When I Fall in Love by Bridget Anderson Page B

beaches—any place but a farm on the outskirts of Danville, Kentucky. You’re not my typical guest, that’s all, and I know you expected more. But stay and keep me company. I promise to keep my foot out of my mouth the rest of the night.”
    As she turned around, a slow smile managed to find its way to her face. “That might be hard, since you do it so well.”
    â€œTouché. I deserved that.”
    She strolled back over to the kitchen island and sat on a bar stool. Once she set her glass down he poured more wine.
    â€œThank you,” Tayler murmured.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” Everything this evening was taking longer than Rollin anticipated. He had paperwork to do that he should have worked on earlier, but there was always tomorrow. He hadn’t met a woman like Tayler in a long time and couldn’t get enough of her company.
    * * *
    Tayler sipped her wine and asked herself why she’d come back to keep him company. She needed to be in the library waiting on dinner, or sitting on the front porch, enjoying a nice breeze. Sitting in the kitchen watching him cook was more like a date.
    â€œHow’s the wine?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s good.”
    Neither one of them said anything for a few minutes. Only the sizzle of the food cooking could be heard. She looked around trying to find a conversation piece to break the awkward silence.
    She read the label on the wine bottle. “Castle Hill.” Is this organic wine, too?”
    â€œOf course. It’s a white wine from Versailles, Kentucky, and the chicken is free-range. A little more expensive, but worth it. How has your food been so far?”
    â€œEverything has been amazing.”
    â€œFood free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides tastes better, plus it’s better for you.”
    â€œIt does a body good, huh?” she asked and took another sip of wine.
    Propped against the counter with his arms crossed, Rollin nodded. She struggled not to undress him with her eyes again.
    â€œI don’t know, you tell me,” he said with a smile.
    She cleared her throat. “You’re the one who grew up on it, not me. My mother used to stop at the closest fast food joint on her way home most of the time. She wasn’t exactly a cook.”
    â€œI didn’t grow up eating organic. I learned about it in college.” He turned around to check on the food but continued educating her about everything organic.
    Tayler was impressed with his knowledge of soil erosion and how organic production reduced health risks like some cancers and other diseases. She listened and learned.
    Once dinner was ready, they moved the conversation into the dining room. He’d already set the table for two.
    â€œMan, today has been an education, that’s for sure,” she said.
    â€œI told you this vacation is going to be an experience you’ll never forget.”
    She laughed. “Oh, it’s off to a good start.”

Chapter 9
    T ayler took her usual seat for dinner, while Rollin sat across from her.
    After blessing the food, he surprised her when he asked, “So, how does your man feel about you coming down here alone?”
    She stopped chewing. “What man?”
    â€œYesterday I asked why you were single and I believe your reply was, ‘Who said I was single?’” he said, mimicking her voice.
    She lowered her head and started eating. “Well,” she said between swallows. “I didn’t say I was seeing anybody. It’s just that I never said I was single. You made an assumption.”
    â€œOkay, but you are single?”
    She held her head up. “At the moment, yes I am.”
    â€œMm-hmm,” he said tasting his chicken.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    He shook his head. “Nothing.”
    Tayler hesitated for a moment, then asked, “How come you’re single?”
    He shrugged. “I haven’t met the right woman