When I Fall In Love

He left the entrance front door and walked over to stand against the railing opposite of her. “Sure, I do. This is a working organic farm. People come from all over for the opportunity to pick their own food and have Rita prepare it for them. Almost everything we make here is fresh and from scratch. Tomorrow, I’ll take you out and introduce you to the hens.”

Tayler laughed. “You talk about hens like they’re people.”

His lips pressed together in a slight grimace. “No, but I think a proper introduction should be made before you stick your hand under her ass to pick up the eggs.”

Eyes wide, Tayler pointed to herself. “Oh, no, my hands won’t be going under anything’s ass. Besides, I don’t have to eat eggs. Pancakes are fine with me.”

He chuckled. “You need an egg for pancakes.”

“Then I’ll have a bagel.”

He shook his head. “No bagels, nor doughnuts, before you ask.”

She brought her palm to her forehead and massaged it for a moment. “Seriously, though, how do I get a good meal without playing farmer Jane? And what about the elderly? Surely to God, you don’t make them ride out on that old rusted truck.”

“They appreciate it the most. But if you want to eat somewhere else, there’s always Donita’s Diner in town.”

“And how do I get there?”

“Take the main road back into town and you’ll see it on your right. The green-and-white sign kind of jumps out at you.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll try it.”

He walked back to the front door. “Suit yourself, but I think you’ll be disappointed.”

“As long as I don’t have to pick the food myself, I’ll enjoy it.”

Rollin went inside and Tayler opened her computer back up. She hadn’t been able to catch Nicole by phone, so she sent her another email. She was going to wring that chick’s neck.

A few minutes later, Rita poked her head out the door and announced that lemonade would be served in the library.

“Rita, you didn’t have to go to any trouble for me.”

“Honey, it’s no trouble at all. Besides, around here folks is dropping by all the time. Come on in and help yourself.”

Tayler went inside for her afternoon treat. First, she ran upstairs and grabbed her book. The minute she opened the door to head back outside with her goods, two children came barreling through the door, screaming as they shot past her.

She spun around and almost dropped her glass.

“I smell cookies, I smell cookies,” they screamed.

Kids. Please don’t tell me they’ve come to stay. She could hear her peace coming to an end.

Juggling her lemonade, cookies and book, she continued out onto the porch to retain her seat.

“You must be Tayler,” a woman who didn’t look a day over twenty asked as she came up the steps.

“How did I give myself away?”

“Rollin said you were the only guest.”

“Oh, that made it easy.”

“Hi, I’m Corra, his sister.” She held out her hand.

Tayler juggled a hand free. “Hold on, let me set some of this down.” She placed everything on the table next to her laptop and shook the woman’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Corra. Do the little ones belong to you?”

“Yes, those are mine. They smelled Rita’s chocolate chip cookies the minute they stepped out of the car. I swear, it’s like they’re cookie bloodhounds.”

Tayler chuckled. “They are good.”

Corra placed a hand on her large hips. “I need cookies like I need a hole in my head, so I’ll take your word for it.”

Tayler returned to her seat.

“Are you enjoying your stay so far?”

“Yes, I am. This is a lovely place.”

Corra walked over and sat in the swing across from Tayler’s rocking chair. “I hope Rollin is being hospitable.”

“He is, and so is Rita. Everyone’s been very nice.”

“Well, that’s good. Rollin said you’re staying for a month, is that right?”

Tayler sipped her lemonade and nodded. “Yes, maybe longer. I’m not sure yet.”

“Wow, where do you work that you can take that much time off? I’ve been at Save-A-Lot for over three years and all I get is a lousy two weeks.”

“I work for MesaCom, a small telecommunications company. I needed to get out of the city, so I took some extra vacation time.”

“Oh, I see. Is that your laptop?” she asked, noticing it on the table next to Tayler.

“Yeah.”

“Are you pretty good with computers?”

“I think so.”

“Great. We’re having a fund-raiser for Roosevelt Elementary trying to put a computer in every classroom. You’d think the board would supply something so vital nowadays, but no, they’re too busy making sure their members get raises.”

“That’s definitely a worthy cause. Every child today should have a computer. If not, they’ll get left behind.”

“Girl, that’s what I’ve been saying. But you know trying to convince some of them board members of that is like trying to talk a turtle into running a marathon. The PTA’s taken it upon ourselves to raise the money. Maybe you can help since you’re going to be here for a month or longer?”

With raised brows, Tayler gave it some thought. “Uh, sure. Let me know what I can do.”

“Great.” Corra jumped up as her children came barreling back out the front door and dashed out into the yard.

“Jamie, Katie, where are you going?” she yelled after them.

“Looking for Uncle Rollin,” one of them called back as they rounded the house.

Corra turned back to Tayler. “Do you have any children?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Think long and hard before you do. They’ll test your nerves.”

Then Corra got up and disappeared inside the house.

Smiling, Tayler put her feet up and opened her book.

* * *

The next morning, bright and early, Tayler heard a light tapping on her bedroom door. “Oh, no,” she whispered and pulled the covers over her head.

“Tayler, honey. I fixed you some breakfast before you go out with Kevin this morning,” Rita said.

Tayler threw the covers back and grabbed her robe. Will these people ever let me sleep in? She flung the robe around her body and tied the sash before throwing the door open.

“Thank you, Rita, but I’m going to skip breakfast and the ride with Kevin this morning. I’ll eat in town later.”

Rita looked taken aback.

“I’m sorry. I told Rollin I wouldn’t be going picking, or whatever, this morning. He should have told you.”

“Yes, he should have. Well, if you change your mind, I’ll wrap a plate up for you and put it in the refrigerator.”

Three hours later, Tayler walked out of her room dressed in a pair of jeans, a new signature T-shirt and her favorite three-inch strappy sandals. Now she was ready for breakfast. She’d be damned if she was going to spend her vacation jumping up every morning to go pick something.

The house was quiet again, which was a little eerie to her. She descended the grand staircase with purse in hand and felt like a queen or princess or something. The railing was magnificently designed. She looked around downstairs and found a radio playing in the library, but no occupant.

She walked out to her car and noticed a tractor in the distance and wondered if that was Rollin hard at work. She opened the car door and tossed her purse inside. It was time to ride into Danville and see what was up.

Tayler had no idea where she was going, but she remembered Rollin telling her a diner was just inside town. She rolled her window down and then scanned radio stations trying to find something other than country music. She finally located a hip-hop station. Glancing at the clock, she figured Nicole should be at her desk by now and pulled out her cell phone.

“Good morning, Nicole Burns.”

“I figured I’d catch your ass at work, since you seem to be dodging my calls.”

“Tayler! Hey, girl, how’s it going?”

“Didn’t you get any of my voice messages or emails?”

Nicole laughed. “Girl, that riding-out-on-the-truck thing must be something new. I didn’t know about that.”

“So, not only am I the only guest here, but Rollin expects me to ride out every morning with this young guy I don’t know to pick my own damn food. Not to mention their coffee is the worst I’ve ever had. I’m going into town for a cup now.”

“Come on, Tayler, relax and get into it. Life in the country is different than life in Chicago.”

“I know that. But I booked myself into a B and B hoping to get a little rest. So far, I’ve been awakened before the break of dawn and forced to work without coffee. I rode in the bed of a dirty rusted-out truck. Oh, and a snake chased me through the fields. Does that sound like I’m relaxing to you?”

Nothing but laughter came from the other end of the phone, which pissed Tayler off.

“I’m glad you find this so freakin’ amusing.”

“I don’t mean to laugh at you, but you should hear yourself. You’ve been there two days and you sound like a spoiled brat. You’re in the country, Tayler. There are snakes and old trucks in the country. You’re out of your element, but that’s what you needed. You’ll survive without Starbucks for a little while.”

“What are you now, my therapist?”

“No, but I know what you need. I hope you haven’t been on that computer, either. Read a book, go for long walks and see if Rita will let you help her in the garden. Get back to nature for a minute.”

Now Tayler had to laugh. “You set me up, didn’t you? You knew all along this wasn’t going to be what I expected.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Tayler took a deep breath as she approached town. “Nicole, you owe me for this, that’s all I’m saying. If I even end up staying the month, you owe me dinner at Spiaggia’s when I get back.”

“Girl, you got it. Just try to relax and destress. I hate to cut you off, but I’ve gotta run to a meeting. Stay in touch.”

“Oh, I most certainly will.” Tayler hung up just as she saw a large tattered green-and-white sign come into view. Donita’s Diner. The sign was set close to the road, most likely so guests didn’t drive by too fast and miss the diner. She pulled into the lot and killed the engine. The outside had seen better days and could use a paint job. She hoped the inside would fare better.

The minute she opened the door, she knew she was in trouble. The heavy smells of grease and cigarette smoke hung in the air. A tired-looking middle-aged waitress greeted Tayler and led her across the sticky floor to a table. Tayler tried not to slip and fall. After the waitress recited the morning special, Tayler ordered a cup of coffee and a three-egg omelet.

“Is this seat taken?”

She looked up from the menu she’d kept to see Officer Greg holding the chair across from her, dressed in his snug-fitting uniform.

Chapter 5

Tayler gestured to the empty chair across from her in answer to Greg’s question. “No, help yourself.” However, a quick sweep of the room revealed plenty of empty chairs.

“You’re the young lady staying out at Coleman House, right?”

“Yes, you stopped me and escorted me in the other day. You’re Greg, right?”

“Greg Mason.” He extended his hand.

She accepted it. “Tayler Carter.” She had peeped Office Greg’s rugged good looks when he had pulled her over. Now, she noticed his muscular physique, as well.

“It’s nice to meet you, Tayler. I thought I recognized you. Is this your first time in Danville?”

“Yes, it is. I’m on vacation.”

“Where you from?”

“Chicago.”

“So, how do you like our little town?”

“I haven’t seen much outside of the ride into town, and then to here this morning.”

“Then you’ll have to let me give you the ten-cent tour.”

The waitress returned with two cups of coffee and their food. Tayler assumed Officer Greg was a regular, since the waitress knew what he wanted to eat.

“I’m surprised you’re not eating at Coleman House. Rita’s one of the best cooks in the county.”

Tayler blew on her piping-hot coffee. “So I’ve heard, but I’m not too keen on having to pick my own food every day.”

He nodded in agreement as he began eating.

Tayler sliced into her omelet as melted cheese oozed all over the plate. Then she bit into crunchy vegetables. She chewed them up enough to swallow, then chased it down with a little coffee that activated her gag reflex.

Greg laughed. “Yeah, the coffee’s an acquired taste.”

She wrinkled her nose and pushed the cup away. “That’s coffee?”

He laughed harder, and then leaned into the table. “Stop out at the Speedway gas station and you can get a better cup. But don’t tell anybody I told you that.”

“Thanks,” she whispered, and gave him a coconspirator nod.

She played with the rest of her food while Greg finished his so fast she was sure he’d have indigestion later.

After breakfast he walked her out to her car. “I was serious about that tour. If you’re not busy when I get off, I can come out and pick you up.”

He’s persistent—how sweet.

“Maybe another time. I’m still trying to rest up from the drive down.”

“Well, if you change your mind—” he produced a business card “—give me a call.”

She took the card and glanced at it before shoving it into her purse. “Sure.”

Tayler found the Speedway gas station on her way back to the house and purchased a large cup of coffee. Greg was right—this was coffee.

When she pulled up to the house, Rita and Rollin stood on the front porch. She hesitated with her coffee cup in hand but decided to go ahead since this wouldn’t be the only morning she went out for coffee.

As she walked up the steps, Rollin gazed down at her in a way that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

“I see you found some coffee.”

She held up the cup. “It’s not Starbucks, but there’s nothing like a shot of caffeine to get the juices flowing.”

“Then you’re probably ready to do some running around. Why don’t you change shoes and ride over to Houchen’s with me?”

“Are you going to put me to work once we get there?”

He smiled. “Probably so.”

“Rollin, just make sure you get her back here for lunch,” Rita said. “I’m gonna start picking those beans Kevin brought in earlier.” Rita disappeared into the house.

“Exactly what is Houchen’s?” Tayler asked.

“A hardware store. I ordered a new tiller.”

“And I have to change shoes for that?”

He glanced down at her sandals. “Not really. Come on.”

She followed him out to his monster truck. He had on jeans, his work boots and another black T-shirt. She’d bet he had no idea how that casual laid-back style made him look so sexy. He opened the door for her and tried to help her up, but she started falling backward. Before she could fall on her butt, Rollin caught her in his arms. He looked at the covered coffee cup in her hand, and let out a sigh of relief.

“Sorry about this,” Rollin said before placing his hand on her butt and heaving her up into the truck.

Tayler’s eyes widened as she went sailing up into the seat. He closed her door, and she tried not to think about his hand on her butt as she placed her coffee in the cup holder.

Rollin jumped in and started the engine. After he pulled out onto the main road, he turned on the radio.

“How did you like your breakfast?” he asked.

“I didn’t. But somehow I believe you already knew that.”

“I never said it was good. I just said it was a place to get breakfast.”

“A breakfast biscuit from anywhere would have tasted better.”

“No, you would have been better off with Rita’s breakfast.”

“You’re right. Officer Greg says she’s the best cook in the county.”

“You ran into him at the diner?”

“He ran into me, actually.”

“Yeah, he eats most of his meals there.”

“He offered me a tour of the town this afternoon.”

Rollin turned and looked at her for a second before shaking his head. “Greg doesn’t waste any time.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“You turned him down?”

“I said maybe another time. He’s a cop. I don’t want to make him mad—he might find a way to write me a ticket for the other day.”

Rollin threw his head back and laughed. “Greg wouldn’t do that even if he could. He’s a pretty decent guy.”

They rode on in silence for a few minutes before Rollin spoiled the moment.

“So, Nicole said you had a breakdown or something at work. And this vacation is supposed to destress you, is that right?”

Tayler’s head swiveled so fast she heard her neck crack. What the hell. “When did she tell you that?” Tayler knew Nicole couldn’t keep anything to herself.

“When she said you wanted to stay for a month. I asked why so long.”

Tayler shook her head in disbelief. “It wasn’t a breakdown. I snapped on somebody that I shouldn’t have, that’s all. And since I never take time off, this vacation is long overdue.”

“I hope you don’t mind that she told me. I told her I was thinking about closing down.”

Tayler’s eyes widened as a hand flew to her chest. “Don’t tell me you’re staying open because of me.”

He laughed as he pulled the truck into Houchen’s parking lot. “Of course not. Whatever business decision I make won’t take place right away.” He turned off the engine and opened the door to the truck. “Come on in. I might need you to help me carry the tiller.”

She glared at him and then waited for him to come around and help her out. As she followed him around the hardware store, she wondered what else Nicole had told him. What did he know about her that she wasn’t aware of?

After Rollin picked up the tiller and had it loaded onto the bed of his truck, they headed back to the farm.

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