Page 3 of Her Rugged Lumberjack

Nolan sighs. I know he thinks I’m a stubborn idiot who doesn’t know what it takes to run a business, but I’m a firm believer in doing things myself, even if it means the farm occupies every minute of my life.

“Declan, get your head out of your ass and think about this for a minute,” Nolan says. “We’re about to be swamped with customers. It’s nearly December, and this is the biggest Christmas tree farm around for miles. You know damn well we don’t have enough staff to handle it.”

I grit my teeth. My older brother has an annoying habit of being right all the time, and I don’t want to admit that he probably has a point.

“You could have at least consulted me.”

He shrugs. “I knew you’d overreact. Anyway, all I did was put up a few fliers around Cherry Hollow. It won’t be for long—just until the holidays are over.”

“Fine.” I reach down for the Christmas tree once more. “But next time, tell me first.”

Nolan raises his hands in surrender. “I’ll tell you.”

“Good.”

I pat my brother’s shoulder before striding past him. Nolan and I have always been close, but we have different ideas about how to run the business, and it’s causing friction that never used to be there. When Dad was alive, we followed his lead, but now we’re like bulls locking horns most days, disagreeing about stupid shit.

Swallowing down my annoyance, I lug the tree into the barn. Like Nolan said, it’s decidedly unfestive right now—just a large wooden building with exposed beams, a few cash registers, and empty shelves lining the walls. A few trees are laid out on the floor, wrapped up in netting, but that’s the only indication thatthis place is meant to be Christmassy. If my dad was here, it would look like Santa’s workshop by now.

You’re failing him,I think to myself bitterly.You don’t have what it takes to make this work.This business is going to fall apart because of you.

These negative thoughts have been swirling around in my mind ever since I found out Dad left this place to me and Nolan. I shake them off with a sigh, busying myself with setting the tree down and wrapping it up. It joins the others. They don’t look very appealing dumped on the floor like this, but there’s no time to deal with it right now. I need to get back outside and cut a few more down.

“Excuse me?”

The voice makes me whip around. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t even notice someone had entered the barn, and my heart jolts as a young woman walks toward me.

Holy shit.

The air is sucked from my lungs, my throat dry as I take her in. She’s so fucking beautiful. Barely five feet tall, with thick curves that fill out her jeans and sweater in a way that makes my cock twitch. Her hair is so dark it’s almost black, brushing her shoulders like sheets of silk that contrast her pale skin. Pretty blue eyes blink up at me, the color of icy mountain lakes, and I can’t bring myself to speak as she finally stops in front of me, tipping her head back to meet my gaze.

“I’m looking for the owner,” she says. Her voice is slightly husky, like an actress from an old black and white movie. Everything about this girl is sexy as hell, and all I can do is stare like an idiot.

What the fuck is happening?

I’ve never felt like this before. My heart is pounding in my ears, and this giant barn suddenly feels too small, the wallsclosing in around us. The girl is watching me expectantly, the silence dragging as I try to get myself under control.

“I’m the owner,” I say eventually, my voice hoarse. “My brother and I own this place.”

The girl nods. “I’m here about the job that was advertised. The flier said you’re looking for a seasonal worker. Is it still open?”

Fuck. This angel wants to work here?

There’s desperation in her eyes, and I can’t help noticing the way she’s anxiously wringing her hands together. I would be the world’s biggest asshole to turn her down, but how the hell am I going to concentrate on anything with this girl around? She’s only been here two minutes, and her curves are already driving me crazy.

“Yeah. It’s still open.”

“I’m a hard worker,” the girl says quickly. She seems to sense my hesitation, and there’s a note of panic in her voice as she adds, “I’m stronger than I look, too.”

Dammit, Nolan. Why did you have to advertise this job to the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen?

I had everything planned out. I was going to work my ass off until the end of the year, giving it my all, making this our most successful holiday season yet. This beautiful young woman with her curvy hips and plump lips was sure as hell not part of my plan. But the way she’s looking at me is enough to make my heart melt. I can’t resist.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Margot.”

I reach out my hand toward her, hoping like hell that I won’t regret my next words. “Nice to meet you, Margot. You’re hired.”

---