Wayne wagged his tail proudly, like he’d just been promoted.
Julian pressed his lips together, his focus on my hands for a moment before reaching for the flag. “I can do it,” he said in a serious tone.
“You do not leave the ATV,” I warned, my words absolute.
He searched my face, determination in his expression.
“You do not touch any tools,” I added. “You are my eyes and ears, and I’m depending on you.”
“Julian.” Celine took a hesitant step closer, her teeth pressing into her bottom lip.
“Mom. I’ve got an important job to do.” He turned and climbed up onto the bed, then shaded his eyes with one hand and assessed the area. “Gotta keep everyone safe.”
Wayne’s tail thumped furiously against the ground next to me.
“He’s doing great,” I said, standing. “Kid’s got great instincts.”
“I’m good at spotting patterns,” he boasted, never taking his eyes off the trees.
“Can I stand here with you?” she asked him gently.
“Sure,” he murmured, still on high alert, “but only if you promise not to distract me.”
She cracked a smile at him, then turned to me, the look on her face morphing into one of deep gratitude. Like she’dnoticed my efforts not to touch or grab him. How I had given him space and autonomy and boundaries.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“He’s a good kid.” I took a step back, then another. “And a great farm hand. He’ll keep us all in line.”
And for the rest of the afternoon. He did.
Chapter 13
Celine
“Welcome to the testosterone buffet.” Ruby stepped up beside me, handing me a can of seltzer.
Her infant son was laid out on a blanket in the grass next to Evie’s son while down the hill, various townsfolk sawed tree limbs and chopped logs. Her little boy, Brooks, was so much tinier than Vincent, though they were only a couple of months apart in age.
“I’m still not sure what’s happening here,” I admitted.
It had been a long and thoroughly confusing day, and I’d spent most of it in the woods, supervising Julian while he “helped” Josh saw off tree limbs and collect branches.
I’d seen more chainsaws today than I had in the rest of my thirty-six years combined. I’d woken to the sounds of engines, voices, and cars filling the farm. Naturally, panic had hit me, but after the initial anxiety spike, a peek outside, and a cup of coffee, I realized some kind of town event was beginning.
Men and women had been milling around in Josh’s yard, holding thermoses full of coffee, sporting various flannel fashions, and toting around the accessory of the day—chainsaws. Every person I met greeted me warmly, like it was business as usual as I stumbled around trying and failing to make sense of it all.
Eventually, Ruby had arrived, positively giddy, and explained Chainsaw Day and its traditions. It was heartwarming, really, the entire town pitching in to help. We’d been here for a month already, and I still hadn’t wrapped my mind around the vastness of Josh’s farm. We were surrounded by thousands of trees, all of which had to be inspected and maintained and tapped.
The place was both wild and tamed. Kind of like Josh. He was careful and precise and serious, yet I’d seen flashes of a wicked sense of humor here and there, like more lurked beneath the surface.
The girls had wanted to stay at home, Maggie absorbed in a book and Ellie texting photos of her nails as she painted them bright blue. So I’d come outside to chase Julian around. There was no way he was missing this. It was all ATVs and chainsaws, and he was fascinated.
Josh had been efficient and commanding, yet so kind to Julian, involving him in the action and keeping him safe.
As grateful as I was, he hadn’t given me a chance to say so. He’d barely looked at me all day. And that was fine. He was working hard to keep everyone safe while he simultaneously chopped wood, ran saws, and directed crews. Some folks from the No Book Club were here, and Evie had pointed out the small group of firefighters whoworked with Jasper. Then there was the handsome mayor that Stella was always talking about.
This was an all-out event, yet despite the commotion and all the working parts, Josh had made time for Julian. He’d been kind and direct. He’d set boundaries and given him clear guidelines.