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“You made an impression years ago and my opinion hasn’t changed.”
“Good or bad?”
“Good.”
Why did that one word, said in that deep, gravely voice of his, tickle her giddy?
“Well, thank the Lord for that. I would hate to run you off now that we’re getting along.”
“Even if you chased me with a rabid grizzly, you’d have a hard time getting rid of me.”
“I’m fresh out of those,” Merry teased. “If my dad ever lets me take the reins though, I promise not to let all that power go to my head.”
“Are you really planning on taking over when your parents retire?” He sounded skeptical.
“Why is there a tone when you ask that?”
His face stretched in a sheepish smirk. “I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve seen you out hauling trees with us.”
“Hey, I can get dirty if I need to.”
There was that smile again, taking out her knees like a linebacker. “I didn’t say you couldn’t.”
The alternate meaning to their conversation registered and she burst out laughing. “Oh, boy! This took a strange turn. Let’s get back on track. Me taking over the farm. I didn’t think I would. I always loved it out here, but I guess I assumed my brother would take over. Then he joined the army and fell in love with programming, and I realized I wasn’t being honest with myself because I’m not big on going after what I want.”
“I’m the opposite. I’ve known what I wanted since I was seventeen, and when your dad’s foreman post popped up in my feed, I knew I had to apply. I was really surprised he hired me.”
“Why is that?”
“I’d been working in a lab since graduation, with some field work, but I don’t have any experience running a farm. I did a lot of research and I’m a fast learner, but I need this season to go well.”
Merry reached out without thinking and squeezed his hand. “It’ll be an awesome season. I have faith.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners and he returned her gesture, compressing her hand in his larger one. “Thanks.”
The heat of his skin warmed hers, flutters erupting inside from her stomach to her chest. His eyes were a touch lighter than her sibling’s, and she could have sworn she saw flecks of green in their depths.
Merry’s phone went off with Beastie Boys’ “Girls” and she released his hand with a start. Digging her phone out of her pocket, she groaned. “I forgot my friends were coming over for dinner tonight.”
“It’s no problem, I’ll take you back.”
“We can finish your inspection.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yeah, just let me answer this.” She slid her thumb across the screen. “Hi.”
“Where are you? We’re standing outside your front door freezing our asses off,” Sally said.
“It should be unlocked. Just go inside and I’ll meet you there in half an hour?” The last was said with a question and Clark nodded. “Half an hour.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m inspecting the north side of the property with Clark.”
“Oh, your hot foreman?” Tara piped in and Merry rolled her eyes. She should have known Sally would put her on speaker phone.
“Yes, but it isn’t like that. We’re working.”
