AllFreeNovel
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I groaned and closed my eyes, adjusting the hardness growing in my jeans before I left my room. This was going to be one long week. Two seconds into the hallway and the smell of coffee wafted into my nose followed by toasted bread and…
Bacon.
What the hell? I strolled down the hall, pausing as I caught sight of Shore, sitting at the kitchen table with her feet propped up on a chair beside her.Booted feet. The leather was brand new but I still smiled because she had on cowboy boots.
I chuckled at how damn cute she looked with her dark jeans, bright green sweater, and boots. The sweater was a little too fancy for working on the ranch, probably cashmere based on what I could tell, but it worked for her.
I did a quick scan of the kitchen and locked my sights on the beauty sipping coffee at my kitchen table. She had yet to grant me those luminous browns but she noted my presence by lifting an arm and glancing down at her watch.
“You’re late. It’s six fifteen.” When I stopped on the opposite side of the table her eyes slowly rolled up to mine. She perused at a snail’s pace until she reached my face, only to drop her eyes again when I reached for the table and snagged a half-eaten piece of bacon, shoving it in my mouth. She watched me chew and lifted a well-manicured brow slightly.
“We at the sharing food stage already?”
I grinned and shrugged. “Looks that way and I’m not late.”
“You said up by six.”
“I did, but I also said breakfast at six thirty. You just noted that it’s only six fifteen which means I’m early.”
“You have tomakebreakfast.”
“Today I don’t.” I snagged a full strip of bacon from her plate and headed to the counter to lift my own. “Looks like you handled that for me. I thought we had a deal. No cooking while you’re here.”
She lifted from her chair, took the plate right from my hands, turned to the counter near the stove, and began piling on food. Enough eggs and bacon to feed two people and several slices of toast. When she dropped the plate next to where she was seated and pointed to the empty chair, I obeyed the silent command and filled it.
“Our agreement was for me to put you to work on the ranch. Not in my kitchen, Boston.”
“Work is work.”
I bowed my head and blessed my food before diving in. I wasn’t disappointed. Eggs were perfectly fluffy with the right amount of cheese. The bacon had the right amount of crisp. So damn good.
“Did you set an alarm just to make sure you were up before me so you could drag my ass about being late?”
“No, why would I?”
“Don’t know. Seems like something you would do.” I grinned and she rolled her eyes, causing me to laugh while shoving another forkful of food in my mouth. After chewing and swallowing, I motioned to the plate. “Thank you for breakfast. It’s good.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Guess you earned the right to put your feet up, didn’t you?”
“I surely did.” She tossed back what was left of her coffee before standing to head for a refill. “Can I get you some?”
“Nope, false energy. I need the real thing. This’ll do right here.” I pointed at my plate with my fork, watching as she moved to the sink, rinsed the cup, and placed it inside. Instead of getting more coffee she walked to the refrigerator to pour a glass of almond milk. I couldn’t do the real thing and apparently, she didn’t mind the substitute. The way she settled into my spaceunsettledme. I liked her being present a little too much.
“You know this isn’t a contest, right?”
“What’s not a contest.”
“Who caters to who?”
She narrowed her eyes in confusion and I added, “You made my plate. Snatched it right out my hands and filled it. Then you offered to get me coffee. Is that because I made you dinner last night?”
“I grew up watching my mother make my dad’s plate. Doing the same is a bit of a habit. But more than anything it’s a gesture of kindness. Since I’m staying here, against your will, the least I can do is make you breakfast and fix your plate. Don’t go overthinking.”
She was uncomfortable and lying. Well, sort of lying. She had fixed my plate to be kind but she’d also wanted to. I could sense the ease and eagerness when she did it. “Herman.”
“Huh?”
