Page 79 of Getting Wrapped Up

“You make cobbler?” Tucker asked, clearly skeptical.

Hailey propped a hand on one hip. “My grandma’s recipe. Best cobbler in the state. Lucky for your mom that I’ve never competed against her.”

Tucker chuckled and reached out to flick a strand of Hailey’s hair. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea.”

Tucker’s grin simply grew with that. “Well, Hailey, just so you know—and feel free to spread this around to your friends—I do want cobbler in the kitchen. But I want chocolate-covered cherries in the bedroom.”

“That’s our cue,” Levi said, starting toward the door.

“Hang on. This is better than reality TV,” Kate said.

“I know these women well enough to have heard a few things about your bedroom,” Hailey said to Tucker.

“Yeah, well, I’m still waiting to find The One. The perfect combo.”

“But you take them to your bedroom anyway.” Hailey crossed her arms and gave him a look that Kate imagined she’d give to a rat she found rummaging in her cupboards.

“Oh, look at you, Miss Sunday School Teacher. Yeah, I take them to my bedroom. They deserve that much after working so hard in the kitchen, right?”

“Oh my God,” Hailey said.

“They cook for you?” Kate interjected.

This was fascinating.

“Oh, all the women know that the way to Tucker’s heart is through his stomach and pants,” Hailey said.

“But haven’t they figured out it’s not working?” Kate asked. “All these women know each other too, right?”

“But they all think they’re the one to change his mind.”

“And you let them keep trying?” Kate asked Tucker. “Just because of the cobbler?”

Tucker grinned a grin that told Kate women would continue trying no matter what happened to those before them. “I really like cobbler.”

“You’re such a pig,” Hailey said with an exasperated sigh.

“I don’tknowthey’re not The One,” Tucker defended himself. “I need to give each one a chance right?”

“Do they have to make cobbler first?” Kate wanted to know. “And if the cobblerisn’tgood, then you don’t take them to bed?”

“Right,” Tucker said. “Usually.”

Wow. Kate looked at Levi. He almost looked impressed.

“Look,” Tucker finally said. “I know what I want and there has to be a natural chemistry, but I’m definitely trying to find her.” He turned to face Kate, his gaze on hers. “I believe there is one heart out there that fits perfectly with ours, that makes it whole and beat with a life that we didn’t even imagine before we feel that first thump. There are things that mightseemto make two people a perfect fit. Cobbler and a shared lifestyle, for instance. But until that heart comes along and makes mine truly beat for the first time, I have to keep looking.”

Kate stared up at him. Those eyes with the earnest intent in them made her nod slowly. “Wow.”

“Jesus,” Levi muttered behind her.

“Oh, for God’s sake.” Hailey swatted Tucker’s arm. “Your grammar could really use some work. And is that ability to spout romantic B.S. at the drop of a hat genetic or something?”

Tucker’s lips curled into a mischievous grin and he looked at Hailey again. “Why? Has my little brother been spouting non-grammatically-correct romantic B.S. to you?”

Hailey rolled her eyes. “I’ve known you Bennett boys all my life,” she said. “The only things I believe from any of your mouths have to do with farming, dirt bikes and causing trouble.”

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