The reality was that while I’d had a parade of models and underwear models and pretty actresses through my life these last few months, I hadn’t actually slept with any one of them, not for their lack of trying. My sole focus was to make Meg jealous enough to take me back. And I had finally found the perfect rage-maker in Karen. That kiss out in public before we had headed back to the fundraising festival had been fueled by pure jealousy.
I hoped Karen didn’t see through what my plan was. I needed Meg's former boss to apply enough pressure that Meg basically convinced herself that I was a worthy prize to fight Karen over. Then she wouldn’t hesitate to claim me as hers.
“You haven’t been doing enough bread-and-butter engagements,” Garrett told me. “You skip meetings. You didn’t show up for the Rural Trust kaffeeklatsch with the farmers. You completely blew the train ribbon-cutting ceremony, and you acted like you were too good for the fair. Meg showed up for the fundraising festival in daisy dukes, a crop top, and flip-flops while you wandered around like a lost raccoon from Manhattan in your expensive, imported Italian leather shoes, your fancy white shirt, and your business slacks. People want to see that you’re one of them, that you’re all in on being a small-town mayor.”
“Like Meg.” I stared out the window toward her campaign office.
“People feel like they can trust her, that she respects them. Word’s been going around about the nice things she’s done for people, and now Ida is painting you as out of touch and untrustworthy,” Weston said, running down the list of issues.
“This is bad,” Greg said. “We could end up worse off than how we started, even if you lose. Meg and Ida are making people think the Svenssons are not to be trusted.”
“Then we’ll run some negative ads against Meg,” I suggested, blowing out a breath.
“That is going to backfire,” Blade remarked. “It’s going to look terrible if some billionaire is going around bullying a sweet small-town girl who’s just trying to do right by her community.”
“He’s right. The Holbrooks are just waiting for a chance to turn this into a big national news story. We do not need a spectacle,” Greg insisted.
“We need to shut Ida down, then,” Karen said, making notes.
Weston huffed out a laugh. “Good fucking luck.”
“Tread carefully,” Greg added.
“Ida’s just a crazy old woman,” Karen said. “We’ll put her in her place.”
“In the meantime,” Garrett said, “there is a barn raising tomorrow. Hunter, you are expected to attend.”
41
Meghan
“Abarn raising?” Kate asked me. “I go to Manhattan for two days, and suddenly, you’re the wholesome country girl.”
“Hardly,” I said as I pulled on my overalls then my work boots. “I’m sure not going to be able to take any cute pictures.”
“Wear a crop top under your overalls!” Kate insisted. “Then you can look like a cute country girl.”
I tugged at my long-sleeve cotton shirt then fastened the buckles of the overalls. “A crop top is just asking to get a nasty cut,” I said, making sure I had my gloves.
“Goodness gracious,” Kate said as I fished out my fanny pack. “You can’t wear that! What will Hunter think?”
“He’s not going to be there.”
“What will the neighbors think?” Kate threw up her hands.
“That I’m there to work.” I adjusted the green-and-purple fanny pack. “It’s practical. See? Hands free!”
“I need a drink and a fainting couch.”
I braided my hair back and tied it off with a rubber band.
“Hunter’s going to wonder why he even made out with you yesterday if he sees you like this,” Kate warned. “He’s going to run straight to Karen for a blow job to make himself feel better.”
I chewed on my lip as I inspected my reflection. “He’s not going to be there,” I repeated. “And I’m not dressing up for a man that won’t even show up.”
* * *
All my bigtalk in the apartment flew out the window as my station wagon made its way up the gravel drive to Marco’s farm. Thanks to a Rural Trust grant, along with job training sponsored by the Harrogate Office of Economic Development, Marco now specialized in high-quality food products. His heritage hogs were especially sought after in Manhattan, DC, and other major cities along the coast.
