Tanner sits in the rocking chair and lets out a dramatic sigh.
“Okay, old man.”
“Hey, I am getting old.” He shrugs.
“I’m older than you,” I point out. “By a few years too.”
“What can I say. I like ‘em older.” He pats his thigh for me to sit.
“I really think you should open this place up.” I crawl into his lap, letting his arms wrap around me. “It’s so beautiful and you’re so proud of it. You could make a good living off this. I mean unless you don’t want people by your house.”
He shakes his head. “No, I love the idea. I just don’t know if anyone else will. I’ve thought about it before, but I don’t know. It’s a big risk.”
“Yeah, well. Sometimes you just need to take the risk,” I tell him and his eyes drift back from his land to me. “What was your dream job as a kid?”
“Farmer,” he says. “We lived on that big farm, and I couldn’t believe my parents didn’t run it like one. I pictured myself buying it off them and fixing it all up and making it an actual farm.”
“The house they have now?”
“Yeah. I’d love to buy it one day. But Dollie gave me this land for next to nothing. I couldn’t pass it up.”
“What a lady.” I shake my head.
“Speaking of. I should take her some eggs, are you coming with?”
“My dress is still wet,” I point out but he shrugs.
“Mayben has clothes in the spare closet.”
“You’re just now telling me?”
“I’d much rather have you in my clothes than hers. I mean you’re welcome to come wearing just that.”
“No sir.” I stand from his lap and help him up.
I slip on a pair of Mayben’s shorts that are a bit too small, a tank top, and without a bra, I decide to keep Tanner’s flannel on top. This way, Ms. Dollie doesn’t have to completely question my character and so Tanner keeps his eyes on the road.
“Damn.” He shakes his head as I come down the stairs.
He reaches for the button of the shorts when I am two steps from the bottom, but I swat his hands away. “Eggs for Dollie. Stay focused.”
“Oh, come on. Really quick.” He tugs me into him, kissing me as he continues to tug at the button. With the wobble of my knees, I almost give in.
“Nope. Not working,” I lie, buttoning the shorts back up. “Come on.”
I make it to the coffee pot before he has me up on the counter with his teeth on my neck. We don’t make it to Dollie’s until late afternoon.
We take two ceramic mugs full of reheated coffee in the car with us, which I almost regret when we hit the bumpy dirt road, but we pull up to Dollie’s house without major incident. Dollie is out front on her porch and the look of understanding at the sight of me brings a smile to her face.
“Well good afternoon you two.” She waves at us. “What brings you down to me?”
“Eggs.” Tanner holds up a carton. “Wanted to bring some by.”
“Oh, you are too sweet. Come in, come in. Bring your coffee and come sit with me.” She insists and hobbles to her door.
“Oh Ms. Dollie, we shouldn’t—” Tanner begins to say as I drag him along.
“We would love to,” I tell her.
