Page 35 of Small Town Boy

“Whatever you need.”

Our food shows up, making the lull in conversation feel natural. I really need to figure out something to say here. I was so focused on getting her to agree to come that I didn’t think much past that, and look at us now. The only potential consolation is that maybe she’s as nervous as I am. Not that she’s showing it. She’s as cool as the other side of the pillow.

“Can I ask you something?” she asks, before taking a quick bite of her eggs.

“Anything.”

“You were at the clearing really early last night.”

I nod. That wasn’t a question, but this doesn’t seem like the moment to point that out. “I’m always the first. I start the fire.”

“But you had a bunch of papers with you.”

I nod again, not sure what she’s getting at. “Work doesn’t stop just because I have to get a fire going. Plus, it gave me some quiet to think.”

“Can…can I ask what about?”

I take a big bite of my French toast, eyeing her. It’s not that I think she has some malicious motives, but she also doesn’t strike me as the nosy type either. Which makes me wonder what she knows.

“Just overall business numbers. I not only manage the books for Keller Landscaping, but Keller Nursery as well.”

“Really?”

“Yup. Putting that business minor to good use.” She looks at me surprised, and all I can do is smile. It’s not the first time my twin and I have been underestimated like this. “I have a bachelor’s in botany, with a minor in business from the University of Georgia. Nash has a bachelor’s in landscape architecture with a minor in natural resource management. He just finished up his master’s too.”

“Nash has a master’s?”

“Yup. We’re not the dumb rednecks some people think we are.”

“Oh my God, no!” she exclaims, dropping her fork. It pings loudly against the table, but the sound is drowned out by the feel of her reaching out and putting her hand on my arm. The horrified look on her face grows as she gives me a squeeze. “I didn’t mean that. At all. I’m sorry if that’s what you thought. Really, no part of me thought that you two were stupid. Or rednecks. I’m sorry. Truly. It’s just…landscaping isn’t an area one thinks about people getting a master’s in.”

I retract my arm, just enough to be able to take her hand. I squeeze it back, hoping that my gesture is just as comforting. “I didn’t think you were calling us stupid. I was trying to make a joke. Clearly it didn’t land.”

“Didn’t take you for a comedian.”

“I’m not. Once again, being funny is Nash’s territory.”

“And bookkeeping is yours?”

I shrug. “I know enough to keep the ledger balanced. All the more complicated stuff we consult Mama W for.”

“Mama W?”

“W for Wilder. Dustin’s mom.”

“You’re that close?”

“Told you, there are songs written about it.”

“Touché,” she giggles, returning to her food.

“While we’re being nosy…”

“We’re being nosy?” she counters.

“You were asking about my private paperwork,” I tease.

Bronwyn scoffs, the sound lighting me up inside like the Fourth of July. The way her lips curl upward and her eyes sparkle also make my dick start to pay attention too. I have to fight the urge to kiss that look right off her.