Rescued by the Farmer by Mia Ross

Abby’s room that way, but your mom constantly invites me up there for meals. And she insists I call her ‘Maggie.’”
    “No,” Drew exclaimed on a mock gasp. “What is that woman thinking?”
    “I know it sounds dumb to you, but I’ve learned that no matter how nice people might be, it doesn’t take long to overstay my welcome.”
    The soft confession blew away any thought of teasing her further, and Drew fought the urge to take her in his arms and reassure her that her fears were completely unfounded. Instead, he met her worried gaze with a smile. “I don’t know how they do things in Chicago, but around here, folks don’t have a time limit on hospitality. You’ve done more than pull your weight ever since you got here, and we’re happy to have you.”
    “For now, anyway.”
    That kind of pessimism was a learned trait, and it pained him to know that this bright, beautiful woman had picked it up somewhere along what must have been a difficult path. Since he couldn’t unlearn it for her, he figured the best thing he could do was prove to her that there was another way to go. And then show her how to get there herself.
    “I’m still starving,” he said briskly, stepping back to give her some space. “And I’m gonna try out the new menu at the Oaks. Wanna come?”
    She hesitated, then asked, “Do you mind if I do laundry while we’re there?”
    “’Course not. I’ll even help you fold.”
    She rewarded him with a warm, grateful smile. “Are you still trying to be my hero?”
    Yes , Drew nearly blurted before he caught himself and dialed his reaction back a notch. “Maybe.”
    For the first time since he’d met her, Bekah let out a real, heartfelt laugh rather than the contained one he’d heard until now. In keeping with his new gallant status, he waited while she locked the clinic door and then followed her to her apartment. She jammed her clothing into her oversize duffel, and before she could lift it, he hefted it to his shoulder and motioned her out the door. “After you.”
    “Is this the Southern gentleman thing I’ve always read about?” she asked as she locked the door and followed him out to his truck.
    “Yes, ma’am,” he drawled with a grin. “We don’t just haul out these manners to impress the tourists, y’know.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    Drew hadn’t met many people who’d grown up anywhere other than Kentucky, and the differences between his upbringing and Bekah’s fascinated him. During their ride into town, they traded details about where they’d lived, and he learned that while Bekah had a fondness for Chicago, she and her family actually hadn’t been there all that long. Being born and raised on the rolling acreage of Gallimore Stables, he couldn’t help wondering what he’d be like if he’d had the opportunity to experience new cities and people the way she had.
    While he pondered how to keep their intriguing conversation going, she looked out the passenger window with a heavy sigh. “Most places I’ve lived, it’s never really dark like this. There are so many street lights, you can’t even see the stars. And you can hardly sleep through the traffic noise, much less hear the birds.”
    “Cities have parks, though.”
    “Sure, but this whole area is like one enormous park,” she commented in a dreamy voice. “With all the horses and wild animals around, it goes on and on, with nothing to ruin the beauty of it.”
    Drew had always considered his hometown to be a pretty place, but Bekah made it sound like paradise. Then again, that was probably because she’d had such a rough time lately and appreciated the tranquillity Oaks Crossing had to offer. Since he’d had more than his fill of peace and quiet, he longed for something more exciting. Images of Nolan’s Silver Creek property in Colorado floated through his mind, but he resolutely pushed them aside for another time.
    When they arrived in town, it was about eight o’clock, and the