She leans against the counter as I finish constructing two sandwiches. I slide one across to her on the plate she has out.
“Thank you.” Biting into the sandwich, her eyes flutter closed.
I pat the stool beside me. “I don’t bite.”
Opening her eyes, she smiles around her mouthful. After a beat, she rounds the counter and sits by me.
Better.
We eat in silence as Maggie looks around, taking in the old house and mostly renovated kitchen. I wonder what’s going through her head.
She pops her last bite into her mouth, and I take her plate, sliding it over mine. I rise and make my way to the sink, placing them in the bottom for later.
“Got to make my way around the cows and calves. You want to come?”
She eyes me with worry before standing and pushing the stools back under the counter. “You’re supposed to be resting, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, but it’s in the truck, so.”
“Where is your truck?”
“Oh shoot, it’s back at the homestead.”
“I can go. You sit down.”
“Now who’s bossy?” I give her a wink, and she flips me off before disappearing through the front door to walk back to the big house.
Instead of resting, I tidy up a little. It’s not that I’m a slob, but I wasn’t expecting company. When it comes to Maggie, perfect isn’t near good enough. I want her to feel like my home is hers.
Hell.
I stand and run a hand through my hair, processing that one.
After hobbling the entirety of my living room until I’m satisfied it’s up to par, I make sure the bathroom is clean. There’s a spare room, but that’s currently my office for doing the ranch books and paying bills. It’s... a mess. I shut the door.
A moment later, my truck rolls up to the front steps and idles. Maggie walks inside, meeting me in the kitchen as I lean on the crutch. “Ready?”
“Yeah. Let me pull on my boots and grab my hat.”
“Oh, I’ll get mine.”
The walk up to the house must have been warm. A light sheen of sweat covers her neck and chest. She heads down the hallway and turns into my room. A heartbeat later, she’s back, cap on her head, sunglasses in her hand.
Shuffling to the front door, I lean on the wall to slide my boots on, one after the other. Grabbing my old hat from the hook, I shove it on my head.
Maggie walks for the front door and slides her hand into mine. “Show me this ranch you love so much, cowboy.”
Those words pretty much guarantee the ranch is forgotten as I slide a hand behind her neck, pulling her mouth to mine.
The crutch hits the floor as my hands cup her face.
She chuckles against my lips as I falter to stand tall.
Nipping her bottom lip, I draw back. Damn this fucking busted knee.
“Ranch, Hadley.” Green eyes implore me before studying my face. “Want me to drive?” she whispers but then clears her throat. “Actually, sorry, that wasn’t meant to be a question. I’m driving. Show me your ranch while you show me where to go.”
I teeter on one foot and swipe up the crutch. We head outside. Down the stairs is tricky, but I make it, Maggie leading me to the passenger side of my own truck.
