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“Something came up. Where’s Dad?” Merry asked, casually changing the subject as she followed her mother down the hallway and into the kitchen. Butch and Daisy were chasing each other around the living room, a long orange rope hanging from Butch’s jowls.
“Your father went to Twin Falls this morning to get whatever he needs for his weekend project.” She stood on her toes and pulled two cups from the cupboard. “Want some coffee?”
“It’s the afternoon, Mom, you remember?”
“And obviously I need another cup if I’m sleeping the day away.” Victoria snapped the top of the single-cup coffee maker down and pressed a button. “I also have chai, if you prefer. I ordered one of those assortment boxes online.”
“I’ll just take a regular cup of joe.” Merry drummed her fingers over the counter nervously as she added, “I can’t be falling asleep during my date tonight.”
“Ah yes, the mystery date you’re modeling for. Where are the dresses?”
“They’re in my tote.”
Butch ran into the back of Merry’s legs as he raced past.
“Damn it, that hurt!”
“Put them out through the laundry room.”
“I can’t, Daisy will take off.”
“No, she won’t. Nick came over with Pike and Anthony and helped your father put three chain link kennels together so the dogs could have a little yard. It’s only temporary until the ground thaws, but at least this way they aren’t knocking over everything wrestling through the house.”
Merry walked down the hall to the laundry room and opened the back door. Both dogs came barreling through, sniffing along the straw covered ground, the kennels pressed against the house with the open gate where the larger back steps were. A narrowed set of stairs was in its place and she smiled as Daisy grabbed Butch’s rope toy and hopped away playfully.
Merry returned to the kitchen in awe. “I don’t know when Dad found the time. Clark’s been working fourteen-hour days.”
“Clark handles a lot of the invoicing and bookkeeping, so your dad doesn’t have to work long hours at his age, which I appreciate.”
The mention of her father stepping back stung, especially when he’d been so adamant about not being ready. “You know, I told Dad that I want to be trained to run this place, but he doesn’t seem like he wants to give me a chance.”
“It’s not that,” her mother protested. “With Clark, he doesn’t have to give up any control. Your father still questions Clark on things and will double check the books, but Clark takes it all in stride.”
“I’m not controlling! I just want to help,” Merry muttered.
“I know that. Clark does what your dad wants, nothing more or less, because he works for him, but this is your home. This is your future. Would you just do what your dad asked, or would you want to try out some of your ideas to make this place better, the way you’ve done with the festival?”
Merry hesitated, imagining what life would be like if her dad gave her the keys to the farm. It would be like when he taught her to do anything: he’d hover. She could see it in her head. Not because he didn’t believe she could do it but because he was a control freak.
“You may be right, but he’s going to have to accept that I need to learn at some point.”
Victoria squeezed her hand. “If you really want something, Merry, you don’t sit back and wait for it to come to you. You fight to make it happen and you don’t take no for an answer.”
Merry smirked. “My mother wants me to push my stubborn as hell father into retiring?”
“I didn’t say that. Your father will not retire unless he wants to, but at least with you here to really take the helm, I can buy an RV and drag him off on vacation. I want to enjoy being an empty-nester, and when you own a business, you can’t relax and shut down when you’re always worried about what’s happening here.” Her mother handed Merry her coffee with a light chuckle. “We’re not getting any younger.”
“How old are you guys this year?”
“You don’t know how old your parents are?”
Merry held up one hand in defense. “I’m drawing a blank, geez.”
“He’s fifty-three and I’m fifty-one. I want to explore and travel before I can’t hike anymore.”
“Sounds like you’re the one who needs to talk to your husband.”
Victoria threw a kitchen towel at Merry. “Smart-ass.”
