Once inside, he peeled his curtain back to make sure she made it safely inside. Hand pressing the window reflecting her entry into the haven of his barn’s doorway, he prayed.
“You’re all about renovation, Lord. Redeem the mistakes of my past and let your will prevail between us in whatever fashion pleases you.”
“It’s green.”
Christopher, one of the teen helpers, pointed at the blob simmering in a stockpot the next afternoon. Colin grinned at him and winked at Meadow. She felt laughter bubble at Christopher’s innocent observation. Joy also rose that Colin had quickly bonded with her waitstaff teens, Chris, Aimee, Abbi, and Aurora. Clearly, they adored him.
Despite her and Colin’s late-night scramble to get everything done, a feat she never would’ve accomplished without him, Meadow wasn’t tired today. Not even after dreaming restlessly of him all night and while enduring the teen girls’ matchmaking efforts ever since he’d arrived. She was glad, though, that they’d had only a half day of school that morning.
Aurora sidled next to Colin and said conspiratorially, “Mr. McGrath, did she admit how much fun she had prepping and loading supplies with you yesterday?”
Colin’s eyes held delight and mirth as he faced Meadow. “Why no, she didn’t.”
Abbi joined the teasing by adding, “Yeah, before you got here she said you make even mundane tasks adventurous.”
Chris said, “Ladies, give it a rest. Seriously, why is the chili all green and stuff?”
“It’s supposed to be that color,” Aimee informed him. “Meadow used authentic Hatch chiles from the bride’s New Mexico family homestead.”
Aurora attached herself to Meadow, as usual when she was preparing something new. She was a sponge for learning. “The bride met the groom at a rodeo there.”
Meadow helped Aurora measure ingredients for Spanish flan. “She’s a Hispanic New Mexico native, he’s a former Texas rodeo cowboy, hence their Tex-Mex wedding theme.”
Colin nodded. “Nice.”
Nice was the graceful symphony of sinew and strength evident in his arms as he hand-shredded a block of cheddar cheese. Took tremendous effort to peel her eyes away.
“Plus, they rescue Andalusian horses. That mission’s how they met.”
“Awesome. I’d love to hear more stories about how your engaged clients met, Meadow.”
The earnestness that had entered Colin’s eyes made her sad his engagement hadn’t worked out. That she’d begun to have his best interest at heart made her wonder when he’d seeped under her walls. There were a billion women out there. Surely if she could turn his attention to one, the teens would stop teasing them. “Colin, I’m surprised you’re not dating.”
She’d know if he was. Between Flora and Del, they seemed to have found out just about everything there was to know about Colin since he’d come back. Still . . . “I hope our deal isn’t impeding your social life.”
His expression deadpanned. “I’m spending time exactly where I want to.”
Gulp. “Out of guilt? Because I’d hate to be the cause of your lack of a love life.”
“My lack—?” His head whipped up so fast he bashed it on a cabinet, then laughed. “Spending time with you”—he gestured to the organized mess around them—“and all this chaos is an honor.”
“Aw. What a guy!” Abbi breathed, to which Aurora sighed and Aimee grinned. Chris rolled his eyes, clearly in solidarity with Colin.
Meadow absolutely flustered herself by realizing she no longer had any idea which side she stood on. Nevertheless, she busied herself mostly to hide how his words thrummed delight through her. “Is chaos why you’re compelled to go behind me straightening utensils, arranging pots in order of size, and lining every celery stalk to microscopic degrees on trays? Yes, I noticed.”
He blushed. “I’m compulsive like that. But not impulsive.” He peered from where he pulled taco shells from the oven and fixed her intently with his gaze. “Regarding your dating question, maybe I haven’t convinced the right one yet.”
Her pulse sped, then plummeted. He hadn’t said “found.” He’d said “convinced.”
Which meant he had someone in mind. She couldn’t deny disappointment at that. And she hoped it wasn’t Blythe Matthews.
“Green chili looks kinda gross, but it’s actually very tasty,” she said to change the subject.
Chris and Colin eyed the bubbling poblanos, onions, lean ground beef, garlic, flour-thickened sauce, and flame-roasted tomatoes with skepticism.
“If you say so,” they responded at the exact same time, then laughed.
She dipped a clean spoon into the pot and drew out a spicy bite. Chris stepped back, but Colin leaned and sipped it off, suspicious expression still intact. A moment later he lolled his head back and moaned. “Amazing. Seriously.”
Chris leaned in and gave the chili a second look, eyed Colin, then tried it. “Sick!”
Meadow scowled until the girls translated, “Sick means good nowadays.”