by Dylann Crush
“We’d have to make them up. Like a tunnel full of those white lights. You know, the kind they string around town during the holidays. Maybe have an arbor or something. Just lots of little romantic spots around town where people can pause and sneak a kiss.” Jasper executed a neck roll as he tried to think of something romantic.
“I don’t know. If that’s all you’ve got . . . Christmas lights . . . we’re going to need some more help.” Mitchell wasn’t on board. Jasper could tell by his scowl.
“I’ll ask Lacey. And maybe I can try to get some info out of Delilah.” Jasper shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “What if we all keep the conversation around romantic stuff during dinner? We’re bound to get some ideas.”
“If you think it will help, I’m game.” Davis lifted a shoulder.
Mitchell and Trent shrugged and nodded as well.
“Good. I’m going to go check on Delilah and make sure Tie Dye hasn’t chewed her up yet.”
“Sounds good.” Davis tapped him on the arm with his fist as Jasper walked by. “You know what would be really cool?”
“What’s that?”
“If Colin was around to pitch in. Out of all of us, he’s probably the one who’d have the best ideas.”
Jasper’s gut pitched. “Yeah, it’s too bad Colin’s not around.”
“We’ll manage without him though. That’s what family does.” Davis joined the other two while Jasper forced air into his lungs. If Colin was around . . . He very well might be. But as much as his brothers might think Colin had all the answers, Jasper was the only one who knew how dangerous it would be to bring their oldest brother back into the fold.
Before he let himself travel too far down the path of regret, he shook it off. He hadn’t heard another word about Colin being back in town, and if his brother knew what was good for him, he’d stay far, far away.
Jasper heard Delilah before he saw her. Her laugh reached his ears, a high-pitched musical melody that put a smile on his face. It only grew bigger when he stepped around the barn. Tie Dye stood on the top of the fence line, nibbling at Delilah’s hair.
“Get down off of there.” He rushed toward the goat, who startled and fell off the fence into a pile of hay. “Abby, I thought you were looking out for her.”
“You know how Tie Dye gets.” Abby crossed her arms over her chest. “He’s just saying hi.”
“She doesn’t need a haircut.” He turned his attention toward Delilah. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” She patted down her hair.
“Sorry about that. Damn goat’s got a mind of his own.” He glanced toward Tie Dye, who’d recovered and stood nibbling on a huge carrot that Abby must have given him.
“At least now I know where he got his name.” Delilah’s lips spread into a grin as she looked back toward the goat.
“Abby filled you in, huh?”
“Sure did.” Abby shrugged. “You’d think the color would be gone by now, but it’s just faded a little.”
Jasper shook his head. “Silly goat. You should have seen the inside of my truck after I brought him home. That’s some strong dye.”
“How do you think he got mixed up in it in the first place?” Delilah turned her gaze on him, sparking that same spot in his lower belly that always seemed to light up under her focused attention.
“There’s a place in town that does fabric dyeing for a linen company. My guess is he was poking around for something to eat and got himself mixed up in it.” Jasper let out a chuckle. “He’s one of a kind though.”
“That he is.” Delilah held out her hand and the ornery goat trotted over, knocking his horns against the fence as she scratched behind his colorful ears.
As they shared the quiet moment, a bell began to clang.
“Time for dinner.” Abby’s gaze darted back and forth between him and Delilah. “Want to race to the house?”
“You go ahead.” Jasper waved her on. His little sister had been running cross-country track for the past two years. Wouldn’t do him any good to get bested by her while he tried to run half a mile in cowboy boots.
Abby took off, leaving him alone with Delilah.
“She’s great.” Delilah gave Tie Dye a final scratch, then began the walk back to the house.
Jasper fell into step next to her. “She’s a tough cookie. Mom and Dad thought they were done, then eight years later Abby showed up. She puts up with a lot having so many older brothers.”
“I can’t imagine having one sibling, much less seven.” She glanced over. “What’s it like to be one of the oldest?”
He let the question sink in. How could he explain the sense of responsibility he felt toward his younger brothers and sister? Toward his parents and even Aunt Suzy to make sure things stayed all right? Instead of telling her the truth, he kept it light.
“It’s not bad. I figure it’s my job to break in my parents, right?”
Her lips twitched up in a hint of a smile. “It’s a lot of work though, too, isn’t it? I’ve heard older siblings feel responsible for their younger brothers and sisters. Not that I would know anything about that.”
“Stick around and Abby will probably claim you as the older sister she’s always wanted.” He could think of a few ways he wouldn’t mind claiming her as well. But those feelings were far from brotherly, and he’d rather swallow his own tongue than admit them.
“She did ask me for some advice on makeup. Do you think your mom would be okay with me showing her a few things?”
“I imagine it would be all right, but Abby ought to check to make sure. I don’t know what age the makeup restriction gets lifted in our house, seeing as Abby’s the first one it applies to.”
Delilah wrapped her fingers around his arm, the gesture so natural after escorting her around the vineyard that he wondered if she even realized she’d done it. She might have been stomping around the pasture with his sister, but she still smelled like sunshine and lemons. He’d have to keep reminding himself to not get used to this. Three days into his monthlong stint and he was already having a hard time remembering what life was like before Delilah Stone.
eleven
Delilah bowed her head along with the Taylors as Jasper’s dad said the blessing. She was grateful for the few moments of quiet. Ever since she and Jasper returned to the house, it had been nothing but chaos. On one hand, the way the brothers jostled one another around and flung insults back and forth made her yearn for a big family. On the other, no one seemed able to get a word in, so everyone shouted. Seemed like whoever could yell the loudest got the final say. She didn’t know how they all made it through the day without recurring headaches. Kind of like the one throbbing behind her temples as she took the bowl of salad Jasper passed her.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters, Ms. Stone?” Mrs. Taylor asked.
“She’s an only child,” Abby answered. “I bet she never had to share a bathroom with a bunch of stinky boys growing up.”
“Abby, let Ms. Stone answer for herself,” Mrs. Taylor chastised.
Abby’s cheeks flushed. “Sorry, Mom.”
“Please, all of you, call me Delilah.” She didn’t need the extra layer of formality, especially not after witnessing a burping contest as a couple of Jasper’s brothers finished setting the table. “And Abby is correct. Unfortunately, I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”
Delilah took the plate of homemade fried chicken and passed it to her left.
“Don’t you like chicken?” Abby asked, her fingers wrapped around a drumstick.
Jasper wiped his mouth with his napkin before slipping it back in his lap. “She’s a vegetarian.”
“Oh, honey, you should have said something.” Mrs. Taylor pushed back from the table. “I’m sure I’ve got something I can whip up for you.”
“There’s plenty here to choose from.” Delilah crumple
d the napkin in her lap, hating how her choice in diet made other people feel responsible. “I’m used to making do with what I’ve got, and this salad looks delicious.”
“It’s okay, Mom. If she’s hungry later, I’ll build a fire out back and stuff her full of s’mores.” Jasper nodded to his mother.
“I wish you’d said something, Jasper.” His mom scooted her chair back in, then eyed him over the rim of her sweet tea.
Delilah didn’t want to cause a scene. “I’m really quite fine, but thank you so much for offering.”
“Do you eat fish?” Davis asked. She remembered his name, but hadn’t been able to keep the others straight yet.
“No, no fish.”
“How about eggs?” another one of the boys asked.
“No, dumbass,” the brother with the buzz cut said. “An egg is a baby chicken. If she doesn’t eat meat, she doesn’t eat eggs either.”
“We’ve got a wonderful farmers’ market that sets up every Friday morning on the town square,” Mrs. Taylor said. “Jasper, you ought to add that to your list of places to take Delilah.”
“That sounds great.” Delilah helped herself to some of the green beans being passed around the table.
“What other places are you going to visit while you’re here?” Abby asked. “Can you come talk at my school?”
Jasper eyed his little sister. “What would you want her to talk about?”
“I’ve done seminars for girls on ways to empower each other. If your school would be interested in something like that, I’d love to take part.” The few times she’d been asked to speak to preteens and tweens, she’d enjoyed it. She’d experienced her own fair share of the “mean girls” at her school and used her pageant platform as an effort to spread kindness and understanding.
Abby bounced up and down on her chair. “Can I ask my teacher, Mom?”
“Of course, if Delilah’s sure she doesn’t mind.”
Delilah shook her head. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Where else are you going to go while you’re here? You’re supposed to visit places that are romantic, right?” Davis asked.
“That’s right.” Delilah glanced to Jasper. “But I don’t get to decide. It’s up to your town to show me the places all of you think are romantic.”
“Well, there’s the cove down by the river,” Davis said.
Buzz Cut joined in. “There’s also the Sunday night movie on the side of the Hamptons’ barn. That’s got to be pretty romantic since I saw Mitchell mashing lips with a certain brunette there a few weeks ago.”
Mitchell’s cheeks flamed red, and Delilah felt sorry for him for a moment but also a bit relieved since now she’d been able to deduce that Buzz Cut’s name was Trent. “Do they have it every Sunday night?”
“Most of the time,” Davis said. “They’re planning on showing some cheesy chick flick tonight, aren’t they, Mom?”
“As soon as the sun goes down, which this time of year seems to be getting earlier each week”—Mrs. Taylor grinned at Delilah—“they alternate between showing family films and lighthearted comedies more appropriate for an older crowd.”
“You didn’t mention that to me.” Delilah turned her gaze on Jasper.
“I haven’t had a chance yet. Besides, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to sit outside on the ground and watch an old movie.”
“Sounds like the perfect way to wrap up the weekend.” She stabbed another green bean with her fork. Whatever Mrs. Taylor had used for seasoning was delicious. She made a mental note to ask her later when they had a few minutes alone.
“All right, let’s do it.” Jasper shrugged as his brothers laughed.
“If you think that’s romantic, you ought to check out the apple wine festival, too.” Mr. Taylor had been quiet most of the meal so it surprised Delilah when he piped up. “That’s where Ann and I met. Seems like only yesterday.”
“Yesterday plus thirty-five years,” Mrs. Taylor said.
Delilah looked on as Jasper’s parents shared a tender glance. That right there was what romance was all about. Falling even more in love with someone after being together thirty-five years. That’s what she was holding out for . . . the kind of relationship she wanted in her own life.
The rest of the meal passed with good-natured ribbing among the brothers and reminders from Mr. Taylor about chores for the coming week. She hadn’t had the opportunity to ask Jasper about his family’s business, but it appeared all of them were involved in the pecan orchard to some degree. He’d mentioned the tornado that passed through the month before, and she wondered how much of their business had been lost. Whatever had happened, they seemed to be in good spirits. The fact they had one another must have helped a lot. What would it be like to be surrounded by family? To know that someone always had your back, no matter what was going on?
Hopefully she’d find out for herself someday.
Dinner didn’t end until Jasper and his brothers had emptied every platter of the delicious homemade meal Mrs. Taylor had made. When they were done, Delilah pushed back from the table and started to clear the dishes.
“Oh, you don’t have to help with that, you’re a guest.” Mrs. Taylor took the platter from her hands as she entered the kitchen.
“Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful.” Delilah stood by the counter while Mrs. Taylor rinsed plates and began to stack them into the dishwasher. “Can I help clean up?”
“If you want to, although it’s not necessary. I’ve got these boys trained to help around the house.” As she spoke, Mitchell and Davis came into the kitchen with their arms full of dirty dishes.
“We’ve got this, Mom. Why don’t you and Delilah go relax on the porch for a few minutes,” Davis suggested.
Mrs. Taylor arched a brow. “Now that’s not an offer that comes around very often. Let’s take advantage.” She scooped up little Maggie, then linked her arm with Delilah’s and led her to two of the rocking chairs that sat on the large wraparound front porch.
Delilah settled into one of them, catching a glimpse of Jasper clearing the table through the dining room window. She didn’t want to admit to herself how much she enjoyed spending time with his family. They were a little overwhelming as a whole, but even she could see the love and respect they held for one another.
“Do I get to sit with you, too?” Abby sprang through the front door and grabbed the arms of another rocker.
“Of course, sweet girl. Us women need to stick together around here, don’t we?” Mrs. Taylor ran her hand over her daughter’s dark brown hair as she bounced her granddaughter on her knee.
“Will you really come speak at my school?” Abby asked.
“As long as it’s okay with your teacher,” Delilah promised. “If you want to check tomorrow, I’d be happy to set up a time if she says yes.”
Abby clapped her hands together. “That would be so much fun. Dad’s been in to talk about pecans, but no one really paid too much attention.”
Mrs. Taylor let out a laugh. “I’m sure they’ll find Delilah’s presentation more interesting and relevant.”
“Hey, Mom, Delilah said she’d teach me to put on makeup, too. Can I try?”
Delilah glanced to Mrs. Taylor. “Only if it’s okay with your mom, remember?”
“I think that would be fine. Poor Abby doesn’t get much girl time with all these boys around. I keep hoping one of them will settle down and find someone special so we’ll have another woman in the group, but so far . . .” She shook her head.
“Jasper used to bring Adeline around a lot,” Abby said.
Her mother’s head shot up. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
“Oh, sorry.” Abby frowned for a moment, then began to rock her chair back and forth. “I hoped Lucas would get married when we found out Amanda was going to have a baby, but then she left.”
M
rs. Taylor put her hand over her daughter’s. “Lucas will find someone. Right now he needs to focus on Maggie.”
At the sound of her name, Maggie squirmed and reached for Abby. Her aunt picked her up and held the little girl on her lap while she rocked back and forth. Delilah saw the love in Mrs. Taylor’s eyes and wondered if her own mother had ever looked at her the way Jasper’s mom now looked at her daughter and granddaughter.
Before she let herself get too wrapped up in her own thoughts, Jasper came through the door and onto the porch.
“If you want to get a good spot for the movie, we probably ought to head over.”
Abby turned to Jasper. “Can I come with you?”
“You’ve got school tomorrow,” Mrs. Taylor said.
Abby opened her mouth to protest but one look from her mom made her snap her jaw shut.
Mrs. Taylor turned a kind smile to Delilah. “Y’all have a good time.”
“Thanks again for dinner. It was wonderful.” Delilah stood and joined Jasper at the edge of the steps.
“Don’t worry about waking anyone up when you get back. We’re used to everyone coming and going at all hours. I’ll leave the lights on and the door will be unlocked.”
“Thank you.” Delilah still wasn’t sure about staying over and sharing a room with Abby, but with her camper still being de-cricketed, she didn’t have much of a choice.
“Shall we?” Jasper offered his arm.
“Sure.” She took it, letting him lead her down the steps and to the truck.
He opened the door for her and slid a cooler in the back.
“What’s in the cooler?”
“You can’t watch a movie without refreshments.”
“Are any of your brothers going to be joining us?”
“I sure as hell hope not, but I figured we could take Buster if you don’t mind.”
She held back a laugh at the pained expression on his face. His brothers might tease, but as she was learning, that seemed to be what siblings did best.
