Blake sighed, wishing he hadn’t had the fortitude to stop. She wanted a whole lot more than just kissing. She wanted him.
But he was right. And so when he got out of the car and came around to the passenger’s side to help her out she took his hand and walked with him up the pathway to the front door.
And as she walked she knew she was in big trouble. This was the last thing she should be doing right now, the absolute last thing she needed in her life, but like it or not she was falling hopelessly in love with Ryder Kent.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It was an exhausted couple that trudged down to the kitchen that morning. Ryder looked like he was still half asleep and Blake felt like her eyes were full of cotton wool. They’d gotten up after only three hours of sleep and they were both dog-tired but there was nothing to be done except to push the weariness into the background and get to work. The customers would be pouring in by seven.
To Blake’s relief, when Chris walked through the door he had his sister with him. “She’s ready to roll,” he said with a huge grin. “Let her at ‘em.”
“Thanks so much for coming, Samantha.” Blake went over to greet her. “I hope you’re a trooper like your brother because we’re going to work you like a dog. Are you up to it?”
The slender teenager laughed. “As long as you’re paying, I’m your gal.”
And so began a day that was no less hectic than the one before. Todd arrived shortly after Chris and Samantha and they immediately got to work. By the time the first customer walked in they were ready and when the last one walked out after lunch they were worn out but satisfied.
“You did great, Sam. For someone so small you can really handle those trays.”
Obviously pleased with Blake’s praise, Samantha beamed. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow,” she said. “See you.” She gave Blake and Ryder a quick wave goodbye and then led the way out the door, the two teenage boys behind her.
Blake turned to Ryder with a sigh. “What a day. I thought it would never end.” She pulled out a chair as she spoke, with every intention of plopping her behind on it and taking a load off her feet.
It didn’t happen. Her bottom was halfway to its destination when the bell over the front door tinkled and somebody else walked in.
“Oh, no,” Blake groaned and threw Ryder a look of desperation. “Not another customer.”
“I’ll handle this.” Ryder moved from behind the bar where he’d been putting away the drinking glasses and headed toward the front entrance but a cheery voice slowed him to a halt.
“Hello, there. Pretty busy today, huh?”
When Blake saw who it was she grinned and dropped down onto the chair. This was not someone who was going to disturb her rest. “Sarah, what brings you over?”
The buxom gray-haired woman walked into the middle of the room and put her hand on her hips. “I came over to tell you that you cost me a customer.”
Blake’s brows shot up. “What are you talking about?”
“Jerome Slater. Yesterday he came to the house in a heck of a hurry, packed up and flew out of town like the hounds of hell were after him.” Sarah laughed. “And I don’t mind at all. Peggy told me about him, that he’d been causing you some kind of trouble. Well, good riddance to him.”
“You’re sure you’re not mad? Like you said, I cost you a customer.”
“Oh, please. I’ve got my hands full with those guys from the phone company. I’m just sorry I let that beast of a man stay at my place, but I didn’t know.” She shook her head. “He came across as so nice but he was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“He’s good at that, fooling people…” Blake let her voice trail away. She glanced at Ryder who’d returned to the bar and now stood watching them. “Could you do me a favor and pour a drink for Sarah?”
“Not at all,” the woman said, waving a dismissive hand. “I’m not staying. I just wanted you to know he’s gone.”
“Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” she said breezily. “I’ll catch you kids later.”
After she’d gone through the door Ryder walked over to Blake’s table, pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. “You’ll have to prepare yourself,” he said. “This will have to go through the courts.”
Blake gave a soft groan. “Just what I need. A bunch of lawyers to suck me dry. I don’t have that kind of money right now.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ryder said, his tone nonchalant. “My team of lawyers can handle that.”
“Your team?” When Ryder said nothing Blake followed up with a second question. “Tell me something. That exchange you had with Jerome about owning a dairy business, what was that all about?” She tilted her head toward him, intent on giving him her full attention. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that, except I’ve been so darn busy.”
Ryder shrugged. “I own a business in Des Moines. Kent Dairy Industries.”
“And that big brand Jerome spoke about. What is it?”
“Cozy Cow.”
“Cozy Cow. That’s you?”
He nodded.
“Wow,” she said in a reverent whisper. “That’s huge. And here I have you washing dishes, being my short order cook and waiting tables.” She chuckled. “Am I going to get a citation from one of your big shot lawyers?”
Ryder laughed out loud and when he gazed at her again there was a look of relief in his eyes. “I won’t tell them if you don’t.” The next instant his face turned serious. He got up and went around the table to take her hand and pull her to her feet. “I’ve had a heck of a time with you as my boss.”
“Yeah, right.” Blake gave him a mocking smile. “What kind of boss was I, when you never let me pay you? Both times I left your paycheck on top of your dressing table you left them behind.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Now I know why.”
Ryder tightened his fingers around hers and pulled her closer. “There’s something else I want you to know about me.”
Blake’s heart fluttered and she felt a shiver of trepidation run through her. “What?”
“I love you.”
Three words, so sweet, so simple, so softly spoken, but they were three words that made Blake’s heart soar.
But could it be true? Had Ryder fallen in love with her? “Are you telling me the truth?” she demanded, glaring up at him, willing him to be nothing less than honest.