Page 57 of Pick Your Spot

She nodded. “Arrogant. Arrogant Asshole Andy. Listen to this.”

Knox’s face darkened as he listened to the message. “What a complete jerk. After your last conversation, how could he think that you’d be willing to work for him?”

She shrugged. “Hence the new A.”

“Too bad his name isn’t Frank.”

“What? Why?”

He frowned. “Because I think Fuckhead fits better than Arrogant.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Chapter17

Don't Knox It 'Til You Try It

All through the afternoon and while he was grilling baked potatoes and chicken, questions simmered in Knox’s gut. Triple-A was an obnoxious jerk. Was he dangerous? Why this sudden need to have Thea?

Knox understood that her expertise was invaluable, but there had to be other soil consultants in Iowa.

Asshole Andy’s need seemed professional. At least, it had better be. Everything about her face and body language had proven her complete lack of interest in the man. He wasn’t a rival Knox needed to deal with.

But he’d sounded confident Thea would be working for him by the following week. Knox had heard the initial conversation from her end, and she’d said absolutely nothing to encourage the man.

From everything Knox had read, Thea’s knowledge about the land and soil was superior. Add that to her passion for the subject, and he was sure she’d been really good at her job. It sounded like Triple-A had thought he could get rid of her with no repercussions. He had the farm contracts she’d worked on. Maybe the man figured she’d done the initial work, and all he had to do was coast on what she’d already implemented. Then he’d found out differently.

After the way he’d treated Thea, the man had to be a dumbass to think she’d work for him again. The big question was, was he a dangerous dumbass?

Thea came out of the kitchen with a salad bowl and plates. In moments, they were enjoying their meal and he shoved down the questions about Triple-A. The man didn’t know where Thea lived and Knox didn’t want to ruin the evening by focusing on him. “What do you think I should show Ford if he calls me tonight? What part of the farm would be most enticing to him?”

She smiled. “I’m partial to the compost, but I’m guessing that’s an acquired taste.”

He laughed. “I think you’re right.”

“What about starting up at the top of the drive? It doesn’t take long for the first farmhouse to show up. There are apple trees everywhere. Then he’d see the second farmhouse and the barn on the other side of the road.”

“That would be a good overview. Maybe I should take a truck and drive him around the property.”

She nodded. “Or an ATV. I know at least one works.”

“I’ve never driven an ATV.”

She looked at him like he’d admitted to being born on another planet. “Wow. Okay. You didn’t grow up in farm country.”

He shook his head. “Haven’t driven a tractor either.”

She grinned. “It’s not hard. I can show you. As long as you stay on private property, you don’t need a license.”

“Is there room for two people on any of the ATVs?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

“If he calls tonight, would you drive while I talk to him? Even if you show me how to drive, there’s no way I’d be competent enough to drive and show him the land.”

She laughed. “Even if you were an expert, there’s no way to drive and deal with a video chat. Sure, we can do that.”

After they’d cleaned up their supper, they headed to the equipment barn. Thea handed him a couple of helmets and led the way to where three ATVs were parked. She pointed at the front one. “This is the one Jay always used. I don’t know if the others work, but we used this one all the time.”

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