Page 48 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

The last of the committee members trickled out of the bunkhouse after warm handshakes and polite goodbyes. All but my former father-in-law, anyway. He gave Chase a sharp nod and climbed into the black SUV without a word or a glance in my direction.

I blew out a huge sigh of relief and collapsed into the nearest chair as soon as the vehicle pulled away.

Chase gave me a worried look. “You okay? That was quite a shock.”

I let out a humorless grunt. “It wasn’t pleasant, that’s for sure.”

His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face. I leaned into them, loving his touch, which always helped to quiet my nerves.

“I was so proud of you,” he said softly. “The way you held your ground. You didn’t flinch. I think you knocked him off balance more than the other way around.”

I wanted to believe his words. “I’m still scared he’s going to try to hurt you,” I admitted, reaching up to grab hold of his hand and entwining my fingers with his.

“All because of me or his irrational need to be more important than your family. He’ll make up something, some lie, to make you look bad and cost you the win. Or worse, your reputation.”

Chase knelt in front of my chair, calm green eyes holding mine.

“Let him try. I know this sounds a little egotistical, but this farm and our reputation have been around a hell of a lot longer than him. I don’t think he’ll be as successful at it as he believes.

That is, if he tries. I don’t want you to worry about me one bit.

” He shrugged. “If Blossom doesn’t get picked, that’ll be disappointing, especially if it’s because he plays dirty.

But that only means she’s meant to stay here. Just like you.”

His words were meant to be reassuring and tender.

Instead, they formed a pit in my stomach.

I loved that Chase saw me as a part of this place.

He didn’t know, yet, that there was a potential offer that could shake up my place at his side.

Something I hadn’t seen coming and wasn’t sure if I wanted.

But it was hard to stop thinking about it.

But this morning wasn’t about me. I wanted Chase to relish this moment.

He stood and pulled me from the chair. His arms wrapped around me, pressing a kiss into my hair as I snuggled against him. “Thank you for helping make this morning a huge success. Not sure I could have done this without you by my side.”

I closed my eyes, willing the guilt to settle.

Chase pulled back slightly. His finger lifted my chin, then he leaned in to kiss me, slow and certain. The voices in my head went quiet. Here in his arms was home. Here, it felt like nothing could touch me.

His hand slid up to cup the back of my neck, and I melted further into him.

His tongue tangled with mine, slow and searching, as my hands slid up his chest and around his back.

I whimpered as I felt him grow hard against my belly, and I instinctively rose to my toes to fit him where I wanted him most.

Then someone cleared their throat.

We sprang apart, both turning toward the door to find Jordan leaning against the door frame, one eyebrow raised and a smirk tugging one corner of his mouth.

“Are you guys always going to be like that? Because I’m not sure you’re setting a good example for an impressionable teenager.”

Both Chase and I bit off a laugh. “Loving someone is always a good example,” Chase corrected.

Jordan snorted. He laughed more easily now, which made my heart glad. “Sure. Maybe just less… visual .”

Chase grinned and reached over to ruffle Jordan’s hair, causing him to duck and swat at Chase, but the smile remained.

“Did you need something?” Chase asked him.

“Bodie sent me to remind you he needs some help tagging some trees.”

Chase pulled off his ball cap and ran his fingers through his hair before resettling it on his head. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”

But Jordan was already halfway out the door.

Chase brushed his thumb across my cheek with a reluctant sigh.

“As much as I want to stay here and put one of those beds in the back to use, I need to head out. But I’ll see you in a few hours.

Let’s go to Ferg’s or do something low-key.

We’ve had enough stress for one lifetime. Glad it’s all behind us now.”

“Sure,” I said, the word sticking in my throat.

He didn’t seem to notice, just kissed my forehead and squeezed my hand. “Take a break this afternoon. You’ve earned it.”

I watched him leave, boots thumping down the bunkhouse steps as he headed to his truck, unaware that there may be more changes ahead for us to figure out.

I glanced around the kitchen, then began the task of cleaning.

There were hardly any leftovers, and all the dishes fit neatly into the dishwasher.

In less than thirty minutes, cleanup was done, and the kitchen was spotless.

I wished there was more to distract me, but everything was quiet other than a few birds chirping lazily from where they nested in the nearby trees.

Maybe it was time to get it over with. If I didn’t make the call, I’d never know what I might be turning down.

Maybe it wouldn’t interfere as much as I feared.

My thumb hovered over the screen before I tapped out the number.

The phone rang twice, and before I was really ready, I was redirected to Emma.

“Anna? Emma Callahan here. So glad you called. I wasn’t sure you would.”

“Hi,” I said, my voice a little breathless. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure I would either.”

“I get it,” she said, her tone kind, but businesslike.

“This probably feels pretty out of the blue. But I’m excited to talk to you.

That soap you make? It’s honestly some of the best I’ve used.

Creamy, moisturizing, smells good, but not in a perfume way.

Just natural, like it came from your back porch. ”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling more than a little pride at her compliment. “You’re more accurate than you know. I just make it the way my mama taught me. It’s not a business. ”

“Well, maybe not yet,” Emma said, a note of enthusiasm slipping in. “But I’d love to change that.”

I stared out across the field, where the sun glinted off the trucks. “I need to be honest with you. That’s never been a plan of mine.”

“I understand. But let me be direct,” she said.

“We’re launching a limited artisan line under our Rooted label, and we’re on a tight timeline.

Small-batch, story-driven, and built around authenticity.

I would love to feature it as part of our fall release, hence the urgency.

Eventually, I’d be interested in other natural remedies you make, such as lotions or liniments.

But for now, this is all I have time to consider. ”

My mouth went dry. “Fall? As in this fall?”

“In eight weeks,” she said. “Ideally, I’d have you in Nashville early next week.

We’d do a full evaluation to test for safety and shelf stability, and then determine how we can scale it to meet our needs without compromising its integrity.

Assuming that goes well, we’ll move on to packaging and branding.

I’ve got a small team dedicated to supporting makers like you.

We move fast when we find something we believe in. ”

“I didn’t expect anything like this,” I admitted. “I thought maybe down the road. Not leave-the-farm-next-week level.”

“I know it’s sudden,” Emma said, her tone softening slightly.

“But opportunity doesn’t always come on your timeline.

Let me be frank. There are probably dozens of similar soaps out there, all advertising natural and homemade .

They’re probably fine. Some might even be good.

But yours, Anna? It doesn’t feel like it’s trying to fit a specific market trend.

Yours is authentic farm-to-table quality, so to speak.

Between the quality of your product and your story, you’ve got something special.

I don’t say that lightly. This is a chance to step into something that’s truly yours. ”

I swallowed hard. “I’ll be frank in return. I don’t know if I want that,” I said quietly. “I’ve had a…rough year. I’ve only just started getting my feet under me again.”

There was a pause. “You don’t have to commit today,” she said. “But if you are interested, we need to plan now. Even just a week in Nashville would give us what we need to get the ball rolling. And, of course, to discuss your share of the profits should this prove to be a viable product.”

My heart thudding in my chest. “I’ll think about it.”

“Please do,” Emma said, her voice returning to all business. “I wish I’d discovered you earlier. I’m afraid I can’t delay much longer.”