“Oh they are,” Claudette chimed in as she started to clear away the children’s plates. “I just adore them JC,” she cooed as she elbowed Jessie in the back on her way past.

The Turnbull boys all dutifully cleared their own places as JC got up and the children ran off to the bathroom to wash sticky cobbler faces.

“Claudette,” JC said for the first time with some warmth in his voice, “thank you for sharing your table with me, it was delicious. I hope you enjoy using the stoneware half as much as I enjoyed making it.”

As Claudette gave him another big hug Kat walked over to wipe the table but instead leaned down and pinched Jessie’s arm, “Walk him out and go make nice. He’s cute.”

“He’s a know-it-all,” Jessie whispered back fiercely.

As Kat scooped up crumbs into her hand she said in a sing-song whisper, “Takes one to know one…”

JC shook Percy’s hand and waved to Kat and the fellows and turned to head out the front door.

“I’ll show you out,” Jessie mumbled.

As JC walked out the screen door and trotted down the front steps, Jessie stopped at the top of the steps, Buck glued to her side. JC was reaching for his car door when Jessie exasperatedly tossed her hands up. “Okay, I’ll be the bigger person here,” she said loudly and took a few steps down, “Sorry for speaking so tersely to you, but you’re whole attitude toward me has been really hard to read.”

JC stopped with his hand on the door handle, “Um…okay.” He opened the door and started to get in.

“Hello, don’t you have anything to say?”

“Have a nice day?” JC said as he started the engine.

Jessie stalked up to his car door as he closed it with Buck on her heels. “Or how about sorry for telling you to pull your head out of your butt when I’ve only known you for an hour and a half and talking to you like you’re a four-year-old that colored her picture the wrong color.”

“I would never correct a four-year-old’s coloring.” JC said bluntly, “And I didn’t tell you to pull your head out of your butt.”

“Well you said something about my butt or my nose and it wasn’t nice,” Jessie said and put her hands on her hips. “I mean really, where do you get off talking to me like that when you don’t even know me, know anything about me, my family, my business or what I have or have not considered. I mean really…”

It was then that she noticed a low rumble coming from Buck and a slight twinkle in JC’s eye.

She stopped dead. She let her hand slip off her hip and idly scratch Buck’s ears.

“You are actually trying to get me riled up?” she asked.

“Nope, I’m doing it,” he said as he put the dusty SUV into reverse. “Hey, I can’t stand people focusing on the negative, and it sounded like you were complaining about Chancy. So I thought I’d shake you up.” The SUV started to roll back and he turned and waved.

She could have sworn she heard him say “have a nice day” as the gravel crunched under his tires. Jessie looked down at Buck and just shook her head. “What was that?”

She was still wondering what kind of nutter had got her all riled up, made her friend dishes and gave her some of the best ideas she’d had in weeks all in one afternoon.

“Oh, well, um,” Jessie stumbled by his rather abrupt question, “I am doing. Your cousin, who is just so charming” she intoned sarcastically, “has helped me really tune up the house. Just trying to figure out what’s my marketing hook to draw in some business.”

“Ol’ Bette always had a houseful during the festival,” James added as he reached over for more rolls.

“I know,” Jessie said, “But I’d like to have some business year-round. So I’m looking for some packages to put together. Thing is, the more I think about it, I’m not sure how to draw in clientele without a lake nearby or attractions like museums, gourmet services or spas. And I don’t have any horses, and don’t want the responsibility of keeping livestock. I’m just not sure what anyone would do for more than a stay-over if they’re visiting relatives.”

The Turnbull boys just nodded and chewed while Kat patted her hand, “You’ll do just fine once you put your mind to it.”

Jessie sighed a bit, “That’s what I’ve been doing while you’ve been here. I mean, let’s face it, past breakfast I can’t cook like you or Claudette- so gourmet dining is out. I think Creekside is gorgeous, but it’s not a luxury spa destination… I don’t know. I thought I did, but I’m not so sure now.”

“Hmph,” JC muttered quietly under his breath.

Jessie was getting a bit perturbed by his demeanor and cut him a look out of the corner of her eyes. What is this guy’s problem?

She put on her best smile and took a sip of tea, “Sorry to talk shop at the dinner table Claudette.”

“Well I luuuuv it here,” Kaylie said as she topped her mashed potato mountain with a black eyed pea. She then proceeded to smash and start consuming her potatoes. “It’s tumms off fum.”

“Yeah!” said Kyle. “Cousin Jimmy said next time we was in town at the station he’d let me give a shout out to my peeps. But I told him I ate ‘em all at Easter.”

That got a smile out of JC. “Looks like you’ve underestimated Chancy,” he said to Jessie.

“Really?” Jessie half turned in her chair. “I adore this town, just how have I underestimated them?” She was about to get riled up with these monotone comments of his. Her tone made everyone at the table pause before their next bite.

“Well, as a local artist, I find it a bit insulting that you say there are no artistic attractions. Both Case and I are opening small showing rooms. And who better to teach you to cook or heck cook for you than these two women,” he waved down the table toward Claudette and Kat, “And as far as spa services, I don’t know of any experiences a resort might have that Carlene couldn’t bring out to your guests given the chance.” He put down his fork and wiped his mouth.

“And if you thought a little out of the box I’m sure there are plenty of farmers or ranchers around that could use the extra income for offering hayrides or riding on their property. You’ve got a goldmine right under your nose if you just pulled it out of your pre-packaged idea of what a business should be.”

“Well…I…um…” Jessie stuttered.

Jessie was taken a bit off guard when JC turned to her and said, “So what are you doing?”

Jessie looked back at her plate and her fork full of black eyed peas that were strategically impaled on each tine of her fork. She was trying to break her record of 16 peas on one fork when JC had asked that question. She blushed and held her fork up, “Well since I was little I’ve always tried to get as many peas on my fork as possible – no squishing, and as you can see…”

JC held up a hand, “Um, I meant in Chancy.”

“Oh!” Jessie quickly ate the non-record breaking fork full of peas and gulped.

“I’m trying to re-open my family’s bed and breakfast,” she said as she reached for some tea.

“And it’s going to be fantastic sugar!” Claudette chimed in with a wink from a few seats down.

Jessie smiled a little weakly and took another sip of tea. She was still mentally kicking herself for talking about pea piling her fork. How lame can you be Hathaway? Like he cares about your peas? Now he’ll think you’re some nutter and totally dismiss you. Who knows what he’ll say to his cousin or Lord help me his Aunt and Uncle. The whole town is going to think you’re touched in the head by next Tuesday!

Her mental diatribe was cut short by a wave of Kat’s hand in front of her face. “Anybody home?” she asked.

“Hehe,” Jessie took another scoop of peas and looked at Kat.

“JC asked you something,” Kat said while giving Jess a quizzical look.

Jessie turned to JC, “Sorry…what did you say?”

“I didn’t know boys liked dishes,” said a befuddled Kyle.

That got a good chuckle out of everyone and had JC actually blushing. Or so Jessie thought.

Claudette leaned down and tousled Kyle’s hair, “JC is an artist sugar, he made all of these beautiful things.” She looked up at Percy with a look of adoration, “He made ‘em just for me I suppose.”

Percy grinned as he hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans and just said, “Yup.”

Claudette jumped up to hug Percy’s neck one more time as Kat and helper Kaylie began to repack the dishes.

“Oh no!” Claudette called, “We have to use them for lunch! I can’t think of a better group of guests to break them in on.”

“Well hopefully you won’t be breakin’ any,” Paul teased as he pushed up the sleeves on his long-sleeve John Deere t-shirt, “Already had to listen to Percy for a good solid month about how he hoped you’d like your anniversary gift.”

Claudette paused in the doorway to the kitchen causing the choo-choo train of helpers behind her to pile up. “But sugar,” Claudette said as she leaned her head back into the room, “Our anniversary was two months ago.”

“Yup,” James chimed in, “But I told him you probably didn’t like the new dish towels he got ya.”

Claudette gave James a wink, “Good call brother, GOOD call.”

As the group trotted off to the kitchen Jessie realized she was still eyeing JC as he passed through the screen door out to the front porch. She shook her head to clear her mind. She heard Claudette order “the boys” outside to go show the kids the pig pen and the hen house. Jessie walked to the front door and hollered out, “I think Claudette wants you to stay for dinner.”

It was then she realized JC had left his SUV running. “Yeah hadn’t planned on that,” he said as he reached through the window to turn off the car. “But from what I hear you can’t really turn down Claudette.”

Jessie wasn’t quite sure how to take that comment given it was said so bland and bluntly. This fella was obviously absent the day they handed out charisma. Jessie went to hold the door open for him as he made his way past the geraniums on the front steps. JC stopped and stared at the lush plants and made a “tsk” sound, “Wish I had a green thumb.”

Jessie looked at his potters hands lightly tinged with what she assumed was some remnant of green glaze. “Looks like you do,” she said with a grin as she nodded to his hands.

JC just walked past her and through the front room.

“Your hands, kinda green…” Jessie trailed off in exasperation as he just headed on towards the kitchen and the oohs and ahhs coming through the doorway. “Okay…”

As she rounded the kitchen entrance and headed toward the front door she did a double take. OMG it’s Brawny Ultra, is this JC?

Standing at the front door was Brawny meets Tom Seleck and then roll in some Schwarzenegger muscle and killer blue eyes. Of course Jessie came to that conclusion based only on the strong arms and the nose and eyes visible above the boxes he was carrying.

“Catch the door for me,” came a pleasant if frustrated voice “Got something here for the lady of the house.”

It was then that Jessie realized she was just staring through the screen door. She jolted and pushed it open as she leaned away to make room for his entrance. Buck trotted in behind sniffing suspiciously at his jeans.

Percy met the new guest in the living room, “JC, good to see ya, let me take one of those off your hands.”

Buck trotted back to Jessie and she realized she still had the screen door open. As Buck sat down with a huff through his nose Jessie made sure the screen door didn’t slap shut.

“Is that another mouth for lunch?” Claudette called from the kitchen.

“Yup!” Percy hollered back, “and he’s come to help set the table.”

At that odd remark Claudette made her way into the front room at the same time Kaylie and Kris came tearing in from the washroom. “I’m a good table helper too!” Kaylie said.

“Hi there sugar pie,” Claudette said as she leaned in and gave JC a quick hug, “what are you two boys up to?” she asked as she eyed the two large boxes set on her sofa.

JC stepped back shyly, which was odd to see given his muscular size, and nodded toward Percy.

Jessie couldn’t help but grin at Percy’s giddy state. She’d never seen him like this. Buck made some grumbling noises as JC edge slightly closer to them to obviously move out of Claudette’s way.

“Go ahead,” Percy nodded at the boxes and said to Claudette, “Open ‘em up.”

Claudette eyed Percy out of the corner of her eye and set a dishtowel down on the end table. As she opened the first box she pulled out a sheet of bubble wrap and started to squeal. She proceeded to pull out the most beautiful ocean blue plate with subtle gilded edges with a slightly worn look. The plate was followed by hand crafted mug, followed by bowl and saucer. “Oh Lordy sweetheart they’re gorgeous!” she said as she wrapped her arms with a plate and mug in her hands around Percy’s neck. “My own dishes,” she sang.

“Oh JC!” she squealed again, “These are gorgeous; I can’t believe how talented you are, I mean, they’re just fantastic sugar!”

JC quietly thanked her as Claudette squeezed him into a bear hug of Texas-size proportions.

There is just no way that man is smelling anything but White Rain for the next 12 hours, Jessie thought.

Kyle, Kaylie and Kris came barreling out the back door behind her.

“Is us!” little Kris called again.

“Well it certainly is,” Percy says as he reaches the enthusiastic group and ruffles Kris and Kaylie’s hair. “And hello sir,” he says as he extends a hand to Kyle.

Kyle’s face breaks into an authentic grin and his chest puffs out as he take’s Percy’s hands, “Hello Mr. Percy, my sister wants to see your pig.”

Peter and Paul both chuckled as they made their way toward the back door and Percy grinned, “Well I’m sure we can manage that.”

Jessie swung her arms around Peter and Paul’s shoulders, “Hey fellas! Haven’t seen you in ages, how’s the crop?”

“Good,” they both confirmed in unison.

As the troop made their way into the house they found Kat and Claudette with their heads together eyeing whatever part of lunch was in the oven.

“I’ve got to have that recipe,” Kat was telling Claudette.

As they both leaned up and turned around Claudette asked, “What are you boys doing in so early? It’s a good hour until lunch will be ready.”

“I’d asked JC to swing by for something, wondered if the truck I heard was his,” said Percy, “Instead I find us overrun with giggly midgets!”

Percy leaned down and began tickling Kayce and Kris until they squealed. Claudette slapped at Peter as he tried to sneak a peanut butter cookie with chocolate chunks off one of Kat’s goodie plates.

“After dinner,” Claudette said.

Kyle looked up at Paul who had sat down at the old oak kitchen table. With eyes the size of saucers he whispered conspiratorially, “You mean girls boss you around even when you’re growed up?”

Paul fought back a grin and looked down to Kyle with a solemn head nod and, “Yup.”

As Percy let the girls down to run toward their mama, Paul gave Kyle a noogie and then there was a knock on the front screen door. “Anyone home?” hollered a voice through the screen.

Jessie noticed some familiar looking rocking chairs off to the side of the porch. It looked like Case’s handiwork was making its way around Chancy.

“Come on Aunt Jess,” hollered Kaylie as she hopped up and down outside the car, dropping a few crumbs off the plate of cookies she had.

Jessie grinned and opened the door, “Careful sugar, you’re going to drop your goodies before Percy and his brothers get to try ‘em.”

“Okay, do you think I can save a cookie for the piggies?” Kaylie eagerly asked.

An impatient Kyle behind her just rolled his eyes and tugged on her sleeve. “Come on, let’s go see Ms. Claudette.”

As the troop made their way up the front steps, Claudette opened the front door, “Who’s that I see on my front porch?!”

“Is us!” called out Kris.

With a good chuckle, Claudette hauled little Kris up for a hug, “So I see sugar, so I see. Come on in and let me take those cookies off your hands.”

Claudette ushered the kids through the front room and into the bright sunny kitchen and dining area that served as the hub of the Turnbull farm. Through the back windows you could see the barn off to the left and the wide open peanut fields to the right and beyond. Jessie walked to the back windows as the kids and Kat unloaded their plates of cookies on the counters. Kaylie was informing Miss Claudette that some of the cookies were for the piggies as Jessie watched Percy come around the barn followed by Peter and Paul. There was no doubt that all three were brothers. They had the same height, give an inch or two, same no-nonsense stride and Turnbull ears.

“What a bunch of piglets we are!” Kat laughed.

It was a good hearty laugh accompanied by a genuine, full-on smile. It was little Kris who reached up to Kat’s lips and said, “Mommy smile.”

Kat picked her up onto her lap, “And so does my littlest piglet.”

“I like pigs,” Kaylie informed the group.

“You’ve never even seen a pig,” Kyle sarcastically reminded her.

“Well, we’ll have to fix that,” Jessie said as she tossed her napkin on her plate, “What do you say we go out and visit Miss Claudette at her farm?”

“Can we take her c-o-o-k-i-e-s?” Kaylie eagerly asked.

“Knowing your mama, there’s already a few dozen ready for just such an occasion,” Jessie said.

Kyle was scolding the girls, “Shhh…Mama said be qui-et y’all.”

Jessie smiled as she rolled over at the sound of the girls’ giggles. She managed to open one eye at the clock as her alarm came on. This morning she was greeted to the chorus of Kelly Clarkson’s Miss Independent. Buck, however, wasn’t at the bedside to greet her with a sloppy kiss. Rather, he was sniffing at the door. As she sat up in bed she saw a little set of fingers sneak under the door for Buck to lick.

She quietly tiptoed to the door behind Buck and nudged him aside with her foot. Just as the little fingers retracted she pulled open the door with a big, “Boo!”

Kaylie and Kris both fell back on their butts squealing with laughter and were promptly overrun by Buck and his wagging tail. All the commotion had Kyle bursting from the bathroom with soap still on his hands and Kat hollering up from the bottom of the stairs, “Girls! Did you wake Aunt Jessie?”

“Yup!” Jessie hollered back down.

“Sorry J,” Kat called, “could you make sure they’re washed up for breakfast?”

Jessie picked up the girls, one under each arm and hauled them towards the bathroom. Kyle promptly showed her clean hands as he headed downstairs, singing, “I’m done, I’m done. I get dibbs on waffles!”

“I washed too!” cried Kaylie.

“Yeah, well Buck’s kisses don’t count as clean you giggle monsters,” Jessie said as she helped them turn on the water.

When they were done and heading down to the kitchen, Jessie wondered what she’d find. Kat’s restlessness at night was manifesting in any manner of cakes, pies and savory treats. This morning they were greeted with huge Belgian waffles with a seemingly endless buffet of fixins.

“I swear Kat, I’m gonna put on thirty pounds with you here,” Jessie said.

“No swear,” said Kaylie as she launched herself onto the bench at the breakfast table.

Kat walked a fresh plate of waffles to the table and ruffled Kaylie’s hair, “That’s right, no swearing.”

Kaylie just grinned, “Yes ma’am.”

Claudette went about fixing everyone some snack plates as Kat sat down and asked Kaylie what else she could spell. Turned out she could spell everyone’s name like they practiced, and apparently also the words cookie, ice cream, snack and treat. While they discovered the newfound depth of Kaylie’s vocabulary, Jessie went onto the back porch.

Apparently Case had been by and had been busy. The screens were mended perfectly and all of the furniture looked freshly sanded, mended and ready for a fresh coat of stain. Then Jessie noticed on the far end of the porch a two-seated rocking chair and a single rocking chair. They were gorgeous. While they looked well aged and beautifully weathered, she knew they had to have been some of Case’s work. She sat down in the rocker and sighed as it began to move her gently back and forth just with the slightest effort on her part. She took a deep breath and smiled.