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I threw my head back and laughed, “Are you worried the tractor will run off with all your produce?”

His lips quirked under his thick facial hair, “I can barely check my email. Why Brandon thinks I can launch his fancy new tech for his fancy company, is beyond me.”

“Well, that’s why we are sending an engineer to you. To help with the transition. It’s a learning process.” I saw a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye, and grinned.

Speak of the devil.

“Hi Vi—” She bulldozed between the two of us, her phone to her ear and her bag clutched in her hands as she sprinted towards the car park. She was rambling something about waiting until she got there, and I shook my head.

I’d check in with her another time.

Graham grunted, and when I turned to look at him, he was holding his side, “Small thing knows how to work through a crowd.” He lifted his flannel shirt as if to check for injuries, and I laughed again.

“Are you coming up?” I asked my lawyer.

“Sure, I want to say hi to Brandon.” He pulled his shirt back down, threw a puzzled look over his shoulder, and shook his head before following me into Sun Steer’s building.

ChapterTwenty-Three

LEO

If I thoughther loose black skirt was distracting that night we met at the bar, I was in for a rude awakening for when I first saw her in a pencil skirt.

It was probably the longest first day of work I’d ever had in my entire life.

* * *

“Good morning!”

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Violet jogging to meet up with me.

“Morning,” I nodded before waiting for her to fall into step, “How was your weekend?”

Violet sighed, “Good, but I’m exhausted. My daughter is going through another sleep regression.”

Today I learned that Violet had a daughter, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s alright. I’m just worried about relocating so soon.” I nodded, suddenly distracted from our conversation at the sight of Jacqueline stepping into Brandon’s office, where Violet and I were currently headed.

Jacqueline didn’t notice me, which made me want to run up to her and wrap her in my arms until she did, but I refrained.

“Change is already so hard for her, but everyone has been so supportive about preparing me and her to move up north.” Ah, yes, Violet was getting ready to move to Moore Farms in a few weeks. She could have had the opportunity to meet Graham Moore in person a few days ago, considering they’d likely be neighbors. But instead, she elbowed him out of her way to rush to her car.

They’d meet eventually.

That was probably why she was joining us for our bi-monthly check-in. Brandon hosted these in his office, and even though they were mandatory, he was excellent at making sure we didn’t take up more time than needed. If there were no questions or updates from any department, he excused us.

Brandon was quiet, introverted, and short with his words.

But he was a great CEO.

We finally entered his space, and when Violet spotted Nicole, slouched on Brandon’s couch, she made her way to sit next to her. So I not so subtly stood near Jacqueline. Against the wall, waiting for Brandon to show up.

Jacqueline was staring at Nicole, a pinch in her brow as if she was deep in thought. She didn’t acknowledge my presence yet. I wasn’t expecting a hug or kiss, but for her to not notice me at all let me know how focused she was.

“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice low.

“Hmm?” Jacqueline glanced up at me, clearly distracted by whatever she was thinking about. I saw in real time how her brown eyes studied my face, doing the quickest scan of my concerned expression. After assessing whatever she found, she pulled her lips back into a smile.