She prayed and then started eating, surprised that she was even hungry after that huge breakfast and not working out today, though her rear believed that horse ride was quite the workout.
“Do you like teaching school?” Greer surprised her with not only a long sentence for him but initiating a conversation.
“Oh, yeah. My kiddos are the best.”
He nodded as if encouraging her to tell him more, so she did. She told him about going to college on scholarship and working as a janitor and then getting her job. She told him all the things she loved about teaching grade school and some things she didn’t. She told him funny stories about her kiddos and all the hilarious things they did and said. Everything she told him was the truth, except she said nothing about exactly where she’d attended college or where she lived or taught school. As it was Greer, he didn’t ask, and she was grateful. She didn’t want to lie to him.
Throughout lunch, she teased him about slowing down and “savoring” the delectable sandwich. He’d smile or occasionally even laugh. She wanted to make him smile and laugh more.
After they cleaned up lunch, she wasn’t sure what they’d do. She finished wiping the table, rinsed the rag, and turned to him. He looked irresistible with his hair mussed and no cowboy hat on, in a T-shirt, jeans, and socks. He leaned against the counter with one hip and studied her. She could imagine he was as puzzled by her as she was by him. If he thought it was odd to have a houseguest with a supposed demented ex after her who was staying in his good graces and for an interminable amount of time, he didn’t say anything about it or make her uncomfortable at all.
“So what do we do now?” she asked
What did cowboys do with their days? She assumed they were busy and worked hard, at least if Greer’s body and the immaculate state of his house, barn, and corrals was any indicator, but what would the two of them do?
He smiled and straightened. “You can rest.”
“No way. I will not rest while you work. I’m not some pampered girl who can’t get dirty.”
His gaze trailed over her, and she was suddenly hot from head to toe. Greer’s slow smile grew and had her panting for air. Then he tilted his head toward the mud room.
She punched a fist in the air and danced around. “That’s right. You recognize how hard-working I am and you know you will accomplish a myriad of tasks with your highly qualified and vastly experienced elementary school teacher by your side.”
He let out a bark of a laugh.
“Was that a guffaw?” she demanded, her jaw dropping as she jutted one hip out. “Oh, don’t you mess with me, Maverick. I will work you under your tractor. Or excuse me, under Boss.”
He smiled, turned, and gestured toward the mud room.
She led the way, making sure she put an extra swing into her hips. She didn’t worry about some objective. She didn’t let herself think about Travis. She could only think about Greer.
When he let out a soft groan as she walked in front of him, she smiled to herself. It might be wrong of her and the complete opposite of what the Voice wanted, but she would get to know this man and enjoy this time with him. That was really the only way to complete her objective or find out who to trust, anyway.
Who knew Greer Delta would be the one who could heat her up with one glance and without one word? He was a brainteaser for her. She really, really liked brainteasers.