Page 9 of Broken Pieces

“Oh right. Let me seat these girls and I’ll grab it for you. Go sit at the bar.”

I grab a seat at the bar after walking behind the counter and pouring myself a glass of water. I can see Ivy giving me the eye from where she stands. I pull my phone out and mess around on it when I hear cursing coming from the kitchen. A female cursing. Not John, the cook.

Curious, I peek up and nearly drop my phone. The most gorgeous girl I have ever seen is standing by the stove blowing on her hands. I can only guess she burned them pulling whatever sweet treat out of the oven. I don’t know what it is, but it smells divine. Even better than Summer’s blueberry cobbler.

She has a scowl on her face as she stares at the pan. Honey colored hair frames her face and cascades down her back in a low ponytail. She’s small and petite. She can’t be taller than five feet. Her slim waist peeks under her shirt as she rests her hands on top of her head blowing out a breath.

She must feel me staring at her because her head snaps toward me and I’m pierced with magnificent emerald eyes.

Fuck, I know those eyes. Damnit, why does this hot new girl have to be related to the Calloway’s. She quickly looks away and ducks out of my viewing.

“Don’t even think about it, Brooks Anderson,” Ivy pronounces slowly.

I look over at her. She is leaning her hip on the counter next to me. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm. Right. She is completely out of the question.”

“And why is that?” I ask as I look back toward the kitchen trying to catch another glance.

Ivy grunts, “By all means, go ahead. I will be the one laughing at you when Easton knocks you out.”

I turn back toward Ivy, grinning. “And why would he do that?”

Her answer is smacking me on the side of the head. “The last person Easton would ever want around his baby sister is your grimy manwhore hands,” she sighs, shaking her head at me. “I don’t even know why I put up with you.” The phone starts ringing, and Ivy starts to walk away. “I’m gonna answer that and grab that box out of the office for Summer.”

I watch her walk away and then look back toward the kitchen and catch the girl looking at me but quickly snaps her head away when we make eye contact.

Ivy walks out with a box and sets it on the counter. “Did you need any lunch or you heading back to the farm?”

“Nah. I got to go get some work done before it gets dark out.”

She smiles at me with puppy dog eyes. “Can you do me a huge favor?”

“Why do all y’all women keep askin’ me to do favors?”

“Because you are just so charming,” she responds, pinching my cheek in the process.

I swat her away. “I don’t think you were calling me charming earlier.” She just shrugs. “What do you want me to do?”

“I hate asking you this and you are the last person right now I want doing this. But Harper went home sick and Easton is workin’. But that was the installer for the new bakery cases, and he is running late. Can you please take Raelynn home? She doesn’t have a car.”

“Who?”

She nods her head toward the kitchen.

A smile crosses my face. “Not a problem.”

“Like I said, don’t even think about it. You are to take her straight home. No detours.”

“I wouldn’t even dream of it.” I wink at her and she shoves the box in my hands.

“I am being serious, Brooks. Easton wants her here or at home. Nowhere else.”

“Why?” I question.

“I don’t know.”

I look at her and can tell she is lying to me. “Whatever you say. I’ll be out in the truck.”

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