“No worries. I’ll make you breakfast, Cowboy. What sounds good?”
He grinned at her. “Surprise me.”
“Okay.”
Annie took a couple of hard rolls out of her breadbox and sliced them in two. She grabbed two skillets and placed them on the stove, cracking several eggs into one. In the other, she laid slices of Taylor ham, a Jersey delicacy. Her cowboy was going to get a traditional Jersey breakfast.
She sliced some cheddar cheese while the eggs and ham were frying.
“Whatever it is, it smells good,” Dallas said from his seat at her small table.
“You’ll love it.”
She placed two eggs, a slice of ham, and a slice of cheddar on each hard roll, set them on plates, and brought them to the table.
“Dig in, Cowboy.”
He took a bite and chewed. And chewed. When he finally swallowed, Annie was laughing at him.
“It’s a Jersey hard roll. Takes some effort, but there’s nothing like it.”
He smiled at her. God, he was so gorgeous. “The bread’s delicious, but what I really like is the meat. I’ve never tasted anything like it. It’s…tangy.”
“It’s Taylor ham. Taylor pork roll, actually. It’s a staple where I come from.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“I was surprised to find out that it’s not readily available outside of Jersey. I’m glad I brought some with me, and my mother has promised to send it to me as needed.”
“Who knew a Jersey girl had such secrets?”
“Oh, I’ve got plenty, Cowboy.”
“Indeed?” He eyed her seductively.
“Oh, yeah.” She twisted her lips into a smirk. “Just wait until I introduce you to Tastykakes.”
“You little siren. If I wasn’t enjoying this breakfast so much, I’d make you pay for that.”
“Hmm. Breakfast or me? Such a hard choice. Maybe I’d better become a lousy cook if I expect to get any attention from you.”
“Don’t you dare. Good cooking is the way to a man’s heart. Don’t you know that?” He put his sandwich down and scooted his chair out from the table. “Come here, Doc.”
She walked over and he pulled her onto his lap. “Dallas?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for…last night.”
“My pleasure.”
“Really. It meant a lot to me. I’m not usually so pathetically needy.”
“It meant something to me, too, Doc.” He grinned. “And not just because of the fantastic time you showed me in the hallway.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“I’m not being kind. I’m being truthful. I like you. And you were right. If we’re both coming out of divorces we shouldn’t rush this.”