“Cappuccino would be great,” she said.
“What, no pumpkin spice for you? I thought all the young women liked that stuff.”
“Not me, sir. Hard pass. Just give me an old-fashioned cappuccino, and I’m happy.”
Joe ordered their drinks while Mary and Grace took over one of the bistro tables near the bakery’s window. When Joe arrived and passed out the coffees, Mary dispensed with the small talk.
“Mr. Taylor, the suspense is killing me. What did you find out?” she asked.
“Well, Mary, I wanted to be able to look you in the eye when I told you how much Grace and I have appreciated your help in this matter. The farm means the world to us, and to our boys.”
“Yes, I know. I admire that about you. You’re determined to keep the family farm in your hands. Is it going to work?”
Grace reached over and placed her hand on top of one of Mary’s, and Joe did the same to her other one. They squeezed.
“Mary,” Joe said, “it worked. The government is backing off. The Agriculture Secretary, the guy I’ve known for years, said he heard about the law firm that didn’t register even though they’re working for Chinese companies. The feds have decided to walk away and try to find another site. They know the bad publicity to come from this would hurt the president and the governor and scare off the investors. So, as of now, it’s over. And the farm remains inourhands.”
“Oh, this is amazing!” Mary jumped up and hugged them both. “I’m so happy for you!”
Just then, the door to Flour Power opened and Jake and Tommy walked in.
“Hey, Dad, Mom, Mary. What’s this all about?” Tommy asked. “We came as soon as we could.”
“Sit down, boys. I’ve got good news to share.” They were one seat short, so Mary gestured that she’d perch on Jake’s lap while his dad repeated his story.
“And we’ve got Mary to thank,” he said. “Grace, do you have the gift?”
“Right here,” she said, handing Mary a large bag decorated in black and white, resembling one of their dairy cows.
“Oh, I didn’t do anything,” Mary said. “I just found a thread to pull.” She gratefully accepted the gift bag.
“You were the key,” Joe said. “We think you’re brilliant. And we’re going to throw a party at the Sin Bin for you, Dot, and Harper the night before you leave. Grace and I are handling all the details. Is that okay with you, Tommy?”
“It’ll be an honor, yes, sir. I’m so relieved, Dad. Do you think I can build Alotto Gelato now?”
“I think we can talk about it, son.” Joe Taylor laughed easily, something they’d all missed these last few months.
“Go on, Mary, let’s see your present,” Grace said.
Mary opened the card first and read it aloud, as she’d been taught by her Nonna. “Dear Mary, without you, we may have lost the farm. We are so grateful for your generosity in helping us—it took New York to save us here in Cedar Falls. We hope that you’ll wear this when you’re back in Manhattan and think of us often. Love, the Taylors.”
Mary reached into the bag, pulled out a large box, and took off the lid. Wrapped in tissue was a pair of cherry-red Hunter boots.
“Water- and mud-proof?” Mary asked Joe.
“Exactly,” he said.
“There’s one more thing,” Grace said.
At the bottom of the bag was another large tissue-wrapped parcel. Inside was a traditional Hamilton-brown Carhartt barn coat. So very Cedar Falls—so not New York. Still, she was touched.
“That’s more appropriate for feeding the chickens than that beautiful black leather coat you wore the first day we met,” Grace said.
“I’ve learned some valuable lessons—about life, as well as farm fashion. I love this so much,” Mary said, putting the coat on and flinging off her flats to try on her new boots. “I’m really going to turn heads on Bleeker!”
Joe got his iPhone ready and took her photo as she stood next to Jake, their arms around each other, with Mary nearly clinging to him.
“We thought you could take a bit of the farm with you when you are back in the Big Apple,” he said, snapping a pic.