Page 61 of Kissing Her Rescuer

Her heart stumbled. That was Dewey. Always caring about someone else. “No. I just want to sit down.” And get her head and her heart on the same page.

Because she didn't know what happened next, but she knew that she was in love with Dewey, and that wasn't part of her plan.

“How doyou like your new truck?” Nash met Dewey at the door to Ms. Peggy’s house at five-fifteen in the morning. They’d taken up meeting there since working on the south end of the fields. “I can hear you coming down the road with that diesel engine.”

“It’s nice. Doesn’t have all the slick bells and whistles like yours, but I like it. I can tow the tractor now, no problem.” He rarely admitted it to anyone, but he loved his new truck. Besides driving a truck that had working air conditioning and didn’t rattle, he could swing by and pick up Carrie anytime he needed.

“I know. I plan on borrowing it from time to time.” Nash stepped out of the way as Ms. Peggy’s voice drifted through the screen door.

“I thought you boys had some work to do today?” She rose on her toes, and Dewey leaned down to let her kiss his cheek. “Coffee, honey?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He followed her into the kitchen. A new subfloor was laid over what used to be worn linoleum. “How’s the kitchen remodel going?”

Nash leaned against the new counter, a soft white granite. “It’s going. One-piece at a time.” He winked at his mom. “I can’t have my favorite cook unable to get to her stove.”

“Maybe if I did stop cooking for you, you’d figure out how to do it on your own.” She poured Dewey a cup of coffee and cut her eyes at Nash. “But I don’t want you to poison Lexi, so I keep cooking.”

Nash swirled the coffee in his cup. “If you don’t want me to come here to eat—”

“Hush up. I never said anything of the like. Sun’s not even up, and you’re already mixing my words around.”

“Why are you up so early, Ms. Peggy?” Dewey picked up an apple from the fruit bowl in the center of their table.

“Headed up to North Carolina while Nash and Lexi finish my kitchen.”

Gambling. Not that she needed a kitchen renovation as an excuse to gamble. Dewey took a sip of his coffee. “I should probably head out to the fields. I have to cut out early this afternoon.” He grinned, unable to hold in his excitement. “I have a date with the prettiest girl in Statem. No offense, Ms. Peggy.”

“None taken, if you’re talking about Carrie. Clara told me yesterday that Eliza’s going to take some pictures of you two together.” She whispered like his mom could hear her. “As long as you and Carrie don’t match. I never understood why Clara was determined for everyone in the family to wear the same outfit.”

“I think Eliza coordinated my tie with Carrie’s dress.”

“That’s better than the matching sailor outfits you and Eva wore that year.” Ms. Peggy motioned him toward the door. “Get going. I’ll see you, boys, in a couple days.”

Dewey finished his coffee and set the cup in the sink. “Have a good time.”

“I always do.”

He took a bite of his apple, ready to have the day over so he could see Carrie. And Eliza.

Nash followed him out the door. “I guess I’ll start with the south field. If you want to come to the diner for lunch, I’ll have your paycheck by then. Am I still supposed to garnish your wages?”

Dewey didn’t hesitate. “Yes. The account Eliza has them going into is for Carrie’s college fund. She still won’t let me write her a check.”

“I figure you’d be moving in with her once Hugh moves out.” Nash walked to his work truck. “Even a few minutes ride across town is too long distance. Especially when the option to live together will open itself up so easily with Hugh leaving.”

“I wish I was there.” Dewey rested a hand on his door and looked to the East, where the sun would appear in another hour. “Eliza is nervous.”

“Why?” He began to put on his work gloves. “Afraid you’ll snore her out of bed?”

“She says she doesn’t want to be trapped into relying on a man again.”

Nash whistled low. “That’s rough. Being compared to Zach.”

At least someone else had taken it that way. Each time she mentioned it, pulled away from him, or had to take a deep breath to keep from running, Dewey’s frustration grew. But he’d have patience with her. Eventually, she had to recognize that he wasn’t Zach.

And there was no way he was walking away. She’d have to get used to the idea.

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