Read Online Ruby Falls by Nicole James - Free Book Online

wishing he could take this hurt away from her. “Aren’t you happy here?” he asked.
    “Yes, it’s not that…but, I can’t stay here forever.” She got up out of the swing and went to stand by the porch railing, looking out at the storm clouds.
    Steve sat watching her, wondering why there was such an ache inside him at the thought of her leaving. He got up and stood behind her. He looked out over the rolling fields and distant hills of this land he loved so much. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. Bending his head, he whispered in her ear, “I’m glad you’re here, Summer. Very glad.”
    They stood that way for a long time, silently watching the rainfall and the lightening flash in the distance.
    “Come on, baby. I’m gonna make us something to eat.” He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and led her inside.
    They walked into the kitchen, and Summer immediately started to get a pan out.
    “No, babe. You sit. I’m making this meal.” He took the pan out of her hands and pushed her toward the kitchen table.
    “But Steve, I’m supposed to do the cooking. That’s what you pay me for.”
    “Hush, woman.” Steve set the pan on the stove. He took down two mugs and filled them with coffee. Walking over, he set one steaming mug down in front of her.
    She looked up at him, smiling. “I could get used to this.”
    “Used to what?” He walked back to the stove and lit the burner under the pan.
    “Being waited on.”
    “Well, don’t get too used to it,” he said, looking sideways at her from the stove with a grin. He went to the refrigerator and got out some eggs, butter, and some other items.
    Summer watched him as he got down a mixing bowl and cracked eggs into it, tossing the shells overhand across the room into the trashcan. Then he grabbed a whisk out of a drawer and began beating the eggs. When he was done, he turned back to the pan and plopped in some butter.
    He proceeded to make them both steak and eggs while Summer sipped her coffee. She watched him closely, noticing how at ease he seemed in the kitchen. “You seem very domestic,” she remarked.
    He turned his head and smiled at her as he dished them both up a plate and carried it to the table. “Not too domestic. This is my only specialty.”
    They dug in.
    Summer had to admit, it was delicious. “You’re not a bad cook. Why do you pretend you’re helpless in the kitchen?”
    “It got you working for me, didn’t it?” He grinned.
    She laughed, nodding. “Yes. I guess it did.”
    They ate in silence for a while.
    Finally, Summer pushed her plate away. “That was delicious, Steve. Thank you.”
    He gestured toward her plate with his fork. “Must not have been that good. You didn’t even finish.”
    “Are you kidding? There was enough food on that plate for a family of four. I’m stuffed. If I keep eating like this, I’m going to gain twenty pounds.”
    “Horse shit! You don’t eat enough to keep a bird alive,” Steve stated, shoveling another forkful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
    Summer got up to carry her plate to the sink. “Well, I don’t do as much strenuous work as you do, so I don’t need to eat that much. You want me to get fat? You like fat women, huh?”
    “No, ma’am. I like you just the way you are.” Steve put his fork down and wiped his mouth, scooting his chair back. “Come here.”
    Summer turned from the sink, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “What?”
    “Come here,” Steve repeated.
    She walked over to him. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down on his lap. “Steve!” she screeched. “What are you doing? Let me up.”
    “Hmm, you may have gained a couple of pounds, at that,” he said with a grin.
    “Oh! Let me up this minute.” She struggled, trying to free herself from the arms he had wrapped around her waist, but he held tight.
    “Now, now, settle down, woman! I was just teasing you. There’s not an ounce of fat on you, except in all