a.m., and unless you donât plan to eat today, you need to be on the truck before seven a.m.â
âWhat truck?â
âDidnât Nicole tell you that this is a working farm? We go out each morning to pick food for lunch and dinner.â
âWait a minute.â She shook her head. âThis is what kind of a farm?â
Rollin shook his head. âGet dressed and come on down. Iâll explain it to you. Looks like Nicole forgot to tell you a few things.â
He walked down the hall and left Tayler standing in the doorway watching his back. Once he disappeared down the steps, she closed the door and threw herself against it.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
She staggered into the shower then made it downstairs well before seven. Everyone was still at the table eating when she walked into the room.
âGrab a plate, honey. Youâve got fifteen minutes before the truck leaves,â Rita informed Tayler.
The smell of bacon, pancakes and hot biscuits left Tayler speechless and looking around the room for a plate. She wasnât hungry and had intended to negotiate her way back into bed.
âHereâs a plate.â
Tayler turned at the sound of Rollinâs voice. He stood next to the buffet offering her a square blue-and-white plate.
âI suggest you eat something. Going out on the truck to pick your own food is part of the charm of staying on a working farm.â
He glanced down at Taylerâs sneaker-clad feet. âOnce you get out there, just follow Kevinâs instructions and youâll be fine.â
After accepting the plate, Tayler glanced at her watch. âSo, I now have about ten minutes to eat something and grab a cup of coffee.â
âHot coffeeâs down there.â Rollin pointed to the end of the server table.
Tayler set her plate down and opted for a hot cup of coffee instead. A white carafe and a couple of cups sat around waiting for someone to try them. She poured herself a cup of what looked like liquid mud. Desperate for caffeine, she decided against her better judgment, and took a sip.
She almost dropped her cup, âWhat the hell is this?â
Rollin walked over to her. âItâs called coffee. Itâs organic. A dark roast decaf. I whip it up for guests daily.â
She sat her cup down on the server and pressed her fingers against her lips. âThank you but Iâll pass on the...coffee.â
Every morning she stopped at Starbucks for a cup of blond-roast coffee. How was she supposed to function without her coffee?
âHerbal tea is better for you anyway,â Rollin said. âIf you havenât tried it before Rita will show you our impressive collection.â
Tayler cleared her throat. This fool expects me to go out and pick food at seven oâclock in the morning without a cup of coffee. He must be off his rocker. âDo you know anywhere I can get a good cup of coffee?â
Rollin shook his head and laughed. âTry a cup of tea, or some orange juice. Youâve only got a little more than five minutes now.â He walked away.
There was no way she could wolf down breakfast in five minutes, so she grabbed a piece of toast and poured herself a glass of orange juice. Before she could finish, everyone was ready to go.
As much as she wanted to protest and drive into town for a cup of coffee, she conformed and walked out to the truck with everyone else. She was going to kick Nicoleâs ass for this one.
âFirst time?â
Tayler whipped her head around and looked into the blue eyes of a young boy who looked as if he was still in high school. His white skin, kissed by the sun, was almost as bronzed as hers.
He held out his hand. âIâm Kevin. Need some help up?â
âYouâre seriously taking us out on this rusted-out truck with no seats in the back?â
âYep, unless youâd rather walk. Itâs about five miles back up the road.â
She held out