Waiting for You by Heather Huffman

I didn’t know how to change a diaper. I had no clue what kids liked. I was totally and completely lost.”
    Karise sat beside him on the stand, listening quietly and still unsure that she followed the logic.
    “Kate and Gavin took us in, gave me a place to be while I thought about what was next. I had some savings thanks to a few fluke painting sales , but I didn’t want to trust Zoe’s future to something so… intermittent .”
    “Kate and Gavin really are good people, aren’t they?”
    “The best.” Aidan smiled. “Spending all that time hanging out at their winery, I began to realize there was a niche market out there for specialty cheeses. I liked the idea of raising Zoe on a farm with animals, too. So I did some research and put together a business plan. When this place went up for auction, I was able to get a loan to cover what my savings wouldn’t. Things just fell together from there. I found Joe and Laura—they go to church with Elsie, whom I met at Kate’s. They lost their farm when the mortgage bubble burst. It worked out for all of us for them to move onto the place to help me run it. They were willing to accept a roof and a percent of profits in lieu of a paycheck, which was good, becaus e getting the place up and running pretty well w iped me out.”
    “And you did all of this with an infant?” Karise was incredulous.
    “I had help. I definitely couldn’t have done it without my friends. And Zoe, well, you’ve met Zoe. She’s amazing, and she loves this life. It suits her to a T. She even pitches in and helps milk goats when the machines are down.”
    “So, it’s going well? Business is good?”
    Aidan nodded slowly, considering his answer. “Pretty good, yeah. We have to be careful, but we pay the bills. We’ve built a fairly solid customer base here in California, but if we want to do more than pay the bills, we’re going to have to expand our territory. I was in Boston to chase down a lead with a grocery chain out there.”
    “Did it pan out?”
    “I met you.” His gaze was serious.
    “Did it pan out in any way that’s productive?” She tried rephrasing the question.
    “I’ll let you know when I find out.”
    Karise thought about it for a moment, not sure if she should give voice to the idea that popped into her head. “You know, I could ask Devon to make a few calls. I bet he could set up some meetings that might help.”
    “Does McAlister Industries have a grocery store chain I’m not aware of?”
    “No. If so, I’m not aware of it, either. But I do know he has a poker buddy who does.”
    Aidan shook his head. “I can’t let you do that.”
    “What? Make a phone call? Ask Devon to make a phone call? Because neither one is a big deal. I’d be thrilled to do it – besides, it’s kind of self-serving. If you expand your business, I can bilk you for more money on the house expansion.”
    “You seem like the type of person to bilk.” Aidan mocked s eriousness .
    “It’s a character flaw of mine.” She matched his teasing tone.
    “I’ll think about the offer,” Aidan conceded. “So does that mean you’ll help with the house?”
    “I’m thinking about it.”
    “You have to see the rest of the place; then decide.”
    “There’s more?” Karise asked.
    “Not only is there more, I saved the best for last.” Aidan stood and offered his hand to Karise.
    She placed her hand in his, allowing him to tuck it into the crook of his arm. “Then consider me intrigued.”
    “Just the way I like it. Come on, we need to stop by the house to grab a few things.”
    “The plot thickens.”
    “I was thinking we could have a picnic,” he told her.
    “Is that a crack about my shirt?” Karise dug in her heels, giving him her fiercest scowl.
    Aidan laughed. “As much as I wish it was, I really did have a picnic planned for today.”
    Karise relented, allowing herself to be tugged along if for no other reason than to satisfy her curiosity. After picking up a picnic basket