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Parker played with a loose string on the hem of the dress. “At least I’m getting a change of scenery. That’s what you both said I needed.”
Her mother’s clicking of her tongue suggested there was a lecture approaching, but it didn’t quite come to fruition. Parker felt a sense of relief. Her mother had the tendency to worry too much. “I guess that’s true. We did say you needed a change of scenery, but we only worry that you’re working too hard.”
“Don’t worry. I’m in good hands here.” She turned her attention to the window and she saw that Raven was now painting the barn. Each stroke of the brush made her mouth drier than the Sahara. The heat was getting to her. That was the only explanation that made any sense.
~~~~~
Raven dipped the roller into the paint bucket and made a wide W shape on the wall of the barn. He’d already repaired the roof and a window and all it needed was a coat of paint. A lot of things on the farm needed some fresh paint and a little touch of TLC.
The sun beat down on him and what exasperated him most, his gaze automatically moved to the house every few minutes like a string controlled his movements. He told himself he didn’t care that Bonnie’s guest was inside, or that she evoked certain emotions in him—ones he shouldn’t be having for a stranger. Not for someone he didn’t even necessarily like.
Maybe that was part of the attraction.
He looked down at Chow who was sprawled out under the shade of a tree.
“You almost got me killed, boy. We’re going to have to work on your people skills.”
The dog perked up one ear and made a tiny whining sound. Chow was a big boy with a bigger heart. He’d had a rough life before Raven rescued him and over the last year he’d learned a lot of manners and to start trusting people again after his last owner had neglected him. Raven had a feeling Chow liked the guest.
“So, you have a type, huh, boy? City ladies? I’m a bit surprised.” Raven laughed. He and Chow had something in common. The dog bore scars from his past life, and so did Raven. Chow didn’t seem to care that he’d lost part of one ear. Raven could easily forget he had scars until a newcomer reminded him that they still existed. He’d noticed that the lady had stared. His feelings weren’t hurt because he’d learned long ago that curiosity made people glare. “You did ruin her blouse, buddy.” He dipped the roller again.
Raven started on the next half of the wall. It wouldn’t take him long to slap a coat of paint on then move on to a few other chores.
Chow jumped up and barked, his tail pointed toward the house. Raven dropped the brush and stepped around the corner of the barn. He spotted Parker coming his direction with the hem of her skirt swishing about her nice legs.
“Speak of the devil,” he muttered and pulled a rag out of his back pocket, wiping paint off his hands. He wanted to look presentable.
He felt an unfamiliar strain in his gut.
As she grew closer he saw that her hair was damp, she wore no makeup, and had changed into another pretty sundress, this one pale blue and strapless. For a city girl she had that casual country sway in her flared hips.
He realized however long Bonnie’s guest was in Second Chance he needed to stay close and monitor what happened. He needed to take one for the home team, of course. In all truthfulness, he’d keep company with a snake if that meant Bonnie’s Bluebonnets could be turned around. That’s what he told himself, and not that he’d have any enjoyment spending time with Parker.
Bonnie’s Bluebonnets had been a part of Second Chance for over thirty years, and it’d be a shame if it went under. Again, he knew enough about flowers and growing them to fit inside a thimble, but he knew a lot about business. From the bit he’d heard, he thought it’d take a miracle to turn things around for Bonnie. The corporates, like Edgar and Parker, only cared about one thing. Numbers. A stranger coming in wouldn’t care one iota about the history of the family-owned business and what it meant to local folks. Since online flower businesses had become popular, few people bought flowers from small stores these days. Hell, online commerce had destroyed countless small businesses.
Raven reminded himself that he only had to play host for a couple of days, show the exec around, answer the questions that he could. He could handle a few days.
“I found some fresh lemons and made lemonade. I thought you could use a glass.” She handed him the mason jar filled to the brim.
She made homemade lemonade?It wasn’t rocket science but at least she was resourceful.
Although he didn’t know what to think about her bringing him a drink, he also wouldn’t reject the offer. He liked lemonade. He took a long drink and almost choked. She found lemons but she apparently didn’t find the sugar. He watched her survey the land and started to pour out the drink but she almost caught him.
“I just can’t get over how beautiful this place is,” she said, inhaling deeply. “I feel like Bonnie’s biggest asset is the land and she’s not using it to the potential.” She sipped some of her lemonade and her nose wrinkled. “Oh my, that’s awful.” She looked over at him and he turned his gaze away. “You weren’t going to say anything?”
“About what?” He played dumb.
She turned her glass over and dumped the contents. “I’ll remember which container the salt is in next time. Tell me your thoughts, Raven.”
The way she said his name, like she was speaking a sexy foreign language, made his heart thump against his ribcage.
“I won’t lie. This frustrates me a bit.” An outsider coming in with big ideas unsettled him. “It’s land. The value is its untouched beauty. Your type thinks land must be occupied with something. Parking lots. High rises. Money makers.”
“Well,my typeisn’t just about making money. We help businesses thrive which helps consumers too.”
“And so you say.” He felt like sitting a bit. He led the way to a couple of chairs under the shade of a tree. Once he sat down and stretched his legs, he chuckled as she swiped debris off the chair.
“Something tells me you don’t trust outsiders much,” she said. The wind caught the hem of her skirt and flitted it higher on her thigh. She caught the material and tugged it back down. “Or is it just me that you don’t trust?”
