Page 16 of Pick Yourself Up
While he did his business and explored the immediate area, Amber took the groceries out of her car and stacked them on the porch.
On her last trip, she found Gray lifting the cooler she’d placed there. His smile warmed her up even as a flutter of panic rippled through her. He hadn’t divulged her secret last night. She thought he’d figured out that she hadn’t told anyone, so he’d kept the story of their meeting truthful and straightforward. They’d met because he was protecting a client at her hotel.
Everyone knew he wouldn’t divulge details of a client he was protecting, so no one had asked any more questions.
“Good morning, Amber. Hey, Boomer. Is this stuff going inside?”
She nodded but didn’t manage any words. Aside from her worries, the man was gorgeous enough to have her tongue tied.
During her job, putting on a persona who interacted easily with the public was a skill she’d learned early.
But personal interactions with gorgeous men? She didn’t have any skills or much experience there.
Amber followed Gray in with her cloth bags. They were alone with Boomer in the kitchen, and he set the cooler by the fridge. “There’s a freezer in the mudroom. Do any of these things belong in there?”
“No. It’s all pantry-type items for the fridge.”
The kitchen was huge, and she busied herself by opening cupboards and adding her supplies.
She filled Boomer’s bowls with food and fresh water. Out of immediate tasks, she turned her gaze back to Gray to find him watching her with quiet intensity.
Twisting her hands, she tried to think of what to say.
Gray smiled softly. “I’m thinking bacon and eggs. You in?”
She smiled in relief. He wasn’t going to talk about the attack. Perfect. “Sounds good. I spotted a griddle.”
She pulled out the griddle she’d found, and Gray grabbed a bowl for the eggs. The others entered the kitchen. Knox and Thea from upstairs. Ford and Jolie from the back door.
Knox grinned. “Bacon and eggs? Add more eggs to the mix, Claus. We’re all in.”
Having everyone in the kitchen meant Amber could relax. She might not know Gray well, but she knew he wouldn’t bring up what had happened at The Sidderlight in front of the group.
Gray flipped the bacon onto a tray he kept in the oven until he’d made enough for the entire group. Then he cooked the eggs while Amber handled making toast and adding it to the oven. They worked seamlessly together, which surprised her. She was used to doing most things on her own.
Once the group sat around the table, Jolie turned to her. “Do you want to take a tour of the property today? We already released the quackens, but you have to meet them and see the coops that Ford made.”
Amber nodded. Seeing things on video chat was one thing, seeing them in real life was better. And this was her real life.
For now.
No one had asked her why she was here yet. Or for how long. She knew those conversations would come, and she hoped she had good answers ready for when they did.
Thea grinned. “You have to see the Worminator in action.”
Gray stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth. “The Worminator?”
Thea grinned. “It’s our latest addition to the farm. It’s been operational for a few months now, and it’s amazing. The worm poop—” She broke off with a grimace. “Sorry. It’s breakfast and not everyone wants to hear about worm poop while they’re eating.”
Knox laughed and kissed Thea’s temple. “Only you, my Queen of Compost.”
Jolie turned to Gray. “You should come with me and Amber. I’ll give you both a tour of the whole place.”
His eyes flicked to Amber and back to Jolie. “I’d like that. It’s been a while since I’ve dug into a gardening project. I’m looking forward to tackling the mess between the farmhouses, but having an overview of the farm and your vision for it will help me with my planning. I want to work with native plants as much as possible.”
Amber’s belly fluttered. Again. The man’s voice was enough to have her girlie parts take notice.
It had been far too long since she’d been involved with a man. Her work consumed her life, and she didn’t like the club or bar scenes. Most of the men she met worked with her or were guests. She wasn’t a woman who could have a happy weekend with a man and then move on. It would be easier if she could take that approach, but she couldn’t change her personality.
