“What’s the big deal with those tomatoes?” I ask before shoving another tasty forkful in my mouth.
“That’s quite the question. I’m almost tempted to say it’s an Italian thing, but when I was in culinary school I found out that the San Marzano tomatoes are considered by many chefs to be the best of their kind in the world. I think it has to do with the fact that the flesh is much thicker than regular tomatoes, the taste is stronger and there are fewer seeds. Of course, Nona grows them in her garden in the summer and jars them for the fall and winter months. She’s been pressuring me to do the same, but the place I stay at isn’t mine. I’m just babysitting.”
“You like gardening?”
“I don’t know about that. I was thinking along the lines of what my grandmother has—a small place to grow tomatoes and herbs. That would make me really happy. I don’t need anything as elaborate or grandiose like the garden Riley has on your ranch. I guess I’ll have to wait to get my own place for that to ever happen. It’s good to dream, right?”
Interesting.
We both devour the rest of our meal in silence. I’m too focused on savoring every bite to even think of coming up with something clever or entertaining to say. The way Miranda is attacking her food, I think she’s in the same boat. I polish off my plate in just a few bites. It’s that good. Once I’m done, I wipe the flavorful and garlicky tomato sauce with a generous portion of the Calabrese bread. Miranda’s big Italian salad is a winner—like pretty much everything she prepares. It’s layered with so many different nuances, it’s a real treat for my taste buds. We spend more of the meal moaning in satisfaction than talking. Certain moments in life transcend words. This is one of them. After our feast, we both sit back in our seats, utterly satiated.
“I’m so ready for coffee. What about you?” I ask, reaching out to caress her hand.
“I still can’t believe it’s past eight in the morning and I haven’t yet had a cup.”
“Yeah, but you forget you’ve already had a pick-me-up… or two.” I grin from ear to ear.
“Touché. I’m not even going to pretend that your cock isn’t like a shot of adrenaline. It’s like downing twelve cups of espresso in one sitting.” She laughs.
“I accept the award for best cock of the year,” I mock, bowing my head.
“Oh, my God, you’re so ridiculous right now.”
We both laugh.
“Seriously, sweetie, the reality is just like a plug, it's a matter of finding the right electrical outlet.” I lean in and kiss her gently on her forehead before getting up. “You sit, I’ll take care of coffee.”
“I love the fact that it’s just the two of us again, but I must say it was fun having all these people here, even if I was only able to really enjoy them in the last few days.”
“It got some getting used to for the first few days, but I agree,” I say, pulling out the coffee grinder from the pantry.
“I guess next week is back to normal.” Miranda gets up and starts clearing the table.
“Yep.”
“Do you have more interviews lined up to find the person who’ll replace you or will Jake come back to continue with those?”
I’ve only given her a few snippets here and there of everything that’s been unfolding in our business. I haven’t gone into much detail, partially because I didn’t want to bog her down and also because hiring Sheila will have a huge impact on our relationship. “No, sweetie. He won’t be coming back for a while and I don’t have any more interviews. Last Tuesday, Jake awarded the position to a pretty fantastic woman. I met with her several times and she’s the right candidate. She starts in a week.”
“That’s great news,” she cheers. “I guess now you’ll only have to focus on hiring new salespeople.”
“Actually, that’s something Sheila, the new director, will take over. The second she starts, I’ll start delegating as much as possible to her.”
“Oh, okay. Wow, it sounds like you’ll have a lot of time on your hands. I’m telling you right now, I’m totally jealous. You’ll get to hang out at the beach all day while I slave at work.” She laughs. I don’t. When she notices my expression, she stops giggling. “Hunter, you look so serious all of a sudden. That can’t be good.”
It’s time for me to pull the trigger. “I’m going back to Fort Collins.” I drop the coffee grinder on the counter and take a step towards her.
“Oh, I see. When are you leaving?” she asks in a shaky voice.
“I’m giving myself two weeks.”
“Whoa. That’s like tomorrow.” She lowers her eyes and starts fidgeting with the hem of the t-shirt she’s wearing. “If you live in Colorado and I’m here in California, how’s that going to work between us? Are you going to fly back every weekend? Is that it?”
“That’s not what I had in mind,” I say, taking another step closer to her.
She gets up from where she was sitting and approaches me with tentative steps. “Will I fly in on Fridays to be with you? I guess there’s always Skype video or FaceTime in between. Is—is that the plan?” She worries her lower lip. She’s nervous.
I shake my head. “That’s not what I had in mind either.”
She looks up at me, confused. “I don’t get it. Are we breaking up?”
“Now, how in the world does that make any sense when I declared my love to you a few hours ago?”
“Well, what other options are there?”
“Move in with me.” Her eyes widen like saucers, her mouth gapes and both her hands fly up to her chest. “I know you love your job at Food Network and your best friend lives here. I understand how important she is to you and how close the two of you are. Frankly, I don’t even know if I have the right to ask you to do this, because I’m asking you to follow me blindly to a place you’ve never been to before and that’s very different from LA and Savannah. But the reality is I won’t leave LA without you. My time here is up and I have to go back home. That said, I can’t imagine waking up without you by my side.” I pause and gaze into her eyes. She’s still looking at me with that star-struck awe. “There’s plenty of land for you to grow those Italian tomatoes you were telling me about earlier. And I’m sure we can find a spot for those herbs as well.” I grin. That does the trick. She cracks up. I join her and soon we’re both laughing uncontrollably.
She regains her composure before I do. She wipes the tears under her eyes and flashes me a beaming smile. “Is that your selling point, mister? A plot of land?”
“Well, that and a few other perks.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“You drive a hard bargain,” she flirts. “Can I have a little patch to grow baby potatoes?”
“Well, I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’ll cost you extra.”
She laughs.
“You have to admit I’m pretty darn clever.”
“It’s one of the many reasons why I adore you so much.”
“I’m flattered, but is this your way of avoiding acknowledging my proposal?”
“Not at all. I’d have to be a fool to do that. Are you sure about this, Hunter? I mean—”
“I’m dead certain. Maybe you need some time to think about this. Maybe you don’t want to leave your life behind.”
She shakes her head vehemently. “I don’t.”
“You don’t want to move in with me on the ranch?” Okay, that’s not quite the answer I expected.
“I’m too emotional. I’m not making any sense. My heart is beating so fast, I can’t think straight,” she says, frantically waving her hand in front of her face. “I don’t need time to think about it. I’d follow you to the ends of the earth and back if you ask me to. When you said you were leaving LA, it’s like someone stabbed me in the heart. Yes, my job at Food TV is incredible, but it doesn’t compare to what we share. Coming home from a great job and ending up alone in the place I’m housesitting isn’t nearly as sweet as sleeping in your arms. As for my best friend, Jess and I have known each other forever and she’d kick my ass if I said
no. She’ll come visit me and I’ll come back here. In between, we’ll text and video chat. I want to be with you. I can’t bear the thought of living without you, Hunter. I knew you’d have to go back at some point. I was bracing myself for it to be the most heart-wrenching moment of my life. I never imagined you’d want to take me with you.”
I close to the gap between us. I reach out and cradle her face in my hands. “I love you, sweetie.”
“I love you so much, baby.”
I wipe the tear rolling down her face. “You’re crying?”
“How can I not? The man of my dreams declares his love for me, fucks me like I’ve never been fucked before and a few hours later he rocks my world by asking me to move in with him. It doesn’t get much better than this.” No, it doesn’t.
“We’re going to have a freaking amazing life together,” I shout, picking her up in my arms and claiming her lips in a blazing kiss that only makes me hungry for her again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Hunter
Two weeks later
I can’t complain about the length of the flight. It’s not as if two and a half hours is an eternity. Nonetheless, I was agitated and restless the whole way too eager to get back to the ranch. Just before walking out of the airport, I pull out my phone to text Jake.
Guess who's back in town?
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It's about time.
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Yup. I agree. I can’t wait to see Fort Collins again. I reserved a limo.
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Jason’s service?
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Yeah. He's usually really punctual. He should already be waiting for me.
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Good. We could use some extra hands on the ranch. I know you've been slacking off in LA all summer long, but you’re going to have to pick up the pace really quick. As you know, Mondays are usually crazy so the faster you get here, the sooner I'll be able to put you to work.
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Is that your way of saying you missed me?
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No. I'm simply being strategic about the work we still have to do before sunset. We’re growing fast you know.
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Fucker.
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I love you too, bro. Seriously, I'm glad you're back.
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So am I. I can’t wait to see the crew again. Will you be in the office or in the field?
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Nah. I'll be at the gym with a couple of our guys. The building needs some repair so might as well nip it in the bud before it becomes a cause for concern.
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Huh?
I don't remember that barn being in such bad shape.
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Prevention is key, buddy.
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Whatever. I'll take your word for it. I’ll see you in a little over an hour.
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See you soon.
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I walk out of in search for the limo I reserved. I don't have to look very far since Jason is there waiting for me with a huge smile on his face.
"Hey, buddy, how are you?" I cheer as I approach him.
"Hunter Evans.” Jason extends his hand and I shake it. "Look at you. You're sporting a Californication tan."
Jason Paxton is a few years younger than Jake and I. For the past three years, he’s taken over his father’s car service. Since Fort Collins isn't nearly as big as Denver, there aren’t that many companies to choose from. As a consequence, people tend to be very loyal to the one they select. Jason also serves a few neighboring towns because Fort Collins wouldn't be sufficient to feed his family. Stepping out of his father’s shadow, Jason bought a Lincoln Continental for less formal occasions. That was a smart move and keeps him very busy. Since I’m tall, I prefer to hire the stretched Chrysler 300 limo. After acquiring his father’s business, Jason’s been doing things very differently from his old man. When it came time to get the word out, Jason rented a table right in front of the Trader Joe’s supermarket. Half an hour after meeting him, Isadora was completely smitten and very impressed with his business savvy. When she got back to the ranch, she declared Paxton Car Services should be the one we use from now on. We tend not to argue with Isa on those sorts of things.
"Three months on the West Coast will do that to a guy.” I reply.
"I wouldn't know." Jason crosses his arms over his chest and adopts the smug look. "I've been holding down the fort here in Colorado. That said, I can't complain. We’ve had a phenomenal summer."
"That's what I hear," I smile. "About that Californication part... there's something you should know. It’s not all that’s it cut out to be.”
Jason furrows his eyebrows. "What are you talking about, Evans? Are you telling me you didn't sample half of the city? Dude, I've been married for five years and I have three kids under the age of four—with the last one being only three weeks old—”.
"Congratulations to you and Karen—”
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Jason dismisses me with a sweep of his hand. “As I was saying. I'm not getting any sleep or any action. Don't you know I live vicariously through you? Please don't disappoint me." Jason looks so serious I'm tempted to believe his bullshit. Luckily, I know how much he adores his wife. It's no secret to anyone in Fort Collins that he's a loving and doting dad. He really shouldn’t know that much about me, but people talk in a small town.
I chuckle. "I met someone special." He might as well know now.
"You did not." Jason protests. He lifts his hands up in the air before dropping them with a loud slap against his thighs feigning exasperation. "Is nothing sacred anymore?"
I nod. "Yup. My love for her is. I'm officially off the market. She's moving out here next month to live with me."
"First Jake gets hit by Cupid’s arrow and now you? What the hell is going on that ranch? Are you guys doping the water with a voodoo potion or something?"
I roar laughing. "I guess you could say that. It's called love, Jason. Since you been with the same girl since you were twenty, I don't have to explain much to you."
"It's expected that guys like me—a little too short, a little overweight and definitely not destined to discover the cure against cancer or to become a millionaire—unless I get lucky at the lottery—don't play the field. Jake and you are gods. Every woman out there would be willing to part with a vital organ to be with you—even for one night."
"That may be true, but they're not all worth it. I know for fact that Allison is an incredible catch. When it comes to Miranda, I hit the jackpot."
"Well, hell, I never thought I'd see the day. Congratulations, buddy. Welcome to the club of the Fatefully Happy."
"Thanks, buddy. I'm proud to be a member," I grin from ear to ear.
"Ready to go back to the ranch?"
"Damn right I am." Jason reaches for my suitcases and I follow him to the car.
During the ride, Jason and I catch up. It's amazing what happens in someone's life in three months. As we zoom north on Interstate 25, it hits me how much I’ve missed this place. After forty animated minutes, Jason focuses his attention on the road and I settle back in my seat enjoying the few minutes of rest I have left before Jake hands over a list as long as my arms of things to do. I'm glad I took an earlier flight instead of the later one or else I would've missed all this beauty. I guess something good came out of Miranda not being in LA this morning. I changed the time of my flight out of LA when I found out that my girlfriend had to fly to San Francisco for a food event with Riley. She left yesterday afternoon. Miranda went back to work a week and a half ago. Luckily, it’s been going really well. I was worried that flash backs of that fateful night would paralyze her, but as usual, she rises to the challenge. We had dinner with Riley on Monday night following my asking Miranda to move in with me. I know Riley Carrington too well so I invited her to my place for dinner. Since the fridge was still full with Miranda’s grandmother’s cooking, it was perfect. Dropping this kind of life changing news o
n Riley in a restaurant would’ve been a recipe for disaster. Just like when I told her I wanted Miranda to be my girlfriend, Riley cried like a baby when she found out we were in love. When she recovered, she jumped up and down clapping her hands and repeating, “I can’t believe it,” like a mantra. That’s before pulling Miranda in her arms for an embrace. Riley doesn’t just hug people, she chokes them to death. Considering the size difference between Miranda and her boss, the visual was priceless.
After taking her home with me the night Nigel, aka the biggest scum bag on the planet, attacked her, Miranda never went back to the place she’s housesitting. There’s no way I was going to let that happen. The owners kept Mrs. Silverstein’s grandson on because he’s been doing such a great job. Miranda takes over when Adam can’t be there for early morning deliveries. Living with her for the last month has been a blessing. I love falling asleep with her cuddled in my arms and I always look forward to waking up and looking down at her angelic face. There were a few hiccups, but for the most part, the transition of living together has been a smooth one. As the days flew by, the uneasiness of my pending departure loomed over us. We both tried our best to pretend we weren’t dreading the inevitable day, but we knew we were lying to ourselves. Our goodbyes yesterday afternoon before I dropped her at LAX were far more emotional than I expected. The drive to the airport was a quiet and morose one. I know it’s only been a few hours, but I desperately miss her already. I tried calling and texting her all morning, but since I haven't heard back from her, I can only assume Riley is keeping her busy.
When Jason takes a left off of Carlton Valley Road and I see the sign to our ranch, I become as excited as a kid on his way to Disneyland. As Jason drives up the dusty road, it hits me how quiet it is. “Where the hell is everybody?” I ask aloud stretching my neck out of the window. I can’t see any of our guys’ trucks and the ranch is a ghost town. “That's weird.”
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