Wild Man Creek (Virgin River #14)(93)

“Nah. And I’d be real surprised if I hear from Kurt again. He thinks I have a big bodyguard now.”

A little over a week later when Denny brought the wheelbarrow around for Jillian to fill with some fresh picks, she took stock of his expression and said, “Hey, Denny—do we have unfinished business?”

“Huh?”

“Obviously you’re still really struggling with this job thing. Maybe I can help. I can maybe scare up a little more pay for you. I could shop around for some kind of benefit package that would make you feel a little more comfortable. Or I could do for you what Harry did for me—cut you in on the action. A profit share when we make some money—I don’t think we’re that far away. Or—”

“Aw, Jillian, it’s more than the job. I should’ve just told you when I found out. I thought I was going to get right with this, but it just keeps bothering me.”

She felt suddenly alarmed. Something was wrong! “What is it? Tell me!”

“I’m surprised Jack hasn’t said anything to anyone. He’s just letting everyone think everything is the same between us, but—”

“Did you two have a fight or something?”

“No. It’s just that Jack finally remembered all the details about my mom. Turns out he’s not really my father. He was just a good friend of my mom’s, that’s all.”

She just looked at him for a long moment, studying his eyes, the downturn of his mouth. “Denny, Denny… Are you so disappointed?”

“Well, yeah. And maybe a little embarrassed…”

She shook her head. “You don’t have to be embarrassed. It’s not like you made it up. And besides, even if Jack’s not your dad, you two seem to have a real nice relationship. Right?”

“Right,” he said. “Course, a lot of that might be because he thought… You know…”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, Denny. I don’t know Jack real well, but he seems like a genuine guy. Is that what’s got you all upside down about job possibilities?”

“In a way,” he said with a shrug. “See, that was my whole reason for coming up here—to get to know Jack, then tell him. Might be I came up here for nothing.”

“But you said you like it here. You said you like working the garden. And Jack’s not exactly the only friend you’ve made. We’re friends—more than just friends. Colin’s your friend. You’re on good terms with most of the town, aren’t you?”

“Guess so,” he said. “But, you know, I just don’t want to be in the way.”

“You’re not in the way of anything. Lots of us are real grateful you came along. I know what it’s like, you know. To not have much family. I only have my sister—that’s the entire Matlock clan. But I have a lot of good people in my life—you being one.”

“That’s nice of you to say, Jillian….”

“Listen, young man, everyone has their hard knocks and disappointments. Everyone, not just you. I know for you this is a big one, but it might help to wrap your head around what you have, not what’s missing. Because my way of seeing it, you have a lot. And I don’t think Jack would pretend to like you if he didn’t.”

“Probably. I know what you say is right. I might need a little time, but I’m trying.”

She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder; she gave a squeeze. “I’d like you to please try to list me on the ‘have’ side. You’re more than just my handyman, Denny. You’re like a little brother. Like a partner.”

He cracked a smile. It might’ve lacked some of his well-known youthful enthusiasm, but at least it was a smile. “You are definitely on the ‘have’ side, Jillian. I’m real grateful we met.”

“That’s a start,” she said. “Keep working on that.”

Through the end of July Jillian pulled bushels of beautiful, healthy organic vegetables from her huge garden. Some of her first specialty items she sent to Kelly in samples and Kelly was most impressed. Besides a farmer’s market or roadside stand, Jillian had not yet isolated a market, but she was studying the possibilities. And to that end she announced to Colin and Denny over lunch one day, “I’m heading for the state fair. Just for a couple of days. Denny, you should come with me—there are lots of produce competitions and displays. And Colin, there are art competitions and exhibits. And all this is not to even mention junk food and rides.”

“What about the plants?” Denny asked.

“The weather forecast is excellent and they’re hearty—they’ll be fine for two days. This is important. We have to see what the competition is up to.”

“But when?” Denny then asked.

“Tomorrow. We leave at 5:00 a.m.” Then she looked at Colin and smiled. “Is this train leaving the station without you?”

“Not a chance,” he said.

“That’s what I like to hear. Will you drive? You have plenty of room for the three of us.”

“It would be my pleasure,” he said, giving her a bow.

Jillian and Kelly had gone to the state fair when they were teenagers, but money was too tight, their nana too elderly and mother too infirm for the family to go when they were younger. Once they were driving and had a cheap used car they shared, they were allowed to make the trip to Sacramento together on their own. Then later, when she was an executive, she attended much bigger events than an ordinary old state fair. But always, in her heart, she longed for the thrill of it. She wanted to see Best Of Show horses, bulls, even chickens. She loved the displays of flowers, the clowns, the rides, even the sideshows.