Dandelions for Dinner (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 4)

by Valerie Comer

  Finnley nodded. “Rover.”

  “You’ve got it, squirt. I’ll make sure.”

  Their eyes met and something he’d never felt before washed over Brent. Pride. Possessiveness. Paternity. Anything in the world that would brighten this little guy’s eyes and was in Brent’s power would be done.

  That powerful feeling clung to Brent as they retraced their steps down the steps and out the door. It’s what made him say, “Yes,” when Zach asked him to stay for supper to celebrate Finnley’s fourth birthday.

  However he felt about Allison — and she felt about him, if anything — took second place to feasting his eyes on this little fellow and wishing him a happy birthday.

  Chapter 19

  “Relax. It will be fine.” Zach’s mom, Rosemary, who lived next door, snagged Allison to her side.

  Allison looked at the inviting table spread with cat decorations she’d ordered off the Internet. A bunch of balloons hung from the light fixture. Amazing smells came from the kitchen, where Noel worked his magic on festive food. “But I want everything to be perfect.” She straightened out of Rosemary’s embrace.

  “He’s four, Allison. This is probably the first time he’s ever had a birthday party at all.”

  “I suppose. I just want him to know how much I love him.” It was true. She’d always had a soft spot for Finnley, but her love had multiplied exponentially since he’d come home with her three weeks before.

  “Do you think a fancy party will tell him that more than everything else, day to day?”

  “Um…” One point for Rosemary.

  “You ever hear about the five love languages?”

  Allison eyed the older woman. Did she even want to?

  Rosemary grinned. “I take that as a no. I’ll loan you the book sometime. It talks about the various ways people are wired to give and receive love.”

  “Sounds… interesting.” Did she have time to listen to this? Didn’t Noel need help with something in the kitchen?

  “One is hanging out with someone. Just spending quality time together makes some people feel loved.”

  That had to be Sierra. No one Allison had ever known wanted togetherness more than that girl.

  “Another way is physical touch.” Rosemary glanced over to the kitchen, and Allison followed her gaze in time to see Noel pull Claire into a quick hug as she walked through the kitchen. “Noel’s got that one in the bag.”

  Not as much as Lori. If anyone craved touching, it had to be Allison’s sister. Strange. Dad’s attention had pushed Allison in the opposite direction.

  “Some of us do things for people and want them to do things for us.” Rosemary chuckled. “That’s me. I figure if you love me, you’ll help me when I need it.” Her gaze sidled toward her husband sitting in an armchair while Maddie climbed all over him. “I’ve kind of had to unlearn that one in the last few years. If I were depending on Steve doing things for me since he contracted Guillain-Barré, I’d spend all my time grouching at him. He can’t show me love that way anymore.”

  Maybe these love languages had merit after all. Allison had asked Jo about that disease of Steve’s. He’d been a strong, hardworking middle-aged man before the neurological syndrome had attacked him. Now he had a difficult time getting around and lived with constant pain.

  “Gift giving is a form of showing love, too. Some people thrive on picking up trinkets for those they care about.”

  Chelsea had never popped in on Allison without a handful of flowers, a little box of chocolates, or a paperback to loan. Was that her love language? It sure wasn’t Allison’s. All that stuff seemed like a waste of money to her. She’d been hard put to graciously accept.

  “Some people want to be told how special they are and what a good job they’re doing. That love language is called words of affirmation.”

  Bingo. She’d begun to wonder if there was one that pegged her. Well, there it was. It was so true she hung her head, unable to meet Zach’s mom’s eyes. All she’d ever wanted growing up was her dad to be proud of her. To hear him say it. But she’d never measured up, no matter what she did. A four-point-zero GPA hadn’t done it. A scholarship hadn’t. Her masters with honors hadn’t. Nothing had erased the...

  Stop. No crying in front of Rosemary. It was Finnley’s birthday, and Dad was long gone. Thankfully. She raised her head and set her chin.

  “That’s you, isn’t it, sweetie? Hear it from me. You’re a good woman, Allison. You’re smart and pretty and tenderhearted. Finnley is lucky to have you in his life, and we’re all so thankful you’ve come to Green Acres.”

  About those tears. If Rosemary kept this up, Allison wouldn’t be able to stop them. Her mascara would run and her face would get blotchy. She took a long slow breath, managing to keep control of it. “Thanks.”

  “Now…” Rosemary winked. “I’ve got a few things out in the car I need help bringing in. If you could give me a hand, it would make me feel loved indeed.”

  “Sure.” Allison gave her a watery smile. “I’m happy to help.”

  She followed Rosemary out the door. The warmth of the May Day sun eased the tension in her shoulders. Rosemary was right. Finnley had no big expectations for his birthday. He was likely to be overwhelmed as it was. She wasn’t doing all this because he expected it, but because she wanted her friends to know how special her nephew was. And, yes, she wanted them to tell her what a good job she was doing both in the party and in Finnley’s life.

  Was it so wrong to want to hear those words? Words of affirmation, Rosemary called them. She hadn’t made it sound like that was the worst love language. Maybe she’d put it last in the list because she already had Allison pegged.

  Maybe any of those could be taken to an extreme. Like touching. Noel hugged everyone. He’d even hugged her a time or two when she hadn’t run in time. It wasn’t inappropriate, and Claire didn’t seem to mind. It was obvious he had eyes only for Claire. Allison couldn’t even begin to imagine him cheating on Claire any more. Not with the adoration and devotion she saw on his face every time they were together.

  But it could definitely become negative, like with Lori, who craved physical touch so much she didn’t care where it came from or who gave it to her.

  So maybe wanting to hear a well done now and then was okay. Where was the line? When was it healthy and where did that change? She’d have to think about it.

  Men’s voices came from up the hill as she walked over to Rosemary’s open trunk. She risked a glance. Zach and Gabe came down, talking and laughing, while Brent walked behind with Finnley. The little guy glanced up, and Brent tousled Finnley’s hair.

  Allison’s heart froze. Her nephew was supposed to get attached to the men on the farm who’d promised to mentor him. Not a contractor who’d be disappearing out of their lives soon.

  Mechanically, she reached for the laundry basket covered in a quilt. “Anything else?”

  Rosemary shook her head. “I’ll get Zach to bring the rest.”

  The guys trooped over at Rosemary’s call. Zach and Gabe lifted the two remaining boxes from the trunk.

  “Here, let me get that.” Brent reached for the laundry basket, his gaze meeting Allison’s.

  Those brown eyes. They shouldn’t rattle her so much. Maybe it was because of Rosemary’s talk about love. Not that Allison loved Brent, of course, nor did he love her. They were just friends. Not even that. They were client and contractor.

  He took the load, his eyes never leaving hers as he gave her a lopsided smile. “I showed Finnley around the house.”

  Wait. Had he asked her permission? No. She narrowed her eyes. “What about a hard hat?”

  His gaze grew wary. “I found an extra.”

  “I wanted to—” She bit off the words. What was done was done.

  “Sorry. I should have asked first.”

  Yes, he should have. She gritted her teeth and glanced at Finnley. His dark eyes swung back and forth between the adults. Allison forced a smile as she crouched beside the
boy. “Did you like the house?”

  He nodded.

  “Mr. Brent is making a nice house for us to live in, but he’ll be going away soon.”

  Finnley looked up at Brent and shifted half a step closer to the man.

  This could not be happening. Who had given Brent permission to bond with her nephew?

  * * *

  Brent’s jaw tightened. To think he’d forgotten for one brief moment why he should steer clear of Allison Hart. Reminder times two as both she and Finnley looked at him with singularly different expressions.

  Which of them could he placate? Finnley had taken a shine to him, and God only knew how much the boy needed positive influences in his life, the more, the merrier. Brent couldn’t push Finnley aside even to please Allison.

  But she was right. He was leaving soon. It wasn’t fair to Finnley to cultivate a relationship. Even if he was the boy’s biological father? Yeah, try explaining that one to Allison, because it wouldn’t help. Besides, it would link Brent back to the past he’d done his best to put behind him.

  He did the only thing he could. He tucked the basket under one arm and, with his other hand, guided Finnley toward the house. The boy didn’t flinch away but nearly leaned in.

  The ferocity of Allison’s glare stung the side of Brent’s face, not that he was looking. He was here for Finnley.

  “What are you doing? It’s Friday afternoon. Aren’t you leaving for Coeur d’Alene?”

  “Later.” He shot her a glance. Yep, her face was set in stone. “Zach invited me for Finnley’s birthday.”

  She opened her mouth and closed it. Probably a good thing. No doubt she was about to rip up one side of him and down the other. Maybe he even deserved it, but not in front of Finnley.

  He beckoned her to precede him up the steps to the deck. Rosemary and the guys had already disappeared inside as Brent reached for the door handle.

  Allison’s lips pursed as she nudged Finnley inside ahead of her. Not that he paid any attention to her lips. Oh, who was he trying to fool? He’d love to give them a taste. To hold her and care for her.

  Wasn’t going to happen. Brent pushed the door shut. “Where do you want this?” he asked Rosemary.

  “Over by Steve. Thanks for bringing it in, Brent.”

  He grinned at her. “No problem.” He set the basket down and nodded at Steve Nemesek.

  “Have a seat, young man. How’s the construction coming along?”

  Brent guessed he wasn’t needed anywhere else. He dropped into a chair near the older guy. “Pretty well, all things considered.”

  “Finnley!” shrieked Maddie. “Play with me.” She slid off her grandfather’s lap, ran to Finnley, and hugged him fiercely.

  The little man allowed it, holding still until she let go. Then he followed her to the toy box across the room. Talk about progress.

  “Too bad about the window factory.”

  Brent pulled his attention to Steve. “Yes. That set the project back by a couple of months. But we should have the first shipment about the end of June. Patrick separated the order into smaller parts so we’d get regular deliveries instead of all in one. First truckload will be for Allison’s house.” He poked his chin toward the little boy. “They need to get settled into their home as soon as possible.”

  Steve’s gaze slid to Finnley. “Good call.”

  “Then the upper floor of the school building should arrive a couple of weeks later and, hopefully, the rest of them not long after.”

  “So you’ll be doing finishing work for a while yet, I take it.”

  Brent grimaced, but inside he was pretty happy about it. More time for Finnley. More time for Allison. “You won’t be rid of me around here until sometime in fall, I’m sure.”

  “Any call for a timber framer in the area permanently?”

  Brent narrowed his gaze at Steve, who raised his eyebrows innocently enough.

  “Or I heard you’re a talented artist, too. Must be ways a guy could make a living in Galena Landing.”

  “I’m sure there might be.” Brent kept his voice even. “But there’s really no reason to. Patrick has enough projects farther south to keep me busy, probably for years to come.”

  Steve nodded, his gaze slipping past Brent’s shoulder. “Well, it was just a thought. The area is in recovery, and a man with a vision is always a good thing.”

  A man with a vision. Brent could hardly hold back a snort. No one had ever hinted he was such a man before. But Steve was right in one way. The town was growing and a few other new houses were going up nearby. None as nice as Allison’s, though they might be bigger.

  “Wash up, everyone, and come to the table,” called Claire.

  Brent couldn’t see Allison anywhere, but he knew Finnley’s hands had been all over those cats. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go wash our hands.”

  Chapter 20

  Finnley’s gaze kept going to Brent during the birthday meal. Didn’t he remember who’d brought him to safety? Didn’t he know who’d invited everyone over for his birthday party?

  Not that Allison had invited Brent. Why should she? He’d been keeping his distance for a couple of weeks, proving that he didn’t really care about her or Finnley. And no reason he should, of course. Contractor. Client. The lines were drawn.

  But then he should leave her nephew alone. Shouldn’t give the little guy false hope.

  She didn’t even want to consider what kind of expectations Finnley had. If he thought for one little minute that Brent was going to be a father figure in his life, the boy had another think coming.

  Allison didn’t need anyone. She never had. She’d been tough all her life, and Finnley had sprouted from the same soil. He didn’t need Brent or anyone else. Besides her, of course. He was just a little kid. He needed clothes and food and shelter. Security. Love.

  Down the table, Brent laughed at something Noel had said. His elbow rested on the back of Finnley’s chair and, when the boy looked up, Brent grinned at him and tousled his hair. While replying to Noel.

  Finnley didn’t draw back.

  This couldn’t be happening. She needed to win Finnley back for his sake as well as her own. Brent was leaving. Her nephew was going to get hurt.

  Like her.

  Allison shoved the thought aside. Conversation buzzed all around the table, but she heard none of it. She scurried to the kitchen for more homemade fries. Claire had made those, using up the soft remains of last year’s potatoes that hadn’t been set aside for seed. She passed more rolls for the burgers Noel had grilled and filled another bottle of ketchup from the quart jar in the fridge. Made sure the raspberry vinegar pitcher stayed topped off. Hoped the sautéed asparagus held out.

  “Sit, girl,” said Rosemary. “You’re wearing me out.”

  Allison glanced down the table at Finnley. “Just making sure everything’s perfect.”

  Rosemary grabbed Allison’s hand and tugged her into the chair she’d barely sat in. “It is perfect. We don’t need you hovering like a hummingbird. You need to eat, too.”

  Eat? She probably should. She forked a beef patty to her plate but shook her head at the rolls. Too heavy.

  A pair of tongs dropped fries beside the burger.

  She hadn’t planned to eat that many, but one couldn’t simply say no to Rosemary. She added a few spears of asparagus and held her hand up when the older woman encouraged her to take more.

  Maybe she should’ve sat beside Finnley and let others serve both of them. But then she’d be vying with Brent for her nephew’s attention. Better to be at the opposite end of the table where it wasn’t so obvious.

  “He’s settling in really well. “

  Allison jerked her head to take in Claire on the other side of her. For an instant she wondered which he Claire meant. Finnley. Of course, Finnley.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “He might like the baby chicks almost as much as he does the kittens. I loved the look of awe on his face when you put that yellow fuzz ball in his hands
.”

  “The kittens are sturdier.” Allison managed a smile. “I fear for the chicks when Maddie’s around.”

  “I can’t wait to hear him giggle,” Claire went on. To start telling tales. To lead Maddie into trouble instead of following.”

  What? Allison stared at her friend.

  Claire winked. “You know, be a normal kid.” She flicked her gaze toward Finnley. “It’s coming, I think.”

  “Isn’t the goal to raise a kid that won’t get into trouble?” Allison had tried to be that kind of child. It had found her anyway.

  “He needs to have fun. He needs to grow some wings and not be afraid of being hit if he moves or opens his mouth.” Claire grimaced. “Learning those boundaries in a healthy environment will involve making mistakes. Him, you… all of us. It’s reality.”

  Rosemary leaned over. “You should have seen some of the scrapes that Zach and Gabe got into as boys. I sometimes despaired of keeping them alive to adulthood.”

  Zach? Jo had mentioned he wasn’t perfect. Now his mother admitted it, too?

  Claire’s eyes brightened. “Do tell!”

  “There was the time they went into the sheep pen to play with the lambs, and didn’t latch the gate tightly when they came back out. By the time we noticed, the pen was empty.”

  “Oh, no.” Allison could imagine the panic that must have caused.

  “Sadie and Old Pete rounded up the sheep and lambs, but one of the lambs wasn’t found until the next day. Poor thing barely survived a cold night alone in the rain.”

  “Sadie and Old Pete?” She hadn’t heard the names of Zach’s siblings before. Old Pete was a strange thing to call a boy.

  “Our Border collies. Domino’s parents. I raised and trained sheep dogs for years.”

  That made more sense.

  “And then there was the time those boys decided to weed the garden for me. Their hearts were in the right place, bless them, but they didn’t know the weeds from the seeds. We were low on vegetables but big on dandelions and other weeds that year.”