she going to stay or go?”
“Well that’s a relief. Business only. For a minute there, I thought you might be into her. You know, like before.”
“She’s a beautiful woman, and there will be men lining up to get ‘into’ her, as you so tactfully put it.” Anger fired his blood.
“I don’t know about that. I mean look at Jasmine. Now that is a beautiful woman.”
“She is, and if you said that in front of Izzy with that look in your eye, he would punch you. Hale is beautiful in a different way. She’s sexy and there’s something going on under the surface.” Finn stared at the area where she’d been standing.
“Well, Mayor, you would know,” Matt teased.
“No, I wouldn’t. I don’t think I ever knew Hale at all.” Finn finished his drink and looked around. “Time to go.”
Chapter Three
June
The weeks had flown by since her dad’s funeral. Every night Hale made a list of what needed to be done for the next day and it was usually several pages long. Taking over the reins of Cameron Farms was intensive work. Like her father, she was a hands-on owner and met daily with either one or both of her managers. Maria’s sons had both studied Farm Management in college and returned to Cameron Farms upon graduation. Enrico oversaw the grain production arm of the business and his younger brother, Miguel, was in charge of livestock and property management.
Ashley’s hours had increased to assist with the post-funeral mail and the probate administrative work, plus she became the gatekeeper to Hale. She answered the incoming calls to the house and kept Hale’s appointment schedule.
The month’s temperature had been mild for an Indiana summer, however today had turned out to be a scorcher. Hale had scheduled technicians to update the wiring so that there would be uninterrupted Wi-Fi throughout the farm and to upgrade some of the house’s interior wiring. The four men had arrived at eight and by two, they were running behind. She had spent the morning at their beck and call, answering questions or giving approval.
She had stripped down to a sports bra, with a white tank top over it and yoga pants that had been cut off at the knee. She had already been in the basement and crawled around the house’s foundation. Now she stood in the doorway to her office, sweaty and filthy, watching the men drill holes through the hardwood floor for the additional wireless transmitters.
“We’re almost done in here, Ms. Cameron,” Bill of Galavin Electric said as he wiped his forehead with his bandana.
“Great, do you think you can do the managers’ offices in the barn next?” She had tried to keep the men on a tight schedule. Upgrading the Wi-Fi service was integral to her plan to run the farm’s management system via tablets. She and her managers would be able input and review data instantly. She planned for the employees to use smaller wrist systems to communicate and update. When the Rosales brothers had approached her with the idea to do more online, she had agreed instantly and expanded on the concept. She hoped that agreeing to the first item they suggested would pave the way for a smooth transition in leadership. Her father’s style had been to work with stock or in the fields most days side by side with the men. She planned to sit back and observe her managers, allow them to handle the day to day operation. However, that didn’t mean that she didn’t help with the morning feedings or check her fields. She was a watchful owner, but more than willing to lend a hand.
She glanced to her right and spotted Ashley walking toward her, talking on her Bluetooth. She pointed a finger at Hale to signal she needed her attention.
Hale walked to Ashley, mouthing, “What?”
“Yes, sir. I need just a moment to check Ms. Cameron’s schedule. Thank you for holding.” Ashley was using her most professional tone, but her eyebrows were raised and she smiled.
“What’s going on?” Hale’s heart started to pound. Ashley usually handled scheduling without her approval.
“The mayor is calling and he wants to stop by for a minute of your time.” Ashley watched her intently.
Hale looked down at her dirty shirt and asked, “When?” Not today, not today.
“He’s leaving some golf event and said he could be here in twenty minutes.” Ashley scanned her clipboard. “I can make up an excuse if you want.”
“No, you can’t make up an excuse.” He would see right through