Free When I Fall in Love by Bridget Anderson Page B

today.”
    â€œGirl, you can do that anytime.” The telephone rang and Corra excused herself to go answer it, with Katie in tow. “Y’all figure things out. I’ll be right back.”
    Alone with Tayler, Rollin felt the need to apologize. “Hey, I’m sorry you got roped into this. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Corra has other folk working on the fund-raiser who can pitch in. She took advantage of your kindness all day today. I think she’s forgotten you’re not just Nicole’s friend, but a guest of ours.”
    â€œThat’s okay, I really don’t mind helping,” Tayler said, crossing her arms. “It’s just that, uh, I don’t think her plans for us working together are such a good idea.”
    Rollin lifted his chin while revisiting a mental picture of him carrying her in his arms. That moment had caused his nerve endings to tingle, and set off a desire to touch and explore her body. Not only did Corra need to remember Tayler was a guest, but he had to remind himself as well. “Yeah, you might be right.”
    Corra reentered the room. “So, what did you guys work out while I was gone?”
    * * *
    Instead of spending less time with Rollin, Tayler found herself riding around Danville bright and early with a man whose touch had the power to set her body on fire. Being in such close proximity with Rollin did a number on Tayler’s imagination. Every time he smiled at her, she could visualize his bare chest and her hands exploring his rock-hard chiseled abs.
    She bit her fingernail and stared out the window at the fields and fields of deep green grass and knew then why they called Kentucky the bluegrass state.
    â€œThis shouldn’t take too long,” Rollin said.
    Tayler swallowed and turned away from the scenic view. “Let’s hope not. I still want to check out that antique shop.”
    â€œI’ve got a lot of stuff to do myself. If Corra weren’t my sister, she wouldn’t have been able to talk me into this. How did she talk you into helping out, anyway?”
    Tayler took a deep breath and sighed. “She just asked. It’s not like I’m busy doing anything.” Other than trying to keep my distance from you. “So I’m happy to help raise funds.”
    He pulled into a parking spot at one end of the mall and killed the engine. “Well, it’s time for you to do your thing.”
    She grabbed her pitch, although she didn’t really need it, and opened the truck door. Before she could climb down, Rollin was there offering his hand. She accepted it and stepped out in her heels, trying not to bump into him and possibly ignite a flame. But she stepped right into that citrus and woodsy smell of his that made her want to snuggle up next to him.
    The first stop was a gift shop that sold everything Kentucky related. The owner, a short, heavyset white woman, was overjoyed to see Rollin. “Well, lookie here, I haven’t seen you in months. How’s everything over at the B and B? Honey, you look just like your daddy, you know that?”
    Rollin blushed and spent the next fifteen minutes updating her about the goings-on at the B and B.
    Minutes later, they did the same thing at the Family Dollar Store, the hardware store and then the cleaner’s.
    The friendship Rollin seemed to have with everyone around town impressed Tayler. Everyone expressed how proud they were of him and Corra before expressing an interest in who Tayler was.
    â€œYour sister said you were hot stuff in this town,” Tayler said once they were outside again.
    Rollin laughed. “I don’t believe Corra said that about me.”
    â€œMaybe not in those exact words, but that’s what she said.”
    â€œThese people knew my pops and what he was trying to build with the farm. They’re just glad I didn’t sell it when my parents died, that’s all.”
    â€œYeah, right. Like the women at the