Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“This all looks delicious.” He pats his belly. “My diet is on the back burner for another night.”
“That would make fifty-eight years then.” Barb laughs.
The whole meal is exactly as I hoped it would be. The food Taylor prepared goes down like a storm. For dessert, she excelled herself with a moist carrot cake, dainty chocolate brownie bites, and an out-of-this-world trifle. The delicate pastries she has in the oven for much later smell divine and, despite everyone feeling full to the brim, we all promise to save a little space for them.
The conversation is light and upbeat and centered around food and travel. Barb and Mitch have recently been to Europe and Asia and amuse us with their tales, which mostly involve Mitch putting his foot in it in different locations. Taylor smiles and laughs along but doesn’t join in much. I wonder if she ever left her home state and if she’s ever been to a dinner party before. She seems so sheltered.
As we’re getting ready to clear the table, Barb says, “You’ve got a great girl here, Clint. You boys are all lucky to have her around. Jesse, your momma would have approved of so much life being brought into this kitchen.”
“She would,” I say, wistfulness creeping into my voice. I wish I could be honest with Barb about who Taylor’s going to be to us all. Keeping secrets is hard, especially from the people I love. She must sense my disquiet because her eyebrows draw together.
“Come here, daft boy! He’s got a big heart, you know, Taylor. They all do!” Barb hooks her arms around my neck and presses a motherly kiss to my cheek. Taylor watches our exchange, and I hope that Barb’s sweetness towards me will show Taylor that I’m not a bad guy and that we’re all worth sticking around for.
When dinner is over, we leave Barb and Taylor to chat at the kitchen table, and head to the back room to play some cards. I focus on Mitch’s update on the three young workers he’s bringing us on a program from the penitentiary. Activity at the ranch will ratchet up over the coming months with branding and breeding. We’ll need the help.
Time passes in the company of good friends and even though I’m losing at cards, I find myself laughing away some of the earlier tension.
When we wrap up our third game, I offer to get everyone coffee, and as I leave the back room, I slow as I reach the kitchen. Barb and Taylor are talking, and I can’t resist the urge to listen in for a bit.
“After that, we just couldn’t make it happen again. The doctors told us it was impossible. It’s been something that I have carried with me always.” Barb’s voice, choked with tears, tugs at my heart, and I have to steady myself. I realize that she’s telling Taylor about her pregnancy loss and resulting problems, which meant they could never have children. It’s why they always treated me and my sister like their own. We filled a need. Mitch and Barb have had to go their whole lives with an empty nest.
They’re silent for a moment, and Barb composes herself before speaking again. I have to really strain to hear her. “Do you think you will want children, honey?”
Taylor clears her throat a little awkwardly. “You know, I haven’t really thought about it. I’m young right now. There are things I want to do first.” My stomach lurches at her words. I stifle a cough and steady myself on the doorframe.
“What would you like to do more than being a momma then, honey?”
“Have my own little business. I love baking. It’s what I’m good at. I used to work in a bakery, and I loved it.”
“Well, you know what they say about the way to a man’s heart. I think you’re on the right track.”
“I hope so.” She’s quiet for a moment. “I’ve even got a name for the bakery: ‘Taylor-Made Bakes.’ What do you think?”
“That’s adorable. I think with how you bake and how lovely you are, you’ll achieve anything you put your mind to, honey!” The tenderness in Barb’s voice is so sweet and genuine, and I wish I could feel the same way about Taylor’s plans. She deserves to be happy, but her plans run contrary to what I want.
Maybe the others are right. Maybe she’s too young. Maybe I should have bid on someone older. Or maybe I should have been upfront with her about what I want from our relationship.
I just had a feeling about her. A feeling I can’t explain even to Maverick and Clint who know me better than anyone. When I picture another one of the girls from the auction in this kitchen, it doesn’t feel right.
I cup the back of my neck, pressing against the tension. I shouldn’t have imagined that any girl would be an unmolded piece of clay just waiting for my hand, and listening in on this private conversation is tipping me into negative territory again.