Chapter 25

He was still wiping down doors when they got back to the cottage. Abby had to get going. Her visit was only a brief stop-by as she passed and only popped in to tell him her plans before she left. Stealing Muffin for a while, she could walk by her new beau’s farm, leaving Rose once more alone with Rob. Rose was suddenly feeling foolish for this morning.

She took him out a tall cool iced drink and food in the garden as soon as she waved Abby out the door, her mood brighter and determined to be nicer; she even managed a genuine smile at him when he looked up and accepted the plate of sandwiches. He sensed the change in her and smiled back, that usual jaw-dropping smile that made her feel like melting at his feet. She moved away quickly and tried to avoid too much eye-to-eye contact.

“Thanks.” He smiled her way, but Rose had already decided she was going to put distance between them and keep out of his way.

“You’re welcome. I have to thank you for all this manual labou