Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,16

morning, if that helps."

"I need to feed my cows."

How he would manage that, he wasn't sure, but they’d needed hay yesterday. He was surprised he wasn't hearing them bawling in protest yet.

"You don't need to worry about them," she said, giving him a tentative smile that settled into his fevered brain. "I already did that."

"You fed my cows?" He frowned, trying to absorb what she was saying.

"I gave them about eight bales yesterday, based on the size of the feeders. Is that enough?"

He just stared at her, confused.

"I can give them more today if I need to," she said quickly, mistaking his hesitation.

"No. No, that's perfect." He shook his head, then regretted the motion as he made his way to the couch, frustrated that he still felt so lousy.

"How did you know what to do?"

"I know my way around a tractor."

He wanted to ask her more, but his head was still fuzzy. Adele watched him, her frown deepening. "You still don't look too great."

He laid his head back against the couch. "Thanks a lot." Though he was relieved the cows were taken care of, he wished he felt better.

"Wasn't meant to be an insult," she said, a note of humor edging her throaty voice. It was a nice voice, he thought. Soothing. "I'll go make that tea.”

She left and he heard her moving around in the kitchen through the ringing of his ears. It sounded cozy. Like when his mom was alive. A few moments later she was back with a pot of tea in one hand and a mug in the other.

"Sugar? Milk?"

"No. Nothing." He rarely drank tea. That was Theresa's particular habit. He was surprised there was any left. She'd been gone for over two and a half years.

"How are you really feeling?" she asked again as she poured him a cup.

"Confused." He took the mug, cradling it in hands that were now chilled. "I don't know who you are, other than your name, but you fed my livestock, took care of my kids and..." He paused, thinking of the little boy she had come with. "And if I remember correctly, you've got some little boy that you say is mine."

Dean, he remembered. The kid that Adele insisted was his. And what was he supposed to do about that? The kid was here in the house and seemed to think he was his father. Who would do that to an innocent young boy?

"So far so good," she said, her voice tight, as if she was holding back some emotions.

"Did the tractor start okay?" he asked, preferring to focus on more practical topics for now.

"Yes. The shop was warm, but I plugged it in when I was done just to be safe. It's cold out there this morning."

He took another sip of his tea. He was thirsty. Hadn't had enough to drink despite waking up to glasses of water by the bed. Left there by her, he suspected.

He leaned forward, cradling the mug in his hands, absorbing the warmth. He wasn't as shivery as he had been.

"Do you need another ibuprofen?" she asked.

"Sure." Hopefully it would help.

"Can I make you something to eat?"

He tested that thought. He wasn't hungry, but if he didn't eat, he wouldn't get better.

"Maybe some toast? I hate to ask, but it would take me longer than it would take you."

"I know my way around your kitchen," she said, getting up again.

He watched her through the opening between the family room and kitchen as she worked. She seemed to know where everything was.

A few moments later she was back with a plate heaped with golden eggs, perfectly scrambled, and a piece of toast as well as a couple more pills. "I know you said just toast but thought you might like some eggs."

"Thanks. This looks great," he said as she set it on an end table beside him.

He took the pills with his tea, then started in on the eggs and toast, surprised to find out how hungry he was. As he ate, she settled down on the opposite side of the couch, looking comfortable.

Considering she'd already been here a couple of days, it shouldn't be too surprising.

He ate his eggs and toast and she sipped her own mug of tea. Thankfully, she didn't see the need to fill the silence with conversation. Right now, he was still trying to process everything that had happened the last couple of days. Which wasn't easy given how sluggish his brain felt.

But when he was finished with the