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“It’s my dad, for sure,” I say with a grin.

“Whatever you say. But that man is clearly an alien posing as your father,” she says with a questioning look.

Laughing, I shake my head. “How long can you stay?” I ask.

“Just till tomorrow. I have a flight to catch. Gotta go check out some new building for my dad’s company,” she says with a roll of her eyes. Then she looks at me and smiles. “Not all of us are so lucky to be sleeping with our boss.”

I make a disgusted face. “Ewww! I sure hope you aren’t sleeping with your boss,” I answer.

“Ewww! No, that’s not what…you’re depraved. I work for my dad, you sicko,” she replies.

I laugh and shake my head at her.

Eric walks over to Dad and they begin talking about a scholarship program Dad wants to start at the local university.

“Is he really funding college scholarships now?” Katia asks.

“He is. But don’t worry, it’s for selfish reasons. He wants to get into more agriculture and so he wants folks who work in bioengineering so he can modify plants for climate change,” I explain.

“Of course. I should have known better,” she replies as we continue watching Eric and Dad talk.

“Those two better stop gossiping like schoolgirls. I need their help. That damn cow pushed his dinner trough into a post and knocked it loose. I swear, I don’t know what’s worse, the animals or the people around here,” Earl grumbles.

“Definitely the people,” Buck states as he claps Earl on the shoulder.

“Fuck off, Buck. You know I’m the best thing out here. Don’t be jealous,” Earl says.

Katia and I giggle.

“Meow!” Thor says from my sweatshirt pocket. Eric bought me a sweatshirt with a big pocket so I can carry him around with me.

“I can’t believe you’re wearing that in the middle of this heat wave. That damn cat is spoiled,” Earl says as Thor pokes his head out of his warm little pouch.

Eric begins walking over toward us. He stops and picks a flower from the flower bed and hands it to me.

“An angel flower for my angel,” he says as he leans down and kisses me.

“He’s not the only one who’s spoiled,” Katia mumbles.

“Who’s spoiled?” Eric asks as he pulls back.

Thor meows again and we all laugh.

I look back at Eric and he’s staring down at me. I blush and he smirks. I give my head a little shake as I bite my lip and his eyes darken.

He leans down and kisses my cheek before whispering in my ear. “Keep it up, little catastrophe, and you’ll pay for that tonight.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, feigning innocence.

He gives my ear a little bite and I clench my thighs. He pulls back. “James and I are going into town to meet with the university president. Do you need anything?” he asks me.

I shake my head and then nod. “Can you get us some coffee from Elisha’s?”

“Will do,” he replies, and I watch him head to his truck and Dad climbs inside.

“I swear your father is an alien posing as your father,” Katia repeats.

“Nah, he’s just falling under the Storyview Falls spell.”