Looking in a mirror

Meeting him...

"Hey Red" Tommys thick Texas accent voice rings out on the field, his voice filled with joy and happiness. Which isn't unusual for the naturally happy man.

I breath sharply though my nose and pause in my task of digging up the potato's in the ground with my bare hands, keeping my eyes on the floor as not to make eye contact with him. No matter how long I've been here I just can't settle....

"Reddddd.... Don't ignore me woman.... Have some people here for ya to meet" He laughs much to my annoyance, his footsteps and two other pairs accompanying him.

"I'm busy Tommy ...." I deadpan coldly, grunting to myself.... My skin glistening with the heat as I run a tattooed hand through my red fiery locks. "Go bother someone else " I drawl out as I continue with my job , flinging the potatoes gently into a basket beside me.

I pause in my task as I spot worn looking boots in the corner of my eye....promoting me to turn and catch gazes with dark dark brown almost black ... that are already watching me intensely. I swallow nervously and gaze at him unabashedly, from his salt and pepper curly locks of hair, to his messy beard and moustache .... To them dark eyes that are staring back into my soul.  He's tall... and very broad I can tell... his hands strong that are clenched at his side.

I quickly look away and back down at the ground before Tommy or anyone else catches me looking, my lip curling up at my moment of weakness. I dig harshly into the ground and grab another large potato, pulling it up into the air and smirking in victory at the sight.

"Joel....Ellie this is our resident greenie...she grows and stores the food" Tommy explains my job in the most simplest way, pointing out all my different spots on the large field... from my several greenhouses, orchids and barns. "Red meet my brother Joel..." he adds and I look up again already catching sight of this Joel... the hunk.

I can honestly see the resemblance.... Accept Joel seems a bit more worn and guarded. And hotter 🫢

I nod slightly at him and blink as he continues to stare at me with them heated eyes, giving me a slight nod in return... his gaze drifting down to look
At my dirty hands. I ignore it and turn to the young girl at his side, who has staid silent this time... her face wearing a playful smirk. She must be about 13.... Maybe 14 and is cute for a kid... brown hair in a tight pony tail... tall and lithe... playful green eyes and pale skin.

"Kid" is all I say to her, politely nodding as I stand up....winsing and groaning quietly as my knees crack loudly. Damn boans... not as young as I used to be. I run a dirty hand though my locks again, shaking out my shoulders and blinking as Ellie snickers into
Her hand... her teasing eyes watching me and then drifting to Joel.

"For fucks sake there's two of them .... Sept one's hot" she playfully cackles, elbowing Joel who stairs at her blankly with an unimpressed look on his face. " Names Ellie... just got here a few days ago" she explains to me catching my eyes again.

I grunt at her and nod politely, face and eyes blank as I drop the potato in the basket before bending to pick it up. I place it on my hip despite the weight and nod at them one last time .... Eyes drifting to Joel slyly who is still watching me .... Before spinning and walking away to my storage barn.

I have shit I need to do ... that doesn't involve gorgeous men with beards..... 🫢🤤

"Hey Red... don't be a stranger " Tommy calls out playfully, I just scoff and walk away.... There voices getting quieter behind me as I walk further and further away.