Page 15 of Game On

Gratitude for his help filled her insides. She wasn’t used to being in anyone’s debt, and she didn’t want to be now either. But she was in no position to refuse the aid.

“Is that right?” Everett lifted a shaggy brow as he studied her in the dim parlor.

She hated making excuses for her father, but making them for herself was even more uncomfortable.

“My dad’s been sober for six months, and even so, he never mentioned the sale to me.” She resented being put in this position, but at least she’d taken the steps to ensure it couldn’t happen again. “I’ve filed for legal guardianship of his affairs to protect the land and the business going forward, but that doesn’t change the fact that I planted that field without knowing it belonged to you.”

“Wise decision about the guardianship.” Everett stabbed a finger into the leather arm of his armchair to emphasize the point. “Good for you. And while I empathize with your situation, I bought that land because I need it for planting my own crops.” He lifted his hands in a gesture of helplessness. “I can’t very well give it back.”

“I’m not asking you to do that.” She’d thought long and hard about potential solutions to this new obstacle. “Would you consider renting the property back to me until the end of the growing season?”

The rent would cut into her profits considerably, but at least she could save face with her buyer and protect their relationship that might lead to future business.

“I need to plant fall tomatoes there,” Everett grumbled as he fiddled with a rolled newspaper still in the protective plastic sleeve used by the delivery service.

Nate leaned forward on the sofa to address his grandfather. “Can’t you put the tomatoes on the lower east patch now that the strawberries are done?”

Keely hoped Nate knew how to get through to him.

“The ground conditions aren’t as favorable and besides that, I wanted to start building my own apiary there since it’s closer to the watermelons.” Everett slapped the rolled-up newspaper against the arm of his recliner chair. “Josie gave me the idea this summer.”

Keely had heard plenty about Josie Vance, a newcomer to Last Stand, before the woman had followed Nate’s brother to the West Coast. Josie had taken care of Hailey Decker’s bees while Nate’s mom had been on her mission trip, and she’d done such a good job with them that a few other local farmers had started using more bees this season. Keely had been hoping to speak to her about her methods to see what tips she could glean for her wildflowers, but Josie didn’t come into town often since Cal had relocated to Oakland. The few times they’d been spotted in Last Stand lately, they’d been on quick trips to house-hunt as—according to local gossips—they were looking for a home for the off-season.

“What if I allotted a different plot of mine for your tomatoes this season?” Keely offered, even though she had plans for using every inch of her property to maximize production. “I would do that if it meant protecting my sunflowers.”

Nate started to interject that it wouldn’t be necessary, but Everett was peering at her with a speculative gleam in his eyes.

“How would I know the soil composition is right?” He shook his head. “I need someone to be my eyes on the ground to make sure the Ramsey interests are protected. Nate, you should take a look at this land and see if it passes muster or if I should let her rent the ground and plant my tomatoes elsewhere.”

Hope sprang to life inside her.

Nate sat up straighter. “You wantmeto make the call?”

“Within reason,” his grandfather assured him. “I’ve needed help with the farming operation for years, and I’ll take involvement from my grandsons any way I can get it. Look around at the Harper place and see what you think, then come to me with a plan that’s equitable for all parties concerned.”

That sounded sensible enough to her, even though she’d either have to give up money in rent or space on her farm. At least Everett wasn’t going to plow up her sunflower crop, which was his legal right. Her attorney had assured her she could contest the sale, but settling that could take years and cost her more than she was prepared to spend.

Relieved, she was already starting to nod when she turned to see Nate’s expression. He didn’t look pleased.

“Gramp, I know you want help with the farm, but it’s still my hope to return to my career once my hand has healed,” Nate reminded him.

A momentary sting of bitterness surprised her, even if his words didn’t surprise her in the least. Nate wouldn’t be staying in Last Stand any longer than he absolutely had to.

Everett spread his arms wide. “I never thought otherwise. But in the meantime, you could make yourself useful. Tour the property. Tour the Harper lands while you’re at it.”

His words made her bristle, and she knew it was because she’d spent most of her life trying to keep people away from her family, to prevent them from seeing the darker side of life as a Harper. She had to remind herself that she didn’t need to do that anymore. Her father was in recovery and she was growing into a stronger person, too. She had built a business to be proud of, and she was managing Windy Meadows alone.

Still, she remembered Nate’s words about the possibility of his grandfather’s misguided matchmaking. Could Everett really be angling for them to spend time together?

“Will do.” Nate stood, then extended a hand to help Keely to her feet. “Looks like we’ve got some work to do to figure out a plan.”

Keely couldn’t very well ignore the hand offered out of courtesy. But as she slid her palm into his, she discovered that touching him was every bit as problematic as she feared. Her senses stirred. Her heartbeat skipped. Her gaze flew to his where she could see an echo of the things she was feeling.

Along with a heat that sizzled through her to the roots of her hair.

Standing beside him, she wrenched her hand back as if she’d been burned. She stumbled through a few words of appreciation to Everett for his willingness to work with her to find a solution. Then, as quickly as she could without appearing impolite, Keely darted for the door.

Her future had more of Nate in it, and she needed to figure out how to handle that before she touched him again.

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