But adding a small moisture detector specifically for a dispenser that the operator would have to fill prior to use would help resolve our issue. The technology was smart enough to know how to maintain the levels.
By the time I stopped, I realized I made my way to the far end of town. I’d get so lost in my head that I forgot where I was going.
Suddenly, the sound of a neon sign clicking brought my attention up to the window I was standing in front of. The bright red letters spelled OPEN below the Evergreen Florist sign. The sun was just beginning to rise, so it surprised me to see any businesses starting their day.
Taking a chance, I stepped inside with an idea in mind. I chatted with the owner, who said they only stayed open for a few hours on Sunday mornings. Her husband was a farmer, so the early hours suited them both.
I ordered a custom arrangement, and she promised it would be delivered this afternoon.
As I crossed the threshold back out into the open, I noticed a lot of the businesses were turning on lights and readying for the day. It was a far change from the town in California where we lived. Here in Ashfield, the day started before the sun. Inside the florist shop, her clock had read seven thirty, but it was clear she’d been working for a few hours already.
The morning sun beat down on my bare back as I ran home to the B&B. My lungs burned and muscles ached as I approached the house. As desperate as I was to go back inside and find Alex, I knew I needed to cool down, or I’d be paying for it later.
I stretched my hamstrings and quads, paying special attention to the slow stretch of the muscles. Hands on my hips, I walked along the outskirts of the large farmhouse. I took in the beautiful brickwork, remembering how Andrew told me the house belonged to their ancestors. Autumn hoped to buy and restore the place, but Colton swooped in at the auction and bid way too much for it, sealing him as the new owner. Then he swooped in and stole her heart.
It was a cute story really, especially since I never expected to hear that Autumn returned to Ashfield. As a kid, she was always chattering about seeing the world. It made me wonder what called her back. I was also curious why Alex stayed. She should have gone to a dance or culinary school anywhere in the world. She was talented enough in both aspects, but here she was in this small town.
Finally, making my way toward the back of the house, I used the key to let myself in through the mudroom. Immediately, the smell of bacon assaulted my senses. My stomach growled at the smell of the salty goodness.
I grabbed a towel I placed on a hook earlier and wiped away any residual sweat before entering the kitchen.
“Alex?” I called out. “I’m surprised to see you up.”
She stood at the stove, flipping strips of bacon, but my eyes were drawn to the tiny gray shorts that barely covered her ass. The bottom of her cheeks peeked out beneath the hem. She wore a cropped black T-shirt that showcased her toned stomach.
“Oh, good. You’re back. Sit.”
I knew when to listen to the boss, so I ambled my way over to the table and took a seat.
Alex set a bowl of sliced hash browns, plates of sausage and bacon, and a carafe of juice on the table.
“I wasn’t sure how you took your eggs, so I made one sunny-side up, two scrambled, and two poached. Do you prefer white or wheat toast?”
My eyes were glued to the heaping plate she put in front of me. “Rye?”
“I think we have some. Let me check. I heard the girls stirring a few minutes ago, so they’ll probably be down soon.”
A couple of minutes later, Alex returned to the table with four slices of rye toast. I’d devoured the scrambled eggs and was currently enjoying my third piece of bacon. The girls hadn’t made their appearance yet.
“Alex, you didn’t have to do all this.”
“Sure I did. It’s sort of my job.”
I wasn’t even sure they paid her for all the meals she helped orchestrate. Not that it was any of my business. I knew from Andrew that the event venue on their family’s farm was booked solid for years out. Each sister had a stake and a role, but each of them hired others to either take over or assist. Autumn was the event planner while Colton ran the B&B, but she had an assistant. Alex hired a local company to cater the meals. I wasn’t sure about the other sisters.
“Join me?” I asked as she set the plate of toast beside me. I couldn’t wait to sop up the runny egg yolk with the bread.
“I really shouldn’t.”
It reminded me of our first dinner, when she declined joining my family until the twins begged incessantly.
“Please.”
“Fine. You and your girls have got to stop it with the puppy-dog eyes.” Alex sauntered back to the kitchen, then returned with a plate of eggs. She had a smaller mix of what she served me.
As she took the seat next to me and began piling the sides onto her plate, I said, “I won’t ever stop the eyes as long as it gets me what I want.”
“And what’s that exactly?”
