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“I don’t know. I just, look forget it. I’m really happy that you’re wearing it.” He took a step back, putting a little breathing room between them. He couldn’t think straight. Everything coming out of his mouth sounded so wrong.

“Do you regret giving it to me?”

Beneath the words he could hear the hurt in her voice. Shit, he was making a mess of things.

“No.” He practically shouted the word. Closing the gap he’d just made he gently cupped her elbows. “No, Kel, I don’t regret it. If I could articulate what I want to say properly you’d know exactly how seeing something so beautiful, something that my mother loved, on you makes me feel.”

“I’m truly honored that you’ve entrusted me with this. It means a lot to me too.”

He pulled her in tight for a hug. “Thank you for not rolling your eyes and walking away. I know I was acting like a complete idiot being unable to articulate myself well.”

“Trust me, you’re far from an idiot. But I have to ask…” She leaned back to look at him. “Do I make you nervous? I mean, when you first came into the store, you stuttered around me, but not when you spoke to Mom. Why?”

For weeks before he’d walked into her store, he’d been attracted to her. He’d seen her at Silver Spurs bar, laughing with Macy. Her whole body seemed to vibrate with happiness, and he’d stopped in his tracks, fascinated by her. He’d wanted to go over and talk to her, but one of the guys who worked at the guacamole factory whisked her onto the dance floor and he’d missed his chance.

“I wouldn’t say you make me nervous, per se. It was more like I really wanted to impress you and that made me nervous when I spoke to you those first couple of times. Only I think I impressed you for the wrong reasons.”

Kelly laughed. “Well, yes, but I know why you’re doing it now so my opinion has changed. And I’m glad I don’t make you nervous now.”

No, you just make me want to forget about all the things I want to do with the farm and spend all my time with you.

Something he should not say out loud to her. As it was, she seemed very different from the woman she’d been a week ago. Turning up unannounced at the farm last night and today was out of the ordinary for her.

It was definitely time to get off the cliff edge of conversation about what they felt for each other. “I think the reason you came out was to talk about the event and your idea for more flowers.”

If his change in subject shocked her, she didn’t show it. In fact, she almost looked relieved. “Right, yes. Let me get my tablet out and show you some of the designs I mocked up.”

“Before you do that, let’s find somewhere to sit. I think it might be best that I don’t stand while you show me your grand plans.”

Cupping her elbow, he led her back the way they came and around to the front of the house so they could sit on the porch swing. Tyler’s car was still parked close to the house, but the truck was gone. At least Tyler had finished loading all the peaches and hadn’t slacked off the second he walked away with Kelly. Perhaps his brother did want to sit and share a bottle of his wine with him.

The last thing Tate wanted was to be suspicious of his brother’s motives, but he couldn’t help it. What did Tyler want this time?

Chapter Ten

Kelly watched theplay of emotions cross Tate’s face. When she arrived, she’d picked up on the tension between the brothers. She’d always thought all the brothers had gotten on well together. Maybe Mom knew more and could give her a heads-up.

And maybe it’s none of your business, or you could ask Tate.

Her inner voice had a valid point. Leaving it alone was probably the wisest course of action. Asking Tate would take their relationship to another level. A level where they were sharing their deep, dark secrets. Things couples in love, or falling in love, did. Where they told each other their hopes and fears.

They’d only just begun to date. Regardless of the fact she’d accepted Tate’s bracelet and agreed to date him exclusively, this was still a fling for her. A stepping stone into getting back into the dating pool, so sharing her fears or finding out Tate’s wasn’t high on the list. Did that make her sound insensitive? Probably, but Edwin had burned her so she wasn’t about to give out her heart quite so freely this time.

She was here because of the Founders’ Day festival. Macy had emailed her asking for an update.

Maybe talking about the festival would be just what Tate needed to get out of his head. For the first time since they’d had dinner at the diner, he’d been quiet and introspective, something he hadn’t done as much the previous times they’d been together.

“Okay, this is what I wanted to show you.” She pulled up the designs on her tablet and handed them to Tate. “What I’ve done is changed up the designs of the displays at the front of the property a little. I initially had them high and wide, but I think this version is better. It’s still high, but has a more rounded look, so it matches the shape of the peaches you grow.” She swiped across the screen a couple of times and pulled up another design. “I thought we could add a couple more arbors along the edge of the trees.”

“What? Why?” Tate interrupted. “I thought we discussed this and had decided on two arbors only. I don’t want anything interfering with the trees. Plus they’re going to provide a nice, green backdrop.”

She knew Tate would push back on these additional arbors. “You’re right, we did. If we add just these two in, it will create a bit more of a barrier against the outside tree line.”

“And what if some kids are fooling around and run into the arbor, knocking it down? It could lead to an injury, and the last thing I need or the festival needs is an unnecessary injury claim. I honestly think we’ve got enough.”

Kelly tapped her finger against her lip. “That’s a really good point. I haven’t given much thought to the safety aspect around the farm. Something I probably should’ve considered. But if they’re secured to the ground, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

She really hoped Tate would change his mind. These arbors were going to be spectacular.