Carter's Cowboy

by McClone, Melissa

  Her goal was to help him achieve his desired results faster and easier, but she had the feeling he would accomplish everything he wanted with the farm regardless, due to his passion and love for the land and the Martins.

  “Does your family farm?” she asked, eager to learn more about Carter.

  “Not like I do,” he admitted. “My grandparents own Quinn Valley Ranch. That’s run by my uncle Harvey and aunt Charity. Their five kids work at the ranch, too. One day, my cousin Rhodes will take over. He’ll do a good job.”

  Avery enjoyed hearing about the farm and his family. “Are you competitors?”

  “No. I’m known more for my produce. My cattle herd is much smaller than theirs.” He spoke without jealousy or regret. “With the hoops I have to go through to maintain a USDA organic certification, I want to be cautious about the livestock. The herd is a manageable size for me.”

  “Being certified organic is time-consuming due to the record-keeping, and it’s expensive.” Cattle farmers were required to pay for yearly USDA visits.

  “Ben believed the certification was important.”

  “What do you think?” she asked, curious because Ben seemed to have a significant influence over Carter even though the man was no longer here.

  “There are overlaps between grass-fed and organic. The cows are grass-fed, though I use alfalfa in the wintertime. Going with only the grass-fed label would be cheaper.”

  “I hear a ‘but.’”

  Carter nodded. “But Ben worked hard for the organic certification. I want to keep it up for now.”

  As if he were talked out, Carter attacked another serving of ziti. His fork scraped against the plate. Ruff lay at his master’s feet. The occasional wag of the dog’s tail against the floor sounded.

  The quiet wasn’t uncomfortable, but she preferred talking to Carter. That gave her less time to stare and think about how attractive she found him. Not that she was doing that.

  Well, maybe a little, which meant asking more questions.

  She would toss him an easy one. “Do you normally eat dinners like this?”

  “Once a week on Mondays when my grandmother picks up her herbs,” he explained. “Other nights, I fix whatever I want.”

  “You must be a good cook.”

  He shrugged. “I’m not a chef, but I know my way around a kitchen, so I don’t starve.”

  “Did your grandmother teach you to cook?”

  “My mom,” he answered. “I grew up in my parents’ restaurant. Quinn’s Pub. All my brothers and sisters helped out there—not as cooks, but wherever we were needed. I washed my fair share of dishes, even after I came to work here.”

  Avery tried to picture him in one of those big rubber aprons she’d seen on a TV show featuring restaurants. Tried and failed.

  She raised her ice water. “Do your parents still own the pub?”

  “No.” He glanced at his plate. “My mom carried on after my dad passed away ten years ago, but then she decided it was time to retire. She sold Quinn’s to my oldest brother, Ryder, and Maggie, one of my younger sisters. Though my mom’s definition of retirement is always evolving.”

  Avery got the feeling there was a story there. “Still working?”

  “She had to take over the kitchen when the pub’s chef quit unexpectedly this past fall. A new chef, who is now my sister-in-law, was hired so Mom could relax. Quinn’s is doing well now.”

  “You sound grateful for that.”

  Another nod. “The pub is a second home. Ivy, my youngest sister, works as a server there and occasionally performs on the weekends.”

  Something clicked in Avery’s brain. “Oh, that must be the place the mechanic at the gas station told me about.”

  “Probably.” Carter set his fork on the table now that his plate was empty. “Friday and Saturday nights can get crowded.”

  “So you have two sisters and a brother?”

  “Two brothers,” he answered. “David owns a restaurant food-supply business. The pub is one of his customers, so my produce and meat are served there. That lets me feel like I’m still a part of the pub, even if I’m not there every day.”

  She felt a pang and a touch of envy. “All in the family.”

  “That’s a part of being a Quinn,” Carter said. “Though don’t expect a meal as good as tonight’s while you’re here unless we eat at the pub or somewhere else in town.”

  “Except for next Monday when your grandmother feeds you.”

  “Right. But the food I make will be decent, even appetizing, after a long day’s work. It’s rare that I burn anything.”

  Avery leaned forward. “How rare?”

  “Depends on if I get distracted or not.” Even though she’d been teasing, he kept a straight face before amusement flashed in his eyes. “The last time was in the fall when Renae, another cousin, called wanting to work on my feet after I caught a cold I couldn’t shake. She’s a foot zoner. The next thing I knew, the smoke detector was blaring. Ruff went insane from the noise. That’s why I try not to let it go off.”

  Hearing his name, the dog stood. He lowered his head toward the floor, likely trying to sniff out any crumbs that might have dropped.

  “I don’t have to bring out the broom after a meal thanks to his floor-sweeper skills.” The affection in Carter’s voice matched his eyes.

  Ruff’s tail wagged.

  Listening to Carter talk about his family, watching the man with his dog, shifted something inside Avery. She loved Mercury, and she had no doubt the horse loved her, but a caring glance or a tender nudge of his head against her weren’t always enough. Even if they had to be.

  Helping Quinn Organics expand excited her, but something about the farm’s owner unsettled her. She would have to be careful around him.

  Very, very careful.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  After breakfast, Carter led Rain out of the barn. Mercury wasn’t in his stall so Avery must have saddled him already. Not surprising, since she’d been awake before him. He had a feeling his consultant had something to prove.

  Not to him, but herself.

  His only question was why?

  Once outside, he saw Avery sitting atop Mercury, whose breath puffed in the cold air. Yesterday, the gelding had worn a large blanket, but his saddle showed off his solid muscles and athletic build today. He was a gorgeous animal, fifteen hands with a dark coat.

  Before showing Avery the farm, he wanted to tell her the bad news. He hoped she wouldn’t be upset. “The heater repair guy won’t be able to get here for a few days. He’s got the flu, and his assistant is working overtime to cover the appointments they already had on the schedule. My one cousin, who knows how to fix heaters, is working, so he doesn’t have time to come out here, either.”

  “No problem.” Avery sounded as if the delay didn’t bother her. “I can stay in your guest room.”

  Relief surged through Carter. This had gone better than he thought it would. Granted, she’d wanted to make a fresh start, but he’d been wary of how she would react to the delay. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I did.”

  That didn’t tell him much. “Were you comfortable?”

  “Very. And before you ask, I had everything I needed.”

  With a laugh, he swung his leg over Rain’s back and settled into the saddle. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “I’m excited to see the rest of Quinn Organics.”

  “Good, because I can’t wait to show you the farm.” He hoped Avery would understand what Ben had created so many years ago and which now rested in Carter’s hands. Working the land could be a chore or a passion. For him, it was the latter, though he’d had some rough days when he wondered why he hadn’t kept working at the pub instead. “Let’s get going.”

  She held the reins loosely. “We’ll follow you.”

  A few minutes later, he realized how good a rider Avery was. She and the horse moved as one. Their togetherness reminded him of watching the competitors at rodeos when he was you
nger. Speaking of which…

  He studied Mercury. “Your horse’s build is similar to those who do barrels or poles.”

  “You’re observant.” She patted the horse’s neck. “He’s a champion barrel horse.”

  That didn’t surprise Carter. “Who rode him?”

  She sat taller in the saddle. “Me.”

  Her obvious pride made him smile. “So you’re not only an organic consultant, but also a cowgirl?”

  Uh-oh. Carter waited for her to take offense at the term. She’d been so friendly since asking for a second chance that he’d let down his guard. Had that been a mistake or not?

  “I used to be.” She tipped her head as if she forgot she wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat. “Though I guess a part of me always will feel like one. You can take the girl out of the saddle, but you can’t take the horse out of the girl’s heart.”

  Not offended. If anything, she sounded reflective.

  He wanted to know more about her. “How long did you compete?”

  “For a long time. I stopped a couple of years ago when my business took off.”

  He had a feeling Mercury wasn’t the only champion on the farm this morning. “Have you won a buckle or two, cowgirl?”

  Her nose and cheeks were tinged pink from the cold temperature, but that didn’t stop her face from brightening. “A few.”

  He forced himself not to stare. Difficult to do when she was breathtaking.

  “So, where are we headed?” she asked.

  “Out toward the cattle.” That had seemed the best place to start, especially because he needed to see how they were doing. “I want to make sure the water tanks haven’t frozen overnight.”

  “I know a farmer who’s had good luck with cow balls.”

  “We use them all year long. For ice in the winter and evaporation in the summer, but I check things a couple of times a day. Ben always did that.”

  She started to speak and then stopped herself.

  “What?” Carter asked.

  “Just remember, Ben left the farm to you because he trusted you with his legacy.” Her tone was more serious than before. “That might mean not doing the exact same things he did. Especially when expansion is your objective.”

  What she said hit close to home. Closer than he wanted to admit. A couple of his cousins, especially Rhodes, and his two brothers had been telling him the same thing. But Carter still had trouble doing that.

  “As you said last night, change can be difficult,” he admitted. “Ben taught me everything I know. His heart and soul are still a part of every inch of this farm. It took me a year before I renamed it.”

  “But you did.” She sounded impressed.

  “Only because a new name was a requirement in the will.” Otherwise, Carter might not have. Who was he kidding? He wouldn’t have, but Ben had known Carter well enough to force the issue so the place would be his. That still hadn’t made calling the farm Quinn Organics any easier.

  “I did a little research.” Avery picked up the pace so Mercury could be next to Rain. “Ben Martin was one of the first in the area to embrace organic farming methods for his crops and his livestock. He was a pioneer from the time before it was cool to use organic techniques.”

  “Ben faced many challenges, but he had a vision for the land.”

  “One you intend to pursue.”

  “It was his dream, and now it’s mine.”

  “Understandable, but techniques change. Improve. Save time.”

  “Ben updated his methods.” The words rushed out as if on the defensive. Carter was.

  “You’re quick to champion him.”

  His cheeks warmed. “Ben was a good man. Smart. Hardworking. Just like my dad. I can only aspire to be a quarter of what both men were.”

  “Something to live up to.”

  Carter felt her gaze on him, but he didn’t glance her way. Feeling vulnerable, he shifted in his saddle. It didn’t help. “I try.”

  With her help, he hoped to succeed.

  “You mentioned being satisfied with the current size of the herd?”

  Not trusting his voice, he nodded.

  “You also talked about other livestock besides cattle when we spoke on the phone.”

  “I have chickens. For eggs.”

  “Based on the breakfast you cooked this morning, I’d say they’re doing an excellent job.” Her playful tone lightened his mood. “Have you considered adding other animals?”

  “No.”

  “Goat’s milk and cheese are growing in popularity, especially with specialty shops and markets.” She surveyed the land. “You have the space.”

  The idea rolled around in his mind. Interesting, but… “There are a few goats on my grandparents’ ranch, but I have no experience with them. Producing cheese or milk seems time-consuming, and it would require an investment. Both time and money.”

  “Yes, so you’ll need to decide where you want to focus your expansion. That’s where you’ll want to invest. But if your extended family has experience with goats, then that’s one problem solved. You’d have people to ask if you have questions.”

  Unconvinced, Carter shrugged. The more he thought about Avery’s suggestion, the more wrong it felt. He didn’t want to offend her, but he didn’t want to waste time focusing on something he didn’t see happening.

  “Not sure a herd of goats is going to get me where I see the farm going. Their upkeep would take more time out of my day.” He kept his voice steady and unemotional. “But I can see why you suggested it.”

  “Fair enough, but you don’t have to convince me. I won’t be upset if you don’t like any of my ideas.” She sounded amused, which surprised him. “I’m going to be brainstorming and tossing out suggestions while I’m here. Some won’t appeal to you, but I won’t know that until I say them aloud to get your response. All you have to do is let me know if any resonate with you, so I can include them in my final report. If they don’t, just say so, and I won’t mention them again.”

  “I can do that. But I’ll be honest—it’s probably a no to adding goats.”

  She laughed. “I kind of got that feeling, and that’s fine. I’m happy you’ll listen to my suggestions.”

  That didn’t make sense. “Isn’t that why people hire you?”

  “It is, but farmers sometimes aren’t as open to my ideas.”

  He suddenly understood Avery and her reaction yesterday a little better. “Because of your…looks.”

  She nodded. “They assume I can’t possibly know what I’m talking about because I’m halfway attractive.”

  Halfway didn’t begin to describe her. Avery Scott was the definition of beautiful, but Carter knew better than to say so. “How do you handle that?”

  “I used to do whatever it took to not draw attention to myself. I even wore an ugly pair of thick glasses. I almost hurt Mercury when I wore the glasses while riding him. I realized the farmers’ issue doesn’t have to become mine. I wasn’t being true to myself. I’ve never been a girly-girl or cared about my appearance.”

  “Just horses.”

  “And dirt.”

  A woman after his own heart. He half-laughed, realizing it didn’t matter. She might be the first person he’d wanted to ask out on a date in months, but he couldn’t. Not if he wanted to be different from the other guys who only saw the outer package.

  A weight pressed against him, but he shook it off.

  “I finally realized I wasn’t trying to gain attention. I was just being me. I didn’t need to disguise myself so the men who hired me would take me seriously. If they wanted to waste their money by being chauvinists, that was their problem. Not mine.”

  Carter gulped. He didn’t want to be lumped in with that group. Taking a stand couldn’t have been easy for Avery, but he was proud of her. “Good for you.”

  “So what gets you the most excited about Quinn Organics and the future?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “Hydroponics and adding a second, larger greenhouse.”<
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  At his quick reply, her grin spread. “Tell me more.”

  She’d mentioned both during their phone calls. The more he researched them, the more interested he’d become.

  “Adding a bigger greenhouse seems the best way to expand given the winters here. I could have one that was fully hydroponics and one for more traditional growing methods. That way I won’t have to worry as much about the weather and can sell more during the colder months.” He thought about the produce Avery had mentioned that would thrive in a greenhouse. He grew leafy greens, microgreens, cucumbers, and herbs, but adding tomatoes, peppers, green beans, Swiss chard, and squash would increase what he could sell to David and possibly others. “Doing that also opens avenues for the other things you’d mentioned, like direct-to-consumer sales. I researched area farmers markets and CSAs, but with our size and limited employees, a retail stand at the farm probably makes the most sense.”

  She stared at him with a surprised expression. “My recommendation coming into this without seeing the farm yet is direct-to-consumer sales. That’s subject to change once I see your books and operation, but your analysis is spot on.”

  He pushed out his chest. “Does that mean I get an A?”

  “A-plus for this class.”

  Now this was how to start his day and their working together.

  The sound of mooing increased. They were getting closer to the herd. “What’s the next subject?”

  “Livestock management.”

  His stomach clenched. “Are you going to need to see records?”

  “Yes.”

  As he’d figured. “In that case, I need to let you in on a little farm secret.”

  “I like secrets.”

  Secrets, but not surprises. He would have to remember that. “Frannie used to name the cattle. It drove Ben crazy, since the cows were for butchering, but after she died, he kept it up. His way of honoring her.”

  “And you have, too.”

  Carter nodded once. “I follow Frannie’s naming convention as Ben did, and I list their names in the records.”

  Which no one had seen other than the three of them and the farm inspector—until Avery.

  “There’s no right or wrong. Naming an animal that will be butchered and one you might eat can make saying goodbye more difficult, but it also gives you a sense of empathy for the animal. That’s not a bad thing.”