Read Online Sunkissed by Janelle Daniels - Free Book Online Page A

her to come back, don’t you?”
    Grant chuckled. “Natalie, this is Adam Landry. He owns Sun Valley Orchard just south of us.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Adam.” She leaned back on her heels. “Do you normally lend a hand at harvest time? I’d assume you’d be too busy with your own.”
    He shook his head. “Not yet. We grow a different type of orange that we harvest in late October instead of September like Grant here.”
    “It’s a tradition to help the other orchards,” Grant said. “That way everyone has the help they need.”
    “That’s great. It would be nearly impossible to accomplish this on your own.”
    “I keep trying to get Grant to sell to me. But he seems determined to dig in. I figured I might as well help him while I’m waiting him out.” Adam turned to Grant with a questioning brow. “Or are you ready to sell now. I’m happy to take over the rest of the harvest for you.”
    Grant laughed. “Keep trying, Landry. But the answer will always be no.”
    “A man has to ask.” Landry shrugged while grinning. “Where do you want us?”
    “Why don’t you and your men take the row over. We’ll alternate rows as we go.”
    “Sounds great. See you two later.” Adam saluted the group before barking out orders to his waiting men.
    In the hours that passed, Natalie was astounded by the differences between the two orchard owners. Adam was loud, direct, almost harsh in how he handled his men. He didn’t trust them to accomplish anything without looking over their shoulders. Whereas Grant was much more relaxed and trusting of his employees. Without knowing, she would pick him out as the leader. Grant had that certain quality that made others stand up and listen to him.
    Once given an instruction, he knew his men would carry it out to the letter. Carlos, the foreman, seemed more than capable of handling everything, but he still checked in for final approval from Grant.
    Seeing Grant in action throughout the day impressed her. He had authority, but didn’t abuse it.
    He was quick with instructions, but even faster when delivering praise. His men respected him, giving Grant their full attention when he spoke, rushing to do his bidding once his directions were dispensed. They never questioned, never hesitated. And in return, Grant didn’t hover.
    Eying Adam, she couldn’t apply any of those admirable characteristics to him.
    “Is Adam always so…” she trailed off, at a loss for how to describe him.
    “Overbearing?” he supplied. “Yes, he is. He runs his orchard old school. No shakers of any kind. Only one hundred percent hand picking. Directs with a strong hand. He doesn’t agree with any improvements in technology.”
    “I see. How long has he been running his orchard?”
    “His family has owned it for almost thirty years, and he took over running it about ten years ago. He was raised here same as me.”
    Moving from tree to tree, groups of workers gathering the fallen oranges, Natalie felt contentment settle within her. Her back ached, but with the sun shining on her face, the warmth seeping into her skin, she relaxed. The repetitive motions were comforting as her body loosened, gliding with the movements.
    She kept her eyes on Grant, studying him as he interacted with the workers. Working alongside his employees was something not every owner would do. That was evident in the way Adam Landry oversaw his workers instead of gathering the oranges with them.
    She knew it would never occur to Grant to behave in such a way. The land was his. And she was beginning to understand that he was a part of it as well.
    The night began to close in on them, and while she felt the strains of the day, another ache had started to swell within her.
    Her mouth watered as Grant arched, stretching the tight muscles in his arms and back, the muscles bunching with the movement. He was breathtaking. The sweat and dirt that covered every inch of him appealed to her, intrigued her.
    She was honest with herself