Page 15 of Stealing Kisses

Meanwhile, Baylin’s life revolved around the O’Casey farm.

She oversaw every aspect, workedinthe business, not just on it. Her hands got dirty every single day. That’s why sheunderstood a farmer’s tan, thread-bare blue jeans, and scuffed boots.

On the other hand, those boots had cost a pretty penny; Baylin could tell that by the quality of the leather and the stitching on them.

And that car!Boxy.

Somewhere amidst Teddy’s constant stream of chatter and singing and humming and chuckling, it became obvious that Teddy was very well-spoken…like someone not only educated but trained in public speaking.

On top of that, Teddy seemed drawn to her library; he’d been so reverent with each book he touched. Working long days outdoors left little time to read; Baylin could attest to that… Herto be readlist rivaled Santa’s book of names.

Those thoughts of books she wanted to read and the Dickens novel Teddy’d chosen, of the piano piece she needed to perfect for the festival’s pageant and the way Teddy seemed to have an endless song on his lips, of the bubble bath she eschewed for a quick shower to save time because she’d spent too much time with Teddy that night, of the way his jeans moved with his easy gait, of the way he hustled to carry the potato crates so she wouldn’t have to heft the heavy load, of the way Teddy?—

Grrrr! Teddy, Teddy, Teddy.

He’d consumed her thoughts all night, when she should’ve been sleeping.

When the alarm chimed bright and early at 5:30 a.m., Baylin didn’t greet the day with a smile.

When Teddy knocked on the side door entrance to the kitchen at 7:00 a.m., Baylin still wasn’t smiling.

But Teddy was.

His glass-half-full, permanent-good-mood aura accomplished the dual effects of irritating Baylin while lifting her spirits at the same time.

Grrrr,again.

“Good morning,” he offered, taking his grin up a notch. “Mind if I share a cup of coffee with you?”

“Help yourself; burner’s still on.” Baylin gestured toward the pot.

“Can I pour a mug for you?”

“No, I don’t have time,” she answered. Despite her protest, he poured two cups.

She frowned when he set them both on the table and pulled out a chair for her.

“I don’t—” she began, but he cut her off.

“I heard you,” he admitted. They both knew good and well he’d heard her. “But the day’s gonna fly by quick enough; we might as well take a few minutes to enjoy it before it’s gone.”

“Humph,” she grunted indelicately, prompting him to giggle.

Giggle!

Did adult men giggle? Ever?

Someone should outlaw giggling first thing in the morning!

Resigned to drink the cup of coffee he’d made for her — just so it wouldn’t go to waste — Baylin grabbed the creamer from the refrigerator and joined Teddy at the table.

She ignored him as she added sugar and cream and stirred her drink, aware he watched her every move.

She lifted the cup to inhale the aroma, closed her eyes, and sipped the hot brew. Baylin couldn’t stop the satisfied sigh that escaped after her first taste.

Like clockwork, Baylin made a pot of coffee every morning, just in case she’d hired farm hands for the day and one stopped by with questions. Baylin rarely poured herself a cup. And she never sat down to drink it. Doing so used up precious minutes she needed to tackle other tasks.

She’d been missing out.

---