I haven’t had a chance to look at anything else yet, but I’ll give you any feedback I have in the morning, if that’s okay. You’ve already worked long past your workday.
Ainsley Mathews:
You’re a real stickler for a traditional workday, huh?
Ledger Hutton:
It’s more that I’m a fan of not overworking my employees. Nothing we do is life or death, so nothing about this job needs to be done right this second.
This is something I’ve always been passionate about. I told myself, when I first started my company, that I would never push my employees to the point of burnout. I wanted to build the company but not at the expense of my employees. Making sure everyone keeps a good work-life balance is important to me. I know Ainsley came from the world of finance, but the way I run things is drastically different. She’ll eventually get used to the slower pace of small-town life.
Ainsley Mathews:
That’s a new concept for me, so it might take me a minute to break my old habits.
Ledger Hutton:
As long as you don’t mind me bugging you in the evenings while you’re still on the clock.
Ainsley Mathews:
I think I can handle that. *wink*
Thisfeels very close to flirting, but I’m sure it’s all in my head. It’s not like you can tell the tone from a bunch of text on the screen. I’m her boss. I know I’m not that lucky.
Ledger Hutton:
Thanks for all your hard work today. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
I stare at my screen until I see the little circle by her name turn red, just as the timer on my oven dings. Putting my computer on the coffee table, I get up and get my dinner.
Even the thought of Ainsley flirting with me has my heart rate up. I know she wasn’t actually flirting. I’m her boss, and she just got this job. I highly doubt she would jeopardize that with toying with me. It’s just wishful thinking on my end. But I need to get my head on straight if I want to pursue her. I need to figure out why the hell I didn’t tell her my first name when we ran into each other.
My old insecurities and old hurt from my failed engagement seem to haunt me. I thought I was past all of this, but my actions prove I’m not. The other thing I didn’t anticipate was figuring out how to maneuver her working for me. I didn’t second-guess hiring her because the thought of being in her orbit blinded me. Now, I’m not sure this is a line she would cross, even if my team and I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Hell, a bunch of guys that create gardens sure as shit won’t care about who I’m dating.
Maybe, if I just find a way to show her, we can separate the two.
I shove a slice of pizza in my mouth and contemplate just how to accomplish all of this.
Chapter 5
Ainsley
Idon’t understand Ledger.
I’ve been on this job for two weeks now, and every time we talk through our work messenger, I can’t figure him out. He’s blunt and straight to the point, but there’s something else there I can’t figure out. The actual work has been smooth sailing. I’m slowly getting used to having a normal schedule, even if it’s taken Ledger messaging me multiple times, telling me to stop working.
The bigger thing is I’m bored. I’m not used to a lighter work schedule, and I’m not super keen to go into town and socialize. I’m still very much in my reclusive stage of life, hiding away from everyone I turned my back on all those years ago. I haven’t quite come to terms that this is my life now.
The one thing I’m thankful for is having my parents close. My dad may be the biggest gossip in town, but since the day I moved back, he’s been subtly taking care of me: dropping off groceries at my front door, inviting me to go with him to his gin rummy group, and just checking in to make sure I’m okay. Outside of Larkin, I never had this kind of support in Austin. I built my life that way, though. I never relied on anyone, always took care of myself, and didn’t let anyone in. Letting someone in meant they could hurt me, and I never wanted to sign myself up for that willingly.
I shake myself from my deep thoughts and take a sip of my coffee. It’s Saturday, which means I don’t get to distract myself with my job or binging Netflix, like I usually do at night. There are only so many shows to watch, and I’m cruising through them entirely too fast right now.
I was able to get my house unpacked last week, so now I guess I need to find ahobby. My lip curls up thinking about it. What is a hobby for a grown woman, anyway? Maybe I should get some adult coloring books with the inappropriate words and pictures. Tilting my head, I think about actually sitting down to color a book.Nope, I can’t picture it.
I walk out the back door, and my eyes land on the beautiful patch of wildflowers. I wonder if I could work in my yard. Maybe start a garden. I mean, hell… I do work for a landscaper. It would make sense to utilize that connection, right?
I look around and spot the side yard that isn’t growing much of anything right now. This would be a brilliant area for a vegetable and herb garden. I grab my phone from my pocket and pull up Larkin’s number.
