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“We measure the trees and categorize them so we can price them. When someone chooses a tree, they’ll rip off a piece of the tag, and we’ll know exactly what to charge them. We separate them by type, height, and aesthetics. Some trees are missing branches and are uneven, and others are the perfect shape.” He used his hands to make a silhouette.
“Can I help? I’d love to see what you do. It would be a good opportunity to get some candid shots of you and your brothers.”
“That might be better for Emmett. No matter what he said at the meeting, he’s going to fight you. He probably already forgot that he promised to play nice.”
“Ireland doesn’t keep him in line?” I asked.
“She does her best, but he strays from time to time and acts like the grumpy ass he usually is.”
“No offense, but all of you are grumpy. No one wants people on the farm, yet you run a tree-cutting business. No one is excited about decorating their own trees—”
“I get the picture.”
“If you want to advertise the farm, you need to be passionate about what you do. It’s why I’m so successful. I truly believe that I’m helping people and what I have to say is important, and they need to hear it. So many people say they feel yucky about selling, but when you know you’re offering a service that people need, you’ll let go of that feeling.”
“How does that translate to our business?” Heath asked me.
“Do you remember what you love about the farm?” I asked him, lowering my camera so I could see his expression.
His face softened. “That we had the run of the place, and my family was always nearby. If not my brothers, then my cousins.”
I snapped my fingers. “Monroe Farm is the close family atmosphere combined with holiday cheer.”
Heath’s face screwed up. “I’m not as passionate about the holiday stuff.”
“That’s okay. Lori and Ireland make up for it. Talon’s doing the holiday display. Holly creates the ornaments. There’s enough holiday cheer to go around.” I made a mental note to talk to Holly about creating a special ornament to give away. I wasn’t sure it would be ready in time for this year, but it was something to think about for the future.
“We’re going out to tag now if you’d like to join us. I know you usually work on your business during the afternoon.”
“I want to come with you. I’m excited to see what you do.”
Heath chuckled. “It’s not as exciting as you think.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Heath pulled me flush against him. “I love having you here.”
“I’m excited to see the farm during the season, and I’m happy to drum up interest for the opening.” I wasn’t used to people liking me for me. It was what I could do for them, and in this situation, I was giving the Monroes a lot of value.
“I hope you don’t think you’re just here to work for the Monroes.”
“Of course not.” But there was a part of me that knew I’d need to contribute if I wanted to stay.
“Your stay isn’t contingent on working for us.”
His words were so close to the truth that I was momentarily stunned into silence. He touched my chin and lifted it so my eyes met his. “Do you understand that?”
“Yes.” But I wasn’t sure if he believed me.
“I like having you here in my house.”
I let his words wind their way around my heart. I wanted to believe him. I wanted this to be real. But I couldn’t get the vision of his note out of my head. It would always haunt me.
“If we want to make a go of this, we need to put the past behind us.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” I kind of thought it was a nice way to pass the time with a definite end date when I moved home to California.
Heath’s forehead wrinkled. “I know it’s hard for you to trust people, but I’m a patient guy. I’ll show you what you mean to me.”
