Free Passionate Harvest by Nell Dixon

really rubbing her feet now so she paused to check her toes. Sure enough each foot now sported a large blister.
    “Never let a good deed go unrewarded.” She muttered, wincing as she carefully slid the leather back in place.
    “Lucy?”
    She gasped as Dominic suddenly appeared in front of her, all the nerve endings in her body snapping to attention.
    “That’s twice today you’ve made me jump.”
    A frown puckered his forehead. “I thought you went home ages ago? Did you come back for something?”
    “No, I didn’t go. I went to get some cakes to take home and poor Isabelle was swamped so I stayed to help.” She realised she probably looked a complete mess with blistered feet and her hair clinging damply to the back of her neck. And somehow despite wearing an apron she’d managed to smear cream and jam onto the bodice of her dress.
    “If you’d have called me I would’ve come to help.”
    Lucy gave a small shrug. “Neither of us thought of it. It was so hectic in there we just got on with the work.”
    “I’ll have to get something in place for tomorrow.” Dominic’s frown deepened.
    “No need. I already told Isabelle I’ll stop by and stay to help again if it’s busy. I suppose we can count it as my induction into the café work.” 
    “You’ve already given up your free day.” 
    He didn’t look too happy with her suggestion.
    “I won’t be in again till later in the week, remember? I have to tie up all the loose ends with the tour company.” She shuffled her feet, longing for a sit down and a change of shoes.
    “Hmm, I suppose so.”
    “What brought you back here?” He could hardly tell her off for working on a weekend when he was there too.
    He dangled his car keys in the air. “I left the car earlier. I came back to move it down to the cottage.”
    Lucy’s face heated as she recalled exactly why his car was still parked next to hers. The same memory appeared to cross his mind at the same time judging by the dull flush of colour reddening of his cheeks. 
    She licked her lips nervously and picked at a dried spot of cream on the shoulder of her dress. “I should get going, Maggie will be back from her trip and I could use a shower.”
    “Um, yeah, me too. I could use a shower, I’ve been fixing the trail path with Bob.”
    Lucy’s face grew hotter under his gaze. Her traitorous mind immediately filled with images of Dominic naked inside his shiny white tiled bathroom. With water dripping from his dark hair onto his broad shoulders and his ice blue eyes fixed on her own bare body as she joined him under the cool water spray. 
    From the glint she saw there right now she suddenly had the uncomfortable feeling that he had her pictured in a similar situation, and the thought of it made her melt.
    * * *
    She arrived back at the café the following day in time for Isabelle to open up. The forecast was for another bright, sunny day and Lucy was certain Isabelle would need all the help she could get. At least she was sure there would be a role for her within the business even if it was only waiting on tables. Perhaps that would be sufficient to meet the terms of Nick’s will.
    “Lucy, I’m so glad you came back today.” Isabelle beamed at her.
    “If it’s anything like yesterday then you’ll need the help.” Lucy smiled back. At least today she was dressed for waitressing in comfy shoes and loose practical clothes.
    Sure enough they had barely had time to get the place ready and set up the counter when the first customers were outside the door. Time passed quickly and Lucy enjoyed making herself useful. It was well after lunch before the flood of customers slowed to a trickle and they were able to snatch a quick break.
    “We will definitely get you more staff for next weekend.” Lucy sat at a table opposite Isabelle and stretched one leg to ease the ache in her calf.
    “I’m going to hold you to that,” her companion agreed.
    “At least you have the day off tomorrow.” Lucy