“I’m sure you could make it worth his while,” She. grins at me, her eyes dancing.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I mumble, stuffing a cracker and a piece of cheese into my mouth.
Rosie’s raspy laugh breaks through the quiet of the restaurant. “Sure you don’t.”
But just like the two of them have their secrets, I’m keeping Walker and his mind-blowing kisses to myself for the time being.
“Why don’t you invite him to meet us at the brewery one night to celebrate the Hall vow renewal? Maybe you could even tell him about Mrs. Simmons’s idea.”
I bite my thumb as I consider it.Why don’t I?
CHAPTER 26
Walker
April
RAYNA:Don’t forget book club is Monday! We loved having you when you came, Eli and Walker. Since it’s finally April, we are switching over to our spring reads! If you want to come back, make sure you read Her Secret Garden. Promise there’s no aliens this week.
BABS:But there is lots of sex! I’ve got a new toy to share. Hint: It looks like a rose bud so we’re staying on theme.
FLETCHER:Ladies, this is what we talked about at the town meeting. Please. I can’t keep getting calls about this.
ELI:I’ll be there! Let me know what I can bring.
ROSIE:Brown noser!
RAYNA:Walker?
* * *
The strong scent of vanilla, sugar, and something else—possibly blueberries—assaults me as soon as I walk throughthe door. For the last week, the house has smelled more like a bakery than a farm. I wake every morning to find muffins with dark chocolate and bananas in them, rhubarb French toast, and pancakes with a caramel nut glaze laid out in the kitchen. In the afternoons, there is zucchini bread, glazed lemon blueberry scones, and strawberry cupcakes.
I’m going to gain ten pounds if Tally doesn’t leave soon. But at least she hasn’t tried to talk to me about the kiss.
She still has me on edge most of the time. On Tuesday, she sat me down and asked for a list of things she could do to help on the farm. She didn’t even bat an eye when I gave her the worst chores. Not because I was being an ass—okay, I was sort of being an ass because I was trying to create some distance—but because it’s stuff I don’t think she can fuck up and I have some big jobs to be getting on with.
Then her eyes filled with fire as she watched me eat her treats. God forbid I’d told her what a good girl I think she’s been. I’m pretty sure she would have spread her legs for me right there.
Fuck. It’s only Friday. How am I going to make it through the Daffodil Festival this weekend with her everywhere? More importantly, it’s only the first of April. How the fuck am I going to make it through May without giving in to her?
I run my hand down my face when she calls from somewhere within the house.
“Cowboy?”
Yup, she’s still calling me that.
“That’s me.”
And I’m answering to it. I’m so fucking screwed.
“Wait until you see what I made tonight.”
I suck in a lungful of air, trying to temper my excitement.I won’t get myself all worked up like a damn puppy jumping at her feet.
“Just going to shower,” I say. “I’ll be down in a few.”
I head for the stairs, knowing I’m going to need to jerk off before I see her.
