Page 54 of The Reason I Married Him
“Good thing I like a challenge.” He stands from the bed and moves toward the door. “Sweet dreams, Mrs. Preston.”
The audacity.
How I wish I could wake up tomorrow and this all be a horrible nightmare.
I will never be Mrs. Preston.
No matter his threats.
Last night,I easily got the best night of sleep I’ve had in a very long time. Not certain why. I know it has nothing to do with Wyatt, that’s for damn sure, but it was amazing. I feel refreshed and ready to start my day.
I might have slept in just a touch, but that’s okay because it’s the weekend, and I have the day off if I want to take it, but I don’t. I want to finish up that chicken coop before Wyatt can gethis hands on it. If anything, I want to show him that I don’t need his help.
So with a fresh travel mug of coffee in my hand, I head out of my house and hop into the four-by-four. It will be hot today, so I slathered on the sunscreen and put on a pair of worn jean shorts with paint spots all over them and a green tank top that says Save the Trees. I tossed my hair into a bun and tied a rolled-up bandanna around my head to help keep the stray hairs out of my eyes.
I plan to finish up some last-minute framing of the chicken coop and then paint all day. While the paint dries, I want to build some flower boxes to place around the chicken coop to make it more visually appealing. That was something Cassidy really believed in when she was creating this farm. We might use old barnwood, but a flower plant will be next to it. Which reminds me, I need to water them all today.
I drive down the path toward the barn. When I round the corner and Wyatt’s SUV comes into view, I inwardly groan.
No.
No way he’s here. It’s eight in the morning. Doesn’t the man know how to sleep?
Why is this happening, and what did I do in life to deserve this?
Growing irritated immediately and losing all the joy that my great night of sleep brought me, I park and hop out just as Wyatt comes into view wearing a pair of cargo khakis with a hammer hanging onto one of the belt loops. His black T-shirt is tight around his biceps while it falls over his narrow hips. And today, he’s wearing a backward hat that seems like it’s seen its fair share of hard workdays.
“Morning, babe,” he says when he spots me.
“Can you not call me that? I’m not your babe.”
“You will be.” He winks. “Your favorite muffins are in the barn as well as some fresh fruit and coffee.” His eyes land on the mug in my hand. “But I see you already have some. Either way, it’s there for a refill.”
It’s bad enough that he keeps showing up here every day. What’s even worse is that he knows my favorite muffins are my absolute crutch, and even though I can’t stand the man, I find myself moving into the barn, where I can already smell the maple apple waiting for me. Damn him.
I take a seat on the tractor and bite into a muffin. The delicious flavors marinate over my taste buds as I consider what my life has come to.
I have a man following me around my farm, calling me Mrs. Preston, proposing marriage like a lovesick fiend, and bringing me muffins that I can’t even muster up the strength to say no to. If you told me last week this is where I’d be, I wouldn’t have believed you. Not even a little.
“I have to admit, you’re good at picking out muffins,” he says as he picks one up and takes a large bite of the top. I eat them the same way. None of this working around the sides. Nope, just dive right into the top. “This is my second one this morning.”
“You act as if that’s an accomplishment,” I say. “I’ve had six in a day.”
His brow rises. “Six?”
“Not even ashamed. Just be happy I’m not stabbing you with that pitchfork over there because you’ve had two from this box.”
He glances behind him at the pitchfork and back at me. “You know, I truly believe you’d do that.”
“Good, the more unhinged you believe I am, the better.”
“Doesn’t scare me, though.” He leans in close and says, “I like my women a little on the crazy side.”
“If that’s the case, maybe you can find a bride on Craigslist. I think the majority of people on there offering human services such as marriage are unhinged.”
“Nah, why look around when I have the perfect specimen sitting right in front of me?”
“You have serious issues.” I shake my head. “Also, why are you here?”
