Chapter 25

twenty-five

JACKSON FAMILY GROUP CHAT

ANNIE

Soooo… big bro. I didn’t want to bring this up at the morning meeting and mess up “the ritual” but do we need to have a chat about you and Ella?

DEAN

Luke and Ella?

ROSELYN

SAM

You know, things were a little weird last night…

GAbrIELLE

LAST NIGHT?!

SAM

We were helping Ella with vendor lists to send to Charlotte.

GAbrIELLE

We? You and Luke? Anyone else? Why didn’t you call me?

LUKE

You had Lucy, remember?

ROSELYN

The evil step-monster strikes again?

Gabs, they don’t need chaperones.

GAbrIELLE

Forget my previous questions. Let’s get back to why it was weird.

LUKE

It wasn’t weird.

SAM

It was SO weird.

GAbrIELLE

ANNIE

We’ve got five minutes until open, y’all. Spill Luke.

DEAN

Can’t we just move this meeting to the cafe? Fresh donuts.

GAbrIELLE

Some things are more important than donuts!

DEAN

None for you, then.

SAM

Might as well catch everyone up.

GAbrIELLE

Who else knows about this???

VIOLET

GAbrIELLE

LUKE

Things might get weird on the farm today.

GAbrIELLE

Where are you? I’m going to come get an answer face to face.

LUKE

Holly might think Ella and I are dating.

ROSELYN

[Joey from Friends shocked gif]

That’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming.

GAbrIELLE

LUKE BENJAMIN JACKSON TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

ANNIE

[Britney spears confused gif]

SAM

I take it back. This is fun.

VIOLET

Is this a new development?

LUKE

Sorry.

DEAN

This explains the dollhouse.

ROSELYN

What dollhouse?

VIOLET

There was a dollhouse?

ANNIE

A dollhouse you say??

GAbrIELLE

This is the most infuriating group chat I’ve ever been part of.

Why is no one answering any of my questions??

LUKE

Dean is under the influence of fried sugar. Pay no attention.

SAM

… I’d forgotten about the dollhouse.

LUKE

I hate all of you.

ANNIE

As much as I need these details, we really need to focus on the you and Ella dating part.

GAbrIELLE

THANK YOU!

LUKE

It’s fake. Long story. Just… play along. But leave Lucy out of it.

VIOLET

You really didn’t think this through.

ANNIE

Can you try a slighter longer, short version?

SAM

This explains the weird from last night.

ROSELYN

Did Gaby just scream? I heard a scream.

DEAN

Should I be worried? That sounded close.

GAbrIELLE

Only if you know something. Do you know something?

DEAN

I know absolutely nothing.

LUKE

Holly walked up and saw Ella and I at her house. We let her think we’re dating.

DEAN

I think I speak for everyone when I say more context would be golden right now.

SAM

Affirmative.

VIOLET

Seconded.

ROSELYN

Can I write you into a book?

GAbrIELLE

No one cares about your writer’s block right now.

But also yes. I’d read that.

ANNIE

Maybe the long version then? But fast.

LUKE

Does it really matter at this exact minute?

GAbrIELLE

YES!

SAM

Yes.

DEAN

Yeah.

VIOLET

Absolutely.

ROSELYN

The more details the better.

LUKE

You’re not writing us into a book.

Pick Gaby. Give her a beast.

ANNIE

I could see this.

GAbrIELLE

I’m offended right now. I think.

LUKE

If anyone could tame a beast, it would be you.

GAbrIELLE

Flattery will get you nowhere, you big secret keeper. RUDE.

LUKE

Ella came to the farm and told me about the wedding. I wasn’t very nice. She left. Gran yelled. I went to town and found Ella on the side of the road. She almost hit a deer. Messed up her car. She wanted to see her parents’ place, so I took her. Holly saw my truck and came to say hello. She assumed, and Ella went along with it. I took her to dinner after because she hadn’t eaten all day. Charlotte called and yelled at her. Sam and I helped her with vendor lists so she would have them done. Up to speed.

ANNIE

I still have so many questions. But this explains the photos.

LUKE

Photos?

GAbrIELLE

Y’all are on HollowHub!!!

ANNIE

There you go.

LUKE

What kind of photos?

VIOLET

Don’t you have the app?

have no idea why I even asked this.

SAM

You actually look like a pretty convincing couple here.

LUKE

Shut up Mr. Romantic B&B.

SAM

Maybe we can name a room after you two.

LUKE

Stop it.

ROSELYN

I see hues of blue.

ANNIE

And fresh sunflowers in vases.

GAbrIELLE

Books.

SAM

I’ll share the concept note with you when I’m done.

DEAN

How were the brisket nachos?

LUKE

Really good.

GAbrIELLE

You can talk about food later. Why will things get weird later here? Is Ella coming by?

LUKE

She’s supposed to meet Holly and walk around. Talk wedding stuff.

VIOLET

You’re so in over your head.

LUKE

I’m realizing this.

VIOLET

We’ll help.

DEAN

Oh. We will definitely help.

[James Franco winking gif]

LUKE

That’s terrifying.

ROSELYN

No, we will be cool. And helpful.

ANNIE

Are we looping mom and dad in?

SAM

Can we do this every day? I can cancel all my streaming channels. This is way better.

VIOLET

Not helpful Sam.

SAM

It is.

LUKE

If we can keep them out of it for now, that would be nice.

GAbrIELLE

Mom is like a bloodhound for this stuff.

VIOLET

She’s not wrong.

LUKE

Can we please just try??

ANNIE

Alright, enough chitchat. We’re going to be busy. Get to work!

DEAN

You’re a tyrant.

GAbrIELLE

I’ll be back in a little while. Before the first story time.

ROSELYN

What do we use for a codeword for Lucy?

SAM

We don’t need a codeword. Just text and say, come grab Lucy. See? Easy.

ROSELYN

That’s no fun.

DEAN

Little Goose.

VIOLET

Goldilocks.

LUKE

Pick one.

ANNIE

Gaby really left. Dean, watch the cafe until she gets back.

DEAN

SAM

Let us know if you need us.

DEAN

…but limit the PDA.

VIOLET

Did y’all talk about PDA?

LUKE

I. donnt shik we will ends

ROSELYN

Are your fingers in a tangle?

LUKE

I have to work.

ANNIE

Take her in the corn maze.

VIOLET

Holly loves the sunflowers. Take both of them over there. You can make vases to take home.

ROSELYN

Try a picnic in the orchard!

SAM

Don’t forget to smile!

That’s not a very nice selfie.

GAbrIELLE

Siri, play Down Bad by Taylor Swift.