"Please, tell me you're back for good. I've missed you so much." Kelly beamed up at Calem.

"Afraid not. I'm just on a short hiatus from work at the moment. I hope to return soon." The smile turned into an immediate frown, almost a pout.

Evelyn who was stuck walking a few steps behind to avoid the Market traffic couldn't help but notice this woman had an iron grip on Calem's arm and felt annoyed that he failed to introduce her. They arrive at the farm's market stand.

"Kelly, dear. You came. Thank you so much!" Dottie gave the girl an affectionate hug. Obviously, this girl was more than just a worker. However, Evelyn was grateful to Dottie because her motion to hug the woman, caused her to have to relinquish Calem's arm. Otherwise, Calem may have been forced to pry her off.

"Don't mention it, Mrs. Williams. You know you can always count on me. I'm your right-hand girl."

"Oh!" Dottie said noticing Evelyn for the first time. "There you are. I thought for a moment Calem left you somewhere to continue to shop before we met up for lunch. I'll just go grab my purse and take off my apron."

Dottie left and Kelly turned to see who Dottie was referring to. It annoyed Evelyn greatly that the woman seemed surprised to see her there. So, blinded Kelly was by Calem it was as if this was the first time she ever laid eyes on her.

"And you are?" Kelly said her words oozing with suspicion.

Evelyn smiled broadly and held out her hand. "Evelyn Quinn."

Kelly blinked a few times. "Evelyn Quinn. As in Jackson Brewer's, Evelyn Quinn? The woman who is dating the most famous action star alive?"

"No," Evelyn said putting her hand down since the woman looked too stunned to shake it.

"Oh. Good. I didn't think so. You don't look like her. She's far more glamorous than you, but I guess you could pass as her stunt double." Kelly said, taking in Evelyn's denim jeans and t-shirt with one long sweeping glance.

Evelyn looked down at her outfit and ran her hand over her simple ponytail. Calem found it cute that she looked insecure about Kelly's comments regarding her looks.

"No. I mean yes, I'm that Evelyn Quinn. I'm just no longer dating Jackson Brewer."

Kelly's eyes widened and her hands flew up to her lips. "No way! So, the gossip is true?" She smacked Calem in the chest. "You home-wrecker. You used to be such a sweet country boy."

There was that pout again.

"How could let her lead you astray?"

Now it was Evelyn's eyes that widened in surprise. "I...he...I didn't..."

Calem's grin stretched from ear to ear as he pulled Evelyn over to him by her waist. "How could I not. Look at her. She's beautiful without even trying. A country boy like me didn't stand a chance."

Evelyn couldn't believe what she was hearing. Okay, she appreciated the compliment but... She pushed Calem away. "I... led you astray? Me?"

"Did he really kiss you?" Kelly asked now more interested in Evelyn than ever.

"What?" Evelyn was not used to handling this many shocking comments at once. 

"He's the best kisser. Isn't he?" Kelly asked, with a dreamy sigh.

"You've kissed?" Evelyn looked accusingly over to Calem, her eyes demanding he deny it.

"Oh sure, plenty of times. In fact, he's probably kissed more than half the girls in the county."

Calem quickly switched sides to stand next to Kelly so he could place a hand over her mouth in order to silence her. Kelly was just happy to be back by Calem's side and so didn't put up a struggle.

"Oh really?" Evelyn said. "You don't say."

Kelly only nodded her head in affirmation.

"I'm ready." Dottie announced.

"And not a moment too soon," Calem said, removing his hold over Kelly's mouth. He grabbed his mother's arm and started leading her away. Evelyn had no choice but to follow.

"So, where are we headed?" Calem asked his mother. "I wanted Evelyn to try Blue Nile Café. She's a chef so I know she'll appreciate the flavors, and preparation they put into their food."

"That's sounds perfect." Calem could feel the heat Evelyn's gaze even though she was staring at his back. What was Kelly thinking?

They chose the lunch buffet. Evelyn's mood was quickly sidetracked by the tastes, colors and flare. Evelyn soaked it all in. She asked so many questions about the dishes they had to bring out the cook. Soon a culinary conversation took over and Calem sat back foolishly thinking he was safe.

"Oh goodness. Look at the time. I promised Kelly I wouldn't be more than an hour, since this is her day off."

"Okay, I'll get the bill," Calem offered.

"No, don't quit out early on my account. Have some dessert." She kissed Calem on the cheek before standing to leave. "See, you both at home."

After watching his mother leave, Calem turned back to see the most mischievous smile grace Evelyn's lips. "So, more than half the girls in the county, huh?"

"It's not what you think." Calem knew he was in hot water now.

"Did you really kiss Kelly?"

"Yes, but I had a good reason."

"Don't they all."

Evelyn's sarcasm was not wasted on Calem.

"Every year when I was in high school, our fall festival was held at our farm. It was a huge carnival like event complete with corn maze and pumpkin picking. My senior year I was voted in for class president, making me in charge of the events being run that year. The girls decided to do a kissing booth to raise money for new cheerleader uniforms. However, when the day arrived the cheerleading squad had been struck with the flu, caught during their last out of state competition. So..."

Evelyn giggled. "You worked the booth."

Calem nodded. "It wasn't my choice, mind you. But I was in charge and they needed the money. No one else wanted to step in. All the most popular girls were out of commission so I..."

"Puckered up?"

"Yeah."

"You must have made a lot of money if you kissed half the girls in the county."

Calem could tell he was enjoying teasing him. "I didn't do too bad. They got their uniforms."

"No wonder you're such a good kisser."

You know what they say, "Practice makes perfect."

Evelyn leaned in closer. "So, what's the going rate, these days?"

"Well, the economy being what it is, and of course there's inflation. I'm not entirely sure you can afford me."

"Oh really? What a shame, because when we get back to the farm, I was considering giving your alumni a considerable donation. After all what happens in public is public but what happens on the farm..."

Calem's roguish grin and sexy voice curled Evelyn's toes, when he said, "stays on the farm."