To stop myself from drooling over him, I figured I should get to the bottom of why he was here. “So what’s your plan here?” Iasked. “You say Allory wants to fix its reputation. How are you planning on doing that?”
Carter talked as he worked. “We’ve got a media coordinator coming out here in a few days. I’m looking to feature some local farmers in some social media stuff. Show the world we’re moving in a new direction.”
“And you want me to be one of those farmers?” I asked. “After everything your company has put my family through?”
Carter sighed and nodded. “Why do you think I’m here shoveling shit for you?”
“It’s going to take a lot more work than that if you want me to help you,” I said, my tone serious. “I respect that you aren’t your father and that Allory is changing, but there’s no changing the past, so you’re going to have to really prove you deserve my help to clear your name.”
“Tell me what to do and I’ll try my best,” he said and dropped another shovel load in the wheelbarrow, which was full.
“Let me show you where to dump that,” I said. “If those glamour muscles of yours can handle it.”
I caught sight of his outraged expression before I walked away with a grin. Teasing Carter was surprisingly fun. I might almost enjoy having him around if I could forget his company had blown up my entire life.
I made him work for a couple more hours before I told him to call it a day. Carter was sweaty and tired, but he hadn’t complained once, and somehow, he still looked hot as hell.
At the end of the day, he got in Tyler’s truck, groaning slightly when he sat down.
“You survived,” I said. “So far.”
He groaned and chuckled. “You are a tough boss. If you ever want a corporate job, just ask. You’d be a beast at the home office.”
“I’d rather die.”
“So can we meet up tomorrow to discuss my media coordinator coming out to your farm?”
“For your big ‘I’m sorry’ show?”
“That’s not what we’re calling it,” he said defensively.
“Whatever. We’ll talk about it. After you put in some more work.”
He shut the door to Tyler’s truck, started the engine, and rolled down the window. He turned to look at me and asked, “Why has everyone been telling me you’re a terrible shot but they won’t explain what that’s all about?”
I just shrugged. “Shows what they know. I’ve been practicing. Stay on my good side and you’ll never have to find out.”
CHAPTER 8
CARTER
Iwas up early the next day, and as I got ready in my room at Honeyrose House, excitement flared through me. I had a long day of work ahead of me, but I would also be spending the day with Shelby, which was what had me vibrating.
That woman was stuck in my head like a catchy song on a loop. When she smiled at me, it was like the sun coming out, but she didn’t smile at me often. I was hoping to change that.
The fact that she had agreed to meet with me again today was progress. I wasn’t about to count my chickens before they hatched, but I felt like I was breaking through her stubborn outer shell. Sure, she was putting me to work again this morning, but I was more prepared for it today.
After she had dismissed me the day before, I had driven over to the feed store, where they sold work clothes. They sold everything there, really, like a one-stop shop for the folks in Ferris. Jake had seen the state I was in and he had taken pity on me, helping me pick out some clothes.
I wasn’t sure about the style but he promised me they were sturdy, comfortable, and wouldn’t restrict my movement. If Shelby had taught me anything in the short time we had knowneach other, it was that I should trust the people who knew more than me.
After a shower, I got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror. The man staring back at me wasn’t the same man who had arrived in Ferris barely a week ago. I needed a shave but the scruff looked right with the rest of my vibe. I wondered if Shelby would like me better this way, and then I wondered why the hell I cared.
To be fair, I always paid attention to my appearance. CEOs needed to look the part. But I never tailored my look to impress a specific person. Shelby was different. Or maybe I was different, although I dismissed the idea as ridiculous. I had only been here a week. Change didn’t happen that fast.
Brushing those thoughts aside, I decided not to shave. Shewouldlike it better. I was sure of it.
I strutted out of my room feeling good. The wardrobe I had brought with me had been the wrong choice to make friends with the farmers here. It should have occurred to me sooner to buy clothes that would help me fit in. At the very least, someone on my PR team should have thought of it.
