Rhett came to his senses. "Beer will do, thanks, " he said, brushing his hair back with his fingers. Adelaide's gaze was drawn to his hair immediately. He looked so good without that permanent stetson on his head. She quickly recovered and rushed to get him a chilled can of beer. She returned to find him chatting with granny about his work, about his family members. She handed him his beer and he thanked her. 

"How's Willy? Is he managing the ranch well?" Rhett asked granny Emma. Five years ago, after her husband's death, granny Emma was unable to manage the ranch on her own.  When she approached their granny Jenny Wilson for help, their grand dad appointed their trustworthy ranch hand Willy McCain to help her. 

"Absolutely. The boy's a gem. I don't need to bother at all. He takes care of everything," said granny Emma. They chatted more and Rhett finished his beer. 

"Come, Rhett, dinners getting cold," said granny.  They joined their hands to pray and then had the delicious food that Adelaide had prepared. 

"This is the most awesome dinner I've ever had," said Rhett looking at Adelaide. 

"Thanks, " said Adelaide, blushing furiously. Granny chuckled. 

"Isn't she awesome as well?" She asked, getting up. 

"No doubt about that," said Rhett,  getting up too. Adelaide cleared the table and Rhett helped her. Granny left them alone and retired to her room to rest. After completing her work, Adelaide wiped her hands dry. 

"Will you go out for a walk with me?" Asked Rhett, hopefully. 

"Okay," said Adelaide. He held out his hand for her and she placed her hand into his. He led her outside. The moon shone brightly and they strolled along the clear paths of the ranch.

"Don't you miss your home? Your mom?" Asked Rhett wanting to know more about her. 

"No, there's nothing left in New York to miss. My mom's happy with my brother and his family, " she informed him.

"You don't miss your brother?" He asked curiously. 

"Not at all. He's eight years older than me. He's an oncologist and very successful at what he does. Mom's very proud of him and always has been partial towards him. He received a different treatment than what I ever got. Dad was different though. He was a cardiologist yet he took out time for us and loved both of us. Andrew, my brother was ashamed of me when I chose to pursue nursing. He and mom used to convince me to take up medicine or any other field of study. When I didn't give in to their wishes, they taunted and threw sarcastic comments on my face every day. Then he got married to a fellow doctor and separated from us. Mom got busy with her parties and get-togethers. I completed my studies and joined dad's hospital. We were busy with our careers. Then one day,  dad had a heart attack and he died. Mom went to live with Andrew and I came here," said Adelaide with a sigh. She had never talked about her life with anyone before and was surprised that she spoke so much about herself to a stranger. 

"I'm sorry, I must have bored you with my life history, " said Adelaide, feeling embarrassed. 

Rhett squeezed her hand. "I want to know everything about you. I'm glad that you told me, " he said genuinely. 

"Your mom never called you after you came here?" Asked Rhett wondering how her mom never got worried about her.

"Yes she called me many times in the last three months. She wants me to return to New York," she sighed.

"Do you want to return to New York, Adelaide? Maybe someone's waiting for you there?" Rhett asked. He suddenly felt scared that one day he would wake up and find her gone.

"No, I like it here. I'm settled with a good job at Fordsville Public Hospital. I don't want to return," said Adelaide. "I don't have anyone waiting for me," she added with a smile. Rhett smiled too knowing that she didn't have any boyfriends waiting for her somewhere.

"You're working at the hospital? I didn't know that. I wish I would fall sick and land up at your hospital. Would you take care of me, nurse Adelaide?" He said with a smile. She gave her a horrified look and covered his mouth with her palm.

"Please don't say such horrible things. I don't want you falling sick and landing up in hospital, " she said, agitatedly. 

"Why?" Asked Rhett,  holding her hand to his mouth and kissing it slowly. 

"I don't know,  I just don't want it," she said, conscious of her hand. He released it and they continued walking. 

"So, what are your duty timings? You didn't go today?" Asked Rhett. He wanted to know her schedule so that he could see her once every day. 

"No last night I had whole night duty so today I was on leave. Tomorrow I have a nine to six duty. It's usually 9-6 unless they specify otherwise," she informed him. 

"When's your off day?" Asked Rhett curiously. 

"Sundays are off. Saturdays I have only 6-12 morning duty," she informed him. Adelaide had no idea why she told him her exact schedule. Maybe she wanted to see him again and again, every day? 

"Why don't you and granny Emma come down to our ranch for dinner on Saturday?" Asked Rhett eagerly. 

Adelaide nodded. "Okay. I'll tell granny," she said. 

"I'll come down tomorrow and invite granny, myself, " said Rhett and Adelaide smiled.

"Okay," she said, feeling happy that she would see him again tomorrow. 

They walked for some more time. "Where did you learn to cook so well?" Rhett asked her, picking up her hand again. He loved her soft warm hands and felt like holding onto them forever. 

"I didn't know before. After I came here, granny taught me to cook," informed Adelaide. 

"So you learnt to cook in just three months?" Asked Rhett and Adelaide nodded. 

"Amazing!" He said and Adelaide coloured again. 

"I think you should go inside now.  I'll go home. Thanks for the wonderful dinner. I hope it isn't the last one?" Asked Rhett with a grin.

"No, definitely not," said Adelaide. 

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow evening then?" He asked her and she nodded. Rhett saw her inside and then mounting Thunderbolt, he galloped away towards Wildcreek Ranch. He was amazed at himself. He had no idea that he could talk so much. Talking to Adelaide was like an addiction and he could do it all day and all night. He missed the feel of her warm, soft hands as he rode home. He reached home and after ensuring that Thunderbolt was ready to sleep, he walked towards the main building. 

"How was your dinner date, bro?" Asked Rex wiggling his eyebrows. Rhett smiled.

"Perfect," he said to make him jealous. It worked. Rex too now was eager to find himself a girl. He didn't want easy flings though. He was a one-woman man and if he fell in love, only then he would commit himself to a relationship. 

"Lucky you," he said, walking away. Rhett went to Sawyer's room to check his temperature. 

"Hey Saw, how are you?" He asked seeing Sawyer sitting on the bed with a book.

"Better than I was yesterday," said Sawyer. "Ma won't let me go anywhere, so I'm imprisoned here, " he added. 

"Good for you. You can rest for a few days till you're better, " said Rhett. "Is the fever gone?" He asked. 

"No, it's there," answered Sawyer. The door opened and Renée walked in with Sawyer's medicine and water. 

Rhett smiled at his sister. "Hey bro, heard you went for a date?" She asked with a grin. 

"Just dinner, no date," informed Rhett, getting up. 

"Get well soon, " Rhett said, patting Sawyer's shoulders. He nodded at him but his eyes were fixed upon Renée who came towards him to give him his medicine.  Rhett left them alone and went up to his room. He was looking forward to meeting Adelaide tomorrow. 

The next morning, after training the horses, Rhett went back home and quickly freshened up. He started his truck to go to the market place. It was 8:30 in the morning and he was eager to see Adelaide on her way to work. He had gone a little way when he saw Adelaide walking to the hospital. Excitedly, he stopped beside her. 

"Adelaide, hi, do you need a lift?" He asked eagerly. Adelaide turned and looked him with surprise. On seeing him, she smiled and climbed into his truck.

"You don't have a car?" Asked Rhett with concern. 

"I usually drive granny's truck but today morning the truck wouldn't start. Willy will take it to the garage later, " she told him.

"In that case, I could pick you up after work," he offered. 

"No no, I'll walk down," said Adelaide. 

"Please, I insist, " said Rhett. 

"Okay," agreed Adelaide. 

Rhett smiled and stopped in front of the hospital. Adelaide climbed down and thanked him.

"Bye, see you at 6 then?" He asked with a smile. Adelaide nodded. 

"Thanks. Bye," she said disappearing into the hospital. Rhett watched her retreating figure in the nurse's uniform and sighed. He drove to the market place afterwards eagerly waiting for evening to come.