CHAPTER TWELVE – LILY #2
“You’re right. I hear you, LeeLee.” He sighs and rubs his jaw, looking a little sheepish. “I guess I’ve got some stuff to learn about being a parent, but I’ll step up and make sure he’s more careful.”
Relief washes over me, and I feel the tightness in my chest ease another notch.
Logan has played a lot of roles in Leo’s life - from fun neighbor, to confidante and mentor, to part-time dad - but what I need is a partner.
I want Leo to have loving parents and strong role models, but I also want someone who’ll be by my side, every step of the way.
I mimic the sweep of his thumb over his jaw, loving the prickle of his stubble.
“Why don’t you come to dinner tonight? Leo would love it, plus we could finish this conversation once he goes to sleep.
” In case he doesn’t pick up on the subtext, I lean down and feather a kiss over his lips.
“I want you for myself, too, Logan. And that means staying the night, if you’re ready for that. ”
A growl feathers over my mouth a moment before he deepens the kiss, his tongue pressing against mine.
I wind my arms tighter around his neck, leaning into his warmth.
He tastes like mouthwash and desire, and I make a needy sound as he pulls away to rest his head against my chest. “You sure, sweetheart? Cos once I’m in your bed, it’ll take an army to drag me out. ”
I tease my nails over his scalp, making him shiver.
“I want you in my bed, Logan, and at the breakfast table in the morning. As far as I’m concerned, that’s where you belong.
” His arms tighten around me, and I realize that no matter what happens, I can’t give this up.
“I should've made that clear weeks ago, but I needed to know you were staying this time.”
He tilts his head back, regret shining in his dark eyes. “And I should've made myself clear years ago. I know you’re giving me a second chance, LeeLee, and I'm just greedy enough to take it.”
“Good.” I step back, but not before stealing a final kiss. “Then pack your toothbrush, and I'll see you at dinner.”
Romantic plans aside, Friday is still a busy day on the farm, and after collecting Leo and Cooper, I head back to Rosie’s Blooms. It takes ages to get off the highway, and then my mouth falls open at the line of cars waiting to turn into the farm.
They’ve parked on both verges, and a stream of people are heading through the gate.
My shock turns to a low groan at the sight of a sheriff’s deputy trying to wave cars on, a frustrated look on his face.
I park the truck on Logan’s service road and after sending Leo to the house, head over to apologize.
“Jeez, Frank. I’m sorry about all this.”
He huffs as he wipes a trickle of sweat from his brow. “You’re not set up for this kind of crazy, Lily, and we’ve got other things to be doing than sorting out squabbles over parking spaces.”
His scent is spiky with irritation, and I can’t blame him for being put out. He's an older beta who transferred up from Boise so he could get away from big city problems. “I know. I think it’s because of a friend who’s stopped by…”
“Ellis Castle. It’s all anyone is talking about.
” He tries to wave a car past, but the driver leans on his horn, and Frank scowls in their direction.
“You’re gonna need a permit if this gets any bigger.
Proper security, parking attendants, and I’d even look at your insurance policy, because I’ve had to stop three people from driving right over your fence. ”
A trickle of panic works down my spine. Special events at the farm are always stressful, but this is in a league of its own, and I can feel a throb of pressure behind my eyes. “Okay. I can take care of that.”
Frank studies me for a moment. “Maybe you need to rethink things. I don’t want to be telling you your business, but there are more outsiders than locals here, and I don’t think many of them are interested in your flowers.”
My shoulders slump as I look around and realize he’s right.
I don’t recognize many of the faces in the crowd, and most of them are either trying to peer in our windows or get their faces on camera with the newspeople who are milling about.
“Tomorrow is usually our biggest day, but I don’t think we can open if this keeps up. ”
A hint of sympathy softens Frank’s face. “Might be worth asking your Hollywood friends to relocate somewhere else. Just until the novelty wears off.”
“They’ve bought the house out at Willow Lake.” He doesn’t look surprised, so I’m guessing that nugget of information is common knowledge, too. “I mean, they’re not even here right now, so I don’t know what everyone’s expecting to see.”
“Well, maybe they should tell that to those news crews, because keeping a low profile isn’t going to stop your flower beds getting trampled.”
“Yeah, okay,” I sigh, feeling defeated. “I’ll see if Ellis’ security guys can help us clear everyone out and then we’ll lock the gate.”
“I’ll get my guys on it, too.”
He tips his hat at me and reaches for his radio while I grab my phone and call Marion.
It’s hard to hear her over the noise, but she agrees to meet me at the store with Charlie and Dan.
I have to push through the crowd, who clearly have no idea it’s my farm they’ve invaded, and the throbbing behind my eyes just gets worse as I take in the trampled flowers and trash strewn on the ground.
“Sorry, boss.” Charlie says as he uses his wide shoulders to push through the crowd. “We’ve been trying to keep a lid on things, but these people are either hard of hearing or plain assholes.”
I snort at his sour expression, although the sight of three uprooted sunflower stalks is enough to make me growl through my teeth. “Where did they all come from?”
“Seems they followed the news vans,” he grumbles, shoving a guy with a beer bottle out of our path. “Someone said they got a tipoff that Ellis Castle is making a movie in town, and he’s holding a casting call for extras here on the farm.”
“Seriously?” I rub at the throbbing pain in my temple. “They must have got their wires crossed with Tristan’s ad campaign.”
“Or it could be because that guy turned up,” he huffs, pointing to a man in an expensive gray suit who is standing off to the side, his gaze fixed on his phone. “Someone said he’s a big shot talent agent from LA. I don’t know about that, but his balloon is over there.”
“His… what?” My mouth falls open as I look past our barn roof to a puff of chocolate brown silk gently bobbing against the blue sky. I blink and rub my eyes, but it doesn’t dislodge the apparition. “Charlie, why is there a hot air balloon parked in our alfalfa field?”
“The guy said he’s from Eros Chocolates. I told him to shift it, but he wants to talk to you.”
“Seriously?” I groan and rub my sweaty hands on my jeans. Could this day get any more surreal? “Can you tell Marion to work with Frank so we can clear everyone out? I’ll go tell this guy to park his ride somewhere else.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
I don’t wait for him to disappear into the crowd before I stomp over to the alpha in his fancy suit.
His head snaps up as I get closer, and I take in his smirking smile and peppery scent.
It’s enough to bring back memories of Ellis’ uncle, Crest, and I feel my temple give a warning throb as he extends a hand in greeting.
“Lily, I’m Carlos Della, from Eros Chocolates.
I must say, the pictures Tristan sent me don’t do you justice. ”
“Excuse me?” I stop short of his reach and scowl up at him. “That field you’re parked in is an expensive crop. Can you please take your balloon elsewhere?”
“Of course,” he says easily, tucking his hand back in his pocket, the smirk growing wider. “I just didn’t want to land too close to all this mayhem. Your chickens already look like they’re going to need therapy.”
I groan and he gives me a sympathetic look, but I don’t have time to make nice with strangers right now. Even if they are wearing thousand-dollar suits and smell like spicy chocolate. “If you’re looking for Tristan, he isn’t here.”
I don’t know that for a fact, but the alpha just smiles. “He said he’s on his way. In the meantime, I was hoping to convince you to let us shoot our ad campaign here. Tristan’s got a great eye for natural beauty, and I don’t think I’ve seen another view that comes even close.”
It takes me a moment to realize his slow-blinking smile is actually for my benefit.
Is this alpha seriously trying to flirt his way into my flower beds?
“Thanks, but I’ve got my hands full right now.
” Especially since my farm seems to have turned into a three-ring circus.
“I need to clear everyone out before the rest of my stock is trampled.”
I wince at what feels like an omen, and his gaze sharpens.
“I’m sorry if I’ve added to your troubles,” he says, falling into step beside me as I head towards the store.
“But I think my business would more than make up the shortfall. How does ten thousand a day sound, assuming the shoot is wrapped in a week?”
I stop abruptly, trying to read his face. Is he serious? Seventy thousand dollars for filming a few flowers? “Are you sure you didn’t crash land and give yourself a head injury?”
He smiles at my bewilderment. “I’ll cover any damage to property during the shoot as well. Just so there are no hard feelings between us, Lily.”
“That’s not what I’m saying…” I huff, turning to watch Marion and Frank herd a wave of disgruntled customers past the gate. “I really have to go help with this, Mr.…?”
His name eludes me, and he gives a bark of laughter. “Della. From Eros Chocolates.”
“Right. Just try not to flatten any more of my fields, Mr. Della.”