Page 23 of The Reason I Married Him
She hugs me, and Hayes follows up with a handshake.
I thank them one more time and step out of the screen door, not letting it slam in case that wakes MacKenzie. As I work my way down the porch steps, I glance at the guest house and spot Aubree sitting outside, rocking on one of the rocking chairs out front.
Why does my scrotum shiver the moment I see her?
Maybe because she’s already put this fear in me with her crossed arms and snappy tone.
“Going home?” she asks.
Since she initiated the conversation, I decide to walk up to her and engage.
As I approach, I take in her soft features illuminated by the glow of the light coming from the guest house. Her hair is pulled back into two French braids while her face is completely devoid of makeup. Since her hair looks wet, I’ll guess she took a shower while we enjoyed the cookies. She’s also wearing a hoodie and a pair of cotton shorts. A simple outfit that says she’s done for the day and searching out comfort.
What I wouldn’t give to get out of these jeans right about now.
“Home as in the inn? Or home as in back to the Silicon Valley?”
“I would prefer it was back to the Silicon Valley, but I’m guessing I won’t be that lucky.”
“Unfortunately, you’re not,” I say as I grin at her.
She looks away, clearly annoyed with me. “Great. So how long are you going to be here?”
“Not sure. I’m booked for a week at the inn, but Ethel really wants me to stay for the End of Summer Jubilee.”
“That long?” she asks, her expression in total disbelief.
I shrug. “We’ll see. I want to accomplish some things while I’m here, so it just depends on how long that takes.”
Her eyes narrow. “And what exactly are those things?”
“Nothing you need to worry about at the moment.”
“Um . . . I’m worried,” she says.
“Why?” I ask.
“I think we both know why I’m worried.”
“I don’t,” I say, even though I could make a solid guess.
She rocks back and forth, her eyes remaining on me. “Just tell me why you’re really here, Wyatt.”
“I’m here because I’m trying to reconnect.”
“You’re such a liar.” She stands and closes the space between us. “Why won’t you admit you’re here because you own half of the farm and want to try to take it away from me?”
Whoa, okay. I can see that this is a hot-button issue for her.Tread lightly, man.
“Aubree,” I say carefully. “I’m not here to take your farm away. Why would I do that?”
“Uh, I don’t know, Wyatt. Why would you?” She places her hands on her hips and stares up at me, fire in her eyes, steam ready to blow.
“I wouldn’t. I don’t know how to run a farm.”
“Says the guy who likes to research for his books. Wait, is that what this is? You’re writing some thriller novel about a deadly farm, so you came here to get some real-life experience? News flash, Wyatt. We farm potatoes here. Nothing extravagant, nothing that will give you the plot twist you’re probably looking for.”
“I’m not here for book research, although a killer, mutated potato does intrigue me.”
