Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

Despite still feeling the clutches of doubt around my stupid heart, I put on a smile. “You always got the right words, Lea.”

“Yeah? Well, apparently so do you,” she says back, smirking.

Her change in tone catches me. “What do you mean?”

“I just had a talk with Gary. He made a … decision about me and my future here.” She gives me a look. “He didn’t say this, but I’m pretty sure you had somethin’ to do with it.”

Of course I know what she’s talking about. I shrug and play coy. “Hmm? What decision? No idea what you’re talking about.”

“I think you know exactly what I’m talkin’ about.” She leans in and lifts her eyebrows. “Gary named me the official forewoman. The title I always wanted and, I feel, deserved. With a fair raise in salary. I know you’re the one responsible for makin’ it happen.”

I smile. “Well, sounds like congratulations are in order.”

“Oh, well, it won’t be official-official ‘til Gary tells the others himself sometime later this week. He wants to make a big deal out of it, didn’t want me to say anything just yet.” She shakes her head as she studies me. “But there’s somethin’ I just don’t get.”

“What’s that?”

“Why aren’t you the one with the title?” She wipes her hands off on her pants, then faces me with her arms crossed. “Why me?”

“Easy. Because, like you said, you deserve it.” I crack open my beer and take a sip from it through my smile.

The truth is, it was only a small part of a rather life-changing conversation I couldn’t have seen coming. Gary called me to the main house for a drink and to discuss “a little somethin’ of no great importance” earlier this afternoon. We sat in a pair of chairs by his back window, and he talked to me about his vision for the farm over the next ten years over a glass of bourbon. I agreed with him about every aspect: Emmalea’s promotion. An expansion he wants to plan out. A deal he’s excited to work out with his brother, with the Landrys, and the other local farmers and ranchers.

That’s about when, in describing his grand vision, I quickly realized I wasn’t a part of it. “But what about me?” I asked.

He gave me a wistful smile. “Harrison, you know I look at you like my son. I love you like one, too. Heck, even long before you started workin’ here, I watched you in every one of your football games when I was there supportin’ my dear nephew. Every party you attended at the Strong ranch, conducting yourself with dignity, with humility, with respect … I lost track of the amount of times I heard Paul and Nadine praise you, how wonderful of a friend and a teammate you’ve been to Tanner all these years. You always lead every action of yours with heart and spirit. You’re a loyal soul, a strong soul, and shoot, I don’t think Tanner’s ever had anythin’ bad to say about you, not one bit. I’ve seen you blossom from a young, rambunctious teenager out on that football field … to this mature, focused man of thirty I see before me today.” He peered down at his glass of bourbon thoughtfully. “But … I’m afraid this farm isn’t your life’s endgame, son.”

“Sir …?”

“I don’t want you to be tied down here, wasting all of your … your potential. I want you to go even further.” He nodded at me. “That’s why I’m gonna invest in your furniture business.”

My jaw nearly fell off. “You’re gonna what?”

“It isn’t just a hobby. You’ve got a real eye for furniture. You don’t hear the talk around town. People ask ‘bout you. Talk ‘bout you. Your work. Harrison, your beautiful work could sell out a whole showroom floor. They’re not just well-made. They’re comfy. They’re practical. And they’re art. Don’t you realize that? I believe in you, Harrison. I say strike while the iron’s red-hot.”

“Gary, sir, I … I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, then. I’m investing in you ‘cause I believe in you. Hell, you can even keep all your business here on the farm if you wanted. Stay here. We’ll build you a workshop.”

“Gary …” I could barely even form words. “How can I possibly pay you back? I wouldn’t even be able to begin. This is too much. I can’t accept it, sir, I—”

“We’ll work out all the details later. Don’t worry about payin’ me back a cent. Haven’t you been listenin’, son? Look, we’ll pull a Lance and build your business right here on the property, right where you live.” He set down his drink suddenly and put an encouraging hand on my leg, patting me. “I want to see you succeed. I hope you will let me invest in you and help you realize those dreams I know you have in your heart. You gotta think big, Harrison. You are worth more than you ever give yourself credit for. Try to see yourself the way I see you … the way others see you.”