Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 1) by Valerie Comer Page B

their operation and had co-signed on their mortgage.
    “Almost.” Claire moved to the next row. “We’ll need a few more, but it’s a good start.”
    The tractor grew louder then shifted gears and turned into the Green Acres driveway. Domino was off like a spooked rabbit, only headed toward the danger. Jo bellowed at him, but he was already so far away he didn’t seem to hear at all.
    “Hope Zach’s watching out for that dog,” said Claire.
    Jo waved both arms frantically as she ran, hoping to catch Zach’s attention before Domino dodged in front of the tractor. Zach yanked on the wheel and spun the tractor hard to the right. Jo held her breath, but the machine was more stable than she’d given it credit for.
    Zach swerved left again and ground the equipment to a halt while Domino continued to dance around it.
    Jo grabbed the pup’s collar, yanking him off to the side. He whimpered.
    Zach nodded and drove on past. The tractor bucket clanged as he dumped manure on the garden patch, backing the tractor inch by inch.
    Domino whined at Jo’s side as Zach turned the tractor and chugged back down the driveway. She kept a firm grip on the pup’s collar and lifted a hand to wave at Zach as he passed.
    He tipped his hat, an old straw one today.
    Jo turned to watch him drive away, tall and straight on the old John Deere.
    “Maybe it’s not Sierra I ought to be worried about,” Claire drawled from behind her.
    Jo swung around. “Just making sure he’s gone before letting Domino go.” She released the pup. He immediately began to chase his tail round and round.
    “Uh huh. That’s what you’d like me to think.” Her gleaming brown eyes met Jo’s.
      Even though Jo had to look nearly nine inches up at Claire, she put on her most innocent look. “Ready to get the rest of those bushes in?”
    Claire snickered and grabbed the spade. “Sure. Any time.”

Chapter 6

    Zach tucked in his clean T-shirt and rapped lightly on the door of Grandma’s old trailer. He’d rather think of her here than in the Galena Hills facility, but he had a sneaking suspicion this place would be so changed his mind could never get that picture back from his childhood. Barking sounded from within, then the door opened and Domino leaped out, colliding with Zach’s belly. “Hey there. Domino, down.”
    Laughter reached Zach’s ears as the pup bounced around him on the narrow landing.
    Josephine. She’d taken time for a shower, too, by the looks of things. Her hair, still damp, had been pulled into a ponytail that swung way down her back when she turned to beckon him in. She’d changed into dark jeans and a mossy green top with a ruffled neckline.
    The aroma of stew tickled his nose, and his forehead creased. Smelled like beef, not tofu. Not that he’d recognize tofu. He’d been raised a farm boy, suspicious of anything too weird. That concoction—
    “Sierra’s turn in the kitchen,” Jo was saying. “Now if you want a good meal, you’ll have to come back when Claire’s cooking.”
    He noticed she didn’t make any claims for her own.
    The young woman who’d been working outside with Jo this afternoon came down the hallway, and he nodded at her. Taller than Jo or Sierra, and the only one of the trio with short hair, she assessed him from brown eyes.
    Jo stepped closer. “Claire, have you met Zach yet? Zach, this is our roommate Claire.”
    “Pleased to meet you.” Zach reached out and shook Claire’s hand.
    “Same.” But she quickly looked away.
    Not that it mattered. “Thanks for the invitation,” he said to the group in general. “Smells good.”
    Sierra glanced over her shoulder at him from her spot by the stove. “Thanks.”
    “We appreciate all your hard work for us today.” Jo knelt beside the bumbling puppy and soothed him. “Least we could do is feed you, especially with your mom out tonight.” A twinkle appeared in her eye when she squinted up at him.
    He felt a flush creep up his neck. “About that. I