A Farm Fresh Romance Series 1-3 (A Farm Fresh Romance Box Set)

by Valerie Comer

  Claire set the Bosch to mixing dough for sundried tomato and basil tortillas. If asparagus fajitas didn’t fix things, she didn’t know what would. Everyone would be in a better mood with good solid food inside them. Her included.

  She selected a knife from the magnetic strip over the built-in butcher block and whacked the stem end off an onion. The blade needed sharpening. Again. If she’d stayed in Seattle she’d have replaced the whole set by now, worn as they were by decades of honing. They’d been Michel’s knives when he started out, decent ones, but not the quality he’d aspired to. She could see why.

  Amber reappeared with a freshly scrubbed face. “What do you want me to do?”

  Claire set the onion and the blade on the chopping block. “Start with this. Careful, it’s sharp.”

  “The whole thing?” Amber’s eyes grew large.

  Claire scrutinized the onion. “Think we need two?”

  “No.”

  She shrugged. “Well, then. Slice it up thin.” She’d have to keep an eye in case Amber had no clue what to do, which seemed likely.

  Amber managed to get the peel off then sliced the onion in half.

  The girl should do all right from there. Claire pulled a bag of asparagus from the fridge’s produce drawer and began breaking off woody ends.

  Amber glanced over. “What are we making?”

  “Asparagus fajitas.”

  “Aspara-what? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “My own invention. I believe the Texans would approve.” She’d never know, being as she’d never go ask them.

  Amber’s knife clipped the chopping block with increasing speed. “Why are men such morons?”

  Good question. “What’s your dad like?”

  Chopping noises stopped from behind her. “I’ve never met him. He left my mother before I was born, and has rarely been heard from since. Not for years now.”

  Claire turned to look at Amber. “Oh, no!”

  “She said he had mental problems.” Amber wiped tears from her eyes. “I hope I didn’t inherit them.”

  The tears were from the onion. Right? “I’m sure you didn’t.” But it explained a lot about Noel. He was what, six years older than his sister? He probably remembered his father leaving the family. How traumatic for a small child.

  Amber scraped the multi-sized onion chunks to the edge of the butcher block.

  Hadn’t Claire asked for thin slices? Would she be able to give those a few more chops without Amber noticing? Probably not today.

  “Yeah, so I never knew my dad.” Amber stared out the window. “Most girls dream of having their dad walk them down the aisle. I don’t even know where mine is.”

  “I’m sorry.” Claire reached into the fridge for two yellow peppers. “So you didn’t really have any men in your life, growing up? Your mom never remarried?”

  “She dated a few times when I was a teen, but she never really found anyone she clicked with. How about your parents?”

  Surprising how easy Amber was to talk to, after all. “They split up when I was in high school. My mom got tired of being dragged all over the lower forty-eight when my dad thought he’d found the job that would make him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.” Wasn’t just Mom who’d gotten tired of it.

  “So your family is messed up, too.”

  “Oh yeah.” But enough on that topic. “By the way, did you get through to Shawn?”

  Amber nodded soberly.

  “Is he still coming tomorrow?”

  “Unless there’s a baseball game.”

  Claire pivoted. “He said that?” Sounded like Amber was better off without Mr. Perfect after all. So much for checklists.

  “No.” Amber laughed, but it didn’t sound like she meant it. “He said he’s coming. Said he’d tried to call me last night but couldn’t leave a message.”

  “If he has to cancel for any reason now, he won’t be able to get through, either. Not with your phone broken.”

  A flush bloomed on Amber’s cheeks. “Yeah. I guess I have a temper.”

  No kidding. “You can call him from mine and let him know, so he won’t worry.”

  “May I?” Amber’s face looked wistful.

  Claire crossed the room and gave her a quick side hug. “It’s right there on the counter.”

  Amber picked it up and punched in some numbers then explained to Shawn her phone was wrecked. She even managed to say it without a bunch of drama.

  Maybe the girl could be taught.

  “I should probably call my brother, too. I was — was kinda mad at him.”

  Understatement.

  Amber took a deep breath. “I should probably apologize to him.”

  Claire hadn’t listened to the conversation from this end, but she could imagine. “Go for it.” She could finish making supper faster on her own. And maybe take a quick blade to that onion.

  **

  “The crew’s complaining about the food, boss.” Jess dropped onto the bench across the picnic table from Noel. “Have you noticed the lunch sandwiches have been kind of dry? She must be rationing the mayo. And then the burned chili tonight, along with undercooked cornbread.” She shook her head. “It’s bad.”

  “I’ve spoken to Polly.”

  “You talked to her last week, too, but is she listening?”

  “I told her she had a generous budget and I didn’t see she was using it to potential. She needs to hire an assistant. Someone who knows what they’re doing, unlike her kid.”

  “She’s making a ton of money off us and feeding the crew dog food. They’re not going to stand for it much longer. Wish Simon were here.”

  Noel spread his hands on the table. “It’s not like I have options. Simon’s not ready to come back just yet.”

  Jess’s eyes lit up. “You called him?”

  Simon had been the crew’s chef for several years, but he’d begged this contract off to spend time with his cancer-ridden father. “Yeah, I called him. His dad passed away last week.” Noel hadn’t heard from his own dad in a few months. Dare he hope the man was still in Philly standing on his own two feet?

  “Oh. I’m so sorry.”

  “Simon has to deal with the estate. He’ll rejoin us in Montana.”

  “About options.” Jess leaned forward. “You don’t need a whole bunch of them. Only one.” A little grin twitched at the corners of her mouth. “And I have thirty-two pictures of her in my camper.”

  “No.” He met her gaze square on. “Don’t mix my private life with my business.”

  “Your business, as you so eloquently put it, is suffering. Your private life, of which you told me last night you have none, holds the solution.” Jess waved a hand to take in the silent, sullen crewmembers around the other tables. “You’re going to cause these guys to mutiny.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Mutiny?”

  “Yeah. Half a dozen are eating in town tonight, grumbling because they don’t have a choice. Essentially they’re paying double, because you’re already deducting Polly’s meals off their pay. They’re mad.”

  Noel took a closer look at his workers. He’d thought some had just finished eating before he came in. A quick glance around the parking area revealed some of the vehicles missing. He sagged. “Oh.”

  Jess nodded. “Exactly, boss. You’ve got a choice, and not too much time to make it.” She climbed off the bench. “As for me? As foreman, I make a bit more than most of them. I bought groceries in town and I’m going to go cook myself some dinner in the camper right now.” She narrowed her gaze as she stopped beside him. “And I’ll admire some photos of a real chef, not some two-bit wannabe, while I do it.”

  He ought to protest, but what good would it do? Maybe he had another option. He could call that other guy from Wynnton back and see if he was still available to do the work, though he hadn’t seemed all that qualified. Noel would need someone to step in ASAP though. Once he fired Polly, he’d better have somebody already on the property with groceries bought.
r />   Noel watched one of his veteran workers scrape half a plate’s worth of chili into the garbage can just as his cell phone rang. He glanced at the call display.

  Claire.

  Was she a Godsend or what?

  He could pour some enthusiasm into his voice. He was going to need her. “Hi, Claire.”

  “What? Oh, it’s Amber. I’m just using Claire’s phone cause mine broke.”

  Noel tugged at his t-shirt neck. Seemed kind of hot under the tarp for a moment. What had his voice sounded like to his sister? Hopefully not too needy.

  “About that. I’m sorry I yelled at you, Noel. That wasn’t fair of me. I’m, well, kind of stressed out right now.”

  “Uh, it’s okay.” He couldn’t remember Amber apologizing to him before, but that wasn’t a huge thing. They’d have had to have real conversations to argue.

  “But I really am sorry. I’m trying to be a better Christian and that should mean not blowing my temper all the time.”

  Noel shifted uncomfortably.

  “Can you come over? I need some advice from a guy, and you’re the only one in my life.”

  “What about Shawn?”

  She hesitated. “It’s about him. Please, Noel. I need a big brother.”

  “Why don’t you come over here? We can talk in my trailer.” Away from Claire until he could sort through the issues.

  Most of the crew had left the eating area, and none of them looked content. Noel didn’t have a lot of time to make a plan.

  “I can’t. Shawn’s supposed to call me back on Claire’s phone. Because mine broke.”

  He was a chicken. He did not want to face Claire. But did he really want to mess with both those women? He sighed. “Fine. I’ll be over in half an hour.”

  Still needed that shower.

  **

  “Amber! Didn’t expect to see you here.” Jo gave the younger woman a hug. “I thought you were coming on Friday with Shawn.”

  Amber returned it with enthusiasm. “Something came up and I needed some advice.” She glanced at Claire. “Shawn’s coming later. It’s all good.”

  Claire set a platter of tortillas on the table next to the beef and asparagus mix. “Food’s up. Where’s Zach?”

  “He had to work late.” Jo pulled out a chair.

  They all gathered around the table and prayed a blessing over the meal.

  “Thanks so much, you guys,” Amber gushed. “Being here is like having a bunch of big sisters.”

  Claire had always wished at least one of her younger brothers had been a girl. She could have used some girl-talk growing up. Guess it had been the same for Amber.

  Jo laughed. “Zach says it’s possible to have too many big sisters. At least when you’re a guy.” She set a tortilla onto her plate and reached for the asparagus.

  Sierra passed the tortillas to Amber. “How was the drive?”

  At least the evidence of Amber’s major crying jag had dissipated, though the question seemed to catch her off guard. “Okay, I guess.”

  Best not to talk about Amber’s early arrival. “How’s it going, setting up your office?”

  Sierra brightened. “It looks good, but I’m not sure it’s the best location. I’m thankful to Doreen, of course. She’s giving me a great deal on the space, but it will be a while until I don’t think of Bethany every time I go up those back stairs. It weirds me out to think how she died like that.”

  “Doreen must be very sure Gabe won’t ever want the apartment back.”

  “He signed on for a two-year stint at the orphanage in Romania.” Sierra shook her head. “I wish he’d remember how much Doreen is hurting, too. Bethany may have been Gabe’s wife, but she was also Doreen’s only child.”

  “Grief isn’t good at thinking of other people’s needs or interests.” Claire hadn’t known the young couple as well as Jo and Sierra had, but the tragedy had rocked the small community to its core last summer. Worse yet, it had been Sierra’s trucker dad that mowed Bethany’s small car over. Tim Riehl had recovered from his injuries quickly, but Bethany was gone.

  “Losing Bethany was hard for everyone,” Jo said. “Zach and Gabe were best friends all their lives, so he knew her well, too.”

  “I don’t know. I can’t help but think Gabe won’t be able to move on until he comes back here and faces things.” Sierra added a sprinkle of shredded cheddar to her fajita and folded it up. “Tt’s not my call to make. It’s his life, but I wish he’d have more compassion on Doreen.”

  Claire nodded. “I bet she enjoys having you around.”

  “So she says.”

  The women chattered over dinner, with Amber finally relaxing some. As they finished up, a rumble grew out in the yard.

  Claire glanced out the window as Noel’s truck came to a halt by the deck. “Your brother’s here, Amber.” With any luck Claire could vanish into her room for the next hour or two.

  “We’ve got clean-up.” Jo pushed away from the table. “Right, Sierra?”

  “Yep.”

  Amber snagged another tortilla from the platter as she stood. “Can we have these at my wedding, Claire? They’re so good they don’t even need a filling.”

  At least the wedding was still on. Or on again, depending how she looked at it. Claire prepared to beat a hasty retreat.

  There was a rap at the door.

  Amber stopped, her wide eyes focused on Claire.

  “Go on. It’s Noel.”

  “You come, too.”

  Claire shook her head. “He’s your brother. You wanted to talk to him. He’s all yours.”

  “But —”

  Another knock, this one louder.

  “Come on in,” shouted Sierra, her hands full of plates.

  The door swung open and there stood Noel, his dark hair still wet from a shower. A white t-shirt over worn blue jeans did little to camouflage his muscular torso.

  Claire had a hard time pulling her gaze away, and it seemed he had the same problem.

  Amber grabbed Claire’s arm and propelled her to the door. “Let’s sit on the porch swing.”

  Noel stepped back as the girls passed through the opening. His fresh soap scent filled Claire’s nostrils.

  This was crazy. What was she doing here? She didn’t belong in their sibling discussion. She pulled her arm out of Amber’s clutches. “No, I’ll just be inside.” She whirled around and collided with Noel’s chest.

  Both his hands came up and steadied her. Time held still though Claire managed not to look at him.

  “Excuse me, please,” she whispered.

  “Come, have a seat,” he said softly. “I think Amber wants you here. I promise I won’t bite.”

  Chapter 13

  Swing or Adirondack chair? If she sat on the swing Noel would probably join her. She sank into one of the deep chairs. Of course now he’d sit across from her and watch her. No winning this one.

  She was right. Noel’s gaze fixed on her, while Amber chose the swing.

  He glanced at his sister. “What’s up? Why did you come early?”

  Amber poked her toe against the deck boards and started the swing moving. It seemed to take all her concentration for a moment. “I had a fight with Shawn.”

  He didn’t look all that interested in her problems. “Oh?”

  “His brother came up from Butte and they watched baseball on TV . . .”

  A grin tweaked at the corners of Noel’s mouth and he caught Claire watching him. His dimple deepened as he winked, and Claire felt heat rising on her neck. Ridiculous. She couldn’t focus on Amber any more than he could.

  “That doesn’t sound so dreadful,” Noel said at last.

  “He stood me up. He didn’t call.”

  Noel leaned his elbows onto his knees. “You should definitely ditch him for that. What a barbarian.”

  Claire barely kept her jaw from dropping at his sarcastic tone. She pressed her lips tight together.

  Noel looked from one to the other. “Seriously? He didn’t go on a bender
or something like that? He sat home with his brother watching a ball game and you’re mad enough to drive five hours to get away from him? And for this you need an intervention and a shoulder to cry on?”

  Amber stopped the swing from moving with a firmly planted foot. “You’re my brother! You’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “I would be, if your side wasn’t so dumb.”

  Uh oh.

  Noel looked at Claire. “What? Don’t tell me you think she gave a reasonable response?”

  Claire’s jaw clenched as she shot to her feet. “I didn’t ask to be part of this conversation.”

  Amber jumped up and grabbed Claire’s arm. “Please stay.”

  Claire shrugged her off. “I’ve already told you what I think. You’ve called Shawn and started talking to him again. I’m not needed here.” Talking to Amber was one thing. Adding her ignorant brother was another.

  “Wait.” Noel sounded perplexed. “What do you want me for, Amber? I thought it was to tell you if you were over-thinking this. To which my answer is yes.”

  The tears Amber barely held back burst out again.

  Claire took a deep breath and patted Amber’s shoulder. “I don’t think that’s what she wanted of you.”

  “Then what?” He spread his hands.

  He was a guy. Graham had never understood a thing she’d said to him, either. Good reason — as though she needed another one — to stay clear of Noel. “Amber needs a listening ear. Someone she believes has her best interests at heart.”

  “Of course I do.”

  Amber sobbed harder. Good grief. She’d abandoned Claire to do it all for her.

  “That’s not what your words sounded like to her.” Or to Claire, either, for that matter. Wasn’t she the dispassionate one here? The one with the least invested?

  Certainly the least invested in Shawn, but it seemed a struggle to keep the same viewpoint on Noel.

  Noel patted Amber awkwardly on the back. “I’m sorry, sis. Really. I think next time I need a set of cue cards.”

  “Cue cards?” Claire couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice.