Page 55 of A Master's Destiny
“They ate it up! Couldn’t get enough, I tell ya. Most people expect organic beef to be tough meat with less flavor, but we have a secret. We let our cows munch on fresh clover as a treat. They love it, and consumers can taste the difference.”
“Huh. I have to say, I admire the care your family puts into your livestock.”
“Pop is committed to giving every animal the care and respect it deserves.’”
“So, I take it you got offered a good deal, then?”
He beams with pride. “We did, but I was able to negotiate the price even higher. I’m happy to say my double major and four years of college didn’t go to waste.”
I shake his hand, incredibly proud of his accomplishment. “Well done, Anderson!”
He nods, looking pleased. “It’s been mighty gratifying. Of course, that means I’m heading back to Denver tomorrow to find a city job and stake my claim.”
“I’m positive you’ll succeed in whatever you do.” I stare at him for a moment, sad that I can’t celebrate his success with him tonight. “If I didn’t have to go to bed immediately, I’d celebrate that contract with you.”
“I’ve been thinking about that…”
“What?” I chuckle, wondering what he’s thinking.
“You really don’t have time to take care of yourself between work and this class. If I wasn’t cooking for you, I don’t think you’d have eaten anything all day.”
I laugh off his concern. “What’s a few weeks without food?”
“They call that starving, buddy.”
I snort. “My body can handle it. So, what are you really getting at?”
“I have no reason to rush home now that the contract’s been signed, and you could use a cook for a few weeks. What if I stayed?”
I have to admit I’ve enjoyed having Anderson around—even if I haven’t been home much. Still, I shake my head. “I couldn’t let you do that.”
“Why? I’m offering.”
“You shouldn’t put your life on hold. Especially when you’ve landed the deal of the century for your family. Use that energy to find a business job you can really sink your teeth into.”
He smirks. “I’m not sure if you’re making fun of me or being serious.”
Putting my hand on his shoulder, I tell him, “I mean it, Anderson. You need to put yourself first.”
He nods and offers me a half-grin. “I thought you might say that…” With a laugh, he adds, “Always looking out for the other guy but never yourself.”
I roll my eyes.
“Oh, I see that eyeroll, buddy. You may think you know it all, but you’re damn stubborn when it comes to accepting help, and therein lies your weakness.”
I think about it and suddenly realize the truth. “I had to look out for myself after my father died and my mother left. So, I learned at an early age that I could only depend on myself. I guess that feeling never leaves a person.”
“But things have changed since then, and you need to adjust, buddy. I get why you had to live that way back then, but you have friends who support you now. Not accepting their help when it is freely offered is insulting to them and slows your progress—and I know how you like efficiency.”
The low sound of my chuckle belies the fact he hit on a hard truth about me, and I don’t appreciate it. “Watch yourself, Anderson.”
He looks at me with genuine concern. “I just want to help, so sue me.”
I’m tempted to roll my eyes again but refrain. “I’ll think about it.”
He nods, but it doesn’t look like he believes me.
I look at my watch and groan. “Sorry, I have to get to bed. I only have two and a half hours before I have to get back up.”
