Page 25 of Hometown Hottie

“Okay, I think I’m starting to get it, but what is your father so set against? Growing crops or what?”

“Everything. He says our infrastructure may be old, but it’s working so there’s no reason to spend a bunch of money on upgrades. He also thinks that growing crops is absurd because he’s a rancher, not a farmer, and he’s not willing to release any of the grazing land to me for crops.”

I grimaced. “So basically, he’s dead set against changing anything. Is that right?”

“That’s about it, yeah. He just wants to keep plodding along exactly like we have been, but realistically, if we do that, then we’re dead in the water.”

I knew he wasn’t going to accept it, but I had to offer. “Look, man, if you need some money to buy a few new heifers, why don’t I give it to you? You can pay me back from the proceeds of their calves and we can start small. See how it goes.”

He shook his head firmly, cutting me off. “I don’t want your money, Carson. What I do want is for you to help me fix the doors so the animals don’t freeze to death once winter gets here. I’d have asked my dad, but it’s heavy lifting. He’ll never admit it, but it’d probably break his back if he tried.”

“Yeah. Okay. You got it.”

Ryan fixed our coffee and told me a little bit more about the plans he and Nova had for the ranch while we drank it. Before we got to work, his dad called, saying that he had to speak to him. He took off, and I took the opportunity to track down his sister.

The bakery was closed today, but her truck was in front of it, so I started there, knocking on the door before I walked in. “Hey! Are you in here?”

“I’m in the kitchen,” she called out. “Carson, is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” Without the scent of fresh baked goods in the air and with no customers, the place seemed bigger than it had before. I moved past the shelves of local produce and the empty stands and baskets that usually carried her breads and pastries, really looking around now that I didn’t feel like I was about to be trampled.

The bakery and farm stall opened up to the coffee shop near the back, with a beautiful view of the land and the mountains from the tables. Most everything was made of treated wood, with red and white checked tablecloths in the coffee shop, giving a real country feel to it all.

Nova stuck her head out the kitchen door, wiping her hands on her apron as she frowned at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you,” I said honestly, deciding to just lay all my cards on the table. “Ryan just told me a little bit about what’s been going on with the ranch. It sounds rough.”

“It is.” She motioned for me to follow her back into the kitchen, where she sat on a low stool and gestured for me to do the same. “Why did you come here if you’ve already talked to Ryan?”

I saw the flicker of irritation that sharpened her features when she said her brother’s name. Leaning forward, I spread my legs and rested my elbows on my knees. “He told me about the problems you’ve been having and what you need to solve them. What he didn’t tell me was what you were arguing about this morning.”

She blew out a frustrated huff of air as she shook her head. “We were arguing about him being too shy to show some skin on video. Somehow, he got it in his head that I wanted him to be naked on horseback, which isn’t true. I just need a few shots of him shirtless and being a rancher.”

“For subscription boxes,” I guessed out loud now that she’d confirmed my suspicions.

Nova dropped her chin in a curt nod. “Yep, and I know there’s no guarantee that it will work, but there’s also no guarantee that it won’t. It’s not going to cost a damn thing to at least try, but he’s not budging.”

I cocked my head at her as I wondered if she’d forgotten who she was talking to. “You know you could always ask me for help, right? That’s what I came back for, to help my town.”

“What?” She squinted at me. “I can’t ask you for help. You’re a pro ball player, not a rancher.”

“Sure, but just my face and endorsement alone could already be the turning point for your business.” I looked her right in the eyes. “I know you’ve been pissed at me since I got back, and I know that you and I have some stuff to sort out, but this is separate from that. Ryan may not be comfortable posing shirtless and sweaty, but I am. Hell, at this point, I’ve probably done more promotion than I’ve played football. Tag me in, coach. I’m here and I can do it. I want to do it. All you have to do is say the word. Just think about it. You know where to find me when you’re ready.”