Page 66 of The County Fair Queen

Rivers and I approached the stage with caution, still unsure of what the hell was going on. When we made it up there, Beau stared at us with big, bright, beautiful eyes.

"Sh-she's gonna help them. Sh-she's gonna take—gonna take them all, Daddy."

"Who's doing what now?" I asked, trying to make sense of the incoherent ramblings escaping the poor kid.

"I don't know why we didn't think of it sooner," Aunt Lurlene said, smiling up at us. "We've got twenty acres going unusedback home. That ought to be enough to raise us up some pigs, don't you think?"

My eyes widened as I gripped Rivers' hand. "You're… you're going to buy them?"

She shook her head. "Sugar, I'm a frugal woman. It's how I've kept my millions. I'll pay a salary for a farmhand, but I think it's only fair for you to pitch in for the pigs. When I called Mr. Monte, he said you could go straight to heck after slandering his name by insisting his farm was a factory farming operation. It took some convincing, but I talked him down. Said he'll sell all thirty of them for three-hundred per pig, but he'd like you to issue an apology."

"Jesus Christ, he wants three-thousand dollars? Does he think I'm made of money?"

Rivers turned slowly toward me, one eyebrow lifted in confusion. "Baby?"

My knees went weak, and I couldn't have steadied them if I'd tried. With his arm around me for support, I didn't need to.

"I don't think math is your strong point," Rivers said.

"Are you calling me an idiot? I know basic multiplication. I'm not a complete moron."

Rivers chuckled, releasing my hand so he could cup my cheek. "God, you're adorable."

"True," I said, leaning into his touch before setting my sights back on Lurlene. "Fine. Tell him he has a deal. I'll have Jordan send him a check once we get home."

Jordan was standing at my father's side, staring up at him with the same look I'd given Rivers during our on-camera breakup. Preston glanced down at him, a frown forming. He cleared his throat before turning his attention back to Aunt Lurlene.

"I mean it, Aunty. I already have a full plate with the vineyard. There ain't enough time in the day for me to care for thirty damn pigs."

"I… I could help," Jordy said, his voice barely audible. Every head turned in his direction. Every head except for mine. I was too busy trying to steady my racing heart to even move.

"You what?" Preston said.

"I don't know much about farming, but I'm a fast learner, Pres." He turned to my father, gently grabbing him at the wrist. "I'll stay if you want me to."

"You most certainly will not," I half-said, half-shouted. "Absolutely not, Jordan."

"Phillip, I—"

"No. I'm sorry, but no. You don't get to quit, remember? It's in your employment contract."

Jordan sighed. "That wasn't a contract. It was a threat you scribbled on the side of a box of Crunch Berries when I told you I was thinking about going back to school."

"It's legally binding, Jordan Miller."

"It's literally not."

"Jordan," my father said, his voice calm and collected. "No, kid. Your place is with Phillip." Then, either by the forces of dark magic or psychedelics, my father smiled at him. Hell, he was practically beaming. "My boy needs you."

"But we—"

"I've enjoyed getting to know you, but this thing you're wanting ain't gonna happen. You're almost half my age. Besides, you and Phillip got this big show coming out soon. I wouldn't be surprised if you became a breakout star because of it. You've got a whole life ahead of you. I ain't gonna stand in the way of that."

"But—"

"Jordan," he said, his voice commanding compliance. As my assistant's knees wobbled, either from heartbreak or undeniable lust thanks to his ridiculous daddy fetish, Jordy complied, giving my father a nod. I probably should have made a mental note to scold him for essentially agreeing to abandon me in my timeof need, but with the look of hurt on his face, I couldn't bring myself to cause him any more upset.

"Sorry, Daddy," Jordan whispered, his eyes dipping down to his shoes.

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