Page 14 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

Cain hugged him tight. “Thanks.” He held on longer than Andrew expected. “You have no idea.”

“Take your stuff home, then you can come out and visit. I’ll be there.” Andrew let go. He loved the way Cain felt in his arms, but Cain wasn’t his. “Okay?”

“Yeah.” Cain packed his groceries into the trunk. “See you in a bit.”

Andrew kept an eye on Cain as he loaded the cat food into the bed of his truck. Cain seemed so lonely. Odd, since he was a nice enough guy and sweet, too. Andrew waited until Cain left, then exited the parking lot to drive home.

He laughed when he reached a traffic light. He’d wanted nothing more than to stay far away from Cain. Then he’d gone and paid for Cain’s groceries. He’d invited him over, too!

Good gravy.

He’d led with his heart again. He’d probably get it broken, but such was life.

He headed out of town to the farm. Maddie had already left, and the cats waited in the front porch. He parked, then unloaded the cat food bags. As he dumped each into the metal bins, he ensured the cat food bowls were full. He let Gabby out of the house to do her business. While she inspected the front yard, Andrew sat on the front steps.

Gabby darted across the grass and barked.

Cain.Andrew hadn’t expected his visitor so quickly. Cain parked in front of the barn, then exited the vehicle. “The sunset here is pretty.”

“Thanks. We like it.” Andrew crossed the lawn. Gabby led the way and sniffed Cain. “Don’t jump on him, Gabs.” Andrew petted her head. “She won’t bite, but don’t act scared.”

“Right.” Cain held his hand out to the dog. “This is a farm? I’ve never been to one.” He scratched Gabby behind the ears. “You’re a good girl.”

“She is.” Andrew admired the way Gabby loved on Cain—like she’d chosen him, too. Andrew cleared his throat. “This is where I grow the food I sell at the farmers’ market.”

“You’re all organic.” Cain stood tall and grinned. “I love it.”

“I grow the vegetables myself, yes. I have to keep it clean, the bugs off and the critters from eating it.” Andrew tipped his head. “Why? Want to check out the garden with me?”

“You’d let me?”

“Why not?” He gestured to the garden. “Gabby, come on, goof. Let’s go.” He patted his hip. “She can be nosy.”

“She won’t bite?” Cain patted her head again. “Why Gabby?”

“She used to bark all night when I first rescued her. Someone had dropped her off at the end of the lane, and I couldn’t leave her there. She was just a pup and too small to really have been weaned. Oh boy, how she cried. She slept in my bed for the first year. Now she sleeps on the floor,” Andrew said. “She’d probably sleep in my bed if I’d let her again, but she likes to dig and has tangled with the skunks a few times.”

Cain laughed. “I guess that would make sleeping hard.”

“It does.”

Cain stopped at the edge of the garden. “I noticed the scar on your eyebrow. Did a dog get you? Or was it an accident out here in the garden?”

Andrew rubbed his eyebrow. He hadn’t thought about his scar in forever. “I got this from a car accident. I was on my bike and a friend accidentally ran me over. I hit the windshield, it broke and cut up my face. I’m okay.”

“Good.” Cain ran his fingers through the leaves of the tomato plants. “This is crazy. You grew all this?”

“I did,” Andrew said. Pride swelled in his chest. “Whatever I sell, I grew. My stepsister helps, but this is my thing. That and the cattle.”

“Stepsister?” Cain stared at him. “You’re not alone out here?”

“She lives in town.” Andrew stuffed his hands in his pockets. “My father and mother were hippies and didn’t believe in marriage. They had lovers and apparently no one cared either way.” He shrugged. “My folks are still together, despite my father having a tryst with Maddie’s mother. Right now, my parents are trekking across California’s coast, cleaning up the trash.”

“I had to do that when I was on probation and had to do community service.” Cain plucked a tomato from the plant. “I live in California.”

“You do? I thought you lived across town.”

“I was born and raised in California.”

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