Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Asher takes a few steps toward me. Regret fills his face, and it’s obvious he’s uncomfortable with what has happened. “I’m sorry, Madelyn. No matter what I’m thinking or how I feel, I have no right to say things… hurtful things… about you. That’s not who I am, and I really am truly sorry.”
I lift my chin up. “I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m not going to stir up trouble, and I promise I’ll do a good job.”
He nods. “I already told you that you could stay. The job is yours. I really am—”
I interrupt him. “Please, can we quit talking about this? How about you show me around and let me know what I will be doing?”
He blows out a breath in frustration. “Okay, I can do that.”
We walk down the center aisle with peach trees on each side of us. “How big is the farm?”
He stops and looks at me. “You don’t know?”
Like a deer caught in headlights, I stare back at him. Of course, I do, but I was trying to get him to stop thinking about what just happened. I nod my head. “Uh yeah, I know. You have 50 acres with around five thousand peach trees. They produce around one hundred pounds for each tree, so the Wild Peach produces around five hundred thousand peaches to be harvested each year.”
He stops and stares at me. “Wow. I’m impressed.”
I shrug my shoulders and point at a large building. “What’s that?”
“That building has another office in it, and it’s the bunkhouse. That’s where most of the guys live. There’s a kitchen and bathrooms inside too.”
I gesture to it with my head. “I could always stay in the bunkhouse.”
“Nope.”
“Nope? I mean, it makes more sense. I work for you, and that’s where your employees live.”
He grits his teeth, and his answer is filled with impatience. “That’s where all my male employees live. You’re not staying out there.”
I shrug like it’s not a big deal. “I’ve lived on farms before, and it’s usually unisex quarters.” He just stares at me, and I continue. “I’m just saying, I don’t want to put you out. I can easily stay out here.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “That’s not happening.”
“But…” I start, and as soon as I see how serious he’s looking at me, I hold my hands up. “Got it. Okay.” I walk over to the closest peach tree. “So we’re pruning right now. We’re removing the diseased branches.” I run my hand up the center of the tree. “You’re doing a main open center form on the tree to improve air movement and light penetration.” I turn to look at him. “I’m guessing that you want to control size and height too to reduce crop load and ensure healthy fruit.”
He laughs, and my lower belly pulls. Damn, he’s handsome. He shakes his head and comes over to stand next to me. “You got me. You’re qualified.”
He’s standing over me, looking into my eyes with that smile that does something to me, and all I can do is smile back at him. We’re standing like this when Beau walks up. “The irrigation on the south side is fixed. Need anything from me now?”
Asher’s smile disappears. “Yeah, can you finish giving Madelyn the tour? I need to get some things done.”
Beau looks between Asher and me. “Uh, sure. I can do that.”
Asher starts to walk away but stops. “You have your pen?”
I look at Beau, thinking he’s talking to him, but Asher says, “Madelyn, do you have your EpiPen?”
Surprised, I nod and pat my bag that’s attached at my waist. I brought my own pruning tools, and I always bring my EpiPen with me. “I’ve got it.”
Asher walks away then without another word or look back.
Beau claps his hands together. “So you ready?”
I force a smile to my face. “I’m ready.”
He starts walking, and I have to walk quickly to keep up. “Okay, well, we’ll start at the bunkhouse and grab a side-by-side and I’ll show you everything, then you can get started.”
I’m panting as I walk next to him. “Sounds good.”
He laughs and slows down when he can see I’m struggling to keep up with him. “Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m good.”
We walk through the bunkhouse, and he shows me around. We get onto the side-by-side to tour the property, but instead of pulling out, he leans one arm on the steering wheel and turns toward me. “My brother hurt your feelings, didn’t he?”
I sit up a little straighter. “No, I’m fine.”
He laughs. “You can’t let him bother you. Like I said earlier, he’s grumpy.”
I hold my hands together in my lap. “Seriously, I’m fine.”
He finally turns the key in the ignition, and the small motor comes to life. “Okay, I’m just saying Asher doesn’t like women, so don’t take it personal.”