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“Maybe each person who buys a tree gets a special edition ornament for that year as a gift.”
“Did you just come up with that idea?” Ireland asked, her voice filled with awe.
“My best ideas come from the spur of the moment,” Marley said, and I was even more impressed by her. She was intelligent and business savvy, and she hadn’t let Emmett or my family intimidate her. She was confident in her abilities.
“What would we have to wear for this photoshoot?” Emmett asked gruffly, and Ireland beamed in his direction.
“I think we should go with whatever you normally wear, but not your farm shirts. Maybe flannel, Henleys, jeans, and boots. We’re not looking for glossy, unrealistic photos but real ones. We want people to feel like they know you when they come. They’ll see the puppies and want to know which one is Comet and which one is Dash.”
“Or which brother they’re talking to? Maybe we could add a little anecdote about each one. A little blurb about Talon’s artwork, Emmett’s furniture making, and Heath’s contracting work. Should we do a blog?” Ireland asked Marley.
“We can consider it. Do you know anyone who’s particularly good at writing?”
Sebastian shifted in his seat. “My friend, Hanna. She has a blog for teachers.”
“We don’t need to do it yet, but it’s something to think about for the future. I think we have enough to get us started this year,” Marley said.
“I’m still not convinced we need to take these extra steps,” Emmett began, and Sebastian said, “Do we need to take a look at the numbers again?”
Emmett held up his hand. “I get that. But I want to make sure that none of this is invasive, that we’re not getting too personal.”
“I can understand your concern. You’re in control here. We can share a little, just enough to get them curious about who you are, without giving too much away. I’d love to feature Talon a bit more since he’s building the light display.”
Emmett’s shoulders lowered, and I think it had to do with the focus not being on him. Marley must have sensed that and knew exactly what to say to ease his mind.
“I don’t mind. I’ve been featured in magazines and newspapers,” Talon said.
“Way to be humble,” Knox said, giving him shit.
“It’s the truth, and it doesn’t bother me. I don’t care what people think about me.”
“We control the narrative here. We’re not waiting for a reporter to do a write-up anymore. We create our own publicity,” Marley said, and everyone at the table was hanging on her words.
I could see how she had such a large following of people clamoring for her to speak and answer their questions online.
“I think this is a great place to start. Does anyone have any questions?” Ireland asked, and when no one said anything, she continued. “Marley will take the photographs we need for the newsletter and social media. Sebastian, why don’t you reach out to Hanna and see if she can help us with a blog. Marley creates her own emails, but she has her own business to run.”
Sebastian nodded. “I can talk to her. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help.”
Everyone was familiar with Sebastian’s best friend, Hanna. She’d been hanging around forever. We hadn’t seen her as much since Sebastian moved to town, but now that he was back, I was positive Hanna would be at the farm more. I had a feeling she liked him, but he was so focused on Ember that he didn’t even notice her interest.
Everyone got up to go, and Marley said to me, “We’re going to be busy the next few months.”
“Does that mean you’re sticking around?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
Marley smiled. “Looks like I’ll have to.”
Nineteen
Marley
I was so energized by the meeting with Heath’s family that I immediately went to his house and grabbed my camera. I scrolled through the pictures I’d already taken to see if any of them would work. I had a few candids of Heath when he didn’t know I was looking, and I made a mental note to print and frame them as a present.
Then I made notes on my phone about what we’d need for social media for a few weeks and newsletters throughout the season. I’d need pictures of the fields, the different kinds of trees, and the family.
“In the next couple of weeks, we need to tag and measure the trees,” Heath said when I looked up from my camera.
“What is that?” I asked him, genuinely curious about the workings of the farm.
