Come Fly With Me. Sherryl Woods

secrets I’m telling. Tough, little brother. I’m handling this interview.” She shooed him away as if he were a pesky ten-year-old. “You and Kirk go ahead with your chores. Remind my husband that we have dinner plans, but thanks for asking, Adam.”

      Lisa bit back a smile. Adam looked as if he’d just been sent to bed without supper. She listened to Liz talk, envisioning Adam happy and full of mischief, before she’d arrived.

      “I don’t know what’s wrong with Adam, Lisa, but trust me, he isn’t normally like this at all. I think the pressure is just starting to get to him. Why don’t I give you the grand tour?”

      “It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of what he’s taking on here.” Lisa looked around, trying to imagine the room bustling with unfamiliar people.

      “Adam is trying so hard to do this all on his own, but he just doesn’t realize how much more there is to be done.” After seeing the entire lodge, they returned to the great room and Lisa closed her notebook.

      “I hope that helps.” Liz handed her a business card. “If you need any help—with the interview, or my brother—just call.”

      Lisa nodded. “It’s a beautiful building. Thank you for taking the time to show me around, Liz.”

      “I enjoyed it…and I’m thrilled that you’re here to do this story for us. And despite Adam’s sour mood, I think he’s excited about this story, too.” With that, Adam’s sister left.

      Despite Liz’s claim, it was still difficult to picture Adam enjoying playing host. Or maybe he only found it impossible to be hospitable to her.

      Whatever the reason, she was determined to change his mind.

       Chapter Six

      Adam went out of his way to avoid Lisa for the better part of the day. Allowing his sister to show Lisa around the guest house was probably the biggest mistake he could have made, and worse, they all knew it. Despite his efforts to ban Lisa from his mind, he’d been unable to keep his thoughts from drifting back to the blonde.

      Glancing out the window, he spotted Lisa playing with Toby. She took him off the leash and threw a stick. Adam chuckled. Throws like a girl, all right. Poor Toby won’t get much of a workout while she’s around. Just then she took off running with the awkward puppy lumbering after her.

      The steaks sizzled on the stovetop grill and bread warmed in the oven. He chopped a tomato and green pepper, tossed them into the lettuce, then topped it off with a handful of croutons.

      The wind whistled as Lisa and Toby tromped inside. “Brrr. Looks like we’re in for a storm.” Her cheeks were pink. She tugged the fleece headband off and tucked it into her coat pocket. Spellbound, Adam watched her remove the scrunchie, comb her hair with her fingers, then magically twist the silken strands into one of those sloppy buns that were so popular.

      Adam forced his attention back to dinner. “They’re only predicting a couple of inches.”

      She smiled. “Just enough.”

      He waited for her to finish the sentence. “Just enough for what?”

      She looked at him and shrugged. “To look pretty. Not enough to cause problems for the livestock or driving…. You know, just right.”

      He nodded, trying not to show his surprise at her thinking of the livestock. “Okay. Just enough.” Don’t get tangled up, ole boy. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. How do you like your steak?”

      “Medium, please. What can I do?”

      “I have it under control, but thanks.”

      When they were both seated, he bowed his head to pray, noticing her reaction. Despite Lisa’s hesitancy, Adam continued with his usual praise for the day and a blessing on the nourishment He’d provided.