren't unfamiliar with the possibility.

"If they're out there running around, that might happen. But it's also possible that the person who ruined the gate took them. They were so cute. Maybe they sold them to someone else who loves them and is taking care of them."

Another look in the mirror told her Seth wasn't convinced.

"Maybe their new owners are letting them live inside and making them a salad every night for dinner." She hoped the possibility might take some of the sting out. Or at least help the boys focus on something besides the idea that the poor goats were lying somewhere injured or dead.

Seth met her gaze in the mirror. "That person can't love them like we do."

And there it was.

Bailey blinked back the tears that sprang to her eyes. They had a long, busy day ahead of them. She couldn't afford to start crying already.

Thompson Family Farm was only open to the public two days a week, but Fridays and Saturdays were usually packed with people looking for gifts and unique items at the store or one of their homegrown gourds or pumpkins for fall decoration.

One of the biggest draws, however, was the large sunflower field. She and Joe had planted it the year before he died. Everyone loved it, and that included Bailey. There was just something about row after row of bright, cheerful flowers that made her heart feel lighter.

The sunflower field was not only a great place for portraits, but people could pick some for a small fee and take them home if they wanted to.

"All right, let's head to the store. We'll drive around again this evening. Don't forget, we have flyers to hand out. Hopefully, one of the customers will spot them." She wasn't sure how likely that was, but today, they all needed hope and encouragement.

Bailey handed a printed receipt to her customer along with a flyer about the missing goats and smiled. "I hope you all have fun. Don't forget to take advantage of our photo wall. Feel free to tag us on social media if you post any pictures."

"We will. Thank you." The customer gave a wave as she corralled her three kids and ushered them out of the little country store. The door had barely closed when someone else came in.

"Sure is busy today." Rachel Carmichael, the store manager, turned to flash a smile.

The woman was in her sixties and had started working for Bailey two years ago. It was such a blessing to have her help because there was no way Bailey could keep up with everything and still watch her sons.

She glanced over at the child-sized table not far away. Jordan was happily putting a puzzle together. He was content for now, but she knew that would only last so long. There was a small box full of things to play with and do that sat near the table. Hopefully, Jordan would find something else to do when the puzzle no longer held his interest. Meanwhile, Seth was standing at the door and handing shopping baskets to customers as they came in.

Bailey rang up another customer. When there was a break in the crowd, she wiped her hands off on her jeans and turned to Rachel. "Super busy. I think everyone's excited for fall, even if the weather hasn't caught on yet."

It was the middle of September in Destiny, Texas. Temperatures were still in the low nineties most days, but the nights were getting cooler.

The fall produce was ready, and customers seemed excited about the colorful gourds and pumpkins to choose from. In addition to that, the store stocked a variety of Texas-made products, from jams and jellies to toys and candies.

The farm—and its customer base—had grown a great deal since she and Joe first opened it to the public four years ago. This had all been Joe's dream. His hope was to get it established and slowly expand so that, one day, he could retire from the police department, and they could run the farm together every day.

A pang of sadness hit, and Bailey did her best to acknowledge it and then push it back down. It was strange how the grief could punch through at the strangest of times.

Joe would be happy with how the farm was doing but disappointed that it hadn't grown. After losing Joe and managing the boys on her own, Bailey hadn't been up to expanding anything.

She was finally entertaining the possibility. If they started work in November after the fall season was over, they might be able to open up the new area to the public in the spring. It was a thought, anyway. She was still in the information gathering process for now.

Rachel ran her fingers through her close-cropped gray hair. The older woman had kept the same hairstyle for as long as Bailey had known her.

Rachel always seemed younger than her years, and she related well to the customers. If Bailey was ever able to open the farm to the public more often, would Rachel be willing to work the extra days at that point? She decided to test the waters.

"I've been wondering lately what it would take to bring in enough people to open to the public more than twice a week."

The older woman's brows rose. "Are you finally thinking about expanding? I know you and Joe were considering it, but you haven't mentioned it since…" She gave Bailey a worried look. "I know it hasn't been easy."

Bailey shrugged. No, it hadn't, but life continued to march forward. "I've been thinking about it. Considering the options."

Rachel nodded slowly. "Well, you know I'm happy to help. I love being out here. I'm sure I could work more days into my schedule when the time comes." She smiled sadly. "I only worry about you taking on more than you need to."

"I appreciate that. Thank you."

"Mommy? I'm hungry." Jordan looked up at her, his face serious.

Bailey checked her watch. "I'll get you some lunch in about twenty minutes." She and the boys took the early lunch break. Then Rachel took the later one.

Fridays were busy, but nothing like Saturdays. To help manage the crowds on Saturdays, Bailey employed several teenagers.

Jordan wrapped his arms around his middle. "But I'm starving!"

"And you'll live for twenty more minutes. Why don't you finish your puzzle and then clean up your crayons? That way, you'll be ready to go when it's time to eat."

The little boy clearly saw through the diversion but refocused on his puzzle anyway.

"Nate!" Seth's excited voice drew Bailey's attention to the door.

Nate had walked into the store, a large bag in one hand. He scooped Seth up with the other. "Hey, kiddo. You helping your mom?"

"Yep. Been handing baskets to customers and cleaning up."

"Good man." Nate set him down and turned to catch Jordan, who had run across the store and thrown himself at him. "Good to see you, too, buddy."

Jordan's arms tightened around Nate's neck, their faces close together. "I'm hungry."

Nate chuckled. "It'll be time for lunch soon." He gave the boy a wink.

With a sigh, Jordan scrambled down and went to pick up his crayons.

Bailey rested her hands on her hips. "I promise I fed them this morning."

Rachel chuckled. "Not to mention all the snacks I've seen them eat." She smiled at Nate. "Good to see you. It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has. I wanted to bring some sandwiches by. I have plenty if you'd like one, Rachel. Turkey and Swiss or ham and cheddar? "

Rachel's eyes brightened at the thought. "You sure you have enough?"

"Absolutely."

Nate set the bag on the counter and was digging through the sandwiches when someone came in through the main door. The man, who looked all business in a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt, took his sunglasses off and tucked them into a pocket on the front of his shirt.

Seth brightened and ran to hand the man a basket but was ignored completely.

Instead, the man took in the store with a critical eye. "I'm looking for Bailey Thompson."