I sliced the omelet in half and put one half of it on a plate for Frederick, one half for me. Then I popped open two cola bottles and handed one to him.
“Cheers,” I declared.
Frederick’s bashful smile returned. “Cheers.”
I wondered if I should've offered him water first, on account of being stranded in the desert and all, but he didn't have any signs of heatstroke. Besides, he was a grown man. I didn't want to come across as condescending.
And it helped that the way he wrapped his lips around the rim of the bottle was delicious.
“Good?” I asked as Frederick wolfed down his omelet. He said he wasn't too hungry, but the poor guy must've been starving.
He put his fingers in front of his mouth as he chewed, nodding. “So good.”
Ah, an adorably refined city boy. Hewouldbe the type to cover his mouth when there was food in it. His cuteness was going to be the death of me.
I felt my smile reach my eyes. “Glad you’re enjoying it.”
“So, you’re a mechanic and a chef?”
I chuckled at the assumption. “That's a mighty fine compliment. Naw, I'm not even a mechanic. Not officially, anyway."
Frederick tilted his head, politely putting the fork back on the table when he wasn't using it. He had manners, this one. "You're not?"
"I'm a rancher. Got livestock out back. You probably smelled them on the way in."
Frederick looked amused. "Oh, yeah. There was a particular... manure aroma."
My grin widened. "Yup. That'll be the horses. By the way, those eggs you're eating are real farm fresh. My chickens laid 'em."
Frederick's eyes brightened. "Really? I thought it was just your cooking skills that made them taste so good."
"Hey now, you already called me a chef. It's too late to take it back," I teased.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to imply your cooking's bad," Frederick said, flustered.
"I'm just joshing you, Frederick. I'm happy to have a human mouth to feed around here." I smiled. “Actually, it's my good luck you got stranded on one of my most lonely days.”
Crap. My tongue slipped into TMI territory. But really, how could I blame myself? Even though he was still a stranger, Frederick was easy to talk to. I was comfortable sharing things with him that I wouldn't with others.
Concern entered Frederick's expression. “You were lonely today?”
I flashed a smile so he wouldn't be too worried. “A bit, yeah. It’s tough living out here all alone.”
Frederick took a sip of beer quietly. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts.
“Have you ever thought about moving closer to the city?" he asked after a moment.
I shook my head. "Can't. Got my livestock to think about. Besides, it's not my style. I'd take manure stink over air pollution and crowds any day."
Frederick let out a little laugh. The sound of it tugged my heartstrings and it wasn't just the loneliness talking. He was just so sweet.
Taking another gulp of his beer, Frederick sighed. “You probably think I’m a dumb city boy who can't even get his car to work."
“No. I don’t think that at all.”
I studied him, the curve of his jaw, the intensity of his eyes, the way his hair curled at the back of his neck. He was mesmerizing.
I forced myself to remember how to breathe.
