Two

“G enesis, this is Jaxson King,” Clarence explained. “I’m sure you’ve heard the name. His farm is next to Dad’s. When he realized we were Cyrus’s sons, he came over to offer condolences.”

Jaxson reached his hand across the table, trying to figure out why the face he stared into was familiar. “Nice to meet you...Genesis.”

Genesis crossed her arms. “Hi.” And then to her cousin: “I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t stay long. Can we discuss our business—” she glanced over at Jaxson “—privately?”

What in the hell was her problem? She may not have meant to be rude, but she’d nailed the role. Then again, if she was related to the brothers, she’d just lost a family member. Everyone grieved differently. He prepared to slide out of the booth.

Cleo stopped him. “Wait a minute, Jaxson.” He looked at Genesis. “Genesis, this young man may very well need to be part of our discussion. As Clarence said, his farm is next door to Daddy’s place. They sometimes worked together. When Daddy became ill, and since he’s passed, Jaxson has continued to take care of the property.”

Jaxson looked at Genesis, who gazed out the window. Again, he felt a pang of familiarity and began flipping through a mental contacts list, trying to make a connection. If there was one, it wasn’t recent. Since returning to Holy Mound, he’d been very selective. And discreet.

“Jaxson has presented a solution that Clarence and I think will work best for everyone. An option that’s fair, quick, and allows us all to...move ahead with our lives the way...” He paused and cleared his throat. “The way Daddy would have wanted.”

Genesis pulled her eyes from the window and looked at Cleo.

“He’s offered to buy the farm,” Cleo said.

“Fair market price or above,” Clarence added.

Jaxson sat back and observed the confusing exchange. He’d assumed she was a relative, but it sounded as though hers was a legal position. Was she an attorney, maybe the executor of Cyrus’s will? He wanted clarification but remained silent. One thing that decades of playing football had taught him was that better moves were made when one took time to read the field.

“Both Cleo and I have businesses back home, and families. A quick transaction is what’s needed here.”

“You’ve already acknowledged our rightful ownership,” Cleo said. “Except for a minor technicality.”

“I—” Genesis caught herself and clamped her mouth shut. After a calming breath, she looked at Cleo. “This is a family matter, and not a conversation we should be having right now.”

“Why not?”

Jaxson watched Clarence’s cool begin to slip away faster than a running back shaking the corner.

“Why not?” he again demanded, with barely held restraint.

“Because Uncle Cyrus is not yet buried. And the farm is not for sale.”

Whoa! The chill that sister delivered was like a blast from the Arctic. Jaxson almost shivered. Instead, he stood.

“I apologize for causing any upsets. It wasn’t my intention.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Clarence said. He looked at Genesis before standing as well. “Jax, I’d like a word with you, if you don’t mind.”

He did mind.

“Now is not a good time.” Jaxson pulled out a card. “Here’s my number. Let’s speak after the funeral. Cleo. Genesis. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”

Jaxson didn’t wait to hear a response. He knew what a proverbial bullet coming toward him looked like and was glad he’d dodged it. Whatever was happening between Cyrus’s sons and that Genesis lady was none of his business. The last place he wanted to be was in the middle of drama. He’d had enough of that to last two lifetimes. It was why he’d traded in the bright lights of a big city for the peace of a small town. The only thing he missed about Phoenix was his daughter. In a perfect world, she’d be in Holy Mound.

Four years ago, when Jaxson traded the fast life for slow living, Cyrus had become like family. The old man was funny and wise, with the kind of practical common sense that these days wasn’t that common. Reminded him of his grandfather, who’d also been friends with Cyrus before he passed. Which brought his thoughts back to Genesis. Who she was to Cyrus wasn’t his business either. Still, inquiring minds wanted to know.

Jaxson nodded and exchanged waves with a few familiar faces, but instead of heading toward the bar and the burger he’d come for, he walked out the door. Seconds later he stepped into his favorite new toy, a shiny black Dodge Ram pickup with all the bells and whistles. He pulled out his phone, opened a browser and began to type. G-e-n-e ...

The phone vibrated.

Blake Shelton. Jaxson’s friend turned business partner, often teased for sharing a famous name. He briefly considered ignoring the call. Couldn’t. Blake was in Memphis working on a flip. Jaxson had laid the laminated flooring yesterday. He hoped Blake hadn’t run into problems with the granite countertops.

“What’s up, man?”

“The crew canceled.”

“No way.”

“Yep. They were supposed to be here ten minutes ago. Called just now to say they couldn’t get here for another hour. I told them not to bother.”

“Why’d you do that?”

“It’s not the first time they’ve pulled this stunt. But it was their last.”

“Meanwhile, another mortgage payment is due in a couple weeks. We were hoping to avoid paying that.”

“I know. How quickly can you get here, and who can you bring to help?”

For the rest of the afternoon, Genesis was forgotten. Jaxson focused on finishing a kitchen and bathroom in the corner-lot bungalow Blake had gotten as a bank foreclosure. That interested buyers were already lined up made finishing the project ASAP a priority. More than eight hours after getting the phone call while parked in front of Holy Moly, a weary yet satisfied Jaxson stopped at a favorite Chinese spot for takeout, then headed back to Holy Mound. Back home he plated a healthy serving of kung pao beef and veggies, tossed a couple of egg rolls and wontons on the plate and zapped it in the microwave. While waiting, he pulled out his phone. Typed Genesis in the search bar, then realized he didn’t have a last name. He added Perry , Cyrus’s last name. Got a few hits. Facebook. LinkedIn. A sports recruiting website. None of the matches were in Tennessee. None of them were her.

The microwave dinged. Jaxson retrieved the plate, grabbed a cola from the fridge and walked into the large and comfy living room of the farmhouse his grandfather had owned and loved. When renovating it three years ago, he’d decided to keep Dixon King’s country styling and masculine aesthetic. Very different from the flashy lifestyle he’d left behind in Phoenix, but much closer to who he was at his core. He liked it.

He set everything on a wooden TV tray, turned on a sports channel and began eating. Halfway through, he walked back into the kitchen to get his phone. Got back on the hunt for one Ms. Genesis Perry. Or Genesis...somebody. This time, knowing he didn’t remember her from Holy Mound, he added the word Memphis behind Perry . Several options came up. None about her .

Another combination, just Genesis and Memphis . The algorithm changed. Car dealerships. A jewelry store. An insurance company. Jaxson gave up. He finished his meal, hopped in his truck, did a quick check of Cyrus’s farm, fed Cyrus’s dog, Nipsey, then came back and fed his dog, Butch. He tried not to think about Genesis. Honestly couldn’t figure out why she was still on his mind. Sure, she was attractive. He’d dated hundreds of attractive girls. He figured it was her complete and utter lack of interest that sparked his. If she was a relative of Cyrus’s sons, he’d probably see her at the funeral. If not, he’d spent time he couldn’t get back thinking about a woman he might never see again.