When I Fall in Love (4 page)

“I can afford it.”

“Maybe you can.” He stretched his arms over his head. “Guess I was right when I said you might not last a month. I can spot a quitter from miles away.”

He touched a nerve and she straightened up. “I'm not a quitter. I just don't play with snakes.”

He shrugged. “Just stay out of the blackberry bushes, then everything will be okay. What do you say?”

She looked at his outstretched hand, waiting for her to accept it, then looked away. She wasn't making any promises.

“What do you have to lose? You'll eat some good food and might even make a new friend.”

She raised a brow at him. “
You
want to be my new friend?”

“I wasn't thinking about me, but Rita. She'll be disappointed if she can't cook for you. After these guys leave she won't have guest to cook for.”

He still hadn't persuaded her.

“Say yes, and I'll do my best to keep the snakes away.”

He smiled and those big dimples mesmerized her. It took a few seconds to turn from his gaze and pull herself together.

“Okay, but no more blackberries.” She accepted his hand.

Chapter 4

T
he next morning, no one rode to the fields because, luckily, they'd picked enough food the day before.

Tayler took advantage of the free time and ventured out to the porch after breakfast with her laptop. Minutes later, Forrest joined her.

“This feels wonderful, doesn't it?”

Tayler turned to Forrest, who sat in one of the big white rocking chairs across the porch from her.

“Yes, it does. We have a nice breeze.” She smiled and turned back to her laptop.

“You don't get this in the city.” He took a deep breath. “Just smell that air. No car exhaust or garbage. Just clean country air, the way God intended it to be.”

Tayler cut her eyes at Forrest.
What's so damned special about the air?

“What's that you're working on? I thought you said you were on vacation.”

“I am, but I'm still trying to keep up with work—you know how it is. It's hard to take a vacation when you have so many responsibilities.”

He crossed his legs in her direction. “So what do you do?”

She took a deep breath and thought of a way to explain what she did so he'd understand. “I oversee a team that installs data communications lines all around the world.”

Forrest whistled. “Sounds like a lot of work. Too bad they can't manage without you.”

“Oh, they can. I just like to keep tabs on everything.”

“So you're somewhat of a micromanager?”

“No, not really.” She hated that phrase. “I just like to be available if I'm needed.”

“We used to have backups for vacations and such.”

“I have a backup.”

“Incompetent, though, huh?”

“He doesn't handle things the way I do, but he's very competent.”

Forrest laughed.

She smiled but didn't get the joke. “What's so funny?”

The front door opened as Forrest stood up and pointed at her laptop. “You need to look up ‘micromanager,'” he said as he walked over to hold the door for his wife.

Tayler crossed her arms and gave him a knowing smile. She understood.

Barbara walked over to Tayler. “Well, Tayler, it was nice meeting you, but we're gonna have to get on the road.” Tayler moved her laptop aside and stood up to hug the older woman goodbye. Within minutes, everyone else came out to say goodbye. Rita and Tayler stood on the porch waving as both cars pulled off. The moment reminded Tayler of a scene from an old movie.

“Well, young lady, what have you got planned for today?” Rita asked.

Tayler sat back down and picked up her laptop. “I was going to get some work done, but I've changed my mind. I think I'll just enjoy the breeze.”

“That sounds nice. You enjoy yourself, now. I'm gonna go up and start cleaning those rooms. Lunch is at noon.”

“Okay, I'll see you then.”

Tayler thought about what Forrest had said and closed her laptop. She wasn't a micromanager.

A few minutes later, she heard a vehicle barreling up the driveway. A big black truck that resembled a monster with tinted windows pulled in next to her BMW. She'd seen the truck parked around back before but wasn't sure who it belonged to. It kicked dust all over her precious jewel.

The door opened, and Rollin stepped out. Tayler rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath, “I should have known.”

He walked up onto the porch. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

“Yes, I'm just relaxing.” She followed his gaze to her laptop. “And trying to stay away from work.”

“Yeah, Nicole said you were here to get away from work. She said you needed to get some rest,” he said.

She glanced over her shoulder as he now stood at the door. “And I plan to get plenty of that, as long as I don't have to adhere to six a.m. wake-up calls every morning.”

“You must plan on losing at lot of weight, then.”

She set her laptop aside and turned around in her seat. “So, let's talk about that. Do you really expect me to go out there all by myself and pick vegetables every morning?”

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.”