“For the expo, I mean, and for Zora’s shop. She’s been like a mother to me—more than my own mom, to tell you the truth.”
“Yeah.” He wiped crumbs from his lips, leaving a few clinging to his trim beard. “Zora is good people.”
“Even though she’s woo-woo?”
He leaned onto his elbows and fixed her with an intense gaze that sent tingles down her spine. “Listen, if I gave you the impression I don’t respect your aunt, I apologize. That’s not true at all. She’s a great lady, and in her own way, she helps people.”
“Oh really? How?”
“She makes you think, and she’s gentle about it. It’s easy to get stuck in your own thought patterns. A fresh point of view never hurts, even if it comes from a deck of tarot cards or, you know, palmistry.” His smile held a teasing edge.
She scooted her chair closer. “Mr. Skeptic wants to learn about his lines? How about I give you a reading? Call it my thank-you for breakfast.”
With an adorable, bashful grin, he extended his palm.
“You’re a lefty, yes?” She grasped his other hand and opened it. “Your non-dominant hand shows your natural tendencies.” She traced the arc around his thumb. “Your life line is deep and clear.”
“That’s good, right?”
She nodded. “Means you enjoy life. You have courage and plenty of energy. But see this break here?”
Squinting, he peered at the spot.
“This shows a tendency to spend more time thinking than acting. Don’t be afraid to take risks.”
“Hmmph. On new ventures with a certain woo-woo shop, for example?”
“Hey, I didn’t etch these lines.” She shot him a snarky smile. “Now this head line is typical of a Taurus.”
He huffed. “No one likes being told they’re typical.”
“You want flattery or information?”
He rolled his eyes and huffed a sigh. “Go ahead.”
“It’s actually a good sign, by the way. The length of your head line means you’re perceptive and fair. You’re opinionated, but you enjoy learning new things. Teaching would be a good job for you.”
“Me? In a classroom full of kids? No thanks.”
“Not all teachers work in classrooms, or even in schools.” Easy to imagine him using his beautiful greenhouses to teach about herbalism, but let him figure that one out on his own. “Palmistry isn’t about foretelling the future, it’s about knowing yourself so you can make better choices.”
“Fair enough. What about, um, the other line?”
Mr. Grumpy Bull wanted to know about his love life? Another good sign. With her fingertip, she traced the crease beneath his fingers. “The heart line isn’t only about romance, it’s about your feelings for all the important people in your life—friends, family, lovers. Yours is deeply etched. You care a lot about home and family.”
He huffed through his nose. “Already told you that.”
“Uh-huh. Your love for your family shows in all the care you put into making your home and farm beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming.”
Who’d have thought such a big, sullen bull would blush so prettily? She tamped down her urge to tease, suspecting that Jesse rarely opened himself to strangers like this.
“And your heart line extends all the way to your index finger. That means you’re a romantic, very protective and nurturing.”
His gaze shifted away. “Fat lot of good that does me,” he grumbled.
“Care to elaborate?”
“No.” Setting his lips in a firm line, he clenched his hand. “Thanks for the reading.”
