Page 8 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

I chuckle. “I bet. So what’s your weakness?”

“I can be a little too loyal,” she admits. “I’m working on that.”

“Can I be brutally honest?” I ask as I watch her twirl her hair around her finger.

She nods.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

She laughs. “I know this sounds crazy because even thinking it makes me feel like I sound crazy, but I didn’t want a big-city job. I just didn’t. I want something different. I want to live somewhere where everyone knows my name. I want to make a big difference in a small place. I want to feel like my contribution matters…and not just once in a while, but every day. I know small-town life isn’t perfect. And I’m sure working on a farm will have its challenges, but I love new experiences and I’m excited to learn. I could even make Petunia a mascot,” she says with a grin.

Joy and I both laugh. “Well, perhaps meet some of our other animals first,” I suggest.

“That’s fair,” she replies. She opens her mouth to say something else when Earl and Buck come waltzing in followed by Kingsley.

“And then I told Irene that leaving it out will attract the—” Earl stops midsentence and Buck runs into him as all three men stare at Ariana.

“Hi,” Ariana squeaks with a small wave of her hand.

I press my lips together to keep from laughing because Kingsley looks like he’s in love; like giant hearts will pop out of his eyes as though he’s a cartoon character. Earl and Buck look completely dumbfounded.

“Earl, Buck, Kingsley, this is Ariana Harlow. She’s here to interview for the social media marketing manager position,” I state as I motion to Ariana.

“Hi, nice to meet you,” Kingsley says as he walks over and extends his hand. Ariana stands and shakes it.

“Nice to meet you too. What is your job on the farm?” she asks, her eyes sparkling as if learning this is the most interesting thing ever. I narrow my eyes as I look between them. The last thing I need is Kingsley falling for a slightly older woman. His sister would reach out from her grave and beat me over the head. He needs to be focused on school.

“I run the farmstand,” he answers and then hooks his thumb over his shoulder and motions to Earl and Buck. “Earl Helmner helps with the animals and some of the field stuff. Buck, or Rob Buckner, is the jack-of-all-trades. He’s been here since…when did you start, Buck?”

“When the dinosaurs were roaming these parts,” he says in his old gravelly voice.

Ariana giggles. “Wow, you must know everything about this farm, then,” she says.

My eyebrows shoot up when Buck actually fucking blushes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him blush a day in his life.

“Well, I suppose I know a thing or two, but Earl’s been here just as long,” he adds.

“I would definitely want to do some spotlight social media on you three. In fact, highlighting staff and the animals would be a great way to share Windsor Family Farm with the public,” she says as she looks back at me. “People love stories. You just have to learn how to get them to start listening to yours.”

The room is silent as everyone stares at her, captivated by what she’s saying. “What other ideas do you have?” I ask.

She looks around. “You need more social media-friendly places here. Everyone has a camera phone and social media now. Everyone wants to take a cute photo when they go somewhere. Also, a better setup for people to interact with the animals. You said you run the farmstand, do you give out recipes?”

Kingsley glares at me. “I told you. Ella keeps telling me to post them.”

I narrow my eyes again and look back at Ariana.

“Also, better signage and more signage off Main Street. Heck, make Storyview Falls part of your story. People from other places wouldn’t necessarily come here just for the farm, but a full day trip to a cute small town included, that’s a huge selling point,” she continues. “Anyhow, those are just some things off the top of my head.”

“Impressive,” Joy says quietly.

“The kid’s got some good points there,” Earl mutters as Buck nods.

“I for one vote for that recipe thing,” Kingsley adds.

I glance back at Ariana. She stares at me with such hope that I know before I speak I’m going to offer her a job. There’s something about her, a magnetic pull. I thought it was just me feeling it, but the way all my staff is staring at her makes me think she’s just one of those people that attracts other people. Like some sort of light with moths surrounding it.

“A three-month trial,” I state.

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