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I breathe in.
I’ve scheduled some time with Dad. After talking at length with Uncle Talon and finding out he’s thrilled for me to be on board, I knew it was time.
I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Maddie was not on a date with another guy, I tell myself. And she has exciting news.
Embrace the excitement for her. It will help you get your mind off your own damned problems.
Even though I know I don’t have any problems. Uncle Joe is the one with the problem, and damn… He’s not just my uncle. He’s Brock’s father. And Brock is closer to me than my own brother is.
I draw in another breath.
Time to focus on the task at hand, see Donny and Callie, get these damned new deeds recorded.
And then…my father.
I stand at the door to my father’s office for a solid five minutes before I finally gather up enough courage to knock.
“Come in.”
I open the door slowly. The hinges squeak.
Dad looks up and smiles. “Dave. How are you doing?”
I stand in the doorway. “Not bad.” I clear my throat.
Dad gestures to one of the burgundy plush wingback chairs facing his desk. “Take a seat, won’t you?”
I nod and slowly sit down in the chair.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
It should be easy to say. I want to change careers, Dad. I want to work with Uncle Talon and Brianna in the orchards.
And then he’ll burst into tears, asking me how I could do this to him right as he’s about to lose his best friend to brain cancer.
I swallow. My dad won’t do that. I’m just imagining the worst possible scenario.
“So, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been a little…off since returning to the States.”
Dad clasps his hands together on his desk and nods. “Of course. We’ve all been affected by Joe’s news, and I know you were still a little shaken from that trouble on the plane to Paris.”
I take a deep breath in. “Yes. And I’ve had a hard time readjusting to work since getting back. But last week, a thought struck me. I called Brianna and asked if she could use any help in the orchards that day.”
Dad cocks his head. “You worked in the orchards?”
I nod. “Surprised the hell out of me. But for some reason, in that moment, I was craving manual labor, and by a twist of fate, Bree was working outside because one of her foremen called in sick. I needed something physical to help my mind iron out some of the kinks. And the weird thing was that it worked, Dad.”
Dad strokes his chin. “The mind and body are one and the same, so that makes sense on a certain level.” He looks over at me. “But why did you need to tell me this, Dave? Surely you’re leading up to something.”
I run my hands through my hair. “Yeah, Dad, I am. When I was working with Brianna, everything just fell into place. Several hours passed, and I didn’t even realize it until the sun started to set.”
Dad frowns but doesn’t say anything.
“And it got me thinking,” I go on, “that maybe that is what I should be doing for the family business. Working in the orchards, doing the work, getting my hands dirty. Instead of sitting behind a computer screen all day.”
Dad narrows his gaze. “Are you saying that what I do isn’t noble work?”
I put my hands up in front of me. “Of course not, Dad. It’s just… I don’t think it’s how I want to spend my life. Anyone in the family can do what I do, and they can do it better. But I think I can make a real difference in the orchard, especially once Uncle Talon decides to hang up his hat for good.”
