Opposites Attract: Nerds of Paradise, #1

By Em Farmer and Merry Farmer

She would fight to save her family's ranch, even if it meant fighting dirty with a sizzling-hot nerd…

 

Haskell, Wyoming has a rich and vibrant history, dating back to the Old West. But with the opening of Paradise Space Flight, an aeronautics company and brain-child of Howard Franklin Haskell IV, the entire town is looking to the future. All except cowgirl, Casey Flint. Daughter of one of the original Paradise Ranch families, Casey is reeling from all of the change in her hometown. Even more so when project manager Scott Martin moves into town and turns her world upside down.

 

The perfect set-up for an enemies-to-lovers showdown.

 

Scott is more than ready to embrace the quieter pace of life that Haskell represents while helping a new and exciting company to launch…in more ways than one. His life gets even better when he meets and falls hard for local girl, Casey. But Casey proves to be more of a challenge than he anticipated when she seeks to block his efforts to buy land from her father. Scott and Casey rub each other the wrong way, but the sparks they create are irresistible.

 

Home, home on the range has never been so hot!

 

But just as the two rivals are tempted to give in to attraction, the infamous Bonneville family causes trouble for both Scott and Casey's family. When they threaten to buy out Casey's family's ranch, everyone's futures are in jeopardy. Hearts are on the line as the cowgirl and the engineer must work together to preserve the past and protect the future.

 

 

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level – Very Hot

• Language: English
• Publisher: Merry Farmer
• Release date: Jan 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386371984

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Casey Flint loved her family more than anything on earth, but there were times when she wanted to strangle them.

So let me get this straight, she said as she sat between her father, Roscoe, and her brother, Ted, in Roscoe’s truck as they drove into town. "You went ahead and actually sold off five acres of our ranch to some stranger?"

He’s not some stranger, Ted explained, an edge of impatience in his voice. Roscoe merely frowned at the icy road in front of them. He’s one of the engineers from Paradise Space Flight.

The explanation did nothing to soothe the sting of betrayal pricking at Casey’s already unsettled heart. You sold off a part of our family ranch, a ranch that has belonged to the Flints since the late 1880s, to some dorky engineer who probably wears a pocket protector and Spock ears all the time?

Ted huffed a laugh. I think that guy you met at the grocery store last month wasn’t the typical Paradise Space Flight employee.

I wouldn’t be so sure. Casey couldn’t stop herself from grinning just a little bit at the memory. The man she’d run into was a hoot. Nerdy as the day was long, and as far as she was concerned, typical of the wave of new residents in Haskell. They’d been a simple, although unique, ranching town since the original Howard Haskell founded the place in the 1860s. But now, a fresh crop of engineers, mathematicians, and astrophysicists had shown up to knock the whole town off-balance.

No one more so than Casey. And her life was already off-balance enough now that her mom was gone.

My point is— she went on.

Oh, you were making a point? Ted teased her.

Casey frowned and elbowed him hard. "My point is, she repeated, that all these guys—"

And girls, Ted quickly added.

—that Howie Haskell is hiring to build his spaceships—

Supply rockets and independent vehicles to launch commercial satellites, Ted butted in once again.

—are not the sort we’re used to in Haskell, Casey finished in a growl.

Now, Casey, Roscoe said in his gruff but steady voice. I didn’t raise you to be prejudiced against anyone for any reason.

I’m not being prejudiced, Casey insisted. I’m just saying that Haskell has a certain rhythm, a certain pace and feeling. We’re a town of cowboys and we always have been.

If we’re such a town of cowboys, why did you stop competing in the rodeo?

Ted was teasing, but his question struck straight to her core, filling her with guilt and regret. I grew out of it, she lied, gut twisting. That’s not the point. We’re a traditional town full of traditional people, and it should stay that way.

Actually, Haskell has always been on the cutting edge of social justice issues and inclusion of new and sometimes radical ideas, Ted corrected her.

Shut up, nerd. Casey elbowed him again, even as her heart swelled with pride in her brother and their hometown.

Ah ha! Ted laughed. So by your own admission, nerds have always been an integral part of this town. I mean, if you consider one of your closest family members to be a nerd….

Casey blew out an exasperated breath. Brothers, she muttered, as if that explained it all. She shook her head and went on with her train of thought. All I’m saying is that I don’t like all this change. Things are changing way too fast. Why can’t everything just stay the way it was? We were all happy the way things were. Life was simple and easy. The town was like one big family. Now…. She shrugged, feeling a shiver race down her spine. The ache in her heart that had been there since her mother’s final, painful days throbbed. She sighed. I just don’t like the way things are going.

Rather than cracking a joke, Ted glanced over her head at Roscoe. Roscoe glanced briefly back. They both wore looks of deep concern and sorrow.

What? Casey asked.

Neither of them answered right away.

"What?" Casey pressed when the silence grew too awkward.

Ted cleared his throat. Ah, sis? Are you sure you’re not confusing your feelings about Mom’s death with everything that’s going on in town?

No, Casey answered right away. And keep Mom out of this. She wouldn’t like all the changes around here either. She certainly wouldn’t approve of you ripping out a part of the ranch and feeding it to the wolves.

Princess, we’ve talked about this, Roscoe said, his voice as calm as ever. Ranching is hard work. The market is getting tougher and tougher out there. We’re a small operation, and we’ve reached the limit of our capabilities. Unless we get a cash infusion, our whole operation will collapse. If that happens, we’ll lose the ranch entirely, not just a piece of it. Scott Martin has offered us a generous price for those five acres.

Scott Martin, Casey grumbled, even as the prickly, uncomfortable feeling that her father was right about everything he was saying twisted her insides. You’re selling a piece of our heritage to a man I’ve never so much as laid eyes on?

Roscoe nodded patiently. You would have laid eyes on him if you’d been at the meeting with Ted and me last week.

Last week was the week before Christmas, Casey explained. I had a ton of shopping to do, not to mention dozens of cookies to bake and volunteering at the senior center.

I’m not laying any blame on you, Roscoe assured her. Just sayin’ it like it is. The price Mr. Martin was willing to pay ensures that the ranch will continue to operate for at least another five years. After that, we’ll see how the economy is doing and reevaluate our position.

Admiration and despair mingled in Casey’s gut. Her dad was a man among men. He’d worked hard his entire life, keeping the ranch functioning at peak productivity in a rapidly-changing world. Of course, her mom had been right there by his side, shouldering as much of the load as he did. They’d all been hit hard by her cancer, but Roscoe had continued to get up every day and tend to the herd in all weather and conditions. But Casey would have to be blind not to notice the strain around her dad’s eyes and mouth in the year since her mother’s death, or the way he moved just a little slower, his shoulders stooped just a little more.

I can step up my game and work harder, she blurted as the blossom of grief flowered in her chest. I can take on more responsibility, do more than office work and dealing with distributors. I’ll get up early and help manage the herd too. Will you undo the land sale if I do that?

A tired smile touched Roscoe’s lips. He reached a hand over to squeeze hers as it lay balled into a fist on the truck’s seat. I love you, Princess. I know you’re doing everything you can and that your heart is in the right place. But I also know good and well that a broken heart can only take on so much before it breaks down. He paused, then added. Selling those five acres was the right thing to do.

Casey ground her teeth, but there was no way she would contradict her dad. Even though every fiber of her being wanted to scream and thrash and battle against the horrible forces of change that left her feeling helpless and hopeless. It was that same helplessness that made everything she did these days seem somehow hollow and pointless. If only she had something she could do that would make a difference. If only she could really sink her teeth into a cause that would put her family back where it deserved to be and heal the wounds they all had. She had to find something to throw her energy into that would make her feel like she was fighting back, for her mom’s sake.

Good Lord, Ted said, laughing, as they pulled into the parking lot of the flashy, new Paradise Space Flight building. Was everyone in Sweetwater County invited to this thing?

Roscoe grunted, lips twitching to a grin, as he circled around, looking for a parking space.

Casey’s heartache and frustration were pushed to the back of her mind as she glanced through the windshield at the rows of cars and trucks. Howie’s email said it was an all-town mixer.

All-county is more like it, Ted said.

Roscoe found a spot to park as Casey said, Well, you know the Haskell family. They’ve always thought it was their responsibility to entertain the whole town along with providing jobs and homes.

True, Ted laughed. Remember ‘Ice Cream Social 2013?’

Casey snorted. Remember how livid Howie was that we were ten gallons short of the world record for biggest sundae?

Or how about that masquerade ball last Halloween?

I think they’re still vacuuming up glitter at The Cattleman Hotel. Casey burst into a fit of giggles as Roscoe cut the truck’s engine and opened the door.

Casey slid out the passenger side after Ted, hugging her vintage men’s pea coat close as a burst of icy air hit her. She, Ted, and Roscoe started walking up through the rows of cars and trucks together. The front door of the garish, five story, glass Paradise Space Flight building was illuminated with colored lights. It was December 29 th, so Christmas decorations were still up, but already there were signs of New Year’s Eve decorations. Apparently, Howie had some sort of a light show planned. Cheerful music poured out of the front door every time an arriving guest opened it.

I shudder to think what Howie has in store for all of us with this mixer, Ted went on, holding the door for both Casey and Roscoe.

Mixing is my guess, Roscoe replied with a straight face.

Casey knew her dad was joking, even though he didn’t crack a smile. She loved that about him, loved his wry sense of humor. Her mom had loved it too, even though she was rarely without a smile on her face. Hester Flint had been the life of the party wherever she went. Roscoe had adored her silently. Casey had adored her too, but in a much louder way. Even now, she marveled at how different her parents were and how much they loved each other regardless. Opposites really did attract.

A horrible burst of pain squeezed her heart at the sight of her dad walking ahead of them, alone, hands in his pockets. Her mom should have been there. Life was so unfair.

Well look at you!

Casey turned at the sound of her friend, Melody Clutterbuck’s shout. Melody and her sister, Calliope, were heading toward her from farther down the building’s main hall. Melody was dressed to kill in a flowing blue dress that matched the flowers in her vibrant, blonde curls. She managed to look both boho and chic at the same time. Calliope was a strawberry blonde reflection of her sister—same wild, curly hair, same sylph-like build and heart-shaped face, but with a peasant blouse and green skirt to match her emerald eyes.

Casey waved goodbye to her dad and Ted and veered off to meet her friends. There’s not much to look at, she said, holding her arms to her sides.

Please, Melody laughed. I’m sure you look dynamite under that old coat.

Here, let me take it, Calliope said, stepping forward to help Casey out of it. There’s a coat check in the other room. I’ll get rid of this and meet you guys in the planetarium.

Planetarium? Casey blinked from Calliope to Melody.

It’s pretty amazing. Melody grabbed Casey’s hand and tugged her on down the hall as Calliope dashed off to take care of Casey’s coat. I knew that Howie pretty much went all in building this space flight company, but you should see some of the things he has in this office.

I guess if you’ve got the money, you can spend it however you like, Casey said.

Her excitement level grew as she and Melody headed deeper into the building. Everything around them looked and smelled new. Paradise Space Flight was barely months old, but Howie had been planning it for a decade. He’d sent head-hunters all over the country looking for the best scientific talent and had contracted the best builders on the west coast to put together the facilities. The company’s name came from the fact that the building they strode through now was built on the corner of what had been the original Paradise Ranch, started by his great-great-great-great grandfather. Howie’s dream team of engineers and scientists was still coming together, but the building and company had been open for business for just over two months now.

Casey, Melody, have you seen this place?

Ahead of them, Sandra and Rita Templesmith, some of Casey’s other closest friends, stood in what looked like a courtyard between two hallways, staring up. Casey was more impressed by how elegant both sisters looked in designer gowns and shoes that set off the mocha of their skin. She could have sworn Sandy was wearing a real diamond necklace too. Which made perfect sense, considering she was one of Haskell’s top lawyers and her family still ran the First Bank of Haskell.

Those observations were blown out of the water when Casey reached the courtyard and looked up. And up and up and up. The entire space was open to the domed, glass roof. A magnificent sculpture of blown glass that looked like the sun hung suspended in the center of the space, illuminated by spotlights attached to the balconies that marked each floor.

Wow. Casey’s jaw dropped. Who would have thought that a building that sticks out like a sore thumb on the outside would be so gorgeous on the inside?

That’s not the half of it, Rita said. She waved to Calliope as she hurried to join them. You should see the planetarium.

"She means you should see all the men in the planetarium," Sandy added.

Men? Casey laughed.

Men, Melody and Calliope answered together, expressions wide-eyed and serious.

I—

They didn’t give her time to say anything. Sandy took one hand and Melody took the other, and they led her on to a set of three double-doors, all of which were open. If Casey had thought the courtyard was outstanding, it was nothing compared to what waited for her inside. The room was huge. Above them, the domed ceiling had a crystal-clear night sky projected on it. The room was dim so that the projected stars could be seen, but that didn’t take away from the tables of food, display boards of projects Paradise Space Flight was working on, or most especially, the people who were there to enjoy the party.

And Rita was right. Well over half of the people in the room were men. Not just any men, either. Sure, she noticed a few that looked like they were cut from the same cloth as the pocket protector guy she’d run into at the grocery store, but the vast majority of the others were clean-cut and well-turned-out. They wore suits and stood in clumps, talking to each other while eyeing all of the Haskellians who had come to mingle. In fact, they gave Casey the feeling of a freshman class socializing with the upperclassmen for the first time.

Aww. The poor things, she lamented. They don’t know anybody.

Exactly, Sandy said. We’ll have to help them out with that.

"It is a mixer, after all," Calliope added.

Yeah. It’s our sworn duty as Haskellians to introduce ourselves to as many of these gorgeous nerds as possible.

The five of them laughed together. It was exactly what Casey needed. The weight on her heart lifted—not entirely, but enough that she could tuck her grief away at the back of her mind for a moment. She’d been looking for a project to make her feel useful and relevant again, and maybe forming a Haskell welcoming committee with her friends was just what the doctor ordered.

There, Rita said, leaning closer. She pointed over to a group of four guys and two girls looking particularly out of their element near a table stacked with chips and dips of all descriptions. One of the guys was Asian and had his arm around one of the girls, but the other three men definitely didn’t look as though they were involved with the remaining woman. Let’s start there.

As a group, they headed across the carpeted planetarium. One of the guys in the group they’d targeted noticed that they’d been singled out and alerted the rest. Casey’s heart beat faster at the sight of him. He was tall with sandy hair and a strong jaw. True, he wore glasses, but damn, they looked good on him. He looked like he worked out and would be more comfortable in a t-shirt…or nothing at all. Best of all, he smiled directly at Casey as their group approached. Not Melody and Calliope, not the Templesmith sisters, he smiled at her.

Casey glanced up at the starry ceiling, irrationally picking a star and making a wish. It was about time she met a guy she could wrap herself around. Maybe this was the night she would remember for the rest of her life. Maybe that guy was—

Hey, ladies.

Casey’s thoughts and their group’s progress across the room was stopped by the oily, smarmy voice of Ronny Bonneville.

Hi, Ronny, Melody answered for them. She always had been the nicest. Hi, Mark, Tony. She smiled at the two guys flanking Ronny.

Casey managed a half-hearted smile for Mark and Tony, which they returned with far more interest than she was comfortable with. In fact, Ronny’s two friends—or rather, minions—looked like they’d won the lottery with Casey, Melody, Calliope, Sandy, and Rita standing in front of them.

What a stupid party, am I right? Ronny asked in his most smarmy voice.

Way overdone, Mark agreed.

Totally too much, Tony added quickly.

Actually, I think it’s fabulous, Sandy said, crossing her arms.

It was a little too dark to tell in the vast room, but Casey was pretty sure Ronny turned an unflattering shade of red. "Oh, well, yeah, if you say so, Sandy. He sidled closer to her, his grin downright gross. You have the best taste of anyone in town."

Casey pressed her lips together to keep herself from bursting into laughter. She shot a sideways look to Melody, who was trying hard to keep it together as well.

Of course, Dad could out-do this shindig in his sleep, Ronny went on. As mayor, he could draw in the best caterers, the finest decorations, and top-tier entertainment.

Like Beyoncé, Mark seconded.

Or Denzel Washington, Tony said. "You know, your kind of people."

Casey cringed, caught between disgust in Mark and Tony and dread-filled excitement over how Sandy and Rita would react. She’d pay good money to see the two sisters school Ronny and his buddies on manners, among other things.

Rita looked ready to explode, but Sandy leveled Ronny with a flat stare. Excuse us, she said, stepping around Ronny as if squashing him under her three-inch Louboutins.

Ugh, they’re the worst, Calliope hissed as the five of them walked on.

They’re in their thirties, Melody agreed. You think they’d’ve learned how to act like humans by now.

Sandy just humphed and arched one perfect brow.

Well, I for one am not going to let it ruin my evening, Casey said, sending one final, dismissive glance over her shoulder to Ronny and his offensive friends, who looked like they had no clue what had just happened to them.

I’m glad to hear that, Sandy said. When Casey turned to her, she found her friend smiling sympathetically. Sandy caught Casey’s arm and hugged it. It’s about time you shook off that funk of yours and embraced life again.

Casey didn’t know whether to be encouraged or taken aback. I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me.

Oh, we know, Melody said with her usual cheeriness.

But Casey was sure the looks her friends were exchanging in the dim planetarium were overly concerned and mothering. Which was wonderful of them, of course, but at the same time….

Excuse me.

Casey’s thoughts and her steps stopped abruptly. She came within inches of slamming squarely into someone. Not just anyone, him. The hot guy with glasses who she’d made eye contact with across the room. He’d stepped away from his group and was on his way across the room—possibly to meet her, if she could believe it—and she’d been too busy being grumpy about her friends’ concern for her that she’d almost walked into him.

And the only thing she could manage to get past her lips was, Huh?

He smiled—like warm caramel dribbling over smooth, vanilla ice cream.

We’ll just leave the two of you to get acquainted, Calliope whispered. Her friends rushed off to where the rest of hot nerd guy’s group was standing, watching.

And just like that, Casey was face to face with the tastiest guy she’d ever seen.

CHAPTER 2

There was a world of difference between Los Angeles and Haskell, Wyoming. The landscape was different, the mindset was different, and the parties were definitely different.

Not what you were used to in L.A., I bet, Hero Yamaguchi, one of Scott’s new co-workers, commented.

Scott laughed. Not at all.

Better, right? Hero grinned.

Much.

You’re just saying that because your bride is a local, Denise, Hero’s new wife, said. She and Hero each had an arm around the other, and Denise glanced up at him in adoration.

I’m saying that because it’s true, Hero protested, then stole a kiss.

Scott’s heart did a weird flip into his stomach. It wasn’t like he was a romantic or anything, but in the few weeks since he’d known them, Hero and Denise had renewed his sense of what true love was. It was no surprise to him that true love was miles away from his relationship with Brenda—mercifully over now after six years. What did surprise him was the bubbling restlessness of being single and the unexpected ache that made him look at every woman coming through the planetarium doors as if she might be The One.

Well, I’m already a fan of Wyoming, Laura, another one of Scott’s team members said. The number of dinosaur fossil sites within a day’s drive of here alone makes this place heaven, as far as I’m concerned.

Scott grinned. Laura was an enigma. Pretty, in a plump sort of way, brilliant, and as obsessed with dinosaurs as she was with rocket propulsion. She’d been one of the first people he’d hired for his Paradise Space Flight team. She was the kind of woman they made those ugly duckling-to-swan movies about, and yet he wasn’t attracted to her romantically.

Have you had a chance to check out any of the sites? Dennis, another of Scott’s team members, asked her.

Laura shook her head. "Not yet. There hasn’t exactly been a lot of time after work, what