Page 46 of Falling For You

“That fast?” I asked, surprised.

He nodded. “That fast. So, tell me. Can you answer the first question?”

“Easy. I want my food blog to be my main source of income, and working for my parents to bea fun side hustle.”

He smiled and nodded, not letting go of my hand. “Nice. Let’s open up a blank document and start making notes.”

I quickly obliged, not wanting to lose any of this information.

“We know you’ll have the content to bring the audience. So, let’s work on growing subscribers on your blog and building your follower base. We’ll start researching what the various retailers want regarding followers and subscribers to become partners and affiliates.”

I nodded, typing the tidbits, and looked up at him. “This is actually doable. Isn’t it?”

“Heck yeah.” Owen smiled. “It’s more than doable. With a solid plan, plenty of focus, and determination, you’ll grow your food blog and business in no time.”

“I really can’t believe this. Thanks for helping save my life today and, you know, giving me a boost to focus on my business.”

He shrugged, but his smile didn’t fade. “It’s what I do. Besides, helping you grow something this cool is a win for me.”

“How so?”

His smile only widened, and he grabbed my hand again. “I get to spend time with you.”

Chapter Twelve

Owen

Seeing the hope in her eyes nearly killed me when we started working on her blog. Not because I didn’t believe in it and her, but because I knew I had selfish reasons for wanting her blog to take off.

And quickly.

Today had been a whirlwind of emotions. Seeing her get into it with the llama, followed by tumbling headfirst into the water trough, was straight out of a rom-com, but then the kiss…

That came out of nowhere. I didn’t know what came over me, but I wanted to protectand feel her simultaneously. How she looked at me made my heart squeeze in a way Inever felt before. I’d permanently sealed that part of my life off. Relationships took time, and I had very little of it.

Before I arrived here, I’d carved out almost three weeks to spend time and be available to anyone at the county or village who needed me.

I had a team of investors who wanted constant updates, and it just seemed easier to be on the ground than flying around and working on my other projects.

But it also gave me something I hadn’t had in years.

Free time.

Apart from spending a few days in Wyoming near Christmas, I spent most of my time jetting from city to city,tearing buildings down and putting new ones up. Other times, I’d be persuading potential partners to invest in either my visions or those of my other partners.

Either way, the one thing I couldn’t do was fall for the womenwe might put out of business.

I sat on the edge of the bed, looked out at Buttercup Lake, and sighed.

No, it was worse than that. The entire family was part of the Honey Leaf Lodge.

Last Christmas, one of my brothers asked if I’d feel bad about putting a family business at risk of closing, and my answer had been a quick no.

I might have even laughed about it. I didn’t remember.

Nothing mattered to me except closing deals, watching my ideas take shape, and moving on to the next project.

But last Christmas, I hadn’t met Violet yet.

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