Page 54 of The Burbs and the Bees
“Can’t. I have some preserves that I need to make.”
“All work and no play.” Colin tsks. “You’re turning into my man Jay here.”
“Farm life,” she says.
Colin gives me a look, one that suggests Alyson might be more capable than we ever gave her credit for—that she might be looking to run a solid business—and that I might just end up losing the farm to that asshole Charlie Miller.
“Won’t happen,” I say quietly and push dow
n the unease worming its way through my veins. I remind myself Juanita had determination to be a farmer, too, and it evaporated quicker than a rain puddle after the sun broke through. Yeah, I don’t have anything to worry about. Why, then, is doubt suddenly digging into my gut like an annoying little gopher? Shit.
Colin puts his hand on my back as Allison walks to the door. “You’re right. It’s going to be okay,” Colin says, agreeing with me.
I wipe my brow as we follow her out, push down all worry, and try not to stare at her cute ass in those snug jeans as she starts walking away from us.
“Where’s your car?” I ask and search the curb again.
She turns to me, a sheepish grin on her face. “I forgot to charge it. I walked here.”
I glance at her feet and give a shake of my head. “It’s all uphill on the way back, and you’re in heels again.” They belong in no place on her farm, but dammit if she doesn’t look sexy as hell in them.
She waves a dismissive hand, and her blouse shifts, giving me a view of her sweet cleavage. “I’ll be fine.”
I grunt to hide a moan and dig my keys out of my pocket. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she says.
“It’s the neighborly thing to do. If I didn’t, my mother would kill me.”
She shakes her head. “Seriously, I’m okay.”
“Don’t make me come over there and put you over my shoulder.”
Her eyes go wide, and I don’t miss her little intake of breath. Is she remembering the last time she was in my arms and what happened after I carried her home? Yeah, me, neither. I resist the urge to snort ’cause that’s a big fucking lie.
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“He hasn’t put out in a long time,” Patrick says, and the guys laugh.
I give Patrick the death glare before zeroing in on Alyson. “You’re not putting me out.”
Colin grabs his nut sack. “You’d better take him up on his offer, Alyson. Sara would neuter him if he let you walk home. Especially if she knew you were here helping us like this and none of us saw you home safely.”
“It’s not like he’s using his balls, anyway,” Caleb shoots out, and it’s followed by another round of chuckles.
“I don’t think I have to worry about my safety.” She playfully glances over her shoulder, but she’s stalling. “Unless Cluck is around.”
“Get in,” I say again and open the passenger door.
“Fine,” she says. “These shoes are new, and I guess I’m not interested in ruining another pair this week.”
I cross the truck and climb into the driver’s seat, and Alyson waves to the guys as they walk to the Crow. I shoot her a fast glance and ease onto the quiet road.
“What is it with you and not wanting to ask for help?”
“I’m quite capable of doing things on my own,” she says with a tip of her chin, but the tightness on her lips as she presses them together tells another story.
“How’s it going over there?”
