“We’re working in here, too, Jack,” Brad said.
Jack made a noise, something between a snort and a grunt. “I told you last night I don’t want anything to do with this.” And by this, it was clear he meant me, since he looked at me right as he said it. I felt it like a slap in the face, and my cheeks burned.
“Then go on back out.” Brad’s tone was sharp.
“Gladly.” Jack was through the door without another word, and as soon as it slammed behind him, Pete sighed.
“Sorry about that. Jack has…some issues.”
I was still reeling, but I tried to find my balance. “I think I can guess what one of them is. He doesn’t want to hire me?”
“It’s not you,” Georgia said quickly. “Jack’s just really protective of the farm. He gets prickly when he thinks people are going to tell him what to do.”
“Especially if those people are not from around here, I bet.” I understood his reluctance to take advice from an outsider, but it didn’t excuse his rudeness. What a waste of a handsome face.
“Jack doesn’t understand that we’re not just running a farm, we’re running a business,” said Brad with more than a trace of annoyance. “And a business needs marketing.”
“We don’t have a lot of extra money.” Pete met my eyes with genuine concern. “But if you think you can help us, we’ll find a way to pay for it. Jack would be content to work in the dirt, tend to the animals, and never talk to anyone, but Georgia and I have dreams of our own.”
“The farm-to-table restaurant.” I smiled at him, vowing to put Jack out of my head. This was my favorite part about what I did—helping people grow their businesses and achieve their goals. And I could help this family, I was sure of it. Or at least those members who want my help. “I want to hear about it. And I’m positive we can work something out that fits your budget. Although before we get to that, I’d like to learn more about you, your family, the history here, what your hopes are for the future. That will help me a lot.”
I savored every bite of lunch as the three of them told me about how they’d come to own the farm. It was clear that Brad was the least enthusiastic about it but willing to give his brothers a chance to succeed. He mentioned that he hoped they’d be able to buy him out eventually.
“The plan was five years, but after Steph died, no one wanted to hound Jack about it.”
For the first time, there was an awkward silence at the table.
“Who was Steph?” I asked.
“Jack’s wife.” Georgia’s voice was so hushed I could hear the tick of a clock on the wall behind me. “She died three years ago.”
My breath caught. “How?”
“She was hit by a car. Drunk driver.”
“Oh my God. That’s awful.” Some of my antipathy for him let up.
Brad cleared his throat. “We’ve been patient with him. And as you’ll see, he needs it. Don’t take it to heart if he’s short with you, or silent altogether at first. But Jack’s not dumb. He knows if he wants to keep his farm, he’s going to have to take some advice. He just doesn’t like it.”
I nodded, hoping I was up to this challenge, wanting to prove myself. “Well, I’m going to do my best. Let me ask you some questions and jot some things down.”
As I reached into my bag for my notebook, Georgia stood and began stacking plates. “I’ll get this stuff out of the way, and then I’ll join you.”
“Sounds good. Thank you so much for lunch. It was delicious, and I loved hearing about this place. I’m excited to get started.” I uncapped my pen. “Let’s talk about your brand.”
“What brand?” Pete blinked at me.
I smiled. “Exactly.”
Later, Georgia walked me out to my car. “Thanks for coming up here,” she said. “We really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. You have a gorgeous setting, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it. Learning more about it. Think I could maybe get a tour of the entire place?”
“Of course. Pete could show you around tomorrow.” She frowned. “Jack would be even better, but…” A sigh escaped her. “He can be so difficult.”
“That’s OK.” I didn’t want to stir up any more trouble where the middle Valentini brother was concerned. He wasn’t happy about my being here to begin with—he certainly wouldn’t want to take time out of his work day to show me around.
Georgia shook her head. “It’s not. I’m sorry he was rude today. He’s such a sweet guy underneath, but he hides it. The last few years have been so rough on him.”
Since it was just us women and I was curious, I decided to ask more about him. “I noticed he wore an Army shirt. Is he in the military?”
“He was,” she said, tucking her blond bob behind her ears. “He’s been out about six years. But he served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and when he got back, he—” She grappled for words. “Well, it was hard for him to adjust.”
“Hard how?”
“He had a lot of anxiety. My dad was in the Army too, served in Vietnam when he was really young. It affected him his whole life. Sometimes Jack reminds me of my dad.” Her voice was wistful. “Moody, sullen, defensive. It’s hard for them to connect with people. And they keep their feelings locked up inside. My dad had my mom, at least, but Jack has no one, and his brothers can be hard on him. They don’t understand. So I try really hard to be someone he can turn to.”