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Holly and Sam disappeared inside and Clark whispered in her ear, “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Yeah, you may want to go tell my mother that. She said she’s not coming out to get her greeting from you.”
“Sounds like I’m in trouble. Excuse me.” To her surprise, he kissed her cheek before heading into the house.
Nick’s gaze landed on Merry, his eyebrows raised. “So…when did that happen?”
“Mind your own business, son,” their dad said without looking up from the temperature gauge.
Merry sneered. “Yeah, Nick.”
“Geez, can’t even ask a question around here. I’m going to see what my girl is doing. Have fun turkey watching.”
Left alone with her dad, she hopped up on the porch railing. “About Clark…”
“You don’t need to tell me anything. Like I told him…as long as he treats you with respect, you are adults and can do whatever you want.” Her dad climbed to his feet and lifted the goggles up, his gaze serious. “I’m glad we have a moment to talk.”
Merry swallowed. “About what?”
“It’s gonna be busy tomorrow with the season opening and the big anniversary. I thought you’d like to get up and hang with me for the day. See what I do and help me keep things running smoothly.”
“I’ve helped out on opening day before, Dad. I know it’s all hands on deck.”
“I’m not talking about hauling trees. I want to go over all the projections with you and make sure orders get filled. Oversee things.” He cleared his throat. “I know you weren’t happy when I brought Clark on board and your mom said you might feel like I don’t want you running the farm when I…retire.” He said the last like it tasted bad. “I’m just not ready to admit I’m getting old.”
“You aren’t old, Dad.”
“Tell that to my back in the morning.”
Merry laughed. “I just mean that I’m not going to push you out, but I want you to know that I love this place and I will help you take care of it. That’s all.”
Her dad crossed the porch and hugged her, the rubber of his gloves squeaking as he patted her back. “When did you grow up on me? You and your sister…you have your own lives, and I still see my gangly little girls with missing teeth, playing hide and seek in the trees.” He released her, his voice stern with authority. “Go to bed early tonight. I want you up here at five-thirty for coffee and breakfast.”
“The farm doesn’t open until ten!”
“And there’s a lot that goes into getting it ready, and with this being a big anniversary year, it will be a madhouse. If you don’t want to learn…”
“No, I’ll be here,” she said, hopping down. “Thanks, Dad. And for the record, I still feel like that awkward little girl sometimes.”
Holly poked her head out of the door. “Hey, Mom wants you in here so she can force all of us to share what we’re grateful for.”
Merry groaned. “Seriously?”
“I don’t make the rules. So hurry your butts up.”
Holly closed the door and her dad shrugged.
“Your mother likes all of the sentimental stuff. Best to humor her.”
“It’s just awkward with Sam and Clark here.”
“Why? Aren’t you grateful for them?”
Merry shot her dad a disgruntled look. “Yes. I’m not sure how much to say though. Clark is…well, he hasn’t dated anyone in a long time and I don’t want to scare him off.”
“Honey, I like Clark a lot, but if you pour your heart out to a man, and he runs? He wasn’t the guy for you and I say good riddance.” He pulled his gloved and goggles off, curling his arm around her shoulders with a tight squeeze. “If it’s any consolation, I think Clark will stick around.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
