Free The Chocolate Garden (Dare River Book 2) by Ava Miles Page A

more than words.
    The new Tammy knew what she wanted to do next.
    “Will you stay for supper?” she asked before she could lose the nerve.
    His dimple winked at her as he smiled. “I’d be happy to.”
    Nerves washed over her like ants. He thought she was making a move, and the very idea flustered her. God, she so wasn’t ready for that. What in the world would a move from a woman be like anyway? Oh heavens , she thought. Mrs. Augusta’s motto had been: Always let the man make the first move, but there’s nothing wrong with nudging him in the right direction .
    “It’s the least I can do since you’re taking Rory on a ride and mowing the yard,” she said, her words a tangled ball of politeness and clarification.
    His smile dimmed then, like the waning afternoon sun, and she was sorry to be the cause of it. “Of course.”
    She turned and walked ahead of him to the house, realizing that this new Tammy still had a lot more growing to do, especially in regards to one particular handsome man.
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    You could tell a lot about a woman’s experience with men based on how she reacted to offers of assistance in the kitchen.
    When John Parker asked Tammy how he could help prepare dinner after he’d returned from his bike ride with Rory, her cool expression gave way like Moses through the Red Sea.
    “I take it Rye doesn’t cook much,” he commented with a wry smile.
    “Well…only if Tory is cooking,” she responded and touched a hand to her hair again, something she’d probably done ten times since he’d come inside. “Then he’s around in the kitchen, all right. Usually teasing and grabbing at Tory so much she ends up ordering him out. You know Rye.”
    Yes, he did, and no one could ignore the sparks between the couple.
    “When it was just Rye and the kids and me, I did the cooking. It’s not like Tory’s, but…”
    A package of chicken breasts was unthawing on the kitchen counter. “How were you planning on cooking the chicken? I can throw them on the grill if you’d like.”
    She pulled out some zucchini from the refrigerator and washed them, setting them on a cutting board when she was done. “That would be nice. I intended to be further along with the preparations by the time you got back, but Annabelle wanted me to sit and watch her show with her. She was cuddling so sweetly I just couldn’t pass up the moment.”
    “She’s a darling. She and Rory are cuddling on the couch now, watching a movie. They’re cute together.”
    “Yes, they are. Now, I have to warn you about dinner. We’re not doing anything fancy. Just some chicken, vegetables, and wild rice.”
    “Sounds perfect,” he said, smiling to himself as he watched her efficiently cut the zucchini into nearly even slices. “Since I know where things are around here, I’ll start the rice.”
    After filling the pan with rice and water, he grabbed the olive oil from the cabinet and added a splash before setting it to boil on the stove. “Best get the grill going now.”
    “And since you know how to do that too, I won’t say a word. Holler if you need anything.”
    “Do you want anything on these?” he asked, picking up the package of chicken and the bottle of olive oil.
    “Not for me and the kids. But if you’d like to add something…”
    He gave her a wink. “I know where Rye keeps the hot sauce.”
    “Yes, he has like thirty bottles, mostly with naughty names. I think he buys them just for that.”
    “You’d better believe it,” he said and headed to the back, where he let himself out to the outdoor dining area with its massive grill.
    As he fired it up, he heard Rory making gun noises and, sure enough, the boy came running around the side of the house a moment later. Annabelle was in pursuit, and the four dogs were running at various intervals between them. It looked like they’d gotten bored with their movie. The kids were brandishing sticks, and while he couldn’t make out their game, the elation on