Page 45 of Finding Home

“There was only one girl I wanted to date in high school, and I missed my chance.”His intense gaze pinned her in place.

Those eyes had such a power over her. Was it possible that what she’d seen as judgement in his eyes in high school was not for her but for himself? For the things he couldn’t say when he was in her presence? How had her vision been so impaired to not see him before now? She assumed boys like him wouldn’t wantgirls like her, when he’d wanted her all along but had been too afraid that she wouldn’t want him in return.

“We didn’t miss our chance. It was just waiting for us to get here. We’re here now,” she murmured, leaning across the table to press her lips against his mouth, coated with the barbecue sauce’s tangy sweetness.

A large grin bloomed across his face.

“Clayton, can I take a picture of you?”

“I’d rather take a picturewithyou,”he countered, wiping his hands.

“Ok.” She wiped her hands and opened the camera app on her phone and selected the selfie mode, as she started to crouch next to him, Clayton pulled her onto his lap.

Grabbing the phone with his left hand, he held her close with his right hand on her stomach, as their heads pressed together.

“Much better. At the count of three say, wings. One…two…three…wings!”

He snapped several selfies. Right before he snapped the last one, he turned his head and placed a small kiss to her cheek.

She couldn’t stop smiling as she reviewed the pics and sent the first selfie of her on his lap, heads close, and giant unabashed grins, to Viet and Willa with the message,My hot farmer, finally appeasing their demands.

SEVENTEEN

“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.”

~Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice

“Your proposed expansion plan is interesting,” mused Malcolm Sloan, Elle’s boss.

They were on a last-minute video call to discuss her proposal to fund their foundation’s rural clinics by offering specialty care telehealth services at primary care clinics in affluent areas. The strategy would increase profits, which in turn would be used to pay for clinics in underserved communities.

This initiative was important to Elle, who’d grown up in an underserved community. Accessible healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury for the rich.

Malcolm slapped his hands gleefully. “I want to include this as one of the key objectives for our annual presentation to the board and I’d like you to present it with me. When are you back again?”

On screen, Elle appeared cool and collected, but beneath the Little Red Barn’s desk her slipper-clad feet did a jig.

“I’m physically back in the office September eleventh.”

“Perfect. The board meets on the twenty-first. Plenty of time to go over a few things. Very good work, Elle.”

“Thank you.” She looked at Braedon, who sat quietly grinning on the screen. Braedon was in all her meetings, as her assistant and to prepare them for the day they jumped to their next career step. “I also want to recognize my team. They were integral in the research for this plan.”

“Of course. Nice work, Braedon.”

“It’s Ms. Davidson’s vision,’ Braedon said.

“Elle, your people love you. I hear the same thing from your regional directors when I’m visiting our sites. Nice leadership.” His eyes darted off screen as if being flagged. “Ok, I’m off. Braedon, get all the travel info for Elle from my assistant. This year’s board meeting will be in Chicago after the ribbon cutting for our new Oncology Unit. Elle, I’d like you to attend that with me, as well.” With a wave, he popped off the screen.

For a moment, they were both silent before Braedon snapped their fingers. “Totally bad-ass, boss!”

Elle barely contained her excitement. Not only would she be presenting to the board, but with the meeting being in Chicago she’d have an excuse to see Beth. Elle had worked for Sloan-Whitney since she’d graduated with her Masters, and in all that time, she couldn’t remember a single National Director presenting to the board.

Picking up her cell, she texted the good news to Clayton, and his response was instant.

Fitz’s Human: You are such a boss! Let’s celebrate with dinner Tuesday. I’ll cook.

Elle: A date?

---