Chapter 3 #2
As introductions wrapped up, Sophie ushered her into the dining room.
Breakfast was a mountain of pancakes, freshly baked muffins, hash browns, and two pounds of bacon.
The conversation was stilted and bounced between the topics of weather when the guys spoke, and weddings when Sophie and Taylor spoke.
Once everyone was finished eating, Taylor and Mason cleaned up while the others moved back to the living room where there was no evidence, not even a pine needle, of the recent Christmas décor.
Naomi pulled out a set of maps and diagrams from her bag, spreading them across the coffee table. “Let’s start with the basics,” she said, addressing the group. “I’ve reviewed the data Mr. Olsen sent me, and I have a few initial observations.”
Trent leaned forward, intrigued. She explained concepts like soil health and water conservation with ease, peppering in questions for the group to assess their knowledge.
But halfway through her presentation, Naomi’s gaze landed on Trent again, her expression shifting slightly. “Mr. Castleberry,” she said, “you mentioned you’ve been reading about sustainable practices. Do you have any thoughts on the benefits of cover crops for this region?”
Trent straightened in his seat, surprised but ready. “Yeah, actually. I read about a mix of legumes and grasses that could help with nitrogen levels while also preventing erosion. It seems like a good fit for the slopes on the east side of the property.”
Naomi raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “That’s exactly right. I was going to suggest something similar. Have you worked with cover crops before?”
Trent shook his head. “Not yet, but I’d like to try.” His heart pounded a little faster. Was it lying to say not yet as if he were an experienced farmer?
The corner of Naomi’s mouth lifted in a subtle smile. “You might just be ahead of the curve, then.”
Colton cleared his throat loudly, clearly annoyed at being sidelined. “So, about that east side—shouldn’t we be focusing on the west? That’s where most of our runoff issues are.”
Naomi turned her attention to Colton, her professional demeanor quite polished. “That’s a valid point, but addressing the east side first could prevent bigger issues down the line. It’s all interconnected.”
As the discussion continued, Trent couldn’t shake the feeling that this meeting was going to change more than the ranch’s farming methods. And when Naomi caught his eye again, her curiosity evident, he wondered what she’d think if she knew he was actually a homeless bum.
***
Naomi had never presented so much data to so many people at once.
Where were the criminals? These guys were all attractive and clean, though she’d felt a few calloused palms when shaking hands.
Maybe she’d gotten things wrong. She felt perfectly safe.
Sophie and Taylor stayed at the edge of the room, as if there’d been a boundary line that they shouldn’t cross—leaving the farm talk to the men.
She was pretty adept at reading people. Holger was old school. Colton was insecure; Mason was probably the class clown in school, and Wyatt reminded her of her older brother. Levi was a mystery, very quiet and if he had any smile muscles, they were completely underused.
Trent, however, piqued her curiosity. He was nothing like she’d imagined when she’d spoken to him on the phone.
Longish black hair, a decent mustache, a trace of beard on his chin, strong jaw, straight nose, big brown puppy dog eyes—swoon-worthy by romance standards.
She’d had a hard time all morning keeping her eyes and her thoughts off him.
When Holger suggested they mount up and ride the land, saying that the winds had swept the white Christmas away and she could get a good look at the fields, she was pleased. She loved to ride and since she was wearing her fleece-lined jeans, she was dressed for it.
“Colton,” Holger said, “you and Trent saddle four horses and we’ll be out in ten minutes.” He glanced at Wyatt and Levi. “Mason has indoor chores, but if you two want to come, there’s always the ponies.” He laughed loudly, watching them shake their heads.
Naomi smiled at the banter, feeling some of the formality easing up.
Holger’s lighthearted jab at Wyatt and Levi seemed like a common occurrence, one they endured with good humor.
But how long had they worked together? And that cute gray-eyed Mason …
something was going on between him and Taylor.
Whatever legal offenses these guys were paying for, they must be minor peccadillos.
As Colton and Trent left to saddle the horses, she leaned against the edge of the couch, reviewing her notes one last time. Sophie approached with a thermos of coffee. “You’ll need this,” Sophie said with a warm smile. “It’s chilly out there.”
“Thanks.” Naomi accepted the mug gratefully. “So far, this has been one of the more fully staffed farms I’ve worked with. Holger’s got quite the team here.”
Sophie chuckled, glancing toward the door where the men had exited. “They’ve all got their quirks, but they’re good boys at heart. Even if some of them can be a bit stubborn.”
“I can imagine,” Naomi said, thinking of Colton’s earlier interruption. “And Trent—he seems ... sharp.”
Sophie’s eyes twinkled. “He’s a hard worker, that one. Quiet, but he doesn’t miss much. You’ll see.” She lowered her voice and confided, “You know how people rescue pets? I sort of think of Trent and Levi as our ‘rescue dogs.’”
Before Naomi could ask her to explain, the front door opened, and Trent stuck his head inside. “We’re ready when you are, Ms. Foster.”
She set her clipboard down and followed him outside, the crisp air biting at her cheeks. The horses were saddled and ready, their breaths visible in the cold morning air. Holger was already mounted, looking every bit the quintessential rancher atop his chestnut gelding.
Colton held the reins of a sturdy bay mare and passed them to Naomi. “This here’s Sugar. She’s gentle and obedient. Shouldn’t give you any trouble.”
Naomi ran her hand down the horse’s neck, admiring the animal’s sleek coat. “She’s beautiful. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden, but I’ll do my best to keep up.”
Trent mounted a tall black gelding, his movements fluid and practiced. “Just holler if you need help,” he said, adjusting his reins. “Sugar’s a good girl. She’ll take care of you.”
Naomi swung into the saddle, grateful for her insulated jeans and warm boots. The mare shifted slightly under her weight but remained calm. Once everyone was settled, Holger led the way out of the yard and toward the fields.
The ride was invigorating, the wind tugging at Naomi’s hair as they traversed the ranch.
Holger pointed out key areas, explaining where they rotated crops, where the soil had issues, and where they hoped to implement Naomi’s suggestions.
She listened intently, occasionally speaking notes into her phone.
Trent rode beside her, keeping pace with ease. “So, is this your usual day on the job?” he asked, his tone light.
“Not always,” Naomi replied, glancing his way. “Usually, I’m stuck in meetings or poring over spreadsheets. Days like this are a treat.”
“Well, let’s hope the spreadsheets don’t scare Holger off. As for me, I’d rather wrangle a herd of angry bulls than fuss with cells and columns,” he said, his dry humor catching her off guard.
She laughed, surprised by the unexpected remark. “I’ll try to keep it simple for you, cowboy.”
“Appreciate that,” Trent said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
As they reached the far edge of the property, Naomi paused to take in the view.
Rolling fields stretched out before her, bordered by snow-blanketed mountains in the distance.
The beauty of the land was undeniable, and for a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like to buy a farm like this.
That was her ultimate goal, and she hoped to do it sooner rather than later.
“You okay?” Trent asked, his voice breaking her reverie.
Naomi nodded, meeting his gaze. “Yeah. Just ... taking it all in. It’s stunning out here.”
“It is,” Trent agreed, his expression softening. “Hard work, though. Different from cattle ranches. That’s what I was used to. Different animals and different people.”
She tilted her head, curious. “Different people? What do you mean?”
Trent’s smirk returned, this time tinged with something deeper. “Some of us guys are getting a second chance. Some of us a third.”
Before she could probe further, Holger called out, waving them over to a patch of ground near a frozen creek. “Over here! I want you to see this spot.”
Naomi urged Sugar forward, but Trent’s words echoed in her mind.
This was an honest man—the type of guy her grandmother told her to wait for.
She could hear Nana’s voice in her head: All men have flaws, there’s no way to get around it, sweetie.
But you can be happy with a fool if he’s an honest one.
She remembered the way she pointed a crooked finger at her and how she went to kiss Grandpa after she said it.
Oh, how she missed them … and her mom. There was too much loss in her life.