Page 15 of All Inn Thyme
“Oh, so you want to try to be funny?” I retort sharply, glaring at him.
“Is it working?” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“No,” I snap, rolling my eyes as I stalk over and drag another heavy piece toward the pile that should resemble a greenhouse but currently looks like a makeshift fort an eight-year-old built out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands.
“What are you even doing?” His eyes scan the mess I’m making.
“Isn’t it your bedtime? Or did you just wake up?” I ignore his question. I’m not even sure why I’m being so mean to him, but he’s stirring up things in me that I don’t know how to process right now, so this is what he gets.
“I did just wake up. I work nights,” he muses with a grin.
A low growl rumbles through the dog and she rolls on her back and puts her paws in the air.
“What’s wrong with your dog? Why’s she acting like that?”
“Nova’s just goofy. Something you can relate to.” He reaches down to scratch her belly.
“I’mnotgoofy.” Now I’m annoyed. Who does he think he is?
“Darlin’, you’re out here gardening in your underwear. You’re all sorts of goofy.”
I freeze, my face flushing and heart pounding.Shit.I want to dig a hole, crawl in it, and cover myself with dirt. I forgot I wasn’t wearing clothes. And I’ve been giving him this huge attitude. In my underwear. In my freaking underwear!Oh. My. God.Kill me now.
I rush over and snatch my shirt and jeans off my ATV and quickly pull them on. I want to get far away from here right now.
“Don’t stop on my account,” he drawls. “I wasn’t complaining.” But he’s turned around and giving me space to put my clothes back on like a perfect gentleman, which irritates me even more. Why does he have to be so damn perfect?
I point at him, which is pointless because he can’t see me with his back still turned. “This is your fault. If I had that bunkhouse for me and my son, I could garden out here anytime I wanted and change my clothes quickly whenever I needed, and this wouldn’t be happening. But, no, you and your stupid dog stole it from me!” I shout.
Nova lets out another whimper, rolls over, and covers her snout with her paws.
“What do you have against my dog? Everyone likes my dog,” he says casually, with a hint of laughter in his voice. Of course he’s laughing at me. Of course.
“I highly doubt that.” No chance I’m about to admit that I do really like Nova.
“Let me help you,” he says finally as he turns and looks at the mess like he’s mentally trying to put together a puzzle. A puzzle I’ve been working on for over an hour and have made no progress on.
“I don’t need your help. With anything. Enjoy your bunkhouse and your life.”
His face softens. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know you wanted it, I swear.”
I stare at him, my rage beginning to burn out. I want to be mad at him, but he’s making it difficult with his soft tone, charming eyes, and good looks.
I don’t deserve his kindness. I’ve been so mean to him. Of course, it’s not his fault he got to it before me. Now I soften, releasing the breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding.
“And you can use the bunkhouse anytime you need to change or do anything back here,” he says, making me feel even more like a jerk.
I sigh with defeat. “I’m sorry I’ve been so mean. But to be fair, I’m just really disappointed about the whole housing situation.”
“Understandable. Let me make it up to you. Why don’t you and Kase come over for dinner sometime?”
I look over at him. He asked for Kase to come, too, so it’s not a date. Maybe what happened at the tavern was a lapse in judgement. I can’t let anything sidetrack me right now.
He’s looking at me now like he’s taking me in and I don’t like it. Okay, I do. No. Yes. Ugh. See? I can’t even think around him.
“What?” I ask as I put my hands on my hips.
He cocks an eyebrow. “So whyareyou gardening in your underwear?”
