When I Fall In Love

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.”