Page 11 of A Field of Beauty

“You might want to see them before the governor arrives in Asheville.”

“Why?” His voice went flat. “What’s wrong with them?”

She exchanged a glance with Dawson, who was now grinning broadly. “Well, there seems to be a typo.”

She heard Tyler groan. “I’ll check it out. Plan to be ready at six.”

Slipping her phone into her purse, she said, “Would you consider coming to the dinner?”

He scoffed. “Us field-hand types don’t know what to do with all them utensils.”

“Sorry about that. I’ve explained that you’re the manager of Mountain Blooms Farm. Tyler doesn’t understand the farming life.”

“So now you’re letting him pick out your clothes?”

Actually, the thought of Tyler sending over a dress did irk her. The request for an updo hairstyle annoyed her. She could make her own styling decisions, thank you very much. “Dawson, come tonight. It’s a fun chance to go to the Biltmore. And a gourmet dinner. All free.”

“It’s not at all free. The cost is to have to listen to politicians. That’s a steep toll on my sense of well-being.”

“But you do love good food. And we can walk through the gardens of the Biltmore without having to pay a hefty entrance fee. You’ve never been.”

“I’ll get there someday.”

“This could be your chance. Imagine the fall colors that are starting in those historical gardens. You’re the one who told me the landscape architect designed it for four seasons of color.” She shifted on the truck’s seat to look at him. “Come on, Dawson. Say you’ll come.” Simply because he wasn’t adamantly refusing the offer made her think he was considering it. “I’ll even find you a date.”

He scowled at her. “I do not need your help to find a date.”

Oh,really?! This was news. She wondered if he’d been seeing someone. If so, who? She was intensely curious but knew better than to ask. “Great! Then plan to be at the farm at six o’clock.”

He sighed, as if cornered.

“And maybe, um, you know ... time for a little ...” She pantomimed scissors trimming.

He frowned and didn’t bother to respond.

As soon as Tessa returned home, she canceled her appointment at the blow-dry bar. Nor did she bother even trying on the dress Tyler had sent for her to wear. She wore one of her own and washed her hair but wore it down in loose curls. A little before six, she heard Dawson’s truck arrive and went out to meet him, but someone else stepped out of the truck—a man she didn’t recognize. Not at first.

Then she realized this man was none other than Dawson Greene wearing a roguish smile. His shaggy hair and beard were gone. He had a very stylish cut, short on the sides, longer on top, and his shaven face revealed strong cheekbones, a square jaw. She stared at him. He looked like an updated James Dean.

“What? You said to get a trim.”

“Everything? You cut off everything?” He looked like a freshly shorn lamb.

He ran a hand over his head, like he wasn’t quite used to it himself. “The barber gave me a two-for-one deal.”

She couldn’t stop herself from staring at him. Maybe it was the low angle of the sun, but minus the bushy beard and long hair, he was rather good looking. Like, knockout handsome. She found herself a little fixated on what seemed to be double dimples in his cheeks. Why had he been hidingthose? He wore a dark suit, a white collared button-down shirt, and a striped tie. She didn’t even know he owned a suit.

He was looking at her with an equally curious expression.

“What?” She looked down at herself and tugged at her hem a little, making sure she was entirely covered. “Do I have a stain? Did I miss a button?”

“Um, no. You look, um, just fine.”

Then a funny little moment happened when he looked into her eyes and she looked right back into his ... and then they both looked away, embarrassed.

Dawson cleared his throat. “Where’s 3T’s? I figured he’d hire a limo.”

“He called to say that he had a chance to go early to the Biltmore to talk to the governor. I can drive us.”

---