Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
To my immense relief and surprise, the men’s expressions began to soften. Devin’s frown melted away, replaced by a look of cautious approval. Bill and Hank exchanged nods, while Travis’s and Ethan’s stern faces relaxed into something closer to curiosity.
But it was Dylan’s reaction that truly caught my attention. His hazel eyes lit up, a warm smile spreading across his handsome features. The sight made my heart skip a beat, a fluttery feeling blossoming in my chest.
“That’s a great attitude, Andrea,” Dylan said, his voice rich with enthusiasm. “As it happens, Selecta just sent us a new breakthrough in their automated harvesting technology.” He leaned forward slightly, his passion for the subject evident in every word. “They’ve developed a new type of combine that can not only harvest multiple types of crops, but also analyze soil conditions and plant health in real-time.”
As Dylan spoke, I found myself genuinely intrigued. The way he described the complex machinery made it sound almost magical, a perfect fusion of nature and technology. I leaned in, eager to hear more, momentarily forgetting my earlier embarrassment and the punishment that still loomed in my future.
“That’s fascinating,” I said, a bit surprised to find I meant it.
Dylan’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he delved deeper into the subject. “The new combine uses advanced AI algorithms to optimize its harvesting patterns,” he explained, gesturing animatedly. “It can detect subtle variations in crop density and, like, adjust its speed and cutting height in real-time. It means we can harvest, I don’t know, maybe even thirty percent more efficiently than with the last model.”
I realized suddenly how far I’d leaned forward, so captivated by Dylan’s words that I’d lost track of my posture. The tension that had knotted my shoulders began to ease as I lost myself in his vivid description.
“But that’s not all,” Dylan said, glancing over at Devin as if to confirm that his boss didn’t mind him going on about this stuff. Devin nodded approvingly, and Dylan went on, his voice rich with excitement. “It’s got these onboard sensors that analyze soil composition and moisture levels, and they even detect early signs of pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies. It’s like having a team of scientists working around the clock, providing us with data we can use to optimize our crop yields for years to come.”
As Dylan spoke, I could almost see the gleaming machine in my mind’s eye—a behemoth of steel and circuitry, rolling through endless fields of golden wheat. I imagined the whir of its processors, the constant stream of data flowing through its systems, all working in harmony to bring food to tables across the country.
Part of me realized my newfound interest in agriculture must come from how handsome Dylan was and how eager I was to keep myself from thinking about what would happen after dinner. Another part thought, Well, it really is pretty interesting, though, right?
“Of course,” Dylan added with a self-deprecating chuckle, “I’m probably boring you with all these technical details. I tend to get carried away when it comes to—”
“No!” I exclaimed, my voice ringing out louder than I’d intended in my eagerness. I sounded a little desperate even to myself, but I really did want to hear everything Dylan had to say. I continued, my mouth on some kind of automatic pilot, “I mean, you’re not boring me at all. I can tell how important this is, not just for your farm but for the future of agriculture as a whole. It’s, you know, really cool, and I…”
As I babbled on, I suddenly realized I’d made a mistake. I’d spoken out of turn, interrupting Dylan and breaking the rule of silence Lydia had warned me about. The room fell deathly quiet, and I felt the weight of everyone’s stares once again.
Greta’s sharp voice cut through the silence like a knife. “Andrea,” she scolded, her tone icy, “we do not interrupt when others are speaking. It’s rude and unbecoming of a proper young lady.”
I felt my face flame with embarrassment, my earlier excitement evaporating in an instant. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my eyes fixed firmly on my plate. “I didn’t mean to—”
“I’m going to have to spank you a little longer for that outburst, honey,” Devin’s deep voice rumbled from the head of the table. “Interruptions will not be tolerated in this household.”
My heart plummeted at his words. The spanking that awaited me after dinner suddenly loomed larger in my mind even than it had on the bus, when I’d heard Officer Porter’s words, the bare-bottom kind, on autoplay in my brain. Terror gripped me. I’d managed to make my punishment worse before it had even begun.
“It’s alright,” Dylan interjected quickly, his voice gentle. “I appreciate Andrea’s enthusiasm. It’s refreshing to see someone take an interest.”
Dylan’s kind words brought a little surge of warmth to my chest, but they did nothing to ease the dread that had settled in my stomach like a lead weight. I stared down at my plate, barely seeing the half-eaten chicken and vegetables through the tears that welled up in my eyes. A single droplet escaped, sliding down my cheek and splashing onto the white tablecloth.