Chapter 21

I didn’t mind dealing with string beans. I snapped off the stem, broke the bean in two, and tossed both ends into a bowl. Every once in a while, though, I’d have one for myself.

Mum came onto the porch from the house just as I stuffed a string bean into my mouth.

“You have a visitor, Dante.”

Oh, shit.“Does Uncle John know?”

“He’s in his office.”

Phew. “Who is it?” No one I knew ever came out to the farm. Ever.

“A Dr. Autry.”

I started choking on the string bean.

“You know, I don’t usually have this effect on people.” Dr. Autry stood in the doorway, a faint smile on his lips, which were as gorgeous as his eyes. A full lower lip, a perfect Cupid’s bow of an upper lip…I was so screwed.

“What…” I cleared my throat and finally managed to get the words out of my mouth. “What are you doing here?”

“We have something to discuss.”

“We do?”

“Yes. You’re a hard man to get in touch with.”