Page 27 of Call It Love

I was lucky. These were solid guys. It might not be what they wanted to do forever, but while they were here, they worked hard and never complained. And they definitely deserved whatever magic was drifting out from the kitchen through the screen door.

Their noses went up, almost in unison.

“Did you finally hire a cook and forget to tell us, Boss?” Bodie asked, picking up his pace toward the door. “Damn, that smells good. I hope that’s for us.”

“Wipe your damn feet,” I hollered after him. I shook my head. “That man’s stomach leads his life.”

Marcus chuckled. “You’re in trouble if he ever marries someone who can cook. He’ll be too fat and happy to get up from the table to work.”

I laughed along with him, but he wasn’t wrong.

He glanced sideways at me. “Smells like more than justwarmed-up leftovers. Was he right? You finally hired someone?”

“Mmm,” I hummed noncommittally.

I knew these guys. They meant well, but one look at her, and they’d fall head over heels and then trip over themselves trying to impress her. Anna had never thrived in the spotlight. And after what she’d been through, the last thing she needed was a bunch of attention, even if it was well-intentioned. She needed space. Peace. A sense of safety.

And I wanted to be the one who gave that to her.

And maybe, if I was being honest, I didn’t want to see her light up for anyone but me.

But that was a thought to consider another time. Especially since Anna was holding a sharp knife pointed squarely at Bodie’s chest as we entered the bunkhouse. He didn’t even seem to notice. He was too busy staring at the perfectly browned pie on the table in front of her as if it were a long-lost love.

“Is…is that a peach pie?” Bodie asked, practically drooling.

“Yes,” she answered cautiously, taking a step closer to her creation as if it were a child she would do anything to protect. It seemed food was one place where she wasn’t afraid to hold her ground.

“I haven’t had one that smelled that good since my Granny made one. And she’s been dead for the past eight years.”

He reached a hand toward the pie, but Anna flourished the knife.

“Unless you want to join her, I suggest you back off.”

Bodie finally looked up. He froze and stared at her. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the six-plus-foot hulk of a guystopped in his tracks by a woman at least a foot shorter than he was.

“You mean it’s not for us?” Bodie’s voice cracked as if he might actually cry. His pleading eyes swiveled to me.

Marta’s cooking had spoiled these guys, and I knew they missed it. Offering lunch meats, casseroles, and cookies just wasn’t the same after a hard morning’s work. And as much as we all loved Marta, the guys were in for a real treat. Anna’s cooking was next level.

“These knuckleheads work here,” I told her, then shot a look at my friend. “But maybe you should mind your manners and introduce yourself instead of storming in here like a crazy man.”

Bodie instantly swiped his hat off his head. “My apologies, ma’am. Just the smell of your cooking knocked the sense clean outta me. I’m Bodie.Nowcan I have a piece of your pie?”

Anna put down the knife and laughed at his childish plea. “Go ahead. But next time, no dessert until after the meal.”

Bodie didn’t wait even a second before he dived in, stabbing a fork right into the center, and pulling out a large bite. “This is divine,” he moaned, his eyes closed as he savored the bite. “You must be an angel sent by my Granny.”

Anna’s face flushed as she carefully cut a proper slice around the crater Bodie had made and plated it for him. He wolfed it down in three more bites.

“Wow. Dinneranda show,” Marcus said, laughing. “Good job, Boss.” He waggled his eyebrows. “If that pie’s half as sweet as the one who made it, I’m in love.”

“Stick to the food,” I warned, sharper than I meant to. “She’s off-limits.”

Marcus gave me a strange look, but wisely said nothing more.

“Looks like pie needs to stay on the menu,” I joked to Anna. “Let me introduce you more properly. These two are part of the backbone around here, so you’ll see a lot of them. You’ve already met Bodie.”

Anna chuckled as she watched Bodie, who grinned in response. After being held back for so long by her fucking ex, she must be quietly pleased to see someone enjoy her cooking.

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