“Like a loan?”
“Sometimes a loan that is repaid, or sometimes I become a business partner who gets a small percentage of profits. There’s a lot of ways to lay out the specifics, and I tend to tailor it to what works best for everyone.”
“I see. Well, my parents are the owners,” Noel said.
“But you’re the future of this place,” Iola said. “The rest is just paperwork.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” I said. “You did have a lot of plans, Noel.”
He cast me an unsure look. “I did, but the farm belongs to all of us.”
I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and kissed his temple. “Then I guess we all have some talking to do.” I glancedat Laurie. “If you’re actually interested and Iola isn’t twisting your arm?”
Tucker chuckled. “Oh, Iola does her best, but Laurie wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t intrigued.”
“That’s true,” Laurie said. “I love investing in small businesses and communities. I live in Granville, so places close to home always tug at my heartstrings.”
“He invested in the Stag Pub and the Matchmaking Mamas,” Iola said. “I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t believe Laurie would do right by you all.”
Noel stepped forward to hug the pushy woman, who, in a way, wasn’t so different from Noel. They both went after what they wanted.
“Thank you for thinking of us, Iola. That is so sweet.”
“Oh, honey, I wouldn’t have done it if your food wasn’t heavenly.” She squished his cheeks. “We want you to stay and make us more beautiful meals.”
I laughed. “Apparently, the secret to a whole town’s love is through their stomach, Noel.”
“Well, then, I’m set,” he said with a big smile. “But there’s really only one heart I want.”
He cast a smile up at me, and I didn’t care that we looked like a couple of sappy fools.
He had my heart for as long as he wanted it. Hopefully, that would be a very long time.
CHAPTER 25
NOEL
I wokeup with Hopper on Christmas morning and snuggled in a little closer to his warm body. Now that my parents knew we were dating—or, well, now thatweknew that they knew—I didn’t have to sneak out of bed in the middle of the night.
I rolled over and pressed a kiss between Hopper’s pecs, his chest hair tickling my face.
“Mornin’,” he rasped.
“Merry Christmas,” I said softly. “Do you have a gift for me?”
I trailed my hand down his torso, then wrapped my fingers around his morning hard-on. “Oh, what’s this? It’s perfect!”
He chuckled. “You’re ridiculous. I got you a real gift. It’s under the tree.”
“I don’t need presents.” I stroked his cock lightly. “You’re all I need.”
“Same.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Shower with me?”
Get in a hot, wet shower, where I could rub all over his amazing body? Yes, please.
We showered together, taking time to enjoy ourselves in the steam before soaping and rinsing off. By the time we’d dressed, I could smell the mouthwatering scent of bacon drifting upstairs.
We bounded downstairs like a couple of excited kids on Christmas morning. Dad was seated at the kitchen table, sipping coffee.
