7. Pick Away At It
Chapter 7
Pick Away At It
O nce they were back in his truck and heading home, Knox worried that seeing his friends had overwhelmed or upset Thea in some way. She’d become very quiet during their lunch in the Saloon. She might simply be an introvert who disliked being in large groups. So far he’d only seen her when it was just the two of them. Unless Fox the dog counted as a third.
“You okay? I know that was a bit much meeting with all my friends. Not quite what you counted on when we headed out on a grocery run. I’m sorry if you were uncomfortable with all of that.”
She turned her head to look at him. He couldn’t spare more than a quick glance on the twisty roads but she appeared surprised at his question.
“I’m fine. Just not used to being around so many people at once.” Her laugh sounded self-deprecating. “I enjoyed learning more about you and your friends, but you’re all a little intimidating.”
“Intimidating?”
That same laugh. “Definitely. You’re all military heroes. You’ve spent years saving people and making the world a better place.”
He shrugged. “We just did our jobs.”
“You saved Elina’s life. And probably a ton more none of us know about. You’re like superheroes come to life. And the women are just as amazing.”
He frowned but she was now staring out the window and the words seemed to pour out of her. “I mean, Piper has made such a difference for a whole town of people. Branna runs her own business after losing everything and everyone. Isla works on blending wheat to feed the hungry of the world. Kimi saves animals and runs a petting farm as well as the animal therapy center with Garrett. Addy writes all kinds of amazing books and Elina is Paxi, a world-famous comic strip creator. So, yeah. Intimidating.”
Knox might be a bit of a dumbass when it came to women, or so his ex said, but even he could tell Thea was feeling blue. “Thea.”
Whatever he was going to say, she interrupted. “Don’t. Sorry. I’m just overwhelmed and intimidated. I don’t fit in with a group like that.”
“Of course you do.”
“Not when I’m being a self-absorbed ass.”
Knox didn’t try to stop the laugh. “Nope. You couldn’t be more wrong. You’re working the land for Jay despite the fact that he’s gone and despite the fact that he didn’t name you in the will when he damn well should have. You’re continuing to work the compost just to help the land. To help new owners you didn’t know at the time. You’re amazing. Not fit in, my ass.”
Her head whipped around, and she stared at him, eyes wide.
He kept going. “You bought Jay a keychain that meant a lot to him. You took him under your wing and were teaching him how to not only grow his business but to do it in an ethical and environmentally responsible fashion.”
He sent her a look. “I’ve done my research in the evenings. The information you’ve shared with me is on the cutting edge. It’s about learning to treat the land the way our forefathers did, the way many indigenous people do today. It’s healthy and good for everyone and our planet. Do not for one minute expect me to believe you’re not as good, as important, as freaking intimidating as anyone else in that room.”
Another glance showed him Thea appeared to be shocked at his words. Finally, she reached across and squeezed his forearm. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome. I meant every word.”
The last bit of the ride was in silence, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. Maybe even a good step forward in their relationship. Their professional relationship, of course.
When he pulled into the drive leading to the farm, he moved past the house. “I’m assuming the right fork here will bring us closest to your house?”
She nodded, and he heard her sucking in a breath. “Yes, it’s the best option.”
He chuckled as she directed him through the next fork. “At least I’ll see a little bit more of the land this way. I don’t know much more than the path to your compost area at this point.”
She smiled.“Most of the land is trees, but it’s all beautiful. There’s a stagnant pond further back that needs to be cleaned. Once it’s clear of bacteria and healthy again, it could be the basis for irrigation back here. My cabin isn’t that far. It’s at the end of the plumbing and electrical lines. Most of the property isn’t wired or plumbed.”
She was rambling, but he just nodded, knowing they needed to get themselves back on an even keel. She obviously wasn’t feeling confident or worthy if her words were any indication.
Thea pointed at a spot where the road ended in the midst of the trees. “I can walk from here. It’s better for the land if the vehicles stick to the roads and off the cover crop.”
“Which is a term I now understand. Okay, let’s grab your stuff.”
He jumped out of the truck, pretending not to hear her protest that she could carry it all herself.
He opened the tailgate and grabbed the cooler she’d filled, leaving her the bags.
She smiled. “You don’t have to waste your time. I can do it myself.”
Knox laughed. “Even though Fox isn’t around anymore, he’d figure out a way to cuff my head if I let a lady tote all this stuff by herself. He might have been a grumpy old fart, but he insisted on excellent manners from all of us.”
This time Thea’s smile was tension-free. “Jay was the same. He always helped me cart it home.”
“I hope I can find something in the farmhouse that tells me what pulled those two apart. I wonder if the rift was the reason they both hid their good natures with crankiness.”
Thea grabbed her bags and closed up the tailgate. “That wouldn’t surprise me. Jay didn’t broadcast it, but he was a good man.”
“Fox, too.”
Speaking of Fox, a happy bark alerted them to the dog’s approach.
“Hang on a minute.” Thea set down her bags and planted her feet securely.
Fox barked again as he approached and then leaped up to put his forelegs on Thea’s shoulders. He hadn’t slowed down, and Knox was surprised she hadn’t landed flat on her fine ass.
She wrapped her arms around the dog and for a moment, they hugged. If he were a lesser man, the raw emotion would have brought tears to his eyes. Hell, he had to blink away the mist. “Does he do this every time he sees you?”
Thea’s laugh was full of joy as the dog wiggled down and trotted over to Knox. He set down the cooler and squatted to greet and rub down the dog.
“He does it the first time he sees me every day. When we cross paths later on, he only asks for a rubdown. Just like what you’re doing now. He’s a friendly guy.”
Knox ruffled Fox’s fur. “You sure are, Fox. My Fox would have liked you. He loved all animals, and you’re a pretty great dog.”
Fox wagged his tail hard enough to ruffle Thea’s bags. She picked them up, and Knox grabbed the cooler, thankful for the dog. Both because he filled Thea’s life and for the protection he provided her.
As they walked through the orchard, Knox realized he had more insight into Thea now. An intelligent, sexy, and intriguing woman who wasn’t aware of her worth.
He wanted to kick the ass of whoever had caused her lack of confidence.
T hea led the way to her cabin, grateful to Fox for appearing at the right moment. As Jay had said, the dog always fixed whatever ailed her.
The cabin wasn’t far and she smiled when it came into view. It felt more like home than any of the places she’d lived before. While she’d had more than one fantasy of living in the farmhouse one day, this was a cozy, safe place. A place that was all hers.
Fox raced ahead and flew around the cabin like he always did. She didn’t know if he was excited for the treats she kept inside or if he was ensuring her home was safe.
Knox laughed that deep, sexy chuckle of his. “That is some dog. Is he always this happy?”
She bumped open the door with her hip. “Pretty much. Fox loves living in the orchard and seems to care for anyone who helps tend it.”
“I’m hoping I’ll be one of those people.”
She turned to find him watching the dog with a soft smile.
“Me too.” Oops, she hadn’t meant to say that aloud. The even softer smile Knox aimed in her direction made her glad she had.
Being in such close quarters in the truck meant her body was alive and alight. The man exuded pheromones and sexiness. Add in his kindness, intelligence, and the fact that he was a real-life hero, and he was irresistible. It was a really great fantasy and would keep her warm at night.
Thea led the way inside. At least she didn’t need to worry about her space embarrassing her. Growing up in other people’s houses meant she knew how to be neat. No dishes sat in the sink. No dirty clothes were visible.
Fox bounced inside the cabin and toured the small space while Knox set the cooler down beside her mini-fridge. He looked around the room and it wasn’t even a moment before he was grinning. “This is great. It’s cozy and homey.”
He moved to the photos she’d tacked to her cork board along with her grocery list. As always, seeing Jay and knowing he was gone made her eyes misty.
Knox pointed at the one of her and Jay posing with Fox beside the compost. “He looks so happy, so proud. And he looks a lot like my Fox. It’s obvious they were brothers.”
The other photos were ones Jay had taken. Even a selfie of the two of them laughing at one of his lame jokes. It always made her smile.
“Even Fox giving you his morning hug. That’s my favorite.”
She smiled. “Fox likes that one, too.”
The dog sat beneath the shelf where she kept his treats. She didn’t know what the dog ate during the day. Jay had tried leaving dog food around the property but the dog ignored the bowls. The food attracted other wildlife, so he had stopped. Fox was well-fed and healthy so she tried hard not to think about what he ate.
But he liked his treats. Salmon, beef, chicken. And especially peanut butter. He even took peanut butter right off the spoon.
Thea opened the container and held up the treat.
Keeping his eyes on her, Fox sat up as high and pretty as he could. “High five.”
Fox reached up his paw and slapped her hand.
“Roll over.”
He did.
“Dance.”
The dog bounced up to his back legs and turned in a circle then sat pretty again. She tossed the treat in the air and rubbed him down. “Good boy. Good boy, Fox.”
“Lucky dog.”
Thea turned at the raw hunger she heard in Knox’s voice. The heat in his gaze was unmistakable. She definitely wasn’t alone in feeling the chemistry zipping between them.
After a long moment, Knox blew out a breath and knelt to put her items from the cooler into the fridge. She filled her pantry shelves wishing she had the courage to close the distance and find out how he tasted.
He’d pulled back, which was a good thing.
While she regretted the disappearance of the heat and the desire that had filled the room, it was for the best. They hadn’t known each other that long. She wasn’t the type of woman to hop in and out of bed with various men. Life must be easier for those who could.
Her gut told her she could have more than that with Knox. More than sexual gratification.
Man, she missed sexual gratification. Not that she’d ever found anyone she really clicked with. No one she regretted leaving in her past.
Until now, she’d never met anyone like Knox. She could picture a future with him. Which was crazy as they’d only known each other for a few days.
That didn’t stop her imagination from giving her flashes of a future right here in the orchard. Surrounded by healthy trees and friends who would help them during harvest. It wasn’t a stretch for her to see his friends from Phail chipping in if they asked.
Would they do it if she asked?
Her past meant Thea could handle most of whatever life dealt her, but it also meant she was slow to trust. Being independent had saved her on many occasions. Had it also held her back?
If Jay had left her the farm, would she have been brave enough to head into Phail and ask for the help she needed? Would she have been brave enough to open herself up to others and take a few risks?
She hoped so. Being a coward about anything didn’t sit well.
Stepping back from the chemistry zipping between her and Knox wasn’t cowardly. It was smart. They both needed time to get to know each other.
And she sure as hell didn’t want him thinking she would sleep with him in order to keep her job. She knew instinctively that Knox wasn’t that kind of man but did he know that she wasn’t that kind of woman?
How could he?
He couldn’t. Not unless she let him in and shared more of herself. Opening up in the truck about her feelings towards his friends had been awkward but had ended well.
Really well.
Giving themselves both some time to learn more about the other was smart. Especially if they were going to work together.
Another thought struck her. They weren’t technically working together . He was her boss.
It felt more like a collaboration at the moment but he’d told her they were going to pay her while they owned the property. She wasn’t supposed to be attracted to her boss.
Which reminded her of Asshole Andy. The buy thought he was charming and expected women to fall at his feet. He hadn’t made a real move on her after she’d shut him down when she’d thought he was heading that way during their first meeting. But he’d always stood a little too close and smiled a little too much.
A shudder ran through her. No way. She’d slammed on the door on that for a few reasons. Andy had been her boss but she suspected the man was a player. Not her type.
Her type was apparently strong and steady. A man with a soft and loyal heart who wanted to help her make her soil dreams come true.
She was so screwed.
And not in a good way.