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“I’ve made some toast if you want it.” Adam served the eggs, which were perfectly fluffy and sprinkled with cheese and fresh chives she kept on her kitchen windowsill.
“Thank you.” She stared at the eggs for a moment, wondering if she could manage to eat after her tumultuous morning. Her stomach growled. She picked up her fork and attempted the first mouthful.
“That’s . . . really good,” Lizzie said.
“Glad you like it.” He got the toast and put it on a plate between them and then put the pan in the sink. “There wasn’t much in the refrigerator, but most people like eggs.”
“I always forget you like to cook.”
“After Mom left, someone had to do it.” He shrugged. “I didn’t think it was fair that Auntie Rae had to do everything.” He lapsed into silence, his gaze elsewhere, and then abruptly started speaking again.
“Leanne said Dad prevented her from coming back to the ranch or having any contact with us.”
“It does sound like the kind of thing he might do,” Lizzie said cautiously. “He’s got a bit of a temper.”
“A bit? He hates admitting he’s wrong about anything and Mom walking out on him must have blown his brain.” He forked up more eggs and chewed for a while. “I made her cry.”
“Who? Leanne?”
“Yeah, she was telling me about how she eventually gave up hoping Dad would come to his senses, went to her brother’s place in New York, and cried for days. I said Daisy cried too, and she got all upset.” He groaned. “I’m crap at this emotional stuff.”
Lizzie reached out and patted his arm. “You’re not. You’ve been wonderful to me today.”
“I think after Louisa died I just . . . stopped trying. It doesn’t come easily anymore,” he confessed.
“You’re trying now,” Lizzie said encouragingly. “And I for one appreciate it.”
“Thanks.” He finished his eggs, ate another piece of toast, and started cleaning up. “Do you want coffee?”
“No, I’ll get that back at work, but make some for yourself if you want.” Lizzie lingered over the last bite of eggs, enjoying not only the food, but also the fact that it had been made for her with such care.
She set about drying the items as Adam washed them, and then put them away. She was more at peace than she had anticipated, mainly because of the quiet stalwart presence of Adam beside her.
“Thank you.” She went on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “For everything.”
He shrugged. “You’re welcome.” He glanced over at the kitchen clock. “Do you need to get back? I can finish up here for you.”
“I think I’m ready to go now.” Lizzie patted her hair. “Do I look like I’ve been crying?”
He regarded her seriously, his gray eyes scanning her face. “You look beautiful.”
Lizzie felt herself blushing and swatted him with the dish towel. “Get along with you.”
She busied herself finding her keys and cell phone as Adam reclaimed his Stetson and rolled down his sleeves. If he kept being this nice, she might finally have to acknowledge that her feelings for him were deepening every day, and then where would she be? She set the question firmly aside. Her current focus had to be on Miranda and whatever the Smith family were intending to throw at her next.
* * *
After filling up the bed of his truck with lumber and bags of feed, Adam went back home, his thoughts busy with what was going on with Lizzie. He wanted to go up to the Smith family and tell them to leave her alone, but it wasn’t his place to do so. The best he could do was offer his support and hope she’d take it.
At least she’d finally agreed that they were going out.... Adam smiled to himself. That was progress for each of them. They must be the most reluctant couple ever.
He stopped his truck close to the barn, opened the tailgate, and looked around. As usual there was no one there when you needed them. He shouldered the heavy grain and feed sacks and took them through to the store himself, and then went to look for some help.
He found Ben finishing his lunch in the kitchen.
“Hey, can you help me unload some lumber?”
