Page 2 of Mountain Cowboy

Another pink blush rises to the forefront before she changes the subject. “Why don't you clean the apples first, then you can start dicing them? I'll get the dry ingredients ready to mix.”

“Sounds good, chef.” I offer a salute, my heart warming at the small smile it earns as I start dicing.

So far, so good. Now to continue the conversation.

“Have you been to Miss Patty's Orchard?” I gesture to the bushel of apples on the counter where Miss Patty’s bright logo is stitched over its woven container.

“Yeah, I think we went on a field trip in eighth grade.”

Shit. She's right.

“Ah, that's right.” I chuckle, embarrassment causing my own blush, despite my tan. “I forgot about that. Isn't that when we bobbed for apples, and Laramie Jensen snorted water?”

“Then spit it back into the bowl.” Hailey shudders and makes a disgusted face. “Yeah. It was then.”

This time my laugh is more genuine. She's so fucking adorable with her twitching nose. Like a little bunny.

“Yeah, that was disgusting,” I agree. “The game stopped after that. No one wanted to inhale Laramie snot.”

“Oh, don't even say that.” A harsher shudder travels down her body, causing her tits to jiggle underneath her shirt.

I allow myself a moment to stare in fascination before bringing my eyes back up to hers. It's obvious she noticed my distraction, though, because she bites her lip and quickly looks away.

Mayday! Mayday! Don’t make it awkward by salivating over the girl you want in the middle of class!

Clearing my throat, I push forward, concentrating on not accidentally chopping off a finger while cutting the apples. “So, we agree that we've been to Miss Patty's Orchard, but have you had her special apple pancake recipe yet? Or will today be your first time?”

Hailey shakes her head while measuring out the flour in a stainless steel bowl. “Definitely not my first time.”

And fuck, am I a pervert or what, because my mind imagines we’re talking about sex. Hailey’s a shy virgin, and I’m the lucky bastard who gets to love her body first.

Shit. Fuck. I cannot afford a boner during home ec right now.

“Have you?”

“What?” I’m lost in my head as I will the swelling in my dick to go down.

“Had these apple pancakes before.” Hailey's brows scrunch as she motions to all the ingredients laid out on the counter.

“Oh… Yeah, at Fancy's diner.”

“I forget she has those specials. I always get the same thing.” Her shoulders hunch inward—almost as if she's ashamed to have a routine.

“Nothing wrong with getting your favorite every time. What's your usual?”

“The Belgian waffle,” she admits. “It's not the most exciting item on the menu, but I love the crunch. Is that weird?”

“Nope. I like it, too, sometimes.”

“Let me guess… You eat whatever on the menu you're feeling for the day.”

“Pretty much.” And damn isn't that the perfect segue? “Speaking of Fancy's, maybe we can go out together. You can have your Belgian waffle on me.” I grin, pausing my dicing. “I'll see what catches my eye, aside from the pretty girl in the booth across from me, of course.”

Hailey freezes, and I wonder if I pushed too hard too soon.

“Like a date?”

A breath of anticipation clogs my lungs. Can't get any clearer than that. “Yes, a date. What do you say, Hailey Jones?”