By the time he made it inside, he could smell the eggs cooking.
His stomach growled as he quietly pushed the door shut. He took a deep breath and trudged toward the kitchen. With her back to him, Dakota was standing at the stove, working on their breakfast. She’d pulled her hair up high on her head in a messy kind of updo. The shirt she’d borrowed from Faye’s dresser was a little short and showed off a strip of olive skin at her waist.
Clearing his throat, he meandered into the kitchen. “Sure smells good.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder, then placed the food on a plate. “Enjoy.” Dakota shoved the plate to his chest.
“Dakota, I—”
“Not now, Brady.” She retrieved her own plate from the counter and placed it on the table. “After breakfast, I’m going to see if we can get someone out here to move that tree from the dirt road, then I’ll be out of your hair.” Dakota stabbed her omelet with her fork and took a bite.
Brady placed his plate on the table and eased into his seat. If he had to guess, he’d bet that tree wouldn’t be moved any time soon. Taking a bite of toast, he studied her. How would she react to being stuck here longer than planned? His brows lowered and he stared at his food. If the way she was acting lately was any indication, she’d be livid—and it was his fault. For some reason, he rubbed her the wrong way.
He played with his fork. Waiting until she found out on her own would be better. If it didn’t come from him, she might take it better. Brady took a bite of the omelet and froze. His eyes raised to meet hers. “This is great.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
“I mean it. I always overcook my eggs and they end up dry and rubbery. Even Mary’s eggs are missing something. How did you do this?” He took another bite and savored the buttery, fluffy consistency.
Her lips twitched. “My mom taught me.”
“Is your mother a five-star chef?” He took two more bites, hoping she’d take pity on him and make more.
That smile he’d only caught glimpses of finally appeared. “She was a teacher, but she really liked to cook.”
A sound of appreciation escaped his lips. “Well, I’m impressed. I could eat this all day.”
Dakota wiped her lips with a napkin, then placed it on the table. “Do you want more?”
Brady beamed. “Really?”
She nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Dakota got to her feet and held out her hand for his plate. “Any special requests?”
He raised his brows. “What do you mean?”
“Well, this one was made with cheese, peppers, pepperoni, and tomatoes. I can add whatever you want. I grabbed cheese, onions, and mushrooms too.”
“All of it.”
She chuckled. “Okay, then.”
Something warm replaced the unease in his abdomen. He loved her laugh.
Dakota returned to the counter and started whipping up some eggs. She tossed in a handful of veggies and cheese and stirred the contents of the bowl again. The pan on the stove started sizzling as she poured the contents into it. In a matter of minutes she was back at the table with a fresh plate of seasoned eggs.
The smell wafted toward him and he smiled. “Thanks.”
She nodded and returned to her seat, sipping her drink.
After scarfing down the omelet, he put down his fork and leaned back. “So, what’s your plan today?”
Dakota’s fingers rested on her glass. She spun the cup around as she stared at it. “I need to call someone for the tree, and I’d like to head out… but I think I will wait until some of your guys make it back.”
Relief flooded his insides. She wasn’t going to leave right away. Nodding, he feigned aloof interest. “I need to get out to the stable and feed the horses, brush them down, check them over—”
“Over my dead body.”
Brady’s eyes shot to hers. She stared him down, her jaw rigid and her mouth in a firm line. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Anyone in your condition would need rest and take time to heal.”
He fiddled with his fork. “I’m not just anyone.”
She snorted. “Yeah. You ran into a burning building last night, got your arm broken, and came out smoking like a chimney. You’re lucky you’re up and walking around, Brady. Under no circumstances will you leave this house. You need to be on bed rest until a doctor can check you out.”
Brady arched a brow, a smile playing at his lips. “You’re not the boss of me.”
Dakota surged to her feet and leaned over the table, pressing her palms onto the wood. “I’m the only one who will make sure you don’t work yourself to death, and you’re going to listen to me.”
“Pfft. This is my house, my ranch, and you are my guest. I will do what it takes to keep Hickory Hollow afloat and you won’t stand in my way.”
Dakota growled and spun around, knocking her chair to the floor. “Why are cowboys so infuriatingly stubborn? I will go check on the horses. You will stay put.” She stormed out of the room.
Brady attempted to follow her, but the moment he stood up, the dizziness returned. He gripped the table and closed his eyes, willing his body to calibrate. He wasn’t going to be a burden.
Chapter Ten
Dakota practically ran to the stable where she’d put the horses the night before. Her face hot from the anger she felt, she relished the cool air as it brushed against her skin. The burnt wood smell hit her like a wall as she passed the rubble. Shaking her head, she strode forward. Brady could have been hurt much more if things had gone a different way. What if the building had collapsed on him? He was being an idiot.
She made it to the stable. The moment she stepped foot inside, whinnies and hoof stomping surrounded her. A smile touched her lips. “I’m sorry, guys. I should have been in here hours ago.”
There was a stack of hay bales on the other side of the stable. She grabbed a pitchfork and set to work tossing fresh hay into the stalls. Next, she went around to each horse with a fistful of grains, corn, and oats.
A sack of apples hung by the entrance. She retrieved it off its hook and checked out the horses’ hair. The cooling blankets mixed with hay had done a good job of drying their coats. One by one, she gave each steed an apple, then removed the cooling blanket and set to work brushing out their hair until it shone.
About thirty minutes later, motion at the entrance of the stable caught her attention. Brady leaned against the door jamb, his skin pale and a pained expression on his face. She dropped the brush and rushed over to him.
“What are you doing here? I told you to stay put!”
His brows furrowed. “And I told you this is my ranch and I need to take care of it.”
Dakota rolled her eyes and forcefully turned him around. “Did it take you this long just to get over here?”
“I don’t want to answer that.”
“Brady! This is what I was talking about. What if you had passed out on your way over here? I would have found you in the mud and you would be right back where you started last night when I dragged you inside.” She lifted his good arm over her shoulders and pushed him toward the house. “You won’t do anyone any good if you don’t get better.”