Page 207 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"You too."

"Maddy, you didn't have to bring me anything."

"I know."

Inside is the silk scarf she admired when we passed a shop window the last time she visited New York. She runs her fingers over it.

"You remembered."

"Of course I remembered."

Her eyes lift to mine. Then she comes around the table and hugs me.

"Thank you."

I hold her.

"You're welcome."

The morning stretches into afternoon without any of us paying much attention to the time. For once, I don't mind. I've spent months measuring my days in reservations, deliveries, meetings, and dinner service. Today I let Noah talk too long over lunch. I help Mom clean the kitchen. I sit at a table without checking the time every five minutes.

Eventually Noah disappears upstairs to show his new cap to one of his friends on a video call, and Mom and I are alone in the kitchen.

"How long can you stay?" she asks.

"Just a couple of days. I have to be back in New York Monday."

"That's not very long."

"I know."

She dries the last plate and puts it away.

"Then I'm glad we got you for most of today."

"Me too."

Mom glances at the clock.

"You going to see Javier?"

"Yeah."

She smiles.

"Tell him I said hello."

"I will."

I pick up my bag and reach for my keys. My car has been sitting in Mom's garage since I left for New York. When I start it, the engine turns over on the first try. For some reason, that makes me smile.

The farm is settling toward evening when I arrive. The last sunlight stretches gold across the bare fields. A truck passes me on the way out. I park beside the main building and step outside, pulling my coat closer against the cold.

For a moment, I just stand there. The barns. The greenhouse. The fields beyond them. I've missed this. Not just Javier. This.

Ranger sees me first. His bark carries across the yard.

"Ranger."