“Bet they’re not working on their PhD like you are. Besides, your professor wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t think you’d make an excellent speaker.”
Kyla laughed. “Thanks Kev. I think I’m the only student of Professor Abraham’s who’s created a business plan for their non-profit with a long-term plan of action for the organization. That’s what he’s impressed with.”
One of the teenage girls came for another basket. Kevin reached inside the truck and handed it to her, smiling as she walked back to join the others.
“So, how’s your girlfriend these days?” Kyla asked.
Kevin looked at her and started laughing. “What? All I did was look. She’s cute.”
“Uh-huh. Don’t get yourself in trouble again.”
“Isn’t it about time for you to leave for Lexington? Wouldn’t want you to be late. And why did you choose to come out here, anyway? I could have handled the tour myself this morning.”
“I don’t have to be there until after noon, and working kind of settles my nerves. Takes the edge off.” She shook her hands out, and took a deep breath.
* * *
After the strawberry fields came the vegetable gardens, followed by a brief farm tour before the guests were carried back to the B and B. As the truck turned in, Kyla noticed something she didn’t usually see at the Coleman Farm—her older brother Gavin’s truck. Gavin worked with their father on their small farm in Nicholasville. At nine in the morning he should be miles away, busy at work. So why was he here? She hadn’t seen her parents in almost a month, since she moved out of student housing and into the B and B for the summer, so she hoped everything was okay. As she climbed off the truck, she cursed herself for not going home more often.
She hurried through her goodbyes to the guests before going inside and walking to the back of the house where the family quarters were located. The house staff was finishing up breakfast, but she didn’t see Gavin anywhere. Corra, Rollin’s sister, walked into the kitchen.
“Morning, Kyla, how was the tour this morning?” Corra asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Great, as usual. Lots of questions.” Corra and her two kids were Kyla’s favorite cousins. When she had the time, she helped Corra in the gift shop and just loved being in her company. She was funny, and she never asked nosy questions, trying to pry into Kyla’s personal business like some other family members.
Rita Coleman, Kyla’s aunt by marriage, came whirling through the kitchen. “Kyla, honey, grab yourself something to eat. You don’t want to sit down in front of them folks with your stomach growling.”
“I’m fine. I ate something this morning.” Rita was the backbone of The Coleman House. After her cousin’s parents were killed in a car crash, Rita had stepped up as a surrogate mother and later joined the staff of the B and B. They couldn’t run the house without her. She cooked all the meals, tended a beautiful garden out back and did a little housekeeping, all before going home to her husband at night. It was her personal touches that helped distinguish their B and B from others in town.
“Oh, that’s right. It’s World Hunger Day, isn’t it?” Corra asked. “Kyla, aren’t you supposed to be at the University of Kentucky this morning?”
“I don’t have to be there for a little while. I saw Gavin’s truck out front. Is he here?”
Rita set a plate in front of Corra and instructed her to fill it up. “He’s out back with Rollin. Sure was glad to see him this morning. Gavin and your daddy are so busy these days, we hardly get to see them.”
“I know. I haven’t seen him myself in a while. I hope everything’s okay at home.”
“I’m sure it’s just fine. But why don’t you run on out and say hello before you go. You know how Gavin is—one never knows when he’ll be this way again.”
“I think I will.” Kyla looked down at her watch. She had a few minutes.
Several yards behind the B and B was a large barn where Rollin kept a lot of the smaller farm equipment. Kyla spotted both men standing just outside the barn as she crossed the yard. Her younger brother was almost as tall as her cousin Rollin.
After graduating from high school, Gavin had gone straight to work with their father. No amount of prodding and persuasion could talk Gavin into going to college. He said he’d go to the local community college and take some business classes, but that never happened. Instead, Gavin married a local girl, began having babies and never left the farm. He’d moved his family in with their parents last summer.
Rollin put his hand on Gavin’s shoulder and gestured to him as Kyla approached. “Hey, look who it is.”
She strolled up to them. “I see, and I’m surprised. What brings you to Danville?” she asked as she greeted her brother with a hug.
Gavin smiled and hugged her back. “I came to catch up with you and Tracee, and then I saw Rollin out here so I thought I’d pick his brain a minute.”
Their older sister, Tracee, was also part of the B and B staff. She baked and helped Rita prepare meals in the kitchen. “Well, I don’t know where Tracee is, but I’ve only got a minute. I’m speaking on a panel in Lexington today.”
Rollin looked at his watch. “Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be there?”
“She’s scared,” came a loud voice from behind them.
Kyla turned around to see Tracee with her full head of natural curls bouncing as she walked toward them. Her free-flowing mane epitomized why Kyla nicknamed her Good Time Girl. Tracee roamed freely through the world, pursuing things that made her happy. She brought the party wherever she went. Her motto had always been, “What’s done is done.”
She greeted Gavin with a big hug. Kyla knew there was some truth to what Tracee had just said, but she would never admit it.
Rollin slapped Gavin on the shoulder. “I’m going to let you guys talk. Gavin, you know where to find me when you finish with your sisters.” He walked back into the barn.
Kyla turned to Gavin. “Is everything okay at home?”
He glanced from her to Tracee before nodding. “Everything’s cool, why?”
“Because I don’t think you’ve shown up here this early since I’ve been working here. Mom and Dad are okay?”
“They’re fine.”
“And the wife and kids?” she continued.
Gavin chuckled. “Donna and the kids are cool. You should come out and see them. They’re getting big.”
More guilt from her little brother. Kyla nodded. “I will, and soon, I promise. But if it wasn’t anything important, I need to run. I’ll call you later.”
“Naw, go ahead. I’ll talk to Tracee. You go kill ’em dead today.”
“Good luck girl. I wish I could be there to cheer you on.” Tracee leaned over and gave Kyla a hug.
Gavin waved as Kyla hurried back up to the house. She had two hours to get changed and drive to Lexington. She could not be late for her presentation. Besides, Professor Abraham had said he had a surprise for her, and she was eager to see what that was.
* * *
After her shower, Kyla dressed in a business suit and heels. She pulled her straight hair back into a French bun. She hadn’t allowed herself much time for makeup, so foundation and lip gloss would have to do. She jumped on US 150 and arrived at the conference in time to find Professor Abraham