“Huh.”
She grinned at him, and he smiled back. “Looks like we need to do some research. You want to pull up a stool when you’re done with that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind listening if you want to read about what you learn. Save some time. I want to get a turkey in the oven and try a few varieties of apple and cranberry dressings.”
Her stomach rumbled even while she shoved away the thought of the turkey being an actual bird that could romp around with their chickens.
Nope. Poultry came straight from the grocery store, no actual birds involved.
She grabbed a few of the apple scones she’d made earlier. She plated a few for Seth, then went back to her stool. “Okay, let’s see what we can learn about backyard chicken ranching.”
Seth enjoyed listening to Mara read about chicken breeds and random facts about chickens.
He hadn’t a clue that there were more chickens than people in the country. Or that they saw all colors and could recognize faces.
Mara shuddered at that. “Glad we’re researching chickens to be used for their eggs. I can’t imagine having a chicken know me, trust me, and then tossing him in a pan to roast.”
Seth chuckled. Chaos Machine had a soft heart, which didn’t surprise him. Her choice in music showed she was an optimist.
He didn’t know if he’d ever worked in a kitchen with an optimist before. For the most part, chefs were competitive pragmatists—perfectionists who didn’t tolerate nonsense.
Crying over tossing a chicken in the oven would have gotten her fired.
To his surprise, he liked it. Liked her way more than he’d expected. He was a straight guy, so he liked the way she looked. The way she moved and smelled. The soft smiles and killer eyes didn’t hurt a damn thing.
But he liked more than that.
Hell, he was even getting used to her music and her chatter. She was rarely still or quiet. She hummed or sang along to music or songs playing in her head.
Her hands constantly moved as she worked, and even while she was talking about chickens, they punctuated her feelings.
It would be easier when the guests arrived. Their schedules would differ. He’d be able to contain his attraction when they spent less time together.
He ignored the whisper in the back of his mind that reminded him he’d been coming in early to work every day. During what were typically baker’s hours, he’d arrived to do his prep. Nothing he couldn’t do after she’d finished up her daily baking.
He was a sucker, and she’d drawn him into her orbit.
“The mama chickens talk to their eggs. That’s so sweet. Wait. No. No, it’s not. I can’t use an egg that a mama’s become attached to.”
Seth laughed. “If we don’t get a rooster, we won’t have fertilized eggs. You’ll be fine.”
Mara scrunched her nose. “Okay. You’re right. I knew that. That’ll make it easier.”
After she swiped on her phone for a bit, she spoke again. “We’re going to need a permit to have the chickens. And a coop with netting over the top so they don’t get attacked by owls or hawks.”
“I’ll see if Ford has time to help us out.”
She nodded but kept scrolling. “Some people use guardian animals to keep predators away.”
“What animals?”
She scrolled. “Some use roosters or geese. Or guinea fowl. Even donkeys.”
Her eyes lit up at that one, but he shook his head. “I’m not taking care of a donkey.”
She sighed but didn’t protest, eyes still on the screen. “Llamas?”
“No.”
