One Night With The Boss

CHAPTER 15

Fascinated by the unexpected softening she saw in Elgort's dark eyes, Kate witnesses Elgort's powerful fingers closing the old woman's manual's rough hands. He knew instinctively that there would be pressure from those long, strong fingers and he was comforted by that shocking fact.

So the man is not completely incapable of emotional connection. Not able to show feelings. Not love, maybe, but something.

And not for some Hollywood actress list but for an old woman living in the woods. Someone who is clearly different.

And then she let go of the old woman's hand and switched back to English with the ease and eloquence that Kate could only envy. Pushing aside his sense of inferiority that competence without the efforts of others was always induced in him, he stepped forward with a smile as Elgort introduced them.

“Gilbert and Hayek,” says Elgort slowly. "They cultivate the land with their extended families and some workers who come from the nearest town."

Kate glanced at the children who were playing water barrels. "That's their kids?"

"Good-grandson. Their children work on the farm."

"Real family business, then." Kate suddenly felt a sense of stiffness in the couple and then Hayej stepped forward and said something in Spanish.

“She said that they were glad you came here so they had a chance to show you what they were doing."

There's something in Elgort's tone that makes Kate a little uneasy but she's fed up with the game's words to hang on throughout her visit, so he just nodded and smiled showing that he was equally happy.

They take Kate to the trees, talk quickly and wave their hands and Kate glances at Elgort for translation, trying not to notice his still-moist shirt sticking as wide as his shoulders and his body's hard muscles. "What did they say?"

"They tell us that coffee is grown in the shade in the forest. That way no forest is damaged and the trees fix the nitrogen in the soil that helps the coffee bush grow."

Elgort stopped when Philomena spoke to them. "He said that keeping trees prevents erosion and protects coffee from difficult weather. Natural sugar increases and improves the taste of coffee."

"And fallen leaves provide nutrients and help prevent moisture loss from the soil." Kate smiled and nodded. "Please let them know that I understand the benefits of coffee growing in the shade. Each cafe has a wall devoted to telling the story. People enjoy their coffee knowing that coffee is conserved in a small part of the tropical forest."

"Marketing gold mines, I'm sure." The glint of humiliation in Elgort's eyes.

Elgort watched Kate for a moment and then turned around and spoke softly to the Woman.

the woman immediately responded with a lot of hand-waving and glanced at her husband. Strengthening her voice and then the woman covered her mouth with her hands and shook her head, tears welled up from her eyes.

Deeply concerned, Kate stepped forward and then turned to Kate for a translation. "What's wrong? What are they saying? What the hell is going on here?"

With a stern look towards her husband, Hayek stepped forward. "Voce toma um cafezinho?"

"He offers you hospitality." Sunlight shone on Elgort's dark head and his mouth was set in a hard line. "In more situations than you deserve, accept it."

More than he deserves?

"What situation? Why is he upset?"

"They want to offer you hospitality and in return they expect you to repay them with honesty." Elgort's eyes sparkled with anger. “The game is over, Miss Rutherford.”

A game? What games? But Kate doesn't have time to ask Elgort to explain because he accompanies Gilbert and Hayek to a nearby house, leaving Kate to follow along a narrow path that traces the river line and then curves up the terraced slopes towards the buildings clustered against the backdrop of dense and lush tropical forests.

Depleted by her failed attempt to interpret Elgort's rude comments, Kate glanced in surprise at the fruit trees, flowers and assorted different plants. "That's so beautiful. Do they grow any other crops besides coffee?"

If he hoped his interest would be favored by Elgort then he was immediately disappointed that the man's reply was short and disappointing. "They grow a variety of crops, how to minimize pests and diseases."

They have reached a house and Elgort stands to one side and lets Kate follow the family, his eyes reflecting his anger. "'Not all threats to their way of life come from the environment."

They sat down and Kate gratefully received her coffee cup handed to her. He inhaled slowly and gave a low moan of appreciation as the aroma and taste tempted his senses. It's strong and sweet.

"Enak. It tastes better here than at home."

There was a long silence and then Hayek started talking excitedly so her husband reached out and put a hand on her arm, as if trying to silence her.

Kate placed her coffee cup on the table, suddenly realizing the atmosphere in the room. "What's wrong?" He looked at Elgort. "What did he say?"

Elgort's eyes looked into Kate's. "He wanted to know why, if you're so fond of coffee, you're not prepared to pay a reasonable price for it."

Kate was silent for a moment as she digested Elgort's words. What's all this about? Doesn't he think I paid enough for that coffee?

"We pay a reasonable price. We sell organic coffee grown under shade. That's part of what makes our business special. Quality of product."

"But quality costs, doesn't it, Kate, and it's hard to make a profit if you pay a fortune?"

Kate frowned. "You suggest that we do not pay a reasonable price for our coffee, but we pay well above the market price. You can check the numbers." Stare hardened.

"I checked it out. Why do you think I refused to extend the loan I gave your company?"