October 11, 2023 – 11:07 AM
They walked inside.
Neither noticed Lucas standing near the farmhouse window, watching the two of them disappear into the barn.
Inside, Evan pulled a tablet from his bag and set it on an old wooden table.
Lin sat opposite him.
"All right."
Evan tapped the screen.
"Let's make this place pay for itself."
Lin smiled.
"That's the idea."
"First question."
He looked at her.
"How much do you want to charge?"
Lin gave him the numbers she'd been considering.
Evan frowned.
"Too low."
"I want people to try the place."
"I know."
He leaned forward.
"But cheap isn't the same thing as affordable."
Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
"You're not selling a motel room."
He gestured toward the barn.
"You're selling the property."
Then toward the windows.
"The view."
Then back toward her.
"The experience."
Lin nodded slowly.
"So?"
"Position it as premium rural hospitality."
She smiled.
"That sounds expensive."
"It should."
"But accessible."
"Exactly."
He typed several figures into the tablet.
"Weekday rate."
"Weekend rate."
"Peak season."
"Private events."
"Farm experiences."
"Photography sessions."
The numbers began filling the screen.
Lin leaned closer.
She liked what she saw.
"That's better."
Evan smiled.
"I know."
"You really enjoy saying that."
"I really enjoy being right."
He opened another page.
"Now the important part."
"Marketing budget."
Lin looked at him.
"I already agreed to five hundred."
"That's the starting point."
He tapped the screen.
"For the first thirty days, five hundred in ad spend."
"Three hundred for basic management."
"Website maintenance included in that."
Lin nodded.
"Then?"
"We look at the numbers."
"If the ads work, increase."
"If they don't, change them."
"No emotional attachment to bad campaigns."
Lin smiled.
"I like that."
"Marketing is like dating."
She gave him a look.
"Don't."
"You try something."
"Sometimes it works."
"Sometimes you realize you made a terrible decision."
Lin laughed.
"You're impossible."
"And still employed."
Evan turned the tablet toward her.
"Here's the launch schedule."
Week One
Website foundation.
Week Two
Photography + social media setup.
Week Three
Content production + advertising.
Week Four
Soft launch.
Month Two
Public launch + event bookings.
Lin studied it.
"That's fast."
"You already did the hard part."
"Which was?"
Evan looked around the barn.
"Building something worth selling."
Lin went quiet.
That answer landed differently.
Evan leaned back.
"There's one more thing."
"What?"
"You need a story."
Lin frowned.
"What kind?"
"Your story."
She immediately shook her head.
"No."
He raised both hands.
"Not your personal life."
"The property."
He pointed toward the barn.
"Why did you buy it?"
Lin thought for a moment.
"I wanted something different."
"Good."
"Something quieter."
"Better."
"A place where people could get away from the city."
Evan smiled.
"There it is."
He typed.
A place to slow down.
Lin read the words.
Simple.
True enough.
And safely incomplete.
"I like it."
"Good."
He saved the draft.
Then looked at her.
"And when the photographers come Saturday, don't stage everything."
"Let the property look lived in."
"Real."
"People don't book perfection."
"They book somewhere they can imagine themselves being."
Lin nodded.
"You're definitely good at this."
Evan smiled.
"I was hoping you'd notice."
She laughed.
"I noticed."
He closed the tablet.
"Then I think we're done."
Lin looked at the time.
Almost noon.
"That was quick."
"I told you."
He stood.
"I'm good under pressure."
Lin stood as well.
"You also flirt with clients."
Evan grinned.
"Only the attractive ones."
She shook her head.
"You really haven't changed."
"Neither have you."
He slipped the tablet into his bag.
Then looked toward the farmhouse.
"Your friend watching us?"
Lin froze.
"What?"
Evan nodded subtly toward the window.
Lin glanced over.
Lucas was no longer there.
She looked back at Evan.
"Who?"
Evan smiled.
"Nobody."
Lin narrowed her eyes.
"Evan."
He opened the barn door.
"Business appointment, remember?"
Lin followed him outside.
"You are absolutely not allowed to make this complicated."
He laughed.
"I didn't do anything."
"You thought about it."
"That's not a crime."
Lin smiled despite herself.
They walked toward the hotel.
Behind them, the barn stood quiet in the afternoon sun.
And somewhere inside the farmhouse, Lin knew she was going to have a very awkward conversation with Lucas.
October 11, 2023 – 11:42 AM
Lin and Evan walked back toward the hotel.
The morning sun had climbed higher, warming the gravel beneath their feet.
Evan glanced toward the farmhouse.
"So..."
Lin looked at him.
"So?"
"Are you going to introduce me to the man who was watching us?"
Lin sighed.
"You really don't miss much."
"It's my job."
"No, your job is marketing."
"Marketing requires observation."
She gave him a look.
"You're nosy."
"Also true."
They reached the hotel entrance.
Before Lin could unlock the door, the front door opened.
Lucas stood there.
He looked from Lin to Evan.
Then to Evan's tablet bag.
Then back to Lin.
"Lunch?"
Lin blinked.
"What?"
"It's almost noon."
Evan smiled.
"Good timing."
Lucas looked at him.
"You must be Evan."
Evan extended his hand.
"That's me."
Lucas shook it.
The handshake lasted exactly long enough to be polite.
Then ended.
Evan smiled.
"I've heard quite a bit about you."
Lucas looked at Lin.
"Have you?"
Lin immediately stepped between them.
"We're working."
Evan nodded.
"Very professional."
Lin gave him a warning look.
He smiled innocently.
Lucas noticed.
Of course he did.
Helen appeared from the dining room.
"Lunch is ready."
Lin looked at her.
"You made lunch?"
"For everyone."
Helen looked toward Evan.
"You must be Evan."
Evan smiled.
"Mrs. Zhang?"
"Helen."
She offered her hand.
"I've heard your name before."
Evan glanced at Lin.
"Hopefully good things."
Helen smiled.
"Mostly."
Lin stared at her mother.
"Mom."
Helen ignored her.
"Come eat."
The dining table was already set.
Sandwiches.
Soup.
Fresh bread.
Salad.
Fruit.
Evan looked impressed.
"You people eat like this every day?"
Richard lowered his newspaper.
"Your first mistake was assuming this was a normal household."
Evan laughed.
Lin sat down.
Lucas took the chair across from her.
Evan sat beside her.
Lin noticed.
Lucas noticed too.
She pretended not to.
For several minutes, conversation stayed harmless.
The hotel.
The farm.
The weather.
Evan asked Richard about the construction.
Richard answered.
Helen asked Evan about his business.
Evan explained.
Jake talked about the cameras.
Nobody asked about the government.
Nobody mentioned Claire.
Nobody mentioned the woman who had arrived with Lucas that morning.
It was almost normal.
Then Jake pointed at Evan.
"Are you Lin's boyfriend?"
Lin nearly dropped her sandwich.
Evan slowly turned toward Jake.
Then looked at Lin.
A smile appeared.
"Not yet."
Lin kicked him under the table.
Evan winced.
"Ow."
Jake looked delighted.
"You said not yet."
Richard coughed into his hand.
Helen suddenly became fascinated by her salad.
Lucas remained completely still.
Lin looked at Evan.
"You are going to stop talking now."
Evan smiled.
"Absolutely."
Jake looked at Lucas.
"Daddy, are you Lin's boyfriend?"
The table went silent.
Lin closed her eyes.
"Jake..."
Lucas looked at his son.
Then at Lin.
Then back at Jake.
"No."
Jake thought about that.
"Why?"
Lucas took a sip of water.
"Because Lin hasn't asked me."
Lin's eyes widened.
Evan covered a laugh with his hand.
Richard looked down at his newspaper.
Helen's lips twitched.
Lin stared at Lucas.
He looked completely calm.
Too calm.
"I am surrounded by children."
Evan leaned toward her.
"Some of us are adults."
Lin looked at him.
"You're the worst one."
Jake laughed.
October 11, 2023 – 12:06 PM
The laughter faded slowly.
Lin reached for her glass of water, determined to recover some dignity.
"Jake, eat your lunch."
Jake obediently picked up his sandwich.
Then he looked at Lucas again.
"But Daddy said—"
"Jake."
Lucas's voice was calm.
Jake stopped.
Lin looked at Lucas.
He gave her the smallest smile.
She wasn't sure whether he was apologizing or enjoying himself.
Probably both.
Evan leaned back in his chair.
"I like this family."
Richard looked at him.
"You're not getting adopted."
Evan laughed.
"Worth a try."
Helen smiled.
"Don't encourage him."
Lin returned her attention to her lunch.
She could feel Lucas watching her.
She refused to look up.
It was ridiculous.
She had spent the last several months thinking about survival.
Now one harmless question from a four-year-old had somehow turned lunch into an interrogation.
She finally glanced across the table.
Lucas was still looking at her.
"What?"
He shook his head.
"Nothing."
Lin narrowed her eyes.
"You're smiling."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Didn't realize."
Evan looked between them.
Then quietly said,
"This is fascinating."
Lin pointed at him.
"Eat."
"Yes, boss."
Helen stood and collected the empty plates.
Lin immediately got up.
"I'll help."
Helen shook her head.
"Sit."
"Mom."
"You have an appointment."
Lin paused.
"The marketing meeting is over."
Helen smiled.
"Then you can sit down and enjoy lunch."
Lin knew that tone.
There was no arguing.
She sat.
Richard folded his newspaper.
"So, Evan, how long are you staying in the area?"
Evan looked at Lin.
"I live about thirty miles north."
Richard nodded.
"Permanent?"
"Looks that way."
"What brought you out here?"
Evan shrugged.
"Needed a change."
Lin smiled.
"He has chickens."
Richard looked impressed.
"Chickens?"
Evan nodded.
"Three."
Jake immediately looked interested.
"Can I see them?"
Evan grinned.
"Absolutely."
Lin looked at him.
"Don't encourage him."
"Why?"
"He'll ask to keep them."
Jake looked offended.
"I won't."
Everyone looked at him.
Jake thought about it.
"...Maybe."
The table erupted in laughter again.
A few minutes later, Evan pushed his chair back.
"I should get going."
Lin stood.
"I'll walk you out."
Lucas looked up.
He didn't say anything.
Lin noticed.
She pretended she didn't.
Outside, Evan stopped beside his car.
He looked toward the farmhouse.
Then at Lin.
"Your family is great."
"They're a handful."
"So are you."
Lin smiled.
"That's supposed to be a compliment?"
"Absolutely."
He opened his car door.
Then paused.
"Saturday still works?"
"For the photography?"
He gave her a look.
"For the photography."
Lin laughed.
"Yes."
"Good."
He climbed into the car.
Before closing the door, he looked at her.
"And Lin?"
"Yeah?"
His smile turned mischievous.
"You know, if you ever actually want to go on a date instead of pretending something is a business meeting..."
Lin folded her arms.
"I'll let you know."
"I'll be waiting."
He closed the door.
The engine started.
Lin watched him drive toward the gate.
Then she turned.
Lucas stood on the porch.
Arms folded.
Watching her.
Lin walked toward him.
"Don't."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't say anything."
"Your face did."
He smiled.
"I was going to ask how the marketing meeting went."
Lin stopped in front of him.
"It went well."
"Good."
She waited.
He said nothing else.
That somehow made it worse.
Lin pointed toward the house.
"You have something you wanted to tell me earlier."
Lucas nodded.
"I do."
His expression became serious.
"And this time, I'll tell you everything."
Lin's smile faded.
She nodded.
"Good."
Lucas stepped aside and opened the door.
Lin walked inside.
Whatever Lucas had brought home with him wasn't just complicated.
It was about to become her problem.