No sweetener was needed, because it was fantastic. “I’m so happy to hear that,” Brielle said, “and yes, I’ve been keeping pretty busy. I never would have imagined how difficult it is to run a farm of this size, but to tell you the truth, most days I’m really enjoying it.” She couldn’t help but stare while Eileen sliced into the pie.
When a piece appeared in front of her, she nearly forgot her manners and scooped up a bite. But somehow she stopped herself and waited for all the others to get a piece. When Eileen set down the spatula and picked up her fork, that was Brielle’s green light to dive in.
“This is fantastic,” she said after swallowing.
“It’s my mother’s secret recipe,” Maggie said with pride. “Many people have tried to beg, borrow and steal it, but I keep it hidden in the best place of all,” she added with a grin while pointing to her head.
“Well, since I can’t cook worth a lick, you don’t have to worry that I’d try to take it.”
“I would be more than happy to give you some cooking lessons,” Maggie said eagerly.
“I may have to take you up on that, since living on TV dinners and chicken pot pies isn’t going to do anything good for my hips,” Brielle said.
“Ah, darling, you could use a few extra pounds on your hips,” Bethel told her.
Martin joined in with a snort, saying, “Ladies and their talk about weight…”
“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy our conversations, Martin,” Eileen told him.
“That I do, Eileen, that I do,” he replied, sitting back after polishing off his piece of pie.
Brielle wasn’t far behind him in finishing her piece, and though she knew she’d probably regret it later, she didn’t turn down the second piece Eileen passed her way, knowing she wouldn’t have something this good for quite some time.
“We’re here to remind you about the midsummer party at my place on Saturday. You have to come,” Maggie said.
Brielle squirmed. She still didn’t know many of the townspeople and would feel like an intruder.
As if reading her mind, Bethel spoke up. “We won’t take no for an answer. So many of our neighbors are really looking forward to getting to know you.”
“It sounds like a very nice time,” Brielle finally said. She was surprised when she realized that what she’d heard actually did make it sound fun.
Joe had been speaking about the party all afternoon, saying there would be tons of food, live entertainment, activities and a firework show. Plus, he’d told her, the young ladies always dressed extra nice when they went to a good country party. He’d been more excited about that part than anything else.
“I’ve never had any complaints,” Maggie said. “My two boys and my daughter will all be home, too, which is always wonderful.”
“In that case, I wouldn’t dream of turning you down,” Brielle said, knowing when she was beaten.
“I’m hoping our good friend Joseph Anderson makes it out this year, but he’s been busy with his growing family lately,” Martin said with just a hint of jealousy, which Brielle didn’t understand.
“Yes, that man has hordes of grandchildren and great-nieces and -nephews now,” Bethel said with the same envious look in her eyes as Martin was sporting. “My little Sage has been so busy with school that I’m beginning to think the girl will never settle down.”
“Now, Bethel, you know it won’t be long,” Eileen said, patting Bethel’s hand.
“You guys really love babies, don’t you?”
The four elderly meddlers turned toward Brielle. Maggie was the one who spoke up. “When you reach a certain age, darling, babies are what you have to look forward, too. Imagine how empty life could be if you were all alone in this big old house with no one running through the halls or calling your name.”
She said those words as if they were a fate too unbearable to even think about. Brielle had never really thought about it before, thought about growing old all alone. But as she did, the thought wasn’t appealing, not at all.
Didn’t everyone need a perfect match, and a forever family to lean on? Maybe not everyone needed that, but Brielle had grown up in a large family. Though times hadn’t always been great, she had enough good memories from her childhood to know that having a family of her own to raise sounded pretty appealing. A son and daughter with beautiful hazel eyes looking back at her sounded pretty much perfect.
Her company stayed another half an hour, and despite her physical exhaustion, Brielle found herself a bit sad to see them leave. Yes, they liked to gossip, and they wanted to know every little detail of her life, but they were also warm and caring, and she was growing quite fond of the meddling trio and their partner, Martin.
As she climbed upstairs to fall into bed before the sun was even setting, she felt contentment with her life, contentment with this community, and contentment in knowing that it wouldn’t be long before Colt joined her and warded of the chill of the night.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brielle had been to a lot of parties in her day, but she could honestly say she’d never been to anything quite like this. Kids were chasing each other with bandanas on their heads and water guns in their hands, and were falling down dramatically when a stream of water hit them.
Laughter could be heard spilling from the mesh walls of several inflatable castles set up on the grounds. There was even a dunk tank proudly displayed; a line of females stretched out for what looked like a mile, all of them waiting just to see the shirtless men who were taking part. Helium balloons were flying, and a bottle of beer seemed to be in everyone’s hands.
Open tents were placed strategically around the huge yard to offer shade to those who wanted to get out of the sun, and a live band was playing upbeat music. The longer Brielle was in Sterling, the more she realized that country life had its upsides. When Colt handed her a beer, she accepted it without complaint.
She usually didn’t like the taste, but the day was hot and everyone else seemed to enjoy the stuff, so she took a pull from her Corona. Not half bad. As she and Colt neared the dunk tank, her eyes widened when she recognized the man who was taunting the teenager with the dunk-determining ball.
“Come on, Danny boy, you throw like my grandma!”
“She’s here, ya know, Hawk. I think someone should go and get her to see how well she throws,” someone hollered, and the words were met with widespread laughter.