Carolina was almost willing to do that to end the conversation. “And how do you expect me to do that? I don’t have their phone numbers.”
Blanca’s sable eyes lit up. “Oh, but you do.” She pulled up the Flores Family Farm email account on her phone and pointed to a message. It was from Enrique Montez.
Dear Miss Carolina Flores,
My name is Enrique Montez. I greatly admire your advances in sustainable farming and your business acumen. I’m equally impressed with your campaign for farmworkers’ rights. You are an inspiration.
I would like to meet with you to discuss a possible collaboration between our businesses. I can be in Santa Maria in the month of December. Please let me know when a good time would be to set up a meeting.
Sincerely,
Enrique Montez
Carolina’s heart constricted. Collaboration? What did that mean?
No, gracias.
Papá had worked on the farm for over twenty years, and the Flores family had now owned it for two. Papá had worked his way up from an employee, and theirs was now one of the few Hispanic-owned farms. She didn’t want to supply food to just anyone, and definitely not the Montez fast-food empire.
“That message was from a month ago. I don’t care if he’s coming to town. What did you reply?” Blanca handled all the emails for the company. She was diligent and actually liked sitting behind a computer. Carolina preferred working her hands through the earth to tapping on a keyboard.
Blanca pulled on Carolina’s black pants. “Just meet with him. What’s the harm?”
“Plenty. The Taco King owners have a reputation for buying out small businesses—not that we are for sale. They are like Richard Gere inPretty Woman.”
“But I love that movie! And you’re not a hooker. Besides, I doubt he wants to buy out the business. He probably just wants to talk to us. Or you,” she teased. “He said you were an inspiration.”
“He was trying to butter me up. Anyway, I have no desire to provide them produce for their awful food. They can buy cheap, wilted lettuce elsewhere.”
Gravel crunched. An engine roared up the road, interrupting their conversation. That was weird—they weren’t expecting any company...
An outrageously expensive SUV with gold rims drove up the long and windy drive and approached the home. Who would drive such an ostentatious car? Especially one with a license plate like... did that say T8C0 K1NG?
A horrifying thought crossed her mind. One look at Blanca’s wide eyes and Carolina’s fears were confirmed.
She pulled her sister’s hair. “Blanca María Flores, tell me you didn’t agree to a meeting.”
“I can’t lie.”
Ay, Dios mío! Blanca had written them behind her back and invited them over? The Montez brothers were here, now? Carolina looked down at her clothes—a grass-stained formerly white T-shirt and black Dickies. Her work boots were caked with mud, and her dark hair was in a messy braid.
“You just did. You told me you heard a rumor they were in town—not that you set up a meeting with them!”
“Both those things are true!” Blanca’s head turned toward the driveway. “Wait here. And don’t be mad at me, Cari. One day, you will thank me.” Blanca ran toward the garage. A blacked-out Tesla SUV was now parked in the driveway.
I’m going to murder Blanca! Just wait until Papá hears about this!
A minute later, Blanca returned, trailed by four men. Three of them, Carolina recognized as the Montez brothers. The fourth one had a tattoo of a shark on his neck. If Papá saw him, he’d kick him off the property!
One of the Montez brothers held a bouquet of bright yellow and orange sunflowers—which happened to be her favorites, but that was beside the point. Why would he bring flowers to a business meeting? What were his intentions?
He flashed a wide smile with perfectly white teeth. His dark brown skin glowed in the sun, highlighting his muscular arms. He had great arms. If she was into that type of thing. Which Carolina was most certainly not.
His hands were manicured; her nails were filled with dirt.
But even though she tried to look away, their eyes met, as if the magnetic pull of the earth drew them together.
A pulse of electricity shot through her. She lowered her head and stared at the ground. The silence was awkward. She raised her chin and met his eyes.
