When I Fall In Love. Bridget Anderson

She flung the robe around her body and tied the sash before throwing the door open.

      “Thank you, Rita, but I’m going to skip breakfast and the ride with Kevin this morning. I’ll eat in town later.”

      Rita looked taken aback.

      “I’m sorry. I told Rollin I wouldn’t be going picking, or whatever, this morning. He should have told you.”

      “Yes, he should have. Well, if you change your mind, I’ll wrap a plate up for you and put it in the refrigerator.”

      Three hours later, Tayler walked out of her room dressed in a pair of jeans, a new signature T-shirt and her favorite three-inch strappy sandals. Now she was ready for breakfast. She’d be damned if she was going to spend her vacation jumping up every morning to go pick something.

      The house was quiet again, which was a little eerie to her. She descended the grand staircase with purse in hand and felt like a queen or princess or something. The railing was magnificently designed. She looked around downstairs and found a radio playing in the library, but no occupant.

      She walked out to her car and noticed a tractor in the distance and wondered if that was Rollin hard at work. She opened the car door and tossed her purse inside. It was time to ride into Danville and see what was up.

      Tayler had no idea where she was going, but she remembered Rollin telling her a diner was just inside town. She rolled her window down and then scanned radio stations trying to find something other than country music. She finally located a hip-hop station. Glancing at the clock, she figured Nicole should be at her desk by now and pulled out her cell phone.

      “Good morning, Nicole Burns.”

      “I figured I’d catch your ass at work, since you seem to be dodging my calls.”

      “Tayler! Hey, girl, how’s it going?”

      “Didn’t you get any of my voice messages or emails?”

      Nicole laughed. “Girl, that riding-out-on-the-truck thing must be something new. I didn’t know about that.”

      “So, not only am I the only guest here, but Rollin expects me to ride out every morning with this young guy I don’t know to pick my own damn food. Not to mention their coffee is the worst I’ve ever had. I’m going into town for a cup now.”

      “Come on, Tayler, relax and get into it. Life in the country is different than life in Chicago.”

      “I know that. But I booked myself into a B and B hoping to get a little rest. So far, I’ve been awakened before the break of dawn and forced to work without coffee. I rode in the bed of a dirty rusted-out truck. Oh, and a snake chased me through the fields. Does that sound like I’m relaxing to you?”

      Nothing but laughter came from the other end of the phone, which pissed Tayler off.

      “I’m glad you find this so freakin’ amusing.”

      “I don’t mean to laugh at you, but you should hear yourself. You’ve been there two days and you sound like a spoiled brat. You’re in the country, Tayler. There are snakes and old trucks in the country. You’re out of your element, but that’s what you needed. You’ll survive without Starbucks for a little while.”

      “What are you now, my therapist?”

      “No, but I know what you need. I hope you haven’t been on that computer, either. Read a book, go for long walks and see if Rita will let you help her in the garden. Get back to nature for a minute.”

      Now Tayler had to laugh. “You set me up, didn’t you? You knew all along this wasn’t going to be what I expected.”

      “No, that’s not true.”

      Tayler took a deep breath as she approached town. “Nicole, you owe me for this, that’s all I’m saying. If I even end up staying the month, you owe me dinner at Spiaggia’s when I get back.”

      “Girl, you got it. Just try to relax and destress. I hate to cut you off, but I’ve gotta run to a meeting. Stay in touch.”

      “Oh, I most certainly will.” Tayler hung up just as she saw a large tattered green-and-white sign come into view. Donita’s Diner. The sign was set close to the road, most likely so guests didn’t drive by too fast and miss the diner. She pulled into the lot and killed the engine. The outside had seen better days and could use a paint job. She hoped the inside would fare better.

      The minute she opened the door, she knew she was in trouble. The heavy smells of grease and cigarette smoke hung in the air. A tired-looking middle-aged waitress greeted Tayler and led her across the sticky floor to a table. Tayler tried not to slip and fall. After the waitress recited the morning special, Tayler ordered a cup of coffee and a three-egg omelet.

      “Is this seat taken?”

      She looked up from the menu she’d kept to see Officer Greg holding the chair across from her, dressed in his snug-fitting uniform.