Page 15 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
“I turned it all off since it looked like you were having a…crisis of sorts.” Looking at the box in my hand, I huff a laugh. “Guess I wasn’t far off.”
Hunter busies himself at the stove while I consider getting a drink myself. “It’s okay. We can still eat it. I’ll just finish up the chicken and reheat the veg. It’s good.”
While he does that, I shove the ring box in my pocket and pull out the plates and cutlery, working alongside him in the large country kitchen like I’ve been here for more than a day.
We settle at the dining room table again, but this time with Hunter at the end and me next to him. After a few bites of dinner in silence, and it’s clear he’s not about to start the conversation, I do.
“Hunter, you need to explain what this is about.”
With a sigh, he leans back and sets his fork down. “I talked to Jackson this morning. I told him what you said about the trust, and he suggested I ask you to marry me.”
“And what were his reasons for why it was a good idea?”
Hunter motions around him, and I make a note that we should never play charades because I’m clueless. When I remain silent, he continues.
“Gabe…you already live here. We can sell it as an actual relationship. I want the money, I’ll admit that, but I also don’t want the money to go to an organization that funds hate against people like us.” Hunter pauses and swallows, his tough bravado mask slipping for a moment. “He didn’t approve of me being gay and I refuse to be ashamed of that or let him attack us even after he’s died. That’s too far, Gabe.”
Pain drips from his words before he resumes eating, and my mind spins with so many questions. I don’t know how much money we’re talking about, but to leave it in the trust with checkpoints to distribute it must be significant. But aside fromthat, if it’s only a dollar, I don’t want it going to that organization either.
“I don’t want money sent to them either, Hunter. But, and I hate sounding like a dick about this…what’s in this for me? Marriage for a year is a big deal. My life is on hold.”
He drums his fingers on the table.
“What would you like? I can’t pay you, obviously, until I get the money.” His nose wrinkles. “That sounds…awful. But if you want compensation, it could be done.”
“Actually, there is something you could help me with. I had a problem with some farmers today.”
Hunter furrows his brow. “What kind of problem? They’re usually decent people around here.”
“Oh, they were very polite when they took their real estate business elsewhere because, and I quote,‘a city man like you won’t understand.’I won’t lie to you. I’m concerned if it’s happening now, it will keep happening, and I can’t keep losing business.”
“So, how can I help with that?”
Shrugging, I push my plate to the side and steeple my fingers in front of me. “Teach me about this area and what makes a land deal with farmers or ranchers so different that a city guy can’t handle it. Make me a country boy, I guess.”
Hunter’s laughter booms in the small room, and I can’t help but smile. He’s a striking man when he smiles and laughs. Beautiful, even. He probably doesn’t even know it.
“Make you a country boy? If I do that, will you promise to listen to my suggestions?”
“Of course.”
“You won’t like most of them.”
Hunter’s eyes twinkle with a playfulness that makes me wonder what the fuck I’m doing in this town. Moving to a small town from the city. Buying a sleepy law practice and leaving the high-paced prosecution office behind. Living with a man who just asked me to marry him, and I’m actually considering it.
I wanted to slow down and make a change, but all of this sounds like the product of a fever dream
“Like what?”
He leans forward. “Lose the suit and tie. You’re in farm country. They want to know that you’re not a stuffy suit and you’re not afraid to get dirty. They work with their hands and bodies, Gabe. Suits don’t make them comfortable.”
“Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
“Okay, so, if I marry you, you’ll get the money, and I’ll get to use you as I see fit to help the business. I can ask you to attend events or explain things when I need?”
“Sure. That’s pretty easy.”
