by Lori King
“There are no such things as ghosts, Bloom.”
“RJ said that the house was haunted and that Rose had made peace with it, so I want to make peace with it, too.”
“RJ?” Free huffed out. “Has RJ ever seen the ghost?”
Bloom rolled her eyes, knowing that whatever she said, he wouldn’t believe it. “Look, I know what I heard and the voice told me to leave. But I’m not leaving, so get that thought out of your head.”
“I never said that I wanted you to.” Free threw it back at her.
“Then why are you trying to scare me?” Bloom whispered.
Free cupped her face in his hands. She froze at the intensity in his eyes. “It wasn’t me, Bloom. I swear it.”
Why did she believe him? Nodding her head, Bloom whispered, “Okay.” She didn’t know how long they stood gazing at each other, but her skin heated up, tingling all over, until he moved closer and his lips brushed over hers. She froze for an instant, but then Bloom closed her eyes. She could feel his tongue pushing against her lips, making her open for him. Free grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her closer. Her hands had a mind of their own, pushing up his shirt. Before she could go further, Free jerked back and quickly placed her on the bed.
“I’m sorry,” Free gasped, then stepped back. “I shouldn’t have done that.” She could see it in his eyes. Regret flashed across his face. “I’ll check the rest of the house. Just stay here.” Then he walked out without another word.
Reaching up, she felt her lips. Bloom could still taste him. But he regretted it, and now she felt stupid for letting him kiss her. She could hear him walking down from the third floor.
Standing at her door, he said, “Nobody is upstairs. I’m going to lock the doors.” Free didn’t even give her time to respond before he was running down the stairs.
* * *
The moment he got outside, Free bent over, gasping for breath. He felt so stupid. Why in the hell had he kissed her? Standing up, he glanced back at her bedroom window and watched as the light went off.
He kissed her, then fled like a pup getting his first kiss. What the hell was wrong with him? Walking back to the barn, Free changed out of his clothes and stashed them back in the hiding space. He took one look around the property and decided to bed down in the tree line. If she screamed out and needed him, he would hear her.
Now he was guarding the house. What next? Free closed his eyes, but every time he did, all he saw was Bloom and how scared she was. Rose never said anything to him about ghosts, but she did to RJ, it seemed. Apparently, he needed to have a chat with the vampire.
9
Bloom’s phone went off, startling her into falling off the bed. “Ow.” Rubbing her backside, she realized where she was—safe, and in her bedroom. Should she actually call this her bedroom? One day she might, but right now she had a job to get to. Dragging herself up, she walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Last night had been frightening, and then he showed up. As the warm water hit her face, she could still feel his warm lips, but then he practically ran out of the house. He kissed her and then he ran. Maybe it was her? She wasn’t his type?
She hated wearing new blue jeans to do work on a farm, but until she got the ones she had worn earlier washed, she had no choice. Pulling her hair up, Bloom walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Coffee, I need some coffee. Where would you be hiding?”
When she got closer to the phone, she noticed a piece of paper with numbers on it and then instructions: Coffee is located in the cabinet above the coffee maker and the milk is in the refrigerator, sugar is in the cabinet with the coffee. As she opened the cabinet, she found everything she would possibly need. She didn’t have time to linger or inspect her new home, though; she needed to get out to the barn and show them all that she was here to stay and a very hard worker.
Looking through the cabinets, she found a coffee mug with a top on it. Perfect. She grabbed it, and poured the freshly-brewed black coffee inside and headed for the door. The sun was peeking over the mountain as she walked toward the barn. She had never been in the barn so she didn’t know what to expect, but opening the door she realized just how big the farm was when her eyes focused on all the tractors and farm equipment.
Free was bent down checking a piece of equipment when she walked over to him.
“Tired?” he asked without turning around.
“I’m fine. Just need some coffee and I’m good to go.” Bloom took a sip of her coffee, and turned and looked around the barn. “How many workers does the farm employ?”
“Twenty full-time employees and six part-time. During the summer months, we employ some of the local kids.” Free stood up and was watching her. “Right now, they are scraping the old paint on the back side of your house and then they will start painting it. They work well together and do a good job.”
“What are you working on?” Bloom stepped back from him. She could tell he had just taken a shower and he smelled so good. He looked real good, too…but keeping her distance was what she had to do.
“I changed the spark plugs on the tractor. If you would like, I can take you out on the Mule to see the property,” Free said.
“A mule?”
“I forget how much of a city girl you are. Come on.” Free pushed one of the barn doors open wider and then pointed out something that looked like it was from the Batman movies. It was huge and looked like a small car but with bars around it. “This is a Kawasaki Mule and we ride it around the property. Just climb in and put your seatbelt on,” he explained.
“Okay.” Bloom had never ridden anything like this in her life, but it looked fun, so she got in.
Free cranked up the Mule and just like a car, pushed the gas. Off they went out the barn and into the backyard. She’d never felt more alive as the wind whipped through her hair. She giggled as he went faster. The more she laughed, the faster he went.
Slowing down, Free pointed toward some fields and explained, “Those crops are our money makers. It’s not time to plant the cotton or soybeans yet, but in a few months the crew will start to get the soil ready for the seeds.”
He drove for a few miles until they came to another crop and she knew exactly what those were. “Pumpkins,” Bloom squeaked.
“They are ready to go out on the trucks today and tomorrow, so we have a lot to do today. We make good money this time of year with the pumpkins, and we also have a tree farm where we grow Christmas trees. Even though it’s not the season for planting our biggest crop, it is for these. Plus, the income from the pumpkins and trees is almost pure profit, since not a lot of time or money goes into them. We harvest some of the pumpkins for the farm and use the seeds for next year. There is always something growing on the farm. That’s how we stay in business and make a profit.”
“I didn’t realize how big the farm is. RJ made it sound like we only planted soybeans and cotton, but the farm is always growing. I love that,” Bloom said.
“Yes, ma’am.” Free smiled. “Now, our newest crop is a little further on.”
“The strawberry patch?” Bloom asked.
“Right now the plants are trying to produce buds. If they do, then they will continue to grow and produce fruit in the summer, but if we don’t get this right now, then the crop will never produce. Unfortunately, the plants are not budding the way they should. We tried everything, and we put a lot of money into these crops. I’ve got to figure out what is wrong before I lose them,” Free shared. She could see how much he cared about the farm and how much he wanted the strawberry patch to succeed.
“Maybe I can help,” Bloom expressed. She wasn’t expecting the smirk on his face so she asked, “What?”
“Nothing personal, Bloom, but you have no experience working on a farm or planting crops. I appreciate your help, but I think I need to do this.”
She was burning inside. They rode in total silence until they came to a fenced-in area. He pulled up and got out, then opened the gate and got back in. Once he cleared the ga
te, he got back out and closed it then started driving again.
“This is our cow pasture. We have around one hundred and eighty-six cows. These are grain-fed cows, and people pay us a lot of money for that particular kind of beef.”
“Is there a reason you only have one hundred and eighty-six cows? Could we take on more if we had the money?” Bloom asked. She wanted to know everything about the business, and that included giving her own ideas. Apparently, Free didn’t want her to do anything.
“We could if we had more pasture land for them to graze on. David Wright owns the land that sits next to us. We’ve been trying to buy his one hundred and forty acres, but he pulls a shotgun on me every time I go over there. The old man doesn’t even use the land.” Free grumbled.
As they traveled further, she could see all the cows spread out, eating the grass. “Oh, look at the baby cows.” Bloom pointed.
“They’re called calves.”
“Oh, okay, well look at the baby calves.”
Free smiled, then chuckled, pulling the Mule over to the side. “Just calves. Take the baby off.”
Bloom shrugged her shoulders. She still thought of them as baby cows. She would call them whatever she wanted. Pulling up a slight hill, Free pointed toward the land on the opposite side of the fence. “That is Old Man Wright’s place.”
Free glanced at his watch, “I’ve got a meeting with someone about the strawberry plants. I’ll drop you off at the barn.”
“What should I do?” Bloom asked.
“Whatever you want.” Free turned the Mule around and headed back toward the barn. He didn’t say another word to her until he got out. “I may not be back today. I have some plans tonight.”
Bloom just nodded her head. What could she say? He had a date. She got out of the Mule and walked back toward the fields. If he wouldn’t teach her, then she would get someone else to do that for her. And she could get a date, too.
* * *
He watched as she walked away, but couldn’t read her expression. She looked mad, but he just couldn’t tell if that was from him not letting her go to the meeting, or if she was jealous because he had a date tonight. He’d already kissed her and now all he wanted to do was drive out to an open pasture and spread her out and have his way. Thoughts like that would get him in serious trouble. She was a human and she knew nothing about them. Plus, he had a date with Andrea tonight. They were going to meet up at Murk’s Pub and have some fun.
Andrea Sims was just a friend and a member of Nate Dunn’s pack. His pack was two counties over, and that was far enough that he didn’t see Andrea every day. They both knew they weren’t mates, but they used each other to blow off some steam and have some fun without any attachments. He didn’t mess around with any of the women from his own pack, since that would get complicated. That included Bloom.
10
Bloom stomped off toward the fields. She was going to learn as much as she could about farming. If Free didn’t want to teach her, then she would get help from someone else. As she got to the back of the house, she saw a man putting something around the strawberry plants. Walking over, she stood off to the side and just observed.
“You can come over here and watch if you want,” the man said. How he even knew she was standing there was amazing, since she hadn’t made a sound.
Bloom walked over and stood to the side of him. “Can I ask what you are doing?”
“Of course. It’s your farm. I’m putting some fertilizer around the plants, hoping it will help them start budding. We have been trying everything but nothing has worked yet.” The man grabbed another handful and placed it around another plant. “I’m Buck Michaels and the…the foreman here at the farm. You look like your dad.”
Bloom smiled. “Yeah, a lot of people used to say that.”
“I was sorry to hear about him and your mother. Your dad was a good man.” Buck said. He was still putting the fertilizer around the plants as he continued speaking. She noticed that he only put it around five plants and stopped.
“Why did you only put it around five plants and not the whole crop?”
Buck glanced up at her and smiled. “Good observation. I want to test it to make sure that it’s working. If it doesn’t, then I didn’t waste a lot of time or money for the fertilizer. This is my test patch, and if it starts to bud in the next couple of days, then I will do the rest of the plants out in the field.”
“Smart,” Bloom muttered. She watched as Buck pulled out a little notebook from his coat pocket and wrote down something.
“I keep it all written down here. That way I know and Free will know what was tried and worked, or didn’t work.” Buck flipped the pages over and showed her his documentation.
“It’s more in-depth than I thought it would be. You don’t just throw some plants in the ground and they produce,” Bloom commented.
“No, there is a science to planting, especially if you are a farmer and are growing crops year round. You have to change the soil out and add to it, or take out certain minerals. Sometimes you may have too much nitrogen in the soil, or you have to put in more fertilizer. It depends on the crop, and we are constantly testing the soil,” Buck explained.
“What’s wrong with the strawberry plants?”
Buck bent down and grabbed a handful of soil. “Don’t know yet. We researched and did everything that we knew, but we’re still missing something. Since it’s a new crop, it may not like this type of soil. That’s why it’s important to keep notes on what we have tried.”
“Can I see what all you have tried so far?” Bloom asked. She was worried he wouldn’t want to show her since she was new.
“Of course. Let’s go to the office. I have it on a spreadsheet. You need to know how to look all this up.” Buck dropped the soil and motioned for her to follow him.
“I never knew how high-tech farming could be,” Bloom said.
“Most people don’t, and that’s why most farms fail. They go into it thinking it will be easy, but then their crops don’t produce. It’s not always easy, and even if we have a successful crop one year, it doesn’t always mean we will the next. We have been keeping records for as long as I can remember.” Buck opened the door and motioned for her to go in. He pulled a chair beside his. “Sit here so you can follow along.” Buck pulled out a notebook and pen and gave it to her. “Just in case you want to take notes.”
Bloom was fascinated with planting. She had a notebook full of notes when she heard the door open to the office. “I was looking for you.” Claire stood in the doorway, smiling.
“Hey, Claire,” Bloom said with a smile.
“Hey, and hello Buck. I thought I would find her in here with you. Come on, girl. You need a night out with the girls.”
Bloom glanced down at her blue jeans and t-shirt. “I don’t think I’m dressed to go out.”
“Silly girl, we have time for you to take a shower, and I’ve brought some clothes for you.” Claire held up a bag from her store.
“Claire. I can’t—”
“This is to borrow since I know you won’t take it.” Claire interrupted her, teasing.
“I’ve got a lot to go over and it’s still too early to leave,” Bloom said.
“Girl, it’s after five. No more working after five,” Claire demanded. That’s when Bloom realized that she had been in the office all day learning and had never once glanced at a clock. She hadn’t even realized the time.
When she looked up at Buck, she found he was staring at Claire. “Oh, no, Buck. I’m sorry.” Buck hesitated, then looked away from Claire. “I kept you in here asking so many stupid questions. I just wasted your day,” Bloom apologized.
Buck stood up and smiled. “You didn’t waste my day. I loved it, and you need to learn this. Now you know how to get in the computer and check out what has been tried. I had fun seeing someone who is truly interested in learning the business. But Claire’s right. You need to meet some people and have a girls’ night out. I will be back tomorrow and can
take you to the orchards. That way you can see the trees.”
Bloom smiled. Buck was so easy to talk to, and he wasn’t bad to look at, either. In fact, he was gorgeous, but her mind always seemed to drift off, wondering what Free was doing. Every time Buck mentioned his name, she got tingly feelings inside her stomach.
When Bloom stood up, she couldn’t help but hug the man for helping her. “Thank you, Buck, for being so nice to me and taking the time to show me these wonderful things. I really enjoyed it.”
Buck hugged her back. He was a good man, she could tell. She appreciated how much time he had taken with her. Claire grabbed her hand. “See you later, umm, Buck.” Claire winked as she dragged Bloom out of the office toward the house. What was going on between them? Bloom wondered.
Claire had everything laid out on her bed when Bloom got out of the shower. Making her sit down in front of the mirror, Claire applied her makeup and did her hair. She had to admit she was enjoying it all. Her new friend was a blast, and she loved how easy it was to talk to her.
“You have beautiful hair.” Claire turned her around so she could see herself in the mirror.
“Wow, how did you get my hair to do that?” Bloom was astonished as she leaned in closer and stared at her reflection. It was phenomenal. She felt pretty as she twisted one of the curls around her finger.
“It’s very easy with this curling iron.” Claire was all about beauty and she knew how to do it all.
“Now, let’s add just a little bit more shadow to your eyes and it will give them that smoky look. Girl, everyone is going to want to dance with you tonight. Ah, ah, ah…before you say anything, just listen.” Bloom had been about to protest but shut her mouth. “You have no clue just how pretty you are, and that’s what will draw them in, like a moth to the flame…and you’re the flame.”
