Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
She maintained a reluctant-sounding silence for the last several minutes of the drive. After pulling in to the farm’s lane, it was immediately evident that this was a popular event.
“Look at all these cars,” I said, finding a place to park far away from my usual spot by the farm stand. “He’s going to be far too busy for any matchmaking.”
“Well, then, we should help.” With a determined lift to her chin, she exited the car.
I followed, but finding Finn wasn’t going to be easy today. The farm stand was overrun with people jockeying for eggs, berries, and baked goods. Rachel and some of the interns were doing swift business to keep up with the crowd. Outside, people milled around in cheerful clumps. The little covered stage at the bottom of the hill had a three-piece band with a banjo, and people spread out in lawn chairs and on blankets, listening. Beyond the stage, there was a line of grills and white tents with food for sale.
We finally found Finn past the grills, parking a tractor pulling a wagon loaded with families with small children and babies.
“Put us to work,” Mom said as soon as he’d helped the last of the little kids down.
“Are you sure?” He wiped his forehead with a bandanna. He looked beat, and it wasn’t even noon yet. “Because I’m going to take you up on that.”
“Of course.” I nodded, wishing I could do more for him. A few errands was the least of what I owed him. “We want to help.”
“Great. Audrey, we’ve got some activities for kids over by the farm stand that could use another adult helper.” He gestured at a fenced-off area full of squealing kids and tired-but-happy parents. “Old-fashioned hoop-rolling, flag-making, that sort of thing.”
“And me?” I asked as Mom took off for the children’s area with purposeful strides.
“And you.” He gave me a lingering look that was probably illegal in three states, the way it heated me up. “I have plenty of use for you. Later.”
“I’m counting on it.” I was forty-two, but I was blushing like I was fifteen. I needed to get a grip, or it was going to be a very long, sweltering day. “But now? What can I help with?”
“What do you know about ice cream?” He headed back toward the food tents, leaving me to follow.
“It’s delicious, but I seldom indulge.”
“I know.” Finn gave me a pointed look over his shoulder as he led me to a tent under a shady tree. “And I’m not asking you to indulge, just to crank.”
“Crank?”
“You’ll see.” He motioned to a tall, thin man with a very red beard. “Harrison, meet my brother-in-law, Rodney. Rodney, Harrison is going to help you churn. Try not to work him too hard.”
“You have need of his arms later?” Chuckling, Rodney moved so I could see a row of old-fashioned ice cream makers, the kind that ran on rock salt and human power.
“I do. I’m rather fond of all his parts.” Finn winked right at me, answering my internal question of exactly how open he wanted to be.
Rodney rolled his eyes at both of us before showing me how the churning worked. Apparently, the farm flyer’s claim of “hand-churned ice cream” was genuine. Rodney, I, and two of Finn’s older nephews churned away while a pack of kids peppered us with questions. We made it through several batches and had a dwindling supply of ice by the time Finn reappeared. He had three huge bags of ice on his shoulders.
“How’s it going?” he asked as he set the ice down and came over to where I was sitting.
“I can’t feel my fingers, but other than that, this is fun.”
It was. Rodney had been full of stories about Finn’s high school 4-H projects and funny past farm pets, and the kids and all their questions had been a nice distraction too. The weather was perfect—clear blue skies, bright sun, but not too hot and humid. In fact, perfection was everywhere today. All the nice people and picturesque setting. And Finn—he was at the top of the perfection list.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Thank me for putting you to work?” Finn lifted my hand to his lips, brushing his lips over my sore knuckles. “I should be the one thanking you. With my—”
“Finn! We need you!” Rachel’s voice rang out, and he abruptly dropped my hand.
“On my way,” he hollered to her before turning back to me, regret clear in his tired eyes. “Later.”
“It’s okay.” I lightly touched his arm before waving him off. “Duty calls. Later.”
And there would be a later. I’d make sure of it because if anyone deserved some stress relief at the end of what was shaping up to be a long day, it was Finn. He worked so hard for his family and for his community. If I could give him a little escape from all those pressures, then that was exactly what I was going to do for however long I got to have him.