“Would you name them?”
“I have no idea, but I’d never make a judgement either way.” She spoke without missing a beat. “They’re your animals. Everyone has their own methods and traditions. I’ve seen both and a few in between. It’s what you’re comfortable doing.”
“So is your job like being Switzerland?”
“I’m neutral only with some things. Other times, as you saw last night, I’m strongly opinionated. So watch out.”
Carter would.
Or he might find himself falling for his consultant.
CHAPTER SIX
The horseback tour was not only productive, giving Avery an overview of the farm, but also set the tone for her work with Quinn Organics. She found once she got to know Carter better, she liked him. Respected what he wanted to do with the farm while also preserving Ben’s legacy.
In fact, she enjoyed working with Carter. His eagerness and enthusiasm for making the farm more profitable pleased her. Some clients didn’t care for her suggestions because they’d made up their minds before she arrived. Others wanted her to tell them what to do, which she didn’t mind since she knew her report and checklist of to-do items would help them. But a few, including Carter, turned the discussions into a true give and take, the way she’d imagined a consulting job should be.
Ideas kept finding their way into her report draft she was continually revising after talks with Carter. He listened to her, asked questions, and researched suggestions. Other than adding goats to his livestock—and she agreed with his decision not to pursue that—he’d been open to her ideas. He’d made two piles on his desk—one for suggestions he wanted to implement, the other for things to be discussed at a later date.
On Wednesday, she met two part-time workers who prepared the order for the restaurant food-supply company. Knox Locke, a local farrier, also stopped by when Cooper had a loose shoe. None of the men gave her a second glance, which she appreciated.
Mealtimes with Carter continued to be pleasant. The food ranged from enchiladas to steaks, and he hadn’t set off the smoke detector once. They mostly spoke about farming and the livestock. No big surprise there, but he occasionally mentioned his family. A part of her wished he did that more, if only so she could live vicariously.
The only thing not going well was the repair to the bunkhouse heater. A repairman finally made it to the farm, but he couldn’t fix the problem. Due to the unit’s age, the broken part needed to be special ordered, so she remained in Carter’s guest room.
Not an issue. She no longer had any concerns about Carter. He’d said she would have privacy, and she did. Carter continued to be a perfect gentleman, too. She wondered if he saw her as a surrogate sister. That was exactly what Avery had wanted, so why was his behavior a bit…frustrating?
She blew out a breath.
Ridiculous.
Carter was treating her the way she wanted. She should be happy he was such a good guy. Not wanting… Avery wasn’t sure what she wanted, so she focused on helping any way she could.
On Friday, sitting at Carter’s desk in his office, she brought up the spreadsheet she’d created and studied the columns of numbers. If her projections were correct—and they had to be, given how many times she’d checked the data—the second greenhouse alone would pay for itself in the first year. The additional income would provide a cushion for the farm and the extra produce would allow direct sales.
Seeing the numbers on the screen sent excitement flowing through Avery. She tapped her toes against the floor.
“See something you like?” Carter asked from behind her.
He was close enough that the scents of soap and male mixed together to tickle her nose. Heaven help her, but she wanted to take another sniff.
Maybe two.
She didn’t. “Where did you come from?”
“The greenhouse. Sorry if I was too stealthy.”
Avery peeked over her shoulder. He had his coat off. It was strange she hadn’t heard him come into the house. She was generally more attuned to noise and others. “Usually Ruff announces your arrival.”
“He ran into the barn. Must have seen a mouse or something.” Carter came around her chair and leaned against the desk. “You tap your feet when you’re excited or nervous. Which is it?”
She hadn’t realized she did that. “Excited.”
“About?”
“The data.” Avery pointed to the spreadsheet on the monitor. “This shows your net income from last year. There is so much potential for growth. All I see are the possibilities ahead of you and Quinn Organics. With the improvements you’re considering, you’re starting the new year off right.”
As his smile spread, that missing dimple appeared on the left side of his mouth. “I can’t wait until we review what you’ve been working on.”
“Tomorrow.” She motioned to the two stacks on the desk. “I need to go through your ‘implement’ pile and make more updates first.”
“You’ve been working hard.”
As if he was slacking off. He rarely took breaks except for meal times. “That’s what you’re paying me to do.”
“It’s been money well spent.” He stretched out his legs. “I was thinking…”
“Should I be worried?” she joked.
“Possibly.” Carter laughed. “I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner at Quinn’s tonight.”
That was unexpected. She straightened. “Your family’s pub?”
He nodded. “It’s been a long week. I thought getting away from the farm for a couple of hours would be good. Ivy, one of my sisters, might be performing. And this way I won’t have to think about what to cook for dinner.”
“Yes.” The word burst from Avery’s lips. A bit too enthusiastically for her liking. She took a breath. “Sounds fun.”
“Fun and good food,” he added. “A great combo for a Friday night.”
Two hours later, she found herself seated at a table for two. Even with the crowd and rising decibel level, the place had a welcoming, casual feel. Avery liked it. She opened the menu, but her attention was on her surroundings.
The pub’s décor was typical of others Avery had been in—dark wood beams, leather chairs, and paintings hanging on the walls. Lights from the street outside shone through the windows. She bet the view was even prettier during the holidays. On the side of the pub with the bar, a small area had been sectioned off. That must be where musicians performed.
She lowered the menu. “So this is Quinn’s.”
He nodded. “There are other restaurants in town, but I’m partial to this one.”
“You should be.”
He glanced around. “I want you to meet my family. Maggie is behind the bar. Ryder and Ivy are around here somewhere. I don’t know if David is planning to stop by.”
Carter had talked about his siblings so much Avery felt as if she’d already met them.
A young twenty-something server dressed in a black shirt and pants came up to the table. Auburn highlights shone in her brown hair, which was braided in a single plait, and she had an easy smile. One directed at Carter.
“It’s about time you came in, bro.” The woman’s hazel eyes narrowed, matching the accusation in her tone. “Grams’s convinced you’re becoming a hermit.”
Was she Ivy? Or Maggie?
A glimpse at the bar showed a dark-haired woman with green eyes standing behind the gleaming wood counter. That must be Maggie, which meant the server was Carter’s youngest sister. Avery could see the slight resemblance and similar coloring between the siblings.
“I’m in town tonight.” He sounded amused. “That means I’m not a hermit.”
The one who was probably Ivy rolled her eyes. “You were supposed to stop by the ranch…”
“Oh, man. I forgot.” Carter appeared contrite. “I’ve been so busy with the farm. I’ll call Grams first thing tomorrow.”
Ivy pinned him with a hard gaze. “You’d better, because she’s been on me, Maggie, and Mom about y
ou. Though, she’ll be glad to know you’re here tonight and not alone.”
Carter groaned. No doubt he’d heard the same implication as Avery had.
“We’re here to eat.” He ground out the words. “And to hear you sing.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow. “Touchy.”
He shook his head. “That’s what happens when you have an annoying baby sister who says whatever’s on her mind.”
“I’m not that bad.” Her lower lip shot out in an exaggerated pout.
“Yes, you are.” He dragged his hand across his face. “Ivy, this is Avery Scott. She’s the consultant who is helping me come up with a new business plan for the farm. Avery, this is my youngest sister, Ivy Quinn, who is known for jumping to conclusions.”
Ignoring her brother, Ivy shook Avery’s hand. “Welcome to Quinn’s. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” Avery said.
“Where’s Ryder?” Carter asked.
“Probably in the kitchen kissing Bethany.”
“Bethany is the chef,” Carter reminded Avery. “And his wife.”
“Newlyweds,” Ivy added. “You’d think they’d get tired of each other working together but nope.”
Avery grinned. “Keeps it all in the family.”
Carter laughed. “Right again.”
Curiosity sharpened on Ivy’s face. “What do you want to drink?”
The scent of beer hung in the air, but Avery never drank while she was working. This wasn’t a business dinner, per se, but Carter was a client. “Club soda with a lime, please.”
“I’ll have a ginger ale,” Carter said.
“Be right back.” Ivy hurried to the bar.
He sat forward. “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“My sister.” He glanced to where Ivy stood talking to Maggie. “She assumed we were on a date.”
“Is this where you normally bring dates?”
“I don’t really date.”
Avery still found that impossible to believe. “If you did?”
“Not on a first date.”
“Why not?”
“Carter Quinn,” a feminine voice said a little too loudly. “Does your grandmother know you have a date tonight?”
He grimaced. “That’s why.”
He angled toward a white-haired elderly woman, who arrived with the force of a hurricane. “I’m Ruby. One of Gertie Quinn’s best friends. I’ve known this whippersnapper since he was in his mama’s tummy and making her constipated. Who might you be?”
“Avery Scott.”
Ruby’s blue eyes seemed to be categorizing every detail about Avery from her hair to the blouse she wore. “You’re not from around here.”
It wasn’t a question. Nor did Avery know if it mattered, but still she wanted to answer. “California.”
The woman’s wrinkled mouth quirked. “Interesting.”
“Nice seeing you, Ruby, but we’re discussing the farm.” Carter’s tone was firm yet polite. “Say hello to my grandmother when you talk to her.”
“That’ll be in about five minutes.”
Carter sighed. “Figured as much.”
Ruby gave Avery another once-over. “Nice to meet you, young lady. You’re beautiful. Please don’t break this boy’s heart. It’s the tough manly men who are the most fragile when it comes to matters of romance.”
With his forehead in his hand, Carter stared at the table as if trying to hide.
Avery didn’t blame him. She bit back a laugh. “I’ll do my best not to.”
Seemingly satisfied, Ruby sauntered away with a slight spring in her step.
Carter stared at Avery. “You realize she’s going to tell my grandmother everything.”
“She’s a sweet old woman who cares about you.”
“She’s one of my grandmother’s minions, intent on making her friend Gertie’s goal of marrying off her grandchildren ASAP come true.”
Avery’s shoulders sagged. “Oh.”
“You had no way of knowing.” He didn’t sound upset, more frustrated. Or was that resigned? “We don’t warn anyone about our crazy family and my grandmother’s friends, but maybe we should. Though people might not believe us.”
“At this point, I don’t know how I would have reacted.”
That made him laugh. Good.
Though that dimple of his had suddenly disappeared.
Ivy arrived with their drinks. As she placed them on the table, she said, “I see you were waylaid by Ruby. How much damage?”
“She’s probably on the phone to Grams right now.”
Ivy cringed. “You know what that means.”
Avery didn’t understand the knowing glances being passed between the brother and sister. “What?”
“We’ll likely have visitors at the farm.”
“Your grandmother?”
“At the minimum,” Ivy answered for her brother.
“Do I want to know about the others?” Avery asked.
“No,” Carter and Ivy said at the same time.
Carter looked at Avery. “Let’s enjoy dinner and forget everything else.”
“That’s my cue.” Ivy grinned, but she didn’t have the same cute dimple as Carter. “The soup of the day is a tasty fire-roasted tomato bisque. It pairs nicely with the arugula and pear salad with candied walnuts and blue cheese topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Our special tonight is pumpkin lasagna.”
Avery closed her menu. “I’ll have the salad you mentioned and the special.”
“Usual?” Ivy asked Carter.
He nodded. “With a cup of the tomato bisque.”
“You got it.” Ivy grabbed a bill folder off the table next to them before walking away.
“What’s your usual?” Avery asked.
“Shepherd’s pie.” An expression of pure delight formed on his face. “Bethany’s is the best I’ve ever tasted. Though if you say that in front of my mom, I’ll deny it.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
His gaze locked on hers. Once again, like the first day she’d arrived, she felt connected to him, as if energy flowed between them, a palpable current tying them together.
A tall, handsome man with wide shoulders and an attractive woman with long brown hair came up to the table.
The woman touched Carter’s shoulder. “Did you hear about the storm that’s predicted to hit? It sounds like a bad one.”
“Snow Apocalypse 2019, according to the news guy on the radio,” the man added.
Great. Bad weather would put Avery behind and mean more work for Carter. Mother Nature needed to behave herself this winter.
“I hadn’t heard, thanks.” Carter picked up his glass.
The woman tilted her head toward Avery. Not exactly a subtle move, but Carter gave a sheepish grin.
“Sorry,” he said. “Avery Scott, I want to introduce you to the wannabe weather reporters, Brooke Quinn and Jared Webber.”
“Nice to meet you.” Carter hadn’t been kidding about having so many relatives. Avery loved the idea of having a big, extended family. She imagined it wasn’t without issues, like people butting into someone else’s business, but holidays must be fun with so many people around.
“Same.” Brooke tilted her head. “Are you new to Quinn Valley?”
“I’m here temporarily.”
“I hired Avery to help me expand the farm,” Carter offered.
Jared’s eyes widened. “You’re a farmer?”
“Farming consultant,” Avery explained. “Though I have hands-on experience working on farms or I wouldn’t be much help to those who hire me.”
“Brooke is a doctor. Jared is an author,” Carter said. “Me, I just like to play in dirt.”
They all laughed.
“I hope the storm doesn’t cause any damage,” Jared said.
“Me, too,” Carter agreed. “I’ll check the weather report when I get home.”
“Staying to watch Ivy perform?” Brooke asked.
Carter nodded. �
�That’s what big brothers do.”
“As well as sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles,” Brooke added.
Jared leaned closer to Avery. “Don’t know if Carter told you, but this place is loaded with Quinns tonight. I also have to warn you… They are going to want to know more about you.”
She gulped. “I’m just Carter’s consultant.”
The words came out weaker than she intended, but she was feeling a tad overwhelmed. Being a part of a big family appealed to Avery on a gut level. But she also found the idea bittersweet, given she no longer had a family. Well, one that wanted her as a member. She took a sip from her glass.
Jared glanced at Brooke, but he didn’t say anything. Their expressions suggested they didn’t believe her.
“Avery’s been working hard at the farm,” Carter explained, as if sensing she needed backup, which she appreciated. “I can’t wait to implement her ideas.”
His dimple reappeared and then deepened, captivating her.
Jared cleared his throat.
Avery remembered the other two standing at the table. Swallowing, she raised her right hand. “That’s me. Hard worker.”
A stupid reply, but she didn’t know what else to say when all she could think about was that adorable dimple of Carter’s.
Uh-oh. She wasn’t falling for him, was she?
CHAPTER SEVEN
After watching Ivy perform and receive a standing ovation at the end of her set, Carter drove Avery to the farm. It was either leave or ask her to dance. He couldn’t do that. Not unless they wanted to give his family even more of the wrong idea.
He’d done that simply by bringing Avery to the pub tonight. At least David had never shown up or his mom, who was doing something with Harry Peterson, an old friend. But that didn’t lessen what had been said or the curious stares directed Carter and Avery’s way.
Gripping and then loosening his fingers around the steering wheel, he focused on the road to keep from glancing toward the passenger seat.
At her.
That would make him no better than anyone else at the pub. Except he wasn’t innocent, either.
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