Free Bran (Prairie Grooms, Book Six) by Kit Morgan Page B

hallway.
    “Oh, fine, you take my forgiveness and you leave without giving me yours?” she yelled after him.
    He stopped in the foyer, turned, and with an accusing finger, pointed at her. “ You are the most infuriating woman I have ever met!”
    “And you are the most infuriating, stubborn man I have ever met!”
    “I'm leaving!”
    “Good, get on out of here!”
    “I will!”
    She stood and stared at him. “Then why aren’t you going anywhere?”
    He suddenly realized he hadn’t moved. He also realized that he didn't want to. Good grief! What was this all about? “Fine, I'm really leaving now!”
    “You do that! I'm going to have tea and cookies by myself !”
    He stared at the tray on the table, and stomped over to it. “These are mine,” he said as he snatched up a few cookies and waved them in front of her. “Good day, Miss Sayer!”
    He turned, strode to the front door and opened it. “I'm sorry!” He left, slammed the door behind him, then stomped his way to his horse. He untied Grady, put the cookies in his shirt pocket, and quickly mounted. He then kicked his horse and cantered away. Good grief! What just happened? He rode to the top of the rise, turned Grady around and stared at the ranch below him. “Oh, no,” he groaned as realization dawned. He liked Apple Sayer. He liked her a lot.
     
    * * *
     
    “What was that?” asked Sadie as she and Belle came into the parlor.
    Apple sat down and stared at the empty foyer. “I don't know, but he did take some cookies.”
    “This isn't about cookies,” said Belle.
      Apple refilled her teacup, ignoring the mess on the tray. “He also said he was sorry for being rude to me.”
    “Oh dear, will you look at that,” said Sadie as she said noticed the spilled tea. “I better get a rag to wipe that up.” She turned and left to get what she needed.
    “Was he rude?” inquired Belle.
    Apple looked at her as she took a sip of tea. She set the cup down. “He wasn't the nicest individual that day.”
    “Did you forgive him?”
    “You heard me, didn't you?”
    “Yes and no, the way you two kept going back-and-forth. Part of it we couldn't help but hear, and so when you asked…” Belle put a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “We couldn't help but yell back.” She lost her battle and giggled anyway.
    Apple joined her. “That was funny wasn't it?”
    “I can't imagine what he thinks of us now,” commented Belle as she sat on the settee. She picked up a cookie. “I'm sure he'll be back.”
    “You really think so?” asked Apple. “After all that was said?”
    “Of course, look at how long it took him to leave.”
    Apple smiled. “You have a point, but why did he stay? Especially since he was so mad at me?”
    Belle’s mouth started to drop open but she snapped it shut. It was still full of cookie. “You mean you don't know?” she asked, a hand over her mouth.
    “Know what?” asked Sadie as she came into the parlor to clean up the mess.
    Belle swallowed the last of her cookie. “Apple was just asking me why Deputy O’Hare stayed so long, even though they were having a disagreement.”
    Sadie looked between the two of them. “He likes you, Apple. It's as plain as day.”
    “Wha …what?” Apple sputtered and stood. “Likes me? I thought he hated me!”
    “Hardly,” said Sadie as she mopped up the mess.
    “This is terrible!” cried Apple as she came around the table and began to pace the parlor.
    “What's so terrible about it?” asked Belle. “Wouldn't you rather he like you than be mad at you?”
    “No!” said Apple is she spun to face her. “He can't like me!”
    Sadie stood up straight. “Why not? He's a handsome, eligible…,” she looked to Belle “… bachelor!”
    “Exactly!” Belle said and stood. “And he'd be perfect for you, Apple!”
    “No! You can't! I won't let you!”
    “Apple Sayer, what has gotten into you?” asked Sadie. “He's a wonderful match, and obviously very fond of you—in his own hot,