Page 17 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“If I hear ‘I’m fine’ one more time, I’ll scream,” Tony said.

Rafael helped her up into the truck and slid in behind her. They drove away, and he was even more determined to get her to come home with him.

Chapter Eight

Mara didn’t say much as they put away the groceries. She was embarrassed about the whole situation and didn’t know what to do.

In the hour they’d been gone, Rafael had been questioned by the sheriff, stalked by a busy, buzzy woman, and had to deal with her sister’s crap. Now, he was trying to help but just got in the way.

She turned at the frig. “I’m sorry about tonight.”

He turned to her with a look of confusion. “What?”

“Everything that happened tonight. I’m sorry you had to deal with it. Fortunately, I think we got enough food from the store to last all week unless Judith shows up and eats it.”

“She’s done that?”

“Yeah, a lot. But if we need anything, I’ll run in by myself.”

“The hell you will,” he said. “I don’t feel comfortable with you here by yourself.”

She snorted. “There’s nothing you can do about it. You’ll be gone in a week. I’ve dealt with it this long on my own. I can do it all by myself.”

Rafael walked over and grasped her shoulders. “What if you didn’t have to do it alone?”

“What does that mean? You’re going to move in with me for good?” she said and laughed.

“No, but you could move in with me.”

Her mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. “You don’t live around here, so how would that work?”

“Just think about it.”

“I have all the animals and won’t give them up.”

“What if there was a place to house them, very close to the house I live in?”

It was too much to take in at the moment. If there was a possibility, would she leave her hometown?

“Can we sleep on this? I really am tired, and I can’t think straight.”

“Sure. I just wanted the idea in your head so you could think about it.”

Yeah, like she’s liable to forget this conversation. “I’ll have questions later.”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Let’s go to bed.” She could feel the blush burn her face. “I meant in different bedrooms, of course.”

He chuckled. “I knew what you meant, honey.”

She relaxed and smiled. “Go on up while I check the windows and doors.”

“No, I’ll lock up everything while you shower and get some rest.”

“But you don’t know how the locks work.”

He laughed. “I think I can figure it out.”

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