I settle next to her, careful to avoid jostling the dog. “I’m an idiot. When I saw her here on the porch before dinner, I panicked and asked her to pretend that we didn’t know each other. But I think it made her mad.”
“Kinda don’t blame her, Sam.”
“Like I said…”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re an idiot. You’re a man; what do you expect?”
Before I can ask her where her acid tone’s coming from, she asks, “So when did you meet her?”
“Actually, we were Trivia Crush buddies for months last year, but then I met her in Albany.” Skipping the overnight extracurricular activities, I add, “We were on opposite sides testifying before the state reps about seed banks.”
“Didn’t you quit right after that?”
“Yeah, but she didn’t know that. She hates me, obviously.”
“Not sure that’s what’s obvious.”
I should probably ask for sisterly advice, but I’d rather talk about whatever’s up with her. “So why are you sitting out here on the porch all moody and stuff?”
“I’m not—” She breaks off with a sigh, takes a breath like she’s going to start again, then blows it out. She shakes her head briefly and then finally asks, “Do you, uh, think something’s off with Jane?”
“Jane? Who’s that?”
“The blond WWOOFer?”
I close my eyes, trying to remember anything about either of the women from dinner, but I was so thrown by Diane’s presence I can’t even picture her. “Sorry, I got nothing. You think there’s something sketchy about her?”
Colleen grimaces. “Maybe? I’m not sure I trust my instincts these days.”
“What do you mean?”
She shakes her shoulders, almost like she’s shaking something off. “Nothing. Just… keep an eye on her, okay?”
I nod, sure that something’s up with my sister, but I know better than to press. She’ll tell me when she’s ready. She always does. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Do you think you could suggest that Ethan call FarmNet?”
“What’s FarmNet?”
“It’s this nonprofit that’s all about helping farmers with their finances. I know Lia’s done a lot, but if we still need to restructure or find some grants, it’s a great resource.”
“Why don’t you do it?”
“Why do you think? He won’t listen to me.”
“Because of your high and mighty attitude.”
“Fine, fine, I get it.” I jump off the swing, flinging a hand in the air. “No need to hit me over the head with it.”
She groans and steadies the swing with her foot. “What the hell, Sam?”
I groan too, but in frustration. “I’m sorry, I’m just—listen. Don’t tell anybody else, but the reason I got transferred is that I’m apparently too high and mighty with our clients.”
She wrinkles her nose. “Oh. Sorry to have hit that nerve right on the head. It’s good to have you closer, though. We’ll get to see you more.”
“Yeah.”
“Wow. Don’t bowl me over with your excitement or anything.”
“It’s like I said,” I say, my voice admittedly whiny. “No one listens to me.”
“Maybe you could use us as practice. Try out new ways of speaking to clients with your family.”
I scrub a hand through my hair. “Funny, that’s what Carlos said. But I still think the FarmNet thing should come from you. It’s too important to risk a blowup between Ethan and me. Anyway, didn’t you say you wanted to come up with a business plan? That’s what they’re all about. Plus, they have resources.”
She frowns at me for a moment, studying me, and I suddenly feel sorry for any kid in her class that misbehaves. “Okay, I’ll do it. But only because I want to learn more too. Not because I’m letting you off the hook.”
Getting up, she hooks an arm through mine and tugs me toward the door. “It’s the Bedd Fellows Farm, you know. It’s not Ethan’s farm.”
I think about what Carlos said, about the people who are here doing the work, but instead of copping to that, I say, “Maybe to you. The favorite.”
“I’m not the favorite.”
“Well, it sure as hell isn’t me. I’m the ignored middle child.”
“There is no middle if we’re twins, dummy.”
“Five minutes. I got five minutes on you, Ree.”
“And a couple pounds,” she adds, reminding me that, yet again, I’m the sibling who takes more than his share.
