“A florist? Really?” Hawk shook his head as he told him, “That one might be the worst yet.”
“Okay, how about this one? What do stoners do when they get lost?” Rafe giggled under his breath, then answered himself, “They turn down the music so they can see better.”
“Nope.” Hawk groaned. “Not any better.”
“I’ve got one.” I looked over to Hawk as I said, “Your mom is like marijuana—everyone does her, but no one admits it.”
“That’s just wrong.”
“I’m out on that one.” Menace stood and tossed his empty beer bottle into the trash as he continued, “I’m gonna call it a night.”
“Seriously?” I fussed. “It’s not even ten o’clock.”
“I need to call Parker.”
“Ah, yeah,” Rafe chuckled. “He’s still in that puppy-love stage where he’s gotta check in with his ol’ lady every five minutes.”
“Might do you good to do the same.”
“Don’t worry about me, old man. Me and my woman are just fine.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, brother.” I smiled as I watched the exchange between Rafe and Menace.
A smirk crossed his face as Rafe poked, “Our boy here is just getting too old to hang with us like he used to.”
“Not too old, smartass. Just gotta limit my time with you people to small doses.” Menace gave us both a look and said, “It’s the only way I can keep my sanity.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, boss.”
“Keep running that mouth, brother, and see what it gets ya,” Menace warned as he turned and started back to the guest quarters.
“After all that, I think I’m gonna call it a night, too,” Hawk announced as he stood up. “And don’t give me any mouth about it either.”
“Who? Us?”
“You two need some help.” Hawk shook his head. “Be ready to roll first thing in the morning.”
“Will do.”
Before he was out of earshot, Hawk shouted over his shoulder, “Thanks for dinner, Kiersten.”
“Welcome!” she shouted in return. “Sleep well!”
Once they both went into the house, Rafe looked over to Kiersten and then to me. I was worried he was going to say something about us hooking up, but instead, he simply stood and said, “I’m starving. Are there any leftovers from dinner?”
“There are tons.” Kiersten pointed to the church’s kitchen back door. “It’s all in the fridge.”
“Awesome.”
Moments later, Rafe disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Kiersten and me alone by the fire. I was still feeling the effects of the marijuana when I glanced over to her and said, “You know, you did good tonight.”
“Oh? And how’s that?”
“By coming clean with the guys.” Even high, I knew better than to say too much. “I think it was a step in the right direction.”
“I hope so.” She studied me for a moment, then asked, “Was I right when I said I didn’t do anything you and your brothers wouldn’t have done if you were in my shoes?”
“Can’t say for sure, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
“I thought so.” She shrugged. “I just hope I didn’t go to all that trouble for nothing.”
“Only time will tell.” Seeing the worried look in her eyes made me ask, “So what makes a girl like you decide to start up a marijuana farm?”
“A girl like me?”
“You’re beautiful and smart with a good head on your shoulders.” Her gorgeous eyes were locked on mine as I continued, “I know your father does well, so it’s not like you’re doing it for the money.”
“Money has nothing to do with it.” She turned her focus to the fire, and the flames illuminated her face with an angelic glow. Once again, I was mesmerized by how beautiful she was. The tone in her voice changed from light-hearted and free to strained and full of anguish. “I hadn’t planned on doing this. I went to college thinking I would study botany or biochemistry, and I’d make some amazing discovery that would change the world, but I lost interest in saving the world when I discovered what my father was doing.”
“So, you know?”
“Not everything, but I know enough.” She brushed her hair out of her face and looked at me. “I’d always thought he was this great man who could do no wrong. I always thought he’d love me and protect me from the evil in the world. Instead, he brought it into our home.”
The girl who seemed to be so strong and had it all together wasn’t as tough as she tried to make us think. I knew it might’ve just been the effects of the pot, but I liked the fact that she’d given me a glimpse of her vulnerable side. Hoping she might open up a little more, I asked, “How did you find out?”
“I heard a noise, I went to check it out, and I saw things I never should’ve seen—which would’ve never happened if Dad hadn’t forgotten to shut a door. If he just kept it closed, I would’ve never known he wasn’t the man I thought he was.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my father, I really do, but I grew up thinking he was someone who wouldn’t hurt a fly. I was wrong. He thinks I’m just a college student studying to be a biochemist. Turns out, he’s wrong. too.”