He helped her make the long sweeping motions, his hand on top of hers. “Feel the difference?”
“I do.”
“Keep doing that. I’ll get us some water.”
“You’re going to just leave me here?”
“Chips is gentle. You’ll be just fine. Don’t walk behind him—or any horse, for that matter.”
“I’ll stay right here.” She wasn’t about to move until Adam got back. Her heart raced, but she kept brushing Chips, andhe did seem to like it. She spoke to the horse. “I’ll take you riding after a while if you want.”
The horse sputtered, almost scaring her to death, but he dropped his head, and she realized he hadn’t meant to frighten her. “Don’t push your luck now,” Merry Anna bargained with him. “I’m a rookie. Give me a break.”
Adam brought back two bottles of water. “You’re doing good. Sorry, Chips, the pies are ready. Your quarter just ran out.”
“That went by fast.” She handed him the brush.
“For some reason, time always flies when you’re with the horses.” He put all the gear in a bucket, then led the way back to the house.
She followed him inside.
The floral, sugary-sweet smell of the fruit mingled with the buttery scent of the crust in the air. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. For a moment, she pictured herself as a cartoon character being lifted from her feet and levitated by the scent to the kitchen. When she opened her eyes, Adam stood there grinning ear to ear. “Good stuff, right?”
“Oh yes. I did that?”
“Yes ma’am.”
He opened the oven and looked. “What do you think?”
“It smells so good.” She peered inside, blinking against the heat. “The fruit is bubbly, and the lattice is golden brown, just like you said it would be. I think it’s done.”
“Me too.”
She grabbed the pot holders and pulled the pie out of the oven. “It looks perfect!”
He put a trivet in the shape of a horseshoe on the counter. “You can set it here.”
She did and then laid the pot holders to the side.
“Now the hardest part of all.”
She couldn’t imagine what the next step would be. “What?”
“We need to wait for it cool so we can cut it.”
She swatted him playfully. “Yes, it’ll be hard to wait, but not as hard as making the crust. I think that was the trickiest part.”
“I know a way to make it easier, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to rain check you on it until next time. Usually I make homemade ice cream, but I can’t stand by and let you do all the cranking. If you come for another visit, we can make ice cream too.”
“How can I say no to that?”
“You can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to your taste buds.” Their eyes held. “What’s your favorite flavor?”
“Vanilla.”
“Humph. Didn’t have you pegged for plain-Jane vanilla.”
“Well then, fancy me up. What do you suggest?” She fluttered her lashes.
