Page 14 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)
JAKE
“Well, that was unexpected," I muttered to myself as Beau disappeared into the greenhouse after our quick breakfast. I moved the computer he had given me to the dining room, or rather, what was seemingly Beau's office.
His laptop sat on the dining room table, accompanied by a cup of pens, a stack of paperwork, and a wireless printer on the sideboard.
Taking a seat on the opposite side of the table, I ran the power cable across the surface and floor, connecting it to the nearest outlet and then to the laptop.
As I opened it up and pressed the power button, the machine whirred to life, swiftly going through its start-up process.
While it booted up, I found myself staring across the table at Beau's computer, my mind wandering to the image of sitting across from him as he worked.
I couldn't deny that I had enjoyed our time together last night, even if it was just shopping and a quick dinner.
Despite the threats from Rich, the evening had been amazing.
There were moments of comfortable silence, unlike the unsettling and awkward silences that had plagued my past relationships.
Beau had defended me and had not abandoned me when he realized the extent of my past pains.
Love at first sight was a stretch for me, but clearly, Beau believed in it. So why was I still fighting this?
Suddenly, I snapped back to reality as I noticed that the computer was ready to use. "Wow, that was fast," I remarked, impressed by the speed. My previous computer would take ages to boot up, sometimes requiring multiple attempts before finally starting.
I started exploring the computer, checking out the programs Beau had installed.
It was evident that he hadn't cut any corners when it came to this computer. I was genuinely impressed that he had anticipated my needs so well. He’d even took the time to set up the wireless printer and connect it to my laptop.
I looked up Boon Christmas Tree Farm on Google.
The results led me to the farm’s website.
As I browsed through it, I couldn't help but notice that it looked outdated.
The photos were several years old, with hairstyles and clothing styles that gave away their age.
They appeared to be scanned images from old photographs, and there were only a handful of recent shots added at some point, likely taken from a cellphone.
It was a failed attempt to give the website an updated look.
While I wasn't a web designer, I knew I could offer some help, or at the very least, avoid making it worse.
I made a mental note to ask Beau for the host information and password later.
In the meantime, I began brainstorming ideas for photos.
I envisioned capturing shots of the trees in the field, with the old barn in the background.
Perhaps even a picture of a tractor pulling a trailer, like those used for hayrides.
And during the Christmas season, I could take photos of kids playing in the snow.
Of course, I also had a few action shots in mind featuring Beau, the farm's most attractive asset.
Who wouldn't want to see a hunk of a man with a lumberjack build with brown, well-kept hair and deep green eyes?
Beau possessed a perfectly sculpted body.
His biceps, built from farm work and swinging axes, were an impressive sight.
And if he wrapped his arms around you, the rest of the world seemed to melt away.
His hips were just the right width, allowing for a tight embrace.
And then there was his ass, practically begging to be grabbed in handfuls.
But I quickly reprimanded myself, reminding that this was a family Christmas tree website, not a porn site.
My mind had taken an inappropriate turn.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I thought about maybe incorporating some wildlife photography.
We could showcase the farm's concern for the environment. Native birds, squirrels, and deer could make for captivating subjects. I remembered taking a picture of a deer yesterday and rushed to my bedroom to fetch my camera. Thankfully, when Beau had picked up the laptop, he’d also grabbed a universal card reader and a spare SD card—thought of everything, apparently.
I connected the reader to the USB port and slid in my card, heartbeat picking up as the files began to transfer.
I’d taken around fifty photos yesterday at the barn with Will Some were taken in rapid succession, capturing fleeting moments.
Among them was a beautiful shot of a deer peacefully grazing at the tree line.
I moved that photo into a separate folder, intending to play with its colors and lighting using the editing software.
I continued sifting through the rest, searching for any other compelling images.
Most of them were shots of the treetops against the sky, serving as a backdrop. However, one photo caught my attention.
In this particular shot, the front tree was in focus while the trees behind it appeared slightly blurred.
But what intrigued me about the image was a shadow hidden in the trees.
I began experimenting with different settings and techniques to enhance the details.
The shadow seemed unusual, almost as if someone was peeking out from behind a tree.
Curiosity piqued, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Perhaps I could uncover something unexpected in this seemingly innocent photograph.