Laid Open by Lauren Dane

customers.”
    She liked that he seemed so engaged with the farm there already.
    “That’s a big part of it. I really love the idea of eating and sourcing as much local ingredients and goods as I can. There’s so much around here that it’s not that difficult to create a menu with at least fifty percent local products. My aim, after a year, is to be up at sixty percent or higher. I like that it gets me in contact with local farmers and ranchers and that it gives my customers a new perspective on the businesses they use without even knowing it.”
    Gideon leaned closer, his eyes bright, body language engaged with hers. She could smell him, which was entirely pleasant when a breeze kicked up from time to time.
    “I sure do like the idea of the family farm moving into the future this way. When I took over from my father we took our produce to market in an old truck.” Patrick snorted his amusement as he snuck another turnover, winking when he caught her eye.
    “We’re talking about doing a produce and honey stand from late spring into the fall.”
    “That’s a great idea. Have you thought about the farmer’s market?” She was considering it herself, maybe later on, she could work it out with some of her local suppliers to have some of their stuff at her stall so people could check them out too. Hm.
    They spent the next hour or so working on schedules for delivery, pricing, talking about the season for each product and those sorts of details. Patrick Carter knew his land. Knew what would be good when and that helped a lot. Gideon knew these things as well, but he also had new ideas and seemed excited about what he could bring to Carter Farms as well.
    He was smart. Ambitious. Really hot in those jeans he had on and it warmed her to watch him with his granddad. A man who valued family was pretty irresistible.
    She really did need to get going. Even so, it took her another twenty minutes until she could finally work up the wherewithal to stand. “I really should head out. I appreciate the company, the coffee and the new business relationship.”
    Gideon stood as well. “I’ll walk you to your car.” Gideon hefted the flat of fruit she’d planned to take back to Tart.
    “Thanks! You’re handy.” She bent to kiss Patrick’s cheek. “Don’t be a stranger.”
    “Course not. Though I do expect you to bring me sweet things. I need to supervise what’s going on with my product, after all.” He winked at her and she followed Gideon to her car.
    She might have looked at his long legs and perfect ass in those faded jeans a time or six. It was too nice not to look. Like art. It would have been disrespectful, like ignoring a fine painting. Or something. Anyway, he had a nice butt and she wanted to look.
    He loaded the tray and closed her rear door before standing straight again.
Man
, he was tall. She looked up and up some more and she wasn’t a short woman. Just standing next to him made her feel delicate.
    “Thanks for the heavy lifting.” Jules cocked her head and shaded her eyes as she looked up into his face. “I’ve been worrying over him being out here alone. It’s good you’re back.”
    “Ah well. He’d have been just fine here without me. He’s got a foreman who’s been with us for fifteen years. But”—he shrugged—“it was time to come back and do something with my life. I love the farm, I love my granddad and why not?”
    “Indeed. Though plenty would have found many reasons not to.”
    He took her hand. “I’m not them. And maybe they don’t have someone like my granddad.” He shrugged and she noted the faint blush on his neck and then wondered what his skin would taste like. Like the hussy she was.
    “You’re not them at all. Which is a nice thing. Well, you know where I am if you get a hankering for something sweet. Or want to check out the product.” She fought a blush, which in and of itself made her a little giggly inside.
    Jules loved men. Most of them anyway. She wasn’t shy