AlexI took a bite of my crispy bacon before sipping the black coffee. I had been starving when I walked into the only restaurant in town. People in town were used to me eating a lot. I burned a lot of calories doing what I did, and for now, I didn’t have to worry too much about putting on a ton of weight. I wasn’t exactly a bodybuilder, but I was stronger than most women.Correction, stronger than most normal women. Women that ranched and farmed were tough. I was proud to be what I considered one of the elite class of females across the country that could rein in a scared horse, load a bale of hay, and then cook up a hot meal for the menfolk. What I really loved was working my ass off on a farm and then sitting down to enjoy a meal someone else prepared. Like my breakfast. Any meal prepared by someone else always tasted a little better in my opinion.“Did you get those new boots you were looking at?” Sadie asked casually.I stuffed a buttery piece of pancake in my mouth, shaking my h
Alex“I’ll give it until the end of the week. If no one shows up, I’ll call the lawyer and let him know I need a body there or he needs to give me the power to hire a body.”“Good plan. I need to scoot. I’ve got an eleven o’clock.”“See ya later,” I said, not getting up. I had already been to the farm, taken care of morning chores, and was going to enjoy a lazy, late breakfast.With the initial shock of Oliver’s death easing, I was able to focus on what came next. I had a couple of calls from potential clients. The easy thing to do would be to walk away, take a new job, and put Oliver and his farm behind me. It was how I lived my life. I didn’t get attached to people or places. I kept everyone at arm’s length.I checked the time. I wanted to be rebellious and ignore the farm. I couldn’t. I didn’t know what I believed about the afterlife, but I wasn’t interested in pissing off any ghosts. I had made a promise and I intended to keep that promise.I left the diner and drove out to the fa
DamionI knew my grandfather had someone minding the farm, but no one had said anything about that someone being a beautiful young woman. I had seen the truck pull up and watched through the dining room window where I had just sat down to enjoy a sandwich with Oliver. When I saw the truck, I assumed it was the hand Harvey told me about. Then she got out of the truck and I was less sure about my assumption. He had told me someone named Alex was running things. That didn’t look like an Alex to me.I waited and watched as she disappeared into the barn. I wondered if she worked for Alex. Before I ventured out to introduce myself, I got Oliver situated in the bedroom that used to be mine growing up. I walked outside, inhaling the fresh air with the scent of freshly tilled dirt lingering. It was strange how a scent could stir up memories. I took a few more deep breaths, closing my eyes and letting myself be transported to another time.When I opened my eyes again, I found her staring at me.
DamionI winced, hating to piss the woman off any more than she already was. “I can’t.”“You can’t?” she asked, one light brow raising and a hand going to her hip. “What do you mean you can’t? You can’t, or you won’t?”“I need to get back inside.”She looked up at the sky, the sun shining bright, and then back at me. “The sun won’t hurt you. Slap on some sunscreen and you’ll be fine.”“Later,” I said, not appreciating her condescending tone. I had tried to be nice, but she was being rude. “I’ve got a lot to take care of inside the house so I have somewhere to sleep tonight.”She rolled her eyes. “Why are you even here? You and I both know this isn’t the life for you. You aren’t the kind of guy that likes to get his hands dirty. An editor that sits in an office and probably has an assistant that waits on him hand and foot isn’t going to make it out here. Maybe you were raised on the farm, but that doesn’t mean you can keep up with the lifestyle now. You’ve gotten soft.”I leaned forwar
AlexI felt giddy. The sun was barely sending up its shots of pretty oranges and yellows into the morning sky when I drove down the long gravel driveway. I was going to make it my mission in life to make Damion’s life a living hell.I wanted him to hate the farm and pack up and leave. I didn’t like him. He was arrogant and obnoxious. He was the kind of man who thought he could snap his fingers and anyone and everyone would jump to do his bidding.I couldn’t wait to show him I wasn’t one of those people. He could fire me if he wanted. That would free me from my obligation to Oliver. If his grandson ran me off the property, there was little I could do about it. Damion would sell the farm, take the money, and run back to New York. It would be sad to see it go to someone else, but I had to believe the person that bought the farm would keep it going.Oliver had said he wanted the farm functional. He hadn’t specified he wanted it to be in his grandson’s hands when it functioned. Hell, he ha
Alex“It’s not that early,” I argued. “Roosters were up hours ago.”“It’s seven, Alex. Seven. That’s early.”“I need coffee,” I told her.She turned around, glowering at me as she reached for a mug. “Do you know they sell coffee at the gas station and the diner, and hell, I know you have your own coffee maker.”“I like your coffee,” I said with a grin.“What happened? You did something. I know that look.”“Me?” I asked innocently. “I did nothing.”Five minutes later, we were sitting on her couch, both of us with a cup of coffee cradled in our hands. “I assume you’ve already been out to Oliver’s farm?”I nodded. “Damion’s farm.”“Who’s Damion?”“Damion is Oliver’s grandson. He’s back.”“Back from where?” she asked with confusion.“New York City. That’s where he’s been living. He’s back because he inherited the farm. That’s who Oliver gave it to. That’s who Oliver was trying to tell me was coming to take over it.”She rubbed her eyes. “It’s too early. I’m so confused.”“Damion is going
DamionAfter getting up way earlier than I would have preferred, Oliver and I were both dragging a little. Thankfully, our bodies were still on east-coast time and it didn’t feel nearly as early as it had been when she’d rumbled the tractor by the window.It was a trick I was familiar with. My grandpa used to do the same damn thing when I would get home late. He hated the idea of sleeping in. He considered seven too late. No matter the day, the man was up and out of bed by five at the latest. Apparently, Alex was the same way.“Okay, are you ready?” I asked Oliver, who was sitting at the kitchen table, just finishing his cereal.He shrugged. “Do I have to?”“Yes, you have to. This school is going to be a lot different than your old school.”He put his bowl in the sink. “Don’t I have to wear my uniform?”I smiled, shaking my head. “Nope. Jeans and whatever shirt you choose is good enough.”“Do they have books?”“Absolutely. Today, we’ll go and just check things out. You don’t have to s
DamionMrs. Peters excused herself before Miss June came to stand beside me. “I’m really glad you’re back. Your grandfather always told us you’d be back one day.”I gulped down the lump in my throat. “I think he wanted me back sooner.”“Oh, don’t be too hard on yourself. He knew you needed to spread your wings and fly. He was so very proud of you. Every time I saw him in town or at one of the football games, he would catch me up on your life. I’m sorry things haven’t been easy for you, but I’m sure glad to finally get to meet that young man. He’s going to be fine here.”I nodded. “I have no doubt in my mind he will. I’m happy you’re still here. You made a huge difference in my life. Oliver is a lot like I was. He needs a lady like you.”“I’m only sorry I only get to have him in class a couple of months. Maybe I’ll hold him back so I can spend more time with him.”I chuckled. “Oliver is a smart kid and I’m not just saying that because I’m a proud daddy. He’s really smart. His last scho