Four
Amelia
M y alarm goes off, and I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping I’m dreaming and it’s not actually time to get up yet. When it doesn’t stop, I curse the person who came up with the noise for alarms, and groan as I roll over to get up and turn it off. Because, yes, I have to put my alarm on the other side of the room so I don’t hit snooze and fall back asleep. Penny stands and stretches on the bed before jumping down to come up next to me with a yawn.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s time to start our day, my girl.”
My phone dings as I walk to the sliding door in my room to let her out. As Penny does her business, I grab my phone on my way to the kitchen to get Penny’s breakfast ready. I snort when I see several texts back-to-back.
Pam: This is your first wake-up call. If you want your chai from Atomic, you better be on time.
WAKE UP
YOU BETTER BE UP AND NOT LATE TODAY
Me: Fuck off . . .
I’m up. Penny has to eat, and then we’re out of here.
I’d say she’s exaggerating, but she knows I’m always late, and if something requires me to be somewhere before eleven in the morning, I most likely need the wake-up call. You’d think, as a business owner, that would change, but it hasn’t. I have never been, nor will I ever be, a morning person.
Penny eats while I finish up my skincare routine and brush my teeth.
I grab Penny’s farmers’ market bag because I’m that pet parent who packs a bag like she’s going somewhere overnight when we’re really just going to be gone for half the day. She even has her own raised dog bed and a shirt that matches our team.
“Penny, sit still,” I say as I try to wrangle her, but since she knows what today is, she’s a wiggle worm.
While I’m an introvert who would be a hermit if I could get away with it, my dog is the opposite. She loves people and loves every outing we go on.
I give her the command to hop in the Jeep, and once she’s in, I loop the seat belt through her harness and head to the farm.
When I pull into my spot next to the farm’s van, a smiling Pam is holding my latte from Atomic.
Bless her soul.
I smirk as I turn my Jeep off and hop out. I grab my drink and sniff it before taking a sip and setting it on the hood. I open the back door and grab Penny’s bag before unbelting her. She jumps down and runs toward Sam.
A deep voice says, “Shit, her leash isn’t on. Is she going to run off?”
I stop mid-step and slightly panic at a voice I don’t recognize here with us this early in the morning. I look around, and it dawns on me that the extra voice must be Sam’s friend, Luke.
Sam laughs and says, “The day Penny runs away is the day the world stops turning. She won’t stray far from Am. She does like me more than everyone else though.”
I just roll my eyes.
With a laugh, he? turns to me and says, “It’s about time you got here. Hurry up and unlock the door so we can load the van up while you grab any last-minute stuff you need.”
I nod and turn to the newcomer, who sticks his hand out and says, “Hi, I’m Luke. Nice to meet you.”
I just look at him for a moment, blinking as my brain tries to catch up.
My eyes flick down to his hand and back up at him.
I shake his hand and walk to unlock the door, feeling three sets of eyes on me.
Was that rude? Yeah, probably, but it’s early, and I don’t people in the morning.
Sam and Pam both know I don’t talk until I’m ready. Honestly, they’re probably shocked I even stopped and shook his hand at all.
“Uh, did I do something wrong?” Luke says from behind me.
“Nah, she isn’t a morning person. I should have warned you that you can’t talk to her until she’s eaten, and even then, you have to wait for her to say the first words. Hence the peace offering of the chai latte,” Pam says.
“Oohhkay,” Luke says.
And now I kind of feel bad because he is up early on his day off.
With the door unlocked, the three of them get to work loading, and I grab the produce. I fill up the last of the baskets I didn’t do last night and hand Penny one of them to carry out, because she likes to help, while I load up the prepackaged produce.
After several trips, I throw Sam the keys because if I don’t have to drive, I’m not going to.
“I just have to test the water and log it, and we can go.” I give Pam a pointed look. “And we’ll still be thirty minutes ahead of schedule.”
“So she does speak,” Luke says with a deep chuckle.
“I do. I just don’t like mornings enough to communicate with people. It’s nice to meet you, though, and thanks for helping,” I say genuinely.
I turn back to the Jeep, and Pam is strapping Penny in, and then she gets into the driver’s seat.
“No problem. Not everyone is a morning person. Sam told me you had a farm, but this isn’t what I was expecting. What kind of farm is this?” he asks.
“Aquaponics. If you want, I’ll explain while I’m testing the water.” I look over at him and am hit with how attractive he is.
He’s taller than me by half a foot with slightly mussed brownish-blond hair, like he just ran his hand through it, giving it that I just rolled out of bed looking this good appearance. A fitted shirt to show off that he doesn’t skip the gym rounds out the look.
“Basically, I raise fish in these tanks, the fish poop, and that poop feeds the plants I grow. Come on, I’ll show you,” I say quickly as we walk back inside. I grab my testing kit, hoping he didn’t catch me ogling him. “The more in-depth answer is: Once an hour and sometimes sooner, depending on the system, the water cycles, and the dirty water drains into the containers that have the plants in them. The plants then absorb the fish waste, using the nutrients, and act as a natural filter. The oxygenated clean water then cycles back into the fish tanks. It’s a self-sustaining system, with the plants and fish being truly organic. I can grow food faster and with a smaller footprint than a traditional farm,” I say as I log the test results from the water.
When he doesn’t respond, I turn around and am shocked by his response.
With wide eyes, he takes in the room and bends down to look into one of the clear tanks. “Holy shit, that’s cool. So, it just kind of takes care of itself,” he says.
“Yeah, once everything got leveled out, that is. The system is closely monitored because it’s a balancing act, and it doesn’t take much for it to go south quickly,” I say. It’s nice having someone interested in what I’m doing other than family or someone I want to have a business relationship with. “Alright, we have to get going. If I’m late, I won’t hear the end of it.”
We walk together in comfortable silence.
I break that by asking, “Do you want to ride in the Jeep with Pam and Penny, or do you want to ride with Sam?”
“I’ll ride with Sam so you don’t get subjected to his whining so early in the morning,” he says with a smirk.
I laugh. “He’s a big baby. Cool, we’ll see you there.”
I walk to the Jeep and jump in the passenger seat, watching him as he gets in the van.
Pam starts the Jeep and looks at me with humor dancing in her eyes as she pulls onto Main Street, heading to the city square where the farmers’ market is held.
“Just say it and get it over with,” I say.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I snort. “Whatever.”
“Luke is hot, right?”
“He’s good looking, but any ideas you have of setting me up, get it out of your head right this minute.” I stare at her, giving her as hard of a glare as I can.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it was nice to see a genuine smile on your face for the first time in years.”
“I smile all the time. You’re reading too far into this,” I say with the fakest smile I can muster. Turning to Penny, I say, “Your auntie is going crazy. I’m happy and smile often since moving here, especially since I have you as such a perfect princess.” I smile as she cocks her head and wags her tail.
“Yeah, but this one was different. I have a good feeling,” she says as she parks.
I hop out while the guys park the van and start to grab the stuff from the Jeep while Pam lets Penny out. I walk to my designated spot and put down what I’m carrying. The guys quickly set up the canopy and tables, and then Pam and I take over with laying everything out.
The last thing I do is set up Penny’s bed and grab her shirt. I try to sneak another look at Luke out of the corner of my eye, and see hints of tattoos sneaking out from under his sleeves. He argues with Sam on the best way to tie down the canopy, and I internally groan when he turns around. His Nikes match the color of his shirt and his fitted jeans are well worn and faded. Did I notice his shoes before most other things? Yes. Sue me because I truly think you can tell a lot about someone by their shoes.
Luke is hands down one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen, and I don’t know how to handle this because it’s been so long since I’ve been attracted to someone.
I’m not ugly by any means. However, I’m not the stereotypical pretty either. I’m an average-sized woman who works out just enough to be able to eat what I want but not enough to lose the stubborn stomach pooch that has shown up in recent years, but I refuse to lay off the tacos because tacos are life.
I need to color my hair more because the grays have started to show up more than before, although I really keep coloring it because the red makes my blue eyes pop a little more. I do have great skin, though, and I’m lucky that I have no issues there other than having sensitive skin, but it could always be worse.
I shake my head to stop my thoughts.
Even if I was really ready to date, he just moved to town, and if my memory serves, he’s almost as big of a playboy as Sam is.
With Penny fully dressed, I give her the place command, and she trots to her bed and lies down. I turn around to put the finishing touches on the signage.
Sam walks up next to me and slings an arm around my shoulder. “You did good, kid. I always knew you could do it, but you’ve come so far in five years, and I know you’re just getting started.”
I look around and then back up at him. “Thanks, it hasn’t always been easy, but I got here. I found out last night that I have a meeting with a couple of the bigger stores next week up in Albuquerque to talk about the benefits of supporting local farmers, along with what makes aquaponics different, and possibly selling produce up there, which would mean a second farm site.”
“No shit! That’s great.” He gives me a side hug as the first person walks up.
I don’t even need to look over to see who it is. Since Luna moved to town a few weeks ago and started working at Griffin Farm’s Bed-and-Breakfast, she’s been one of my first customers every week. She seems shy but is one of the nicest people I’ve met in a long time.
“Hey, Luna! How are you doing today?” I say.
She looks up and smiles. “I’m good! How are you?”
“Can’t complain. How’s work? I know Ann and Joe are planning on taking some time off. Is it going to be just you holding down the fort?” I say as Pam comes up beside me.
“Don’t make it seem like you can do everything yourself. If you need help while they’re gone, you have to let them know,” Pam says, and I nod.
They won’t want her to work herself to death. Farmer Joe and Ann are two of the kindest souls I’ve ever met, and they truly care about their community and the people who work for them.
“It’s really not that bad. I just want to keep to myself and do my job well. I enjoy it though, so it’s all good.” She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and looks up to where Luke and Sam are behind me. “Oh, hey, Luke. How has your stay been at the farm so far?” she says as she starts to grab the items she’s looking for.
“It’s perfect. Although I’m going to have to hit the gym more with the way Ann cooks,” he says, rubbing his flat stomach.
I check her out and give her a huge discount like I do for all my friends, and I damn well intend to make Luna my friend because while I have a small circle, she seems like someone I want in that circle. She sets her bag down and comes behind the stand to give Penny some love, and we continue to talk as I help everyone coming to the booth.
Things are going smoothly this morning when I hear the most annoying laugh and roll my eyes so hard I think everyone at the market felt it. Luna must have seen it because she chuckles off to my side.
“Oh, hi. I’ve never seen you two before,” Martha says, batting her eyelashes, and I worry they’re going to fly off her face.
I wonder if anyone has ever told her she looks like she has a twitch and her fake eyelashes are at risk of falling off with that move.
Sam leans over, his playboy smirk making an appearance, and I’m kind of shocked it took him this long. “I’ve never seen you either, and trust me, I would remember.”
Pam and I both gag, and I walk up next to him and push him out of the way. “Hi, Martha. What can I get you today, or are you here just to bother everyone at my booth and take time away from actual customers?”
Is this the best business practice? No, but I’m not a fan of this woman. She only thinks about herself and doesn’t care whose lives she ruins as she goes after whatever goal she has at that time.
She glares at me and says, “I was here to introduce myself to the new firefighters in town. I’m shocked to see them here at your booth already, though.”
“Well, Sam is my brother, and Luke is his friend. So, you can walk away because they don’t want your brand of crazy,” I say as Pam laughs with Luna in the background.
“Oh, Luna, you’re here too. Perfect, all the little misfits are together. Sam, when you’re ready for a tour of the town, let me know, and feel free to bring Luke along as well,” she says, ignoring me.
“Alright, Martha, you can either buy something or leave. You’re holding up the line,” Pam says as she balls her fists at her side.
“Is it a requirement for the people at your booth to have attitudes, Amelia? I don’t know how you have any customers.” She huffs, flipping her fake-ass hair with her fake-ass nails, and walks off.
Pam turns to her brother and jams her finger into his chest. “You stay away from her, you womanizer. She’s no good, and your dick will for sure fall off if you sleep with her.”
I nod in agreement.
Sam just crosses his arms and responds, “You’re both cockblockers. You know my rule: no glove, no love. I’m not going to get anything, plus I’m not going to get to know her. I’m just going to bang her.”
Luna snorts and says, “She picks up guests from the bed-and-breakfast as often as she can, and I promise you if she has something, it’s going through what ever your ‘glove’ is. ” She uses air quotes. “If she’s seeking you out, she just wants to use you for something.”
He rolls his eyes and elbows Luke. “Like we wouldn’t use her for the same reason.”
I just roll my eyes and say, “Don’t cry to us when your dick rots off because of some disease.” They both cover themselves and wince at the image.
I was nervous about Kristen being out of town because she and I have a routine in place, but I’m shocked everyone worked relatively well together today. After Luna finishes her shopping rounds, she comes back and helps as we get the brunch rush. We sell out around three p.m., which is about an hour before closing time, so we start to clean up and tear down.
I’m on my tiptoes, silently cursing myself for being so short, when I feel someone behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I peek at who it is, and without saying anything, Luke picks me up by my waist so I can reach the pin for the canopy.
“Uh, thank you,” I squeak out.
“My pleasure. I would have done it for you, but you were so close that you just needed a little boost,” he replies and then winks at me, leaving his hands on my waist a smidge longer than necessary before pulling away.
I stare at him like my brain is broken before I respond. “I’m vertically challenged. It’s not my fault everything is made for giants.”
“I’m far from being a giant, but I’m glad they make things tall enough that I don’t have to hunch over.”
I chuckle. “Thanks again for helping today. You didn’t have to since you didn’t know me, but I appreciate the extra hands.”
“Trust me, it was my pleasure. You’re doing a good thing for the community. I haven’t been here long, but even I can see that. It’s not often you see someone making a positive difference.”
I blush because while I’m proud of my work, I’m not the best when it comes to having any kind of attention on me.
Once we have everything packed up, Pam and I hug Luna. “Thanks for sticking around and helping out. Honestly, thanks to all of you for helping. I vote that tomorrow we go out for dinner. My treat.”
“Hell, yeah, you can pay for dinner,” Sam says, ruffling my hair as he walks by.
They all agree, and we pick a place, and Pam and I put Luna’s number in our phones. For the first time since my farm started to take off, I feel like good things are coming my way.