“It has a professional look but doesn’t have heart and soul.” She looked from Maddee to Tucker. “When you’re passionate about something, you need to let it show.”
His gut tightened. It was like she was talking about something other than his website.
He strode around the desk and placed the armchair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
She took it, and he sat behind his desk in his leather office chair. A little distance would be a good idea. His jeans had started to feel tight.
He felt a bit more control with the desk between them. “What do you propose?”
Ellie stood and reached over the desk for her notepad, and he nearly groaned at a glimpse of her cleavage. Gripping the pad, she settled back into the armchair, looking and sounding business-like. “I have a lot of ideas. We can review them now, and I’ll send a proposal within the next day or two. I do think you’ll need to hire a website designer and I know just the person.”
Tucker had to force himself to pay attention as she discussed the best way to engage his audience with his site and social media, which his sister had set up and he’d never used. He didn’t know the first thing about it.
When she finished, she settled back in the chair. “Any questions? It shouldn’t take me too long to write up the proposal.”
“You don’t need to send a proposal.” He glanced at his sister, who gave a nod. He continued, “We’d like to hire you. When can you start, and what do you need from us?”
Ellie looked caught off guard before she composed herself again. “A tour of your operation and an explanation of what you do on the ranch and what you offer would be a good start.”
“Do you have time for a tour now?” He was trying his best not to look or sound too eager, but he figured he was failing epically. “I have about an hour before one of my customers arrives.”
* * *
Ellie’s belly fluttered as she looked into Tucker’s moss-green eyes. The odds of ending up in his home seemed astronomical. But here she was, and here he was. Holy hell, how’d she get so lucky?
He looked so damned good in his brown Stetson and a well-worn jean jacket over a black T-shirt. She wanted him to touch her in the worst way—make that the best ways possible.
She cleared her throat. “Perfect. I’ll be able to get started sooner since I’ll know more about your operation once you’ve shown me around.”
“I’ve got some bookkeeping to do.” Maddee, looking amused, got to her feet, her red hair sliding down her back, her green eyes sparkling. “Think you can manage on your own?”
The corner of Tucker’s lips curved. “I can handle showing Ellie around, Sis.”
“Have fun,” Maddee tossed over her shoulder as she swept out of the room.
Ellie stood, notepad in hand, as Tucker walked around the desk. She tipped her head back and gazed into his eyes. “I forgot how tall you are.”
He stared at her as if drinking her in. “I didn’t forget how beautiful you are.”
Warmth flooded through her. A defense mechanism kicked in when she was embarrassed or complimented. She affected a Southern Belle accent and fluttered her hand before her face as if fanning herself. “I do declare, dear sir, you are most certainly a flatterer.”
He grinned. “Come on. Let’s get this show on the road.”
She walked with him down the hallway, glad he shortened his stride, so she didn’t have to hurry to keep up.
They went into the enormous kitchen that she’d noticed earlier. “Do you like to cook?”
“I like to grill and make chili.” He looked down at her. “That’s about the extent of my cooking abilities.”
“But this kitchen.” She gestured around her as they walked. “What a waste not to use it.”
“I have a cook who comes in to prepare lunch for my staff.” He shrugged as they passed a long white table with benches on either side. “Lupe should be here soon to whip up some lunch. She’s a great cook—her fantastic food spoils everyone around here, especially her Mexican dishes. Most of the time, there are leftovers, so I’m set for dinner every day she’s here.”
“Mexican is my favorite food.” She grasped her pen and got ready to write. “How many employees do you have?”
“Five.” He gripped the backdoor handle and opened it. “They’ve all been with me for years. I hire short-term staff as needed.”
Ellie jotted down the information, then followed him outside. “I need photos for your social media accounts. Do you think your employees would mind being photographed at work?”
