Page 72 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“Depends on your definition.”

“That means no,” Beau said quietly. I glanced at him. He was watching the whiteboard rather than me.

“Hmm.” Walter rubbed one hand along his jaw. “Hayrides need something reliable.”

Jax looked at him. A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re about to.”

Walter ignored him. “The wagon axles probably need work too.”

“They do,” I admitted before realizing I had contributed.

Rosie pointed toward the Jones table. “Perfect.”

Jax sat straighter, arms crossed now. “No.”

Margaret touched Jax’s arm. “Your father used to help James with the wagons every year.”

“That doesn’t mean Beau and I inherited a contractual obligation.”

Walter lifted his thermos. “Family debt.”

“You just made that up.”

“Still sounds binding.”

I should have stopped them.

I should have said absolutely not.

Instead, I looked at the folder again. The potential revenue sat there in black ink. Even if the estimates were generous, half of it would make a difference. Half could replace the south fence. Repair the cooling unit. Catch up on two overdue supplier accounts. Maybe leave enough that I didn’t have to calculate every grocery trip against the feed bill.

I hated how quickly my mind started spending money that didn’t exist, old habits rearing their ugly heads… But I hated even more how badly we needed it.

Meme leaned toward me. “You’re doing that thing.”

“What thing?”

“Thinking so hard I can hear it.”

“I’m reading.”

“You’re planning.”

I closed the folder with a sigh and looked at Rosie again. “I’m not agreeing without speaking with my grandmother in private.”

“Okay.” Rosie nodded.

“That sounded too easy. What do you want?”

“Nothing tonight.”

I didn’t believe her, because all of this sounded too good to be true.

June leaned forward. “We can also help with startup costs.”