Page 39 of Hometown Girl

Beth sighed. “What else do you know about him?”

“Not much. He’s not a talker, which is better for you.”

Better for her? Hardly.

“I can tell by watching him that he knows what he’s doing.”

Beth followed Ben’s gaze out to the parking lot, where Molly ran toward Drew and Roxie, undoubtedly begging them to come back for the bonfire. No way a guy like that had any interest in socializing with the Willow Grove locals.

Or with her.

Not that it mattered. What did she care if some grumpy cowboy wanted to talk to her or not?

She turned to Ben. “I agree, and I think we need someone to help us, but why can’t that be you?”

Ben was safe. He was a well-known quantity—and didn’t have the potential to break her heart.

He took off his baseball cap and ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly, I’m intrigued by the whole idea. I’m going to invest, but I’m two hours away, Beth. I can’t get back here every day, and that’s what this place needs if you have any hope of reopening in the next year.”

She bumped into his shoulder with her own. “You’re going to invest?”

He held up a hand. “On one condition.”

“Uh-oh.” She turned to him. “What?”

He nodded at Drew. “You hire that guy.”

Beth watched as Drew turned and walked away from Molly, his dog close on his heels.

“We don’t even know him, Ben. He’s going to get in his old truck and drive away and we’ll never see him again.” She hoped so, anyway.

Kind of.

“Then I guess you’d better stop him.”

“Are you serious?”

“You need someone around here to spearhead this little project.”

She knew there was nothing little about it. But this guy? Really? Couldn’t they just find someone in town? Someone less attractive?

Beth took a deep breath but couldn’t get her feet to move. “I’ll think about it.”

But they both knew he was right. They needed Drew Barlow if they had any hope of restoring Fairwind Farm and opening by fall. And the thought of needing any man—let alone a distant cowboy with bad social skills—didn’t sit well with her at all.

Chapter Twelve

Beth’s body was tired, but her mind worked overtime. The Community Work Day had come together quickly, and she hadn’t sat down once. Her feet and back ached, and even though she’d washed her hands three times, there was still dirt underneath her fingernails.

The day had been a success. It was clear that, somehow, she and Molly had sparked a ripple of excitement in the hearts of the people of Willow Grove. However, it was also clear they were in way over their heads. And that continued to nag her.

Ben’s ultimatum hung thick in the crisp night air above the bonfire, where several people huddled under blankets, toasting marshmallows and enjoying the songs strummed on Bishop’s guitar.

Beth settled into the quiet away from the crowd as Molly attempted to wave her over. When Beth didn’t respond, her sister strolled her way.

“You’re missing all the fun,” she said.

“I know,” Beth admitted.

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