“Did I scare you?” I asked with a hint of a smile.
“Well, you’re not wielding any deadly cookware”—his beard twitched—“but I wasn’t expecting to see you this early.” His smile faded and he momentarily averted his eyes before looking at me again.
“Were you… avoiding me?” I wasn’t entirely joking.
“Well,” he started. He sounded a little flustered, and it was endearing. “I wouldn’t say I was avoiding you… more like giving you space.”
“I’m not sure if space is what I need,” I said with a sigh and began rifling through the cabinets.
Dan opened the cabinet I’d just closed and pulled down the bag of coffee beans, placing it on the counter and shoving the grinder next to it.
“Thank you. I’m still trying to figure things out, and I think I need”—Dan held the lid on top of the grinder while I turned thecrank to pulverize the beans—“to learn more about the town and the people. Sweet, thanks.”
He handed me the scoop and pointed to the drawer that held the filters.
“I’m still not sure if living on the farm is what’s best for me”—he handed me a pitcher of water that I used to fill the coffee machine—“but I know I can’t sell it to someone like Preston.” I pressed the button to begin the process of brewing.
Dan placed a mug under the spout a second before the coffee began to flow.
“I knew I was forgetting something.” I shook my head and Dan’s smile widened. “Do you know what I mean?”
“Yeah, of course.” He filled up a small pitcher with milk before placing the sugar bowl and a spoon next to the machine. “I wish you would have found out another way, but I have to say that I’m relieved that you know.”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow and took my first sip. It was a vast improvement over the last cup of coffee. The kitchen was also a lot cleaner this time. It made me wonder if Dan was onto something with his wholeask for helpthing. I wouldn’t mention that to him, though.
“Yeah.” He began returning the coffee ingredients to their rightful homes in the cabinets. “You were going to have to find out eventually. At least now it’s out in the open. We can prepare for… whatever you decide…” He paused and raised an eyebrow, reminding me of Erica’s question at the diner about me staying.
My thoughts immediately went to Melissa and what her mother told me about her seizure disorder. I thought of my grandfather’s journal and Annie and everyone in this tiny town depending on two hundred fifty acres of land for their livelihood.
“I spoke to Erica today. She told me about Melissa and the brownies.” I searched Dan’s face for a response. He nodded, but his expression was unreadable. “I don’t fully understand everything that’s going on here, but I know I couldn’t do anything to jeopardize a little girl’s health or her parents’ freedom.”
“It’s not just Melissa.” Dan took a step closer to me. “There are loads of people who have had their lives changed by the work your grandparents have done here.”
“Like I said, I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. I know I can’t sell it to someone who’s going to turn it into a mall. Whatever my decision is, I’m going to make sure that the farm and the operation survive because it means so much to so many people.”
“Thank you,” Dan said and took a step closer, placing his hand over mine and flooding my body with warmth. “Does this mean that I’m forgiven?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Not completely,” I said and took a step closer to him, heat radiating off his large frame. “But you’re moving in the right direction.”
We were standing so close together that I had to tilt my chin up to meet his eyes. It was barely six in the morning, and Dan already smelled like flowers and earth. The air between us thickened, threatening to choke us. I wanted to say something, but the ability to form words had escaped me. What I really wanted to do was kiss him again, but my common sense was somehow in control. My mind was still reeling from the past day, and getting involved with Dan after just getting out of a long-term relationship probably wasn’t the best decision. I took a deep breath and steeled myself before taking a step back, sliding the hand that Dan was covering with his away and wrapping it around my coffee mug.
“So what are you working on today?” I asked the question to change the subject of the wordless conversation Dan and I were having. He must’ve gotten the message because he cleared his throat and took a step back, grabbing his own mug of tea.
“Um”—he let out a deep sigh—“just some greenhouse and admin stuff. I’m still getting used to the idea of taking over a lot of the things that George used to do.”
“Well, I don’t know a lot about running an illegal drug operation, but if you need help feel free to ask.”
Dan answered me with a chuckle.
“Will do.” He slid his mug into the sink and turned to leave the kitchen. “How’s your hand today?”
“Much better.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
He nodded and left the kitchen. He’d pulled open the front door when I spoke again.
“Hey, Dan,” I called to his retreating figure. He turned around to look at me. “Don’t nail your hand to a door.”
He let out a loud laugh and pulled the door closed behind him.
