“I—” Pam had just opened her mouth when Leon cut in with a suggestion.
“Let’s eat sothing first. We can talk over lunch.”
With that, Leon took the lead and headed back toward Red Star Farm.
Pam and Penny exchanged glances. Pam hesitated for a mont, but Penny gently stroked her mother’s hand and led her into the farm.
It was Pam’s first visit to Red Star Farm, and Penny’s second. Both were startled by how large the place had grown.
The wooden cabin at the front looked simple enough, but the neat, orderly rows of lush green crops stretching out before it were truly eye-catching.
Everyone in Pelican Town had so planting experience, though most only cultivated a small patch near their hos. Even that could be tiring to manage. But this—this was a vast expanse of farmland. If Leon were tending it alone, it would be exhausting.
“No wonder he didn’t attend the ceremony. He must be swamped with work,” Pam murmured.
“I didn’t expect he’d expanded this much, either,” Penny added. “Last ti I ca, there weren’t nearly this many crops.”
“Do you think our visit will bother him?” Pam asked nervously.
“I’m not sure.” Penny shook her head. She didn’t know the answer either.
anwhile, Leon had fetched fresh beef and potatoes from his chest for the main dish. He also pulled out so regular mushrooms to make a simple mushroom soup.
Given what he had on hand, beef stew with potatoes was his best option. He’d served it to Abigail and Robin before, and they’d loved it. Pam and Penny likely wouldn’t turn their noses up at it either.
When Leon stepped outside and saw the mother and daughter still standing there, he quickly invited them in, ushered them to the kitchen, and poured them each a glass of water. He also set out so cookies Grandma Evelyn had given him as a pre-al treat.
“Take a mont to rest,” he said. “We can talk once we start eating. No need to be so formal. Penny and I are friends, and Pam, I’ve heard your story from Lewis. I respect your strength.”
With the pair reassured, Leon got to work. Thankfully, the dishes didn’t require much variety—only generous portions.
Penny soon got up to help, washing vegetables and keeping an eye on the pot, which sped things along. Pam stayed seated at the table, watching the two work together, her expression complicated.
Soon, Leon brought a steaming pot of beef stew to the table, while Penny set down the mushroom soup. Leon dished out three plates of rice and gestured for them to sit.
“I know why you’re here, Pam,” Leon began. “The reason I repaired the bus was for my own convenience—so I could travel to the Calico Desert whenever I needed.”
Pam froze, her prepared words of thanks stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth but couldn’t get anything out.
Penny couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Leon, my mom just wanted to thank you. Fixing the bus ans she has a steady job again.”
“Then there’s even less reason to thank ,” Leon replied with a smile. “If anything, I should thank Pam—her work makes it easier for
to get to the desert. I can’t drive the bus myself.”
“Leon—may I call you that?” Pam asked. When he nodded, she quickly added, “No matter your reasons, I have to thank you for repairing the bus. It was my favorite job, and one of my family’s main sources of inco. This work ans a lot to .”
“I thought after what happened, I’d never be a bus driver again. There were misunderstandings, sure, but Lewis used the ceremony to clear my na and explain the real cause of the accident. He told
that was your idea, so… thank you.”
Leon blinked, surprised that Lewis had given him the credit. But he quickly explained, “Lewis wanted that too. It’s been years, and he couldn’t stand to see you carry that burden any longer. I just agreed with him.”
“I’m grateful to Lewis and to you. You’re a good man, Leon. Thank you.” Pam’s eyes were red.
Penny hugged her mother, while Leon stayed quiet. He understood why Pam was so emotional—anyone would be, after having their na cleared from years of unjust bla.
When Pam had cald down, Leon said, “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
“I—” Pam started again, but Leon only smiled and shook his head. Penny quickly scooped a large spoonful of stew onto her mother’s plate.
Pam let it go and joined them for the al.
Lunch was quiet. Leon didn’t speak, Pam stayed reserved, and Penny simply kept her head down. Once they were full, Penny began clearing the table.
Leon, seeing Pam hesitate as if she wanted to say sothing, spoke first. “Pam, you won’t be drinking on the job, will you?”
“No,” Pam promised quickly. “Even off-duty, I’ll only drink in moderation—never enough to risk being hungover for work.”
“Then there’s no problem.” Leon nodded. “Go ho with Penny. I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about, and this isn’t exactly the best place for heartfelt conversations.”
He walked over to the sink and took over Penny’s dishwashing. “Penny, take your mom ho. I’ll handle this.”
“You’re not going to talk more?” Penny asked.
“There’s not much to talk about,” Leon replied. “I ant what I said—the bus repair was for my own needs.”
“Alright. Thanks for lunch, Leon. It was great.” Penny understood the hint and didn’t insist, leading her mother out of Red Star Farm.
When the dishes were done and the farm lay silent, Leon let out a breath.
Pam’s gratitude didn’t matter to him. Without Lewis’s explanation and support, he would have told Lewis to just hire a reliable driver. He’d only invited Pam and Penny for lunch because of Penny. He had little fondness for Pam and no plans to interact much with her in the future.
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