"Good news indeed!" she exclaimed. The screen in front of her displayed a graph, its line ascending sharply, mirroring the lift in her spirits. "Our sales have doubled since last month, and people are loving the new ad campaign." She gestured toward the computer.
He stepped forward, his gaze following the trajectory of her gesture. "Mel, this is incredible. You've outdone yourself," he praised.
"Lucas, with results like these," she began, "I think we're at a point where we need someone to take the reins of our marketing full-time. Someone who understands our mission and cares about this business as much as I do."
She paused, searching his face before continuing, "What would you say to being our marketing director?"
The question hung between them, charged with potential and promise. Lucas's eyes met hers, a mixture of surprise and humility flickering within their depths. He ran a hand through his dark hair, considering the weight of her proposal.
"Me?" he asked, almost rhetorically. "I came here looking for a fresh start, something meaningful. Working alongside you, Mel, I've found that—and more. I'd be honored to help lead us into the next chapter."
“I guess that means I need to find a new manager for the farm...though I’m glad you started here, learning every aspect of the business.” She leaned into him. “I wasn’t expecting to marry a man who was so good at business.”
He grinned. “That’s what happens with an MBA.”
"Then it's settled," she declared. "Welcome aboard, Director Barnett."
"As long as I’m allowed to keep working on the farm," Lucas said, "I can dive head first into marketing, but I still want to keep my boots dirty out there with Joe."
Melanie nodded, her red hair catching the sunlight that streamed through the open door. "Exactly. You've got a knack for this, Lucas. But I still want you to understand the farming side of the business."
A slow smile spread across his face, the decision crystallizing in his mind as clearly as the view of from the farmhouse on a cloudless day. Lucas could see it now—the balance of contributing to business growth without losing touch with the earthy roots that grounded him.
Melanie's grin mirrored his own, a reflection of shared contentment and anticipation. She reached across the desk, her slender fingers closing around his calloused hand. "We're going to make a great team, Lucas. Not just for the business, but for each other."
Lucas squeezed her hand in affirmation, warmth flooding through him. This was more than a job offer; it was a blend of her dreams and his desire for purpose. Together, they were sowing the seeds of success that would grow alongside the crops and cattle, nurtured by their joint passion and care.
"Let's do it, then," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "Let's take this business—and our life—to places we've only imagined." He pulled her into his arms and held her close, thinking about how she had wormed her way into his heart. He almost felt guilty for having feelings for her, but he refused. No, they were married, and this was his new start.
Chapter Eight
They’d been married for eight weeks and were both deeply embroiled in their work when Lucas realized they needed some time together without work. They both enjoyed what they did, but they needed to have some time away as a couple.
As he fed the chickens that morning, he decided they needed a weekend away from work, and he was going to do whatever it took to make it happen.
He went into the house for breakfast and saw that Melanie already had it on the table. He was always amazed at how she did all the cooking with her busy workload and never asked him for help. He knew it was a lot for one person, but he also knew they were often eating a packaged meal that she’d simply added water to. She used her electric kettle like other women used a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Breakfast that morning was scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese mixed right in, and they were delicious. As he took a sip of his morning coffee, he said, “We need a weekend away.”
Her eyes widened. “It’s the middle of growing and harvest season. I could spare a weekend in...” She picked up her phone and scrolled through her online calendar. “Late November or early December.”
He sighed. “I was thinking more about leaving on Friday night and coming back on Sunday evening.”
“This week?” she asked, her eyes wide in shock. “I can’t possibly go anywhere this week.”
“Can’t Jacob and Abigail pick up your slack for one weekend?” he asked. They’d rarely kissed and never made love. It was time for them to do both.
“I guess they can, but it’s still so quick...”
“Ocean? Mountains?” he asked.
“I’ve never seen an ocean. I was born and raised right here. My parents died while I was young, so my grandmother raised me...”
“Ocean it is. Not New York. West coast?”
“I don’t know that we can do this so quickly.”
“You don’t usually work on weekends. Why would it be a problem?”
