Page 2 of Bloom
“And he said he thought you could help me too.”
“Of course I can!” I was more than willing to do anything I could for my mate. His happiness and peace were now my priorities. But I worried he may have misunderstood when his eyebrow flicked up slightly. “I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, likeof course I can, I know everything.” Oh good, now he’s going to think I’m an idiot. “Well, Idoknow a lot about plants. But really I meant that of course I’d helpyou.I’ll do anything you need.”And now I just sound creepy.I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my curls, wishing I’d just be swallowed up by the dirt I loved so much.
My mate scrubbed his palm across his lips, presumably to keep from laughing (who could blame him?) before stretching it out to me. “I really appreciate it. I’m Jersey, by the way.”
“Jersey,” I repeated as my heart beat faster. I slipped my hand into his, and an electric jolt skittered up my arm. He must have felt it too, judging by the way his gaze snapped to our interlocked fingers. He didn’t pull away, and intrigue painted his handsome features. He couldn’t know what it meant, but it was his soul’s first spark of recognition for its mate.
I could hold onto his hand and stare at him all day, but I knew there was a reason beyond divine intervention that he sought me out. I relished the last few moments of contact before he let my palm go, and I asked, “What can I help you with?”
All traces of intrigue and mirth left his face, and were replaced by worry. “It’s my crops; they’re dying. I’ve tried fertilizer, compost, installing a new irrigation system - no matter what I do, nothing helps. I’ve never seen damage like what is destroying my land. It looks…burnt.Here, I took a picture.”
He retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and showed me a photograph of a large black patch of ground. I ran a dozen different scenarios through my head, but couldn’t come up with an explanation. But I would stop at nothing to solve the puzzle. “Can I see it in person?”
“Absolutely.” Jersey rushed to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door before letting out a long sigh and shaking his head. “I’m sure you didn’t meannow. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to show up and drag you away from what you’re doing. I-”
“Now’s good,” I interrupted with a shrug, and a dazzling smile overtook Jersey’s lips. I climbed into the truck, and he closed the door behind me. It didn’t matter what I’d been doing;nothingwas more important than helping my mate.
Jersey
I couldn’t believe how kind Timber was; he knew nothing more than my name and that I had a problem, and he was willing to help. He didn’t have a clue who I was, but he got into my truck without a second thought, handing over his trust.
Granted, I didn’t know much about him, either; he could just as easily be a danger to me. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at the thought. Even if it hadn’t been for Chuck’s glowing review of Timber, I would instinctively know that I could trust him. I had an immediate connection to him like I’d never experienced. I wanted him in my space, I wanted his company, and I wanted his help above anyone else’s. It was a feeling I didn’t understand, but couldn’t ignore.
And it wasn’t just because the man was drop deadgorgeous,though it certainly didn’t hurt. He had thick, dark, shoulder length curls, and beautiful hazel eyes. His featureswere soft, though the stubble across his upper lip and chin gave him a touch of masculinity. He was tall like me, and although his frame was much slimmer, he exuded quiet strength.
“Thank you again for coming with me,” I told him, wanting not only to fill the silence, but just to speak with him. “I really do appreciate you.”
“Your farm is very important to you,” he surmised, and I nodded.
“It has been in my family for generations. I was raised in the fields, and every important life lesson I’ve been taught has been on that land. Now it’s under my care because my father and grandfather have passed on. It’s all I have left of them, and I can’t lose it.”
“I’m not going to let that happen. We will get this figured out.”
“So, how do you know so much about this stuff? Did you go to school for it?”
Timber shook his head. “I guess you could call it a family tradition for me as well. My mother taught me how to care for plants from seeds to blooms. She explained how we are intertwined with the earth; how if we treat it right, it will provide us with nourishment and beauty.”
“The flowers around your porch were absolutely beautiful.”
Timber gave a smile that put the petals to shame. “Thank you.”
“So besides gardening, what are you into?”
“Nothing too exciting; I live a pretty simple life. I love watching classic movies, and reading as much as possible.”
“Do you like reading the classics as well?”
“Um…not so much.” Timber turned his attention to the window, and when a slight shade of pink covered his cheeks, an ornery smile crossed mine.
“You read smut, don’t you?”
“A little,” he admitted, his blush deepening. I snorted a laugh and he quickly added, “But it’s notjustfor the smut! I love the romance of two people finding their perfect match in one another and getting their happily ever after.”
“Sure you do, horndog,” I chuckled, and his cheeks brightened even more and guilt settled in my gut. “I’m just teasing.” I reached over to rub his knee, making his shoulders relax, though his blush didn’t disappear.Why would it disappear? A stranger is groping him in his truck!I didnotwant to move my hand, but I never wanted to make him uncomfortable, so I begrudgingly placed it back on the steering wheel.
“Honestly, those are probably the types of books I’d read if I had the time,” I offered. “Hell, I’d love to experience a real-life romance novel, but I’ve been busier than ever trying to keep my crops alive. Since the harvest has been leaner, I’ve had to let go of most of my farmhands and do nearly everything myself.”
“I admire your work ethic, but you’ve got to take a little time to relax,” Timber countered with concern in his voice. “There’s got to besomethingyou enjoy to turn your brain off for a while.”
