When I Fall in Love

by Bridget Anderson

  “Well, that’s good. Rollin said you’re staying for a month, is that right?”

  Tayler sipped her lemonade and nodded. “Yes, maybe longer. I’m not sure yet.”

  “Wow, where do you work that you can take that much time off? I’ve been at Save-A-Lot for over three years and all I get is a lousy two weeks.”

  “I work for MesaCom, a small telecommunications company. I needed to get out of the city, so I took some extra vacation time.”

  “Oh, I see. Is that your laptop?” she asked, noticing it on the table next to Tayler.

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you pretty good with computers?”

  “I think so.”

  “Great. We’re having a fund-raiser for Roosevelt Elementary trying to put a computer in every classroom. You’d think the board would supply something so vital nowadays, but no, they’re too busy making sure their members get raises.”

  “That’s definitely a worthy cause. Every child today should have a computer. If not, they’ll get left behind.”

  “Girl, that’s what I’ve been saying. But you know trying to convince some of them board members of that is like trying to talk a turtle into running a marathon. The PTA’s taken it upon ourselves to raise the money. Maybe you can help since you’re going to be here for a month or longer?”

  With raised brows, Tayler gave it some thought. “Uh, sure. Let me know what I can do.”

  “Great.” Corra jumped up as her children came barreling back out the front door and dashed out into the yard.

  “Jamie, Katie, where are you going?” she yelled after them.

  “Looking for Uncle Rollin,” one of them called back as they rounded the house.

  Corra turned back to Tayler. “Do you have any children?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Think long and hard before you do. They’ll test your nerves.”

  Then Corra got up and disappeared inside the house.

  Smiling, Tayler put her feet up and opened her book.

  * * *

  The next morning, bright and early, Tayler heard a light tapping on her bedroom door. “Oh, no,” she whispered and pulled the covers over her head.

  “Tayler, honey. I fixed you some breakfast before you go out with Kevin this morning,” Rita said.

  Tayler threw the covers back and grabbed her robe. Will these people ever let me sleep in? She flung the robe around her body and tied the sash before throwing the door open.

  “Thank you, Rita, but I’m going to skip breakfast and the ride with Kevin this morning. I’ll eat in town later.”

  Rita looked taken aback.

  “I’m sorry. I told Rollin I wouldn’t be going picking, or whatever, this morning. He should have told you.”

  “Yes, he should have. Well, if you change your mind, I’ll wrap a plate up for you and put it in the refrigerator.”

  Three hours later, Tayler walked out of her room dressed in a pair of jeans, a new signature T-shirt and her favorite three-inch strappy sandals. Now she was ready for breakfast. She’d be damned if she was going to spend her vacation jumping up every morning to go pick something.

  The house was quiet again, which was a little eerie to her. She descended the grand staircase with purse in hand and felt like a queen or princess or something. The railing was magnificently designed. She looked around downstairs and found a radio playing in the library, but no occupant.

  She walked out to her car and noticed a tractor in the distance and wondered if that was Rollin hard at work. She opened the car door and tossed her purse inside. It was time to ride into Danville and see what was up.

  Tayler had no idea where she was going, but she remembered Rollin telling her a diner was just inside town. She rolled her window down and then scanned radio stations trying to find something other than country music. She finally located a hip-hop station. Glancing at the clock, she figured Nicole should be at her desk by now and pulled out her cell phone.

  “Good morning, Nicole Burns.”

  “I figured I’d catch your ass at work, since you seem to be dodging my calls.”

  “Tayler! Hey, girl, how’s it going?”

  “Didn’t you get any of my voice messages or emails?”

  Nicole laughed. “Girl, that riding-out-on-the-truck thing must be something new. I didn’t know about that.”

  “So, not only am I the only guest here, but Rollin expects me to ride out every morning with this young guy I don’t know to pick my own damn food. Not to mention their coffee is the worst I’ve ever had. I’m going into town for a cup now.”

  “Come on, Tayler, relax and get into it. Life in the country is different than life in Chicago.”

  “I know that. But I booked myself into a B and B hoping to get a little rest. So far, I’ve been awakened before the break of dawn and forced to work without coffee. I rode in the bed of a dirty rusted-out truck. Oh, and a snake chased me through the fields. Does that sound like I’m relaxing to you?”

  Nothing but laughter came from the other end of the phone, which pissed Tayler off.

  “I’m glad you find this so freakin’ amusing.”

  “I don’t mean to laugh at you, but you should hear yourself. You’ve been there two days and you sound like a spoiled brat. You’re in the country, Tayler. There are snakes and old trucks in the country. You’re out of your element, but that’s what you needed. You’ll survive without Starbucks for a little while.”

  “What are you now, my therapist?”

  “No, but I know what you need. I hope you haven’t been on that computer, either. Read a book, go for long walks and see if Rita will let you help her in the garden. Get back to nature for a minute.”

  Now Tayler had to laugh. “You set me up, didn’t you? You knew all along this wasn’t going to be what I expected.”

  “No, that’s not true.”

  Tayler took a deep breath as she approached town. “Nicole, you owe me for this, that’s all I’m saying. If I even end up staying the month, you owe me dinner at Spiaggia’s when I get back.”

  “Girl, you got it. Just try to relax and destress. I hate to cut you off, but I’ve gotta run to a meeting. Stay in touch.”

  “Oh, I most certainly will.” Tayler hung up just as she saw a large tattered green-and-white sign come into view. Donita’s Diner. The sign was set close to the road, most likely so guests didn’t drive by too fast and miss the diner. She pulled into the lot and killed the engine. The outside had seen better days and could use a paint job. She hoped the inside would fare better.

  The minute she opened the door, she knew she was in trouble. The heavy smells of grease and cigarette smoke hung in the air. A tired-looking middle-aged waitress greeted Tayler and led her across the sticky floor to a table. Tayler tried not to slip and fall. After the waitress recited the morning special, Tayler ordered a cup of coffee and a three-egg omelet.

  “Is this seat taken?”

  She looked up from the menu she’d kept to see Officer Greg holding the chair across from her, dressed in his snug-fitting uniform.

  Chapter 5

  Tayler gestured to the empty chair across from her in answer to Greg’s question. “No, help yourself.” However, a quick sweep of the room revealed plenty of empty chairs.

  “You’re the young lady staying out at Coleman House, right?”

  “Yes, you stopped me and escorted me in the other day. You’re Greg, right?”

  “Greg Mason.” He extended his hand.

  She accepted it. “Tayler Carter.” She had peeped Office Greg’s rugged good looks when he had pulled her over. Now, she noticed his muscular physique, as well.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Tayler. I thought I recognized you. Is this your first time in Danville?”

  “Yes
, it is. I’m on vacation.”

  “Where you from?”

  “Chicago.”

  “So, how do you like our little town?”

  “I haven’t seen much outside of the ride into town, and then to here this morning.”

  “Then you’ll have to let me give you the ten-cent tour.”

  The waitress returned with two cups of coffee and their food. Tayler assumed Officer Greg was a regular, since the waitress knew what he wanted to eat.

  “I’m surprised you’re not eating at Coleman House. Rita’s one of the best cooks in the county.”

  Tayler blew on her piping-hot coffee. “So I’ve heard, but I’m not too keen on having to pick my own food every day.”

  He nodded in agreement as he began eating.

  Tayler sliced into her omelet as melted cheese oozed all over the plate. Then she bit into crunchy vegetables. She chewed them up enough to swallow, then chased it down with a little coffee that activated her gag reflex.

  Greg laughed. “Yeah, the coffee’s an acquired taste.”

  She wrinkled her nose and pushed the cup away. “That’s coffee?”

  He laughed harder, and then leaned into the table. “Stop out at the Speedway gas station and you can get a better cup. But don’t tell anybody I told you that.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered, and gave him a coconspirator nod.

  She played with the rest of her food while Greg finished his so fast she was sure he’d have indigestion later.

  After breakfast he walked her out to her car. “I was serious about that tour. If you’re not busy when I get off, I can come out and pick you up.”

  He’s persistent—how sweet.

  “Maybe another time. I’m still trying to rest up from the drive down.”

  “Well, if you change your mind—” he produced a business card “—give me a call.”

  She took the card and glanced at it before shoving it into her purse. “Sure.”

  Tayler found the Speedway gas station on her way back to the house and purchased a large cup of coffee. Greg was right—this was coffee.

  When she pulled up to the house, Rita and Rollin stood on the front porch. She hesitated with her coffee cup in hand but decided to go ahead since this wouldn’t be the only morning she went out for coffee.

  As she walked up the steps, Rollin gazed down at her in a way that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

  “I see you found some coffee.”

  She held up the cup. “It’s not Starbucks, but there’s nothing like a shot of caffeine to get the juices flowing.”

  “Then you’re probably ready to do some running around. Why don’t you change shoes and ride over to Houchen’s with me?”

  “Are you going to put me to work once we get there?”

  He smiled. “Probably so.”

  “Rollin, just make sure you get her back here for lunch,” Rita said. “I’m gonna start picking those beans Kevin brought in earlier.” Rita disappeared into the house.

  “Exactly what is Houchen’s?” Tayler asked.

  “A hardware store. I ordered a new tiller.”

  “And I have to change shoes for that?”

  He glanced down at her sandals. “Not really. Come on.”

  She followed him out to his monster truck. He had on jeans, his work boots and another black T-shirt. She’d bet he had no idea how that casual laid-back style made him look so sexy. He opened the door for her and tried to help her up, but she started falling backward. Before she could fall on her butt, Rollin caught her in his arms. He looked at the covered coffee cup in her hand, and let out a sigh of relief.

  “Sorry about this,” Rollin said before placing his hand on her butt and heaving her up into the truck.

  Tayler’s eyes widened as she went sailing up into the seat. He closed her door, and she tried not to think about his hand on her butt as she placed her coffee in the cup holder.

  Rollin jumped in and started the engine. After he pulled out onto the main road, he turned on the radio.

  “How did you like your breakfast?” he asked.

  “I didn’t. But somehow I believe you already knew that.”

  “I never said it was good. I just said it was a place to get breakfast.”

  “A breakfast biscuit from anywhere would have tasted better.”

  “No, you would have been better off with Rita’s breakfast.”

  “You’re right. Officer Greg says she’s the best cook in the county.”

  “You ran into him at the diner?”

  “He ran into me, actually.”

  “Yeah, he eats most of his meals there.”

  “He offered me a tour of the town this afternoon.”

  Rollin turned and looked at her for a second before shaking his head. “Greg doesn’t waste any time.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “You turned him down?”

  “I said maybe another time. He’s a cop. I don’t want to make him mad—he might find a way to write me a ticket for the other day.”

  Rollin threw his head back and laughed. “Greg wouldn’t do that even if he could. He’s a pretty decent guy.”

  They rode on in silence for a few minutes before Rollin spoiled the moment.

  “So, Nicole said you had a breakdown or something at work. And this vacation is supposed to destress you, is that right?”

  Tayler’s head swiveled so fast she heard her neck crack. What the hell. “When did she tell you that?” Tayler knew Nicole couldn’t keep anything to herself.

  “When she said you wanted to stay for a month. I asked why so long.”

  Tayler shook her head in disbelief. “It wasn’t a breakdown. I snapped on somebody that I shouldn’t have, that’s all. And since I never take time off, this vacation is long overdue.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that she told me. I told her I was thinking about closing down.”

  Tayler’s eyes widened as a hand flew to her chest. “Don’t tell me you’re staying open because of me.”

  He laughed as he pulled the truck into Houchen’s parking lot. “Of course not. Whatever business decision I make won’t take place right away.” He turned off the engine and opened the door to the truck. “Come on in. I might need you to help me carry the tiller.”

  She glared at him and then waited for him to come around and help her out. As she followed him around the hardware store, she wondered what else Nicole had told him. What did he know about her that she wasn’t aware of?

  After Rollin picked up the tiller and had it loaded onto the bed of his truck, they headed back to the farm.

  “I don’t know the first thing about farming, but that tiller looks too small for all the large fields around here,” she said.

  “Good observation. It’s for the gardens out back. We use large cultivators for the fields.”

  “Oh. Well, like I said, I don’t know much about farms or gardens.”

  “That’s okay.” He glanced over at her hands. “You might get your hands dirty, but I’ll teach you something before you leave here. After all, this is a working farm.”

  “Wow, I’m really looking forward to that.” She tried to scale back the sarcasm in her statement.

  He laughed. “We’ll get back in time for lunch, but I need to drop this tiller off first. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

  He turned onto another road that led to a large old barn.

  “This is a back entrance to the farm,” he said.

  Tayler was amazed at how much land the farm consisted of. Rollin backed his truck up to a big red barn. The doors slid open and Kevin walked out.

  “Is that Ms. Carter?” Kevin asked as he
walked up to the passenger side of the truck.

  She stuck her head out the window. “Please, call me Tayler.” What was she, an old lady or something?

  “She rode into town with me. Come on, Kev, help me get this thing out.”

  “Missed you this morning,” Kevin said as he tapped her on the hand before turning back to the truck bed.

  “She had breakfast at Donita’s,” Rollin said with a smile.

  Kevin looked back at Tayler. “Oh, no,” he laughed into his balled fist. “Bet you won’t do that again.”

  “Somebody should have warned me,” she said, as she opened the door and climbed out of the truck herself this time.

  “I said you’d be disappointed,” Rollin added.

  When Rollin and Kevin lifted the tiller off the back of the truck, Tayler couldn’t help but notice the muscles in Rollin’s arms. But she turned away before he caught her staring.

  “Come on in, have a look around,” Rollin said, as Kevin walked ahead of him, pulling the tiller.

  Tayler followed him inside, carefully watching her every step. Aside from the dirty floor, the inside of the barn was surprisingly neat. Everything was stacked up and organized. She’d expected to see some farm animals, but only neatly organized tools lined the walls.

  Rollin looked back at her. “What’s wrong? Scared you’ll get your new sandals dirty?”

  Kevin laughed as he pulled the tiller farther back into another part of the barn and disappeared.

  “They’re not new.” She brought her hand to her nose. “Is that manure I smell?”

  “No, that’s compost, and a bunch of other stuff. The only manure we use is green manure mix.”

  Rollin led her to an area of the barn where long pieces of wood and boxes sat. “This here’s my new greenhouse. It’s in pieces now, but I should have it up in a couple of days.”

  She stood next to him, noticing how proud he was of his new greenhouse. “What grows in there?” she asked.

  “I’m starting a crop of greens, which are in high demand. Collard greens, turnip greens and some spinach. I’m not sure what else.”

  “You’re really into digging in the dirt, aren’t you?”