Home Sweet Home: A Sweet, Texas Novella by Candis Terry Read Free Book Online Page A

what has this got to do with me?”
    “My sister has her own thing going on. And I need a partner. Someone who can help me with the follow-up, the labor, and keep the place running successfully.” She hopped down from the tailgate. “You interested?”
    “I’m a soldier, Paige. What do I know about cider and running a bed-and-breakfast?”
    “You’re smart. You love apples. You’re handy with tools. And you’d make a great host because people love you.”
    He shook his head. “Not true.”
    “Never disregard the way people feel about you, Aiden. Sometimes … it’s all you have.”
    His head came up, and something sparked in his eyes that gave her the smallest pinch of hope.
    “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Just think about it.” She gave a whistle to Cricket, who reluctantly got up from her cool spot beneath the tree.
    Paige felt the heat of Aiden’s gaze on her backside as she walked toward her truck. Someday, he’d trust his instincts. His gut. His heart. And he’d let life happen. Until then, she’d wait.
    Apparently she’d become quite good at that.
    “Why are you doing this, Paige?”
    She turned at the sound of his deep voice, inhaled one more glimpse of that mouthwatering physique, and noted the look of complete and utter puzzlement on his face.
    “We’re a good team, Aiden.” She lifted her hands in the air, then dropped them with a slap against her thighs. “Maybe, someday, you’ll figure that out.”

Chapter Eight
    TWO DAYS LATER, the back screen door of Bud’s Diner banged shut as Paige headed toward her truck, a hot bath, and a chilled glass of chardonnay. Sleep had evaded her since she tossed out the business proposal to Aiden, and she’d been dragging all day. Of course, most of the loss of z’s had little to do with worrying whether he’d come around and say yes to picking apples and restoring her Victorian house to its former glory.
    The devil might be in the details, but all Paige really wanted was for him to engage.
    Every time she’d drifted off, she could see him looking back at her, his deep brown eyes filled with uncertainty and confusion. Aiden had always been a man who knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. He’d always been a man of action. Even when he’d been just a boy. It had been one of the things that had made her fall in love with him. Somewhere deep down, she knew that, no matter what, he’d always be strong. But times had changed, and the tables had turned.
    It was her turn to be strong.
    For him.
    She untied her work apron and looked up as she approached the red F-150. Aiden stood there, lean hip braced against the back bumper, arms folded, watching her approach with a look in his eyes she couldn’t quite read.
    “Hey there,” she said as she opened the door and tossed her purse and apron inside. “If you showed up hoping for a taste of Bud’s newest concoction, you’re too late. It went down the garbage disposal about an hour ago, along with a few curse words that sounded a whole lot like “Stupid effing idea.”
    His laugh made her smile.
    “What did he come up with this time?”
    “Gladys Lewis talked him into re-creating a dish she used to make for her husband back in the 1950s.”
    His head went back in a “Whaaaaaat?” way.
    “Yeah. The fifties. An era where Jell-O molds and meat loaf were the highlight of the dinner table. Somehow, Gladys convinced Bud that tuna, potato chip, and olive casseroles were making a comeback.”
    “I’m speechless.” He made a comical face. “And no longer hungry either.”
    “That’s what the Calhouns said when they came in for lunch today. Much to Bud’s dismay, they ignored the ‘Daily Special’ and promptly ordered their usual chicken fried steaks. Chester Banks said he’d brave taking a bite if Gladys could score him a date with the new cashier at the Touch and Go Market.”
    “Did Gladys go for that?”
    “No. And neither did Chester. Or anyone else in the diner. So down the disposal it went.”
    “Well, at least Bud’s brave enough to embrace