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“Why?” he asked.
“For being such a jerk about my dad hiring you. He told me that a good foreman is a necessity and I’d be happy to have you by my side.”
“I hope that’s true. It would suck to move back here and have you forever hate my guts.”
“I didn’t ever hate you. I was upset at first, but my parents can’t say enough good things about you. I couldn’t get a handle on you because anytime I came around, you found something else to do.”
“Staying out of your way seemed the best option, considering what I knew.”
“Please don’t do that anymore. I was venting my feelings, but I’m not some soap opera villain looking for ways to discredit you. I hope you believe me.”
“I do.” He walked along the row, fingering the branches as he passed. “Is that why you wanted to tag along out here? To get to know me? Clear the air?”
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I just saw you on the quad and thought a ride around the farm sounded fun. Now I’m glad I came along and got to really meet the great guy my parents keep raving about.”
Clark slowed to face her, touching her arm as he smiled. “Thank you, Merry. That means a lot.”
She stared at him strangely before she released a little laugh. “You’re welcome. And I really am serious about Jace coming over. Although you might not agree when I feed him ten pounds of sugary snacks before sending him home.”
Clark stumbled back in mock horror. “You wouldn’t!”
“Chances are slim, but not zero.”
“I guess I’d better stay on your good side, then.”
“Probably best. Although I feel like I should be the one on my best behavior from now on.”
Clark looked up from the tree he was studying, his gaze locking with hers. “I admire your candidness. I always have.”
“Thank you. I don’t remember the two of us having very many conversations, even before you left for college.”
“That’s because you were out of my league.”
“Ouch. Please tell me I didn’t come off like a giant superficial jerk.”
Clark held up his fingers apart a tiny bit, smirking. “Only this much.”
To his surprise, she shoved him gently on his arm, the gesture friendly and familiar, as though this wasn’t the first real conversation they’d had in years.
“I’m only teasing. You were easy to be around. The people you hung with, I can’t say the same.”
Merry looped her arm through his. “I’ll give you that. My entire dating history includes every flavor of asshole. I think back on my life sometimes and wonder what the hell I was thinking. Do you ever do that?”
The weight of her arm in his took Clark back to the one day he really got to spend time with Merry, how she lit up the room, treated everyone like they were her best friend. Merry had a way about her; easily approachable, with a personality warm and inviting that people flocked to. She didn’t think twice about teasing a stranger or taking the arm of a guy she was getting to know.
He’d never had that natural ability to connect with people, maybe because he’d had such a disconnection in his own life. It wasn’t until Jace came along that he’d finally learned to speak up and ask for things, usually with less tact than most, but he couldn’t stand pussy-footing around things.
“Not particularly. I only ever dated one person and although that didn’t turn out the way I wanted, if I hadn’t met her, I wouldn’t have Jace.”
Merry released him and walked backwards so she could face him, her expression bright and earnest. “He is such a funny, special kid.” She stopped, cocking her head sheepishly. “I should really thank you. Jace will keep my mother occupied for several years.”
“Occupied?”
“Grandkids. My mother says they are the reward for raising children, as if we aren’t good enough for her.”
“You don’t want kids?” he asked.
“I do. I want a passel of kids, but not any time soon. I want to meet someone and have a few years to just discover us before we add another person to the mix.”
