Dandelions for Dinner (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 4)

by Valerie Comer

  Brent couldn’t help the grin. He’d bet someone besides Allison had picked those out. “Hey, squirt. Looks like you got the cast off your arm. Is it feeling okay? How are you and Rover doing these days?”

  The boy’s gaze shifted to Brent’s face for a moment before looking down. The red shoe scuffed the dirt.

  “Is Maddie your friend?” Brent asked softly.

  A tiny nod.

  “And the cats?”

  A bit bigger nod.

  “Where’s Auntie Allison? And Auntie Jo?”

  Finnley’s little shoulder rose slightly and fell.

  Brent’s arms craved to press that little body close against his own. To soothe away the pain in the deep brown eyes. His son. How could Mallory have ruined this boy’s life?

  How could Brent have ever participated in creating a child with someone he barely knew?

  He forced his gaze back to Madelynn then stood, taking the toddler’s hand in one of his. “Let’s go find your mother. I bet she’s wondering where you are.” He reached for Finnley, but the boy shifted just out of easy reach and didn’t seem to notice.

  Brent would bet Finnley noticed everything. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go.”

  * * *

  “Madelynn Grace Nemesek!” yelled Jo.

  Beside her, Allison’s guts froze solid. Those children better have stayed together. What if Finnley hadn’t kept up? What if something else caught his attention?

  There was no point in hollering for her nephew. He’d never answer if she did. In two weeks, the most animation she’d seen was how he held the kitten tight and watched Maddie.

  Kitten. Jane Eyre and her troop were nowhere to be seen.

  Allison hurried after Jo. “Do you think they followed the cats? Where does Jane Eyre consider home?”

  Jo set her jaw and shook her head. “There’s a box on our deck stuffed with old rags. Let’s check. I can’t believe Maddie disappeared out of my sight.”

  Allison couldn’t believe she and Jo hadn’t heard the deafening silence. She’d counted on Maddie. To what? Babysit a boy two years her elder? If Jason Wong ever heard about this he’d know Allison wasn’t fit to have custody of her nephew.

  She swallowed her panic — again — and jogged after Jo. Maybe they should split up. Would that give them a better chance of finding the children quickly? After they’d checked Jo’s deck. Then they’d need to get help. Call Claire and Noel. Get Zach home from the veterinary clinic. Brent would help. And his guys, probably. There were hours until dark, but the mountain was huge and the nights still dipped below freezing.

  Brent. He’d know, too, that she was irresponsible. Whatever went through his mind about her would be even worse. She still didn’t know what she’d done wrong, but it had been a good thing he’d pulled back. She needed to focus on Finnley. To remember her vows about not getting involved with a man. She hadn’t expected to ache to see him. Hadn’t expected Jo to tell her that men weren’t perfect, and it was worth it anyway.

  Jo hadn’t stopped calling, but this time there was an answer.

  “They’re right here!”

  Brent’s voice. There wasn’t enough air in the entire outdoors to breathe as he neared. Allison could hear Maddie’s high-pitched chatter now. What about her nephew? No, Brent had spoken in plural. Finnley must be there too.

  She took off at a run behind Jo on the footpath, shorter than the gravel driveway that followed a longer, shallower grade.

  Jo dropped to her knees and Allison nearly ran her over.

  “Madelynn Grace!” Jo grabbed the child and crushed her to her chest. “Don’t run off without telling Mama. Auntie Allison and I were so worried about you and Finnley.”

  “Tell Mama?”

  But Allison only had eyes for the man and the boy standing side by side only an arm’s length apart. Both regarded her with dark brown eyes beneath a shock of straight black hair. No wonder Brent knew the boy’s nationality at a glance. The resemblance between them was remarkable.

  Allison crouched on the path a few feet from her nephew and held out her hand. “Finnley? I was worried about you.”

  Behind her, Jo went on and on, trying to get through to Maddie, who kept saying, “Jane Eyre? Kitty?”

  “They followed the cats up here.”

  Allison looked up into Brent’s eyes. A woman could get lost in those deep, dark pools. She blinked. “I’m glad you found them.”

  Brent reached over and gave Finnley’s shoulder a little nudge with the hard hat in his hand. “The little man is sorry he ran off. Aren’t you, Finnley?”

  Her nephew glanced at Brent then over at her before staring down at his red shoe poking in the dirt. He nodded slightly.

  If only she could gather him in her arms like Jo had done with Maddie, but didn’t he have to make the first move? She’d held out her hand, and he’d only ignored it. Allison swallowed hard. If she were lucky, it would happen before he turned into a sulky teenager. She had time.

  She stood and patted Finnley’s shoulder. He slouched from her touch. “Well, thanks, Brent.”

  “I just saw them a minute ago, out the window.” Brent’s eyes kept their focus on Allison’s face. “Following the cat. I got them turned around to bring them back to the farm.”

  Allison’s shoulders warmed with the memory of the times he’d held her. Her forehead remembered his light kiss. Why on earth did she respond to this guy? But more to the point, why had he been avoiding her the past week? Everything in his eyes, his mannerisms, told her it wasn’t because he didn’t care anymore.

  For the one million, eight hundred and forty-five thousandth time, she racked her brain over what had happened that day in the big house. When he’d started the day carefree, grinning, and winking at her then turned into a cold, distant stranger. Almost as still and unrelenting as Finnley.

  A thought flickered through her mind, but she dismissed it. What did she really know about Korean culture? It might all be just part of their heritage. A bit stoic. Finnley certainly had reason enough to learn to hide in plain sight, to avoid being touched.

  What had happened to Brent?

  Expressions she couldn’t quite catch flickered across his face, through his eyes. Then he set the hard hat back on his head and nodded. “Glad it ended well.” He turned and strode back up the path.

  Finnley watched him go. Then his mouth quivered, and he glanced at Allison.

  Whatever that was supposed to mean. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go home. It’s almost time for lunch, and then Maddie gets a nap.”

  “No sleep. I be happy.”

  Jo chuckled and swept her daughter into her arms. “You need a nap anyway, kiddo. And so does Mama. Auntie Sierra made soup for lunch, so let’s go get some.”

  Maddie wiggled to get down. “Biscuits?”

  “Probably.”

  Allison winced as the toddler ran down the path, nearly tripping over a root but recovering her balance in time. Finnley followed Madelynn at a more sedate pace, while Allison and Jo brought up the rear.

  “Something is definitely up with Brent.” Jo glanced over at Allison. “You can deny it all you want, but I’m not blind or stupid.”

  Did everything have to be on public display at Green Acres Farm? No wonder Sierra had kept her cancer scare to herself last fall. Once the others got wind of any hint of a juicy tidbit, they were as relentless as hounds.

  If she thought there was a chance Jo could figure things out, she’d be all over dumping the details on her. But there was nothing to go on.

  Allison shrugged. “It doesn’t much matter in the end.” Not if he kept avoiding her. Closing her out.

  Or were there clues? Puzzle pieces she could put together if she only knew what the resultant picture was supposed to look like? She’d turn the thoughts off if only she could, but it didn’t seem possible. Her brain was going to worry those pieces around, testing a bazillion ways to fit them together, without any conscious effort on her part. Whether she wanted to or not.

/>   Chapter 18

  “Nice to meet you again, Allison. How are you settling in?”

  It amazed her that Gabe Rubachuk had presence of mind for anyone besides Sierra. After all, they were engaged to be married in just eight weeks, and he’d been away at college for several months. Plus the guy had driven all night to surprise Sierra by arriving early.

  “Doing fine, thanks.” She offered him a smile. She’d been here for two full months herself, and she really was doing fine. It amazed her to realize it, remembering the first few weeks and how hemmed in she’d felt. “I’d like you to meet my nephew, Finnley.”

  Gabe crouched to her nephew’s eye level, dragging Sierra down with him. She hadn’t let go of him since he’d driven up to the duplex. “Hi Finnley. I’m Gabe.”

  “Uncle Gabe,” Sierra corrected.

  He grinned, shaking his head. “I kind of like the sound of that. Do you like it here at the farm, Finnley?”

  The little guy gave a tiny nod but didn’t look up.

  Rover seemed to have disappeared, and Allison hadn’t brought up the subject. Other than Finnley’s reluctance to speak or be touched, he seemed okay. He even tolerated Domino so long as the Border collie kept his distance.

  Gabe didn’t give up. “What do you like best?”

  Finnley peeked at the man. “Kittens,” he whispered.

  “Really? There are kittens? Can you show me?”

  Finnley’s head twitched affirmatively.

  If Sierra didn’t have that guy all wrapped up, Allison would be tempted to snag him for herself. Finnley needed a man around who treated him with this much respect. Having Gabe for an uncle would be the next best thing.

  Who was she kidding? She didn’t want a man. Not for herself. Just for her nephew.

  Unless he happened to be Brent Callahan, whom she hadn’t seen since the children had wandered up to the building site several days ago.

  Gabe kissed Sierra and released her, turning to Finnley. “Come on. Show me the kittens. Do they have names?”

  Finnley glanced up at Allison, and she nodded permission for him to leave her side. He went off, Gabe at his heels. “Jane Eyre,” he said softly.

  Sierra linked her arm through Allison’s. “Whoa. Isn’t he great with kids?”

  And Sierra had severe endometriosis and would likely never conceive. Allison patted Sierra’s hand. “Thanks for sharing.”

  Sierra chuckled. “It only goes so far.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Allison pulled away.

  “It was a joke.” Sierra rolled her eyes. “No need to get jumpy.”

  Allison took a deep breath. She knew that. Why had she reacted? That Brent. He’d muddled her thinking. She’d been able to completely block any hormonal urges before she met him. He’d turned her all soft then stopped talking to her without so much as an explanation.

  For the first time in her life, she wanted to have kids. She wanted the experiences that would get her pregnant. Even that realization made her face flush. Those thoughts were off-limits. Totally. She was glad Brent had stopped hanging around and touching her. She’d shoved those hormones down before, and she could do it again.

  “Looks like Finnley will handle his birthday party okay,” observed Sierra, watching the pair disappear up the path toward the log cabin, Domino bounding ahead.

  “It’s just the people he already knows, all at one time.” Rosemary and Steve were joining them for dinner.

  “True, but everyone will be singing to him. Think he’ll handle the attention okay? Blow out his candles?”

  Allison shrugged. “If not, Maddie will help him. Or I will. If he’s okay with the party, I’m planning to try Sunday school tomorrow. Do you think Marnie will mind if I sit in the preschool class?”

  “I was wondering when you’d think he was ready. I’m sure Marnie won’t mind, and it will be a comfort to Finnley to have you there.”

  It was hard to tell if anything comforted him. He was still so aloof and stiff, like he waited for someone to hit him or yell at him. Still, there’d been a lot of progress, and she’d take it. Maybe one day he’d crawl up on her lap and give her a squishy hug. One day before he got too big to fit.

  * * *

  Brent glanced out a gap in Allison’s house at the sound of voices. A man he didn’t know walked beside Finnley up the steps of the log cabin next door.

  “Rubachuk!” Zach exited his house and the two guys exchanged a back slap and a fist bump. “When did you get in?”

  Finnley watched then crouched over the cat box beside the door. He pulled out his favorite, the kitten with orange and white markings. He held it out to Zach’s friend, who immediately knelt down to receive the boy’s gift.

  Behind Brent, a plumber drilled for the hot water line, drowning out any words the guys might be saying.

  The other man sat cross-legged on the deck, cradling the kitten and talking to Finnley, whose back was to Brent. The boy’s hands moved slightly. Was he actually responding to this new man?

  A surge of jealousy coursed through Brent. This was his son. He should be the one talking to him, playing with him, naming kittens with him. Yet he had no right to do any of those things. No way would Allison accept him. No way could he hurt Finnley further by revealing himself then disappearing again. Mostly, though, he couldn’t imagine telling Allison his sordid story. She deserved so much better than him. It would be better if she never knew who Finnley’s father was.

  “Callahan!” Zach beckoned him over.

  Well, why not? Brent could soak up a little bit of time near his child without anyone cluing in. He waved back and wove through the building and out the French door opening.

  “I’d like you to meet my best pal growing up, who also happens to be Sierra’s fiancé. Gabe Rubachuk. Gabe, our resident timber framer, Brent Callahan.”

  Resident, huh? Didn’t sound so bad. Brent grinned and reached out to shake Gabe’s hand. Firm grip. Direct gaze. Good things to have in one’s best friend. Zach was lucky. Brent didn’t even want to think about the direction his school friends had taken. “Good to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” Gabe eyed the partially completed house. “Now that’s an interesting design. You offering tours?”

  “To anyone with a hard hat. I’ve got a couple of extras in the truck. Want to have a look?”

  “Maybe later.” Gabe rested his hand on Finnley’s shoulder.

  Wonder of wonders, the boy didn’t flinch from the touch.

  “I promised this guy’s aunt I’d take good care of him.”

  “Hey, if Brent has two hard hats, there’s no reason you and Finnley can’t go through together. I get regular chances, but I’m not sure when he’s last been on the job site.”

  Never? Brent had been so busy avoiding Allison he hadn’t told her he had a hat the boy could wear. Yeah, it’d be big on him, but it met requirements.

  Still clutching the kitten, Finnley glanced over at the house.

  That settled it. “Sure. Let me grab them.” Brent strode over to the truck and pulled two yellow hats out of the backseat. He dropped one on Finnley’s head.

  With a little imagination, Brent could believe the kid looked smug as he reached up with his free hand and touched the hat. No letting go of that kitten, though.

  Brent handed the other hat to Gabe as they walked across the space between the two houses. “The front door is actually on the other side. A set of French doors will go here.”

  “Sierra mentioned there had been a delay.”

  Brent nodded. “So this space is the great room. Kitchenette here to keep plumbing lines in one wall. And enough space for an eating area, a sofa, and a computer or TV area.”

  He pointed across the room to a staircase of half logs, each wrapped in plastic then cardboard. “Trying to keep the rain off everything until the windows get here.”

  “They usually go in early in the process, don’t they?”

  “Yeah. This is definitely messing up the timeline. Usually
we raise the beams, put on the roof, pop in the windows and doors, clad the exterior walls, and then do the outside finishing and all the inside work, safe from the environment. As it is, the interior studwork is complete and the electricians and plumbers are finishing up the rough-in. We’ll soon be at a standstill.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  Yeah, it was. But he still had work to do on the school building before he was truly stuck.

  Gabe pointed to the far corner. “Hallway? Where does it go?”

  Brent led the way. “Bathroom here,” he said over the plumber’s drill. “Bedroom beyond.” Allison’s room. He would make sure the finishing was perfect here and everywhere. If he couldn’t be at her side, he could at least make sure her home was everything she could want.

  “Just one bedroom?”

  “Down here, yes.” Brent glanced at the top of Finnley’s hard hat. “There’s another one upstairs she was going to use as her office, but now that’s going to be Finnley’s domain. Want to see?”

  He was speaking to Gabe primarily, but the boy’s head nodded, too. He really was settling in. Starting to interact with everyone around him. Good to see.

  Finnley looked up and headed for the stairs.

  “Careful up there. There’s no railing.”

  The caution didn’t slow the boy down any. A framed doorway leading into a bedroom stood at the top of the stairs. Finnley’s room.

  The boy looked around with a puzzled look on his face.

  “What’s wrong, squirt?”

  “No Rover,” he whispered.

  “Rover?” asked Gabe.

  “His invisible dog.”

  Finnley’s jaw set.

  Brent crouched in front of him. “Do you like the farm on your wall where you live now?”

  He nodded.

  Brent allowed a grin when all he wanted was to thrust his fist triumphantly in the air. “Right now this room doesn’t even have walls and windows, but it will.” As soon as Brent could make it happen. “Would you like a farm on the wall here, too?”