Claire crossed her arms and braced her legs, sinking deeper into the leather seat. Up the mountain? Though she’d never admit it, she wanted to see the tree-planting site. Had he read her mind? No wonder he’d been in a hurry to leave Green Acres, though it was only four o’clock. It would take some time to get up and down the mountain then drive into town for the diner. No wonder she didn’t need to be dressed up.
Noel glanced her way, his eyes twinkling like he was the best thing since sautéed mushrooms. That could even be true. She kept focused on the mixed conifers outside her window, watching while fir trees and hemlocks swept by.
He shifted into four-wheel-drive and eased the truck up the rutted trail with apparent confidence. “No more questions?” he teased.
Claire shook her head. “I’m completely non-curious. You’ll tell me everything I need to know when I need to know it.” The food at the diner wasn’t heralded to be that great, but in Noel’s company, anything would be wonderful. Or taste like sawdust. It had nothing to do with the quality of the food.
He’d be leaving in just a few weeks and would probably never think of her again, at least not after Amber’s wedding, if he even returned for that. There’d be somebody new in another town, somebody he could flirt with for a few months and then leave behind.
Her list did not include love ‘em and leave ‘em as a winning character trait.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Claire made an effort to shake off her dark feelings. Enjoy an evening with her handsome, fascinating boss. Be thankful for the confidence he’d restored in her, that someone could see her as attractive. She’d gotten over Graham. She could get over Noel, too, and maybe down the road there would be someone just for her. Someone that matched her list in all the ways necessary. “I think they’re worth a dollar at least.”
“Whoa, inflation has hit the thought category. Not sure if I have that much change on me.”
“Then you’ll have to take a rain check.”
He slid down the truck window and leaned out, looking at the sky. “Not in the next few hours, I don’t think.”
“Funny boy.”
He flashed his grin at her. “I try. Seriously, though, there could be a storm later. I checked the forecast. Get it? Rain check?”
“Ha-ha.” Claire didn’t even try to make it sound like she found him humorous. A guy like him didn’t need encouraging. Then what was she doing in his truck, loving and dreading his presence at the same time?
He pointed out the window past her. “This block is where we started planting in April.”
Ten-inch-tall seedlings sat in roughly even rows across the steep slope.
Claire imagined digging holes in the rocky hillside to plant the trees. She could feel the chilly rain and the oppressive heat and the annoying sting of a million mosquitoes. She shuddered. Not her way to enjoy the outdoors.
Noel’s face glowed. “I love it up here. The peace, far from traffic and sirens and vehicle exhaust.” He pushed a button to lower her window, too. “Lean out. Smell the forest.”
She sniffed in the aroma of sunlight on moss and decaying logs. The humid warmth caused her to peer at the sky, where clouds roiled in the distance. That rainstorm seemed likely.
“Rough part in the road here, but we’re not going too much farther up.”
The truck lurched through a low spot and climbed over rocks to regain a smoother track. Smoother only by comparison. Claire couldn’t imagine choosing to drive this to work every day.
Every day for three months. Not forever.
She blocked the thought out of her mind. She wasn’t going there. Not today. For now she’d just enjoy the moments she had.
The road curled around the mountain, and the hillside dropped away out her window. A splashing stream tumbled down on Noel’s side and disappeared, though she heard the waterfall at what seemed to be under her feet.
She pulled away from the window.
Noel looked over at her. “Not a fan of heights?”
She clung to the door’s elbow rest, willing him to pay attention to the road, not her. “Not much.”
“Nothing to be afraid of.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“It’ll be worth it. We’re nearly there.”
How could there possibly look any different than any other place they’d driven past since leaving the farm? She managed a sharp nod and tried to loosen her grip on the armrest. Show some trust. If only she weren’t aware of hawks flying along below her, yet way above the trees. Claire closed her eyes and turned her head so Noel wouldn’t notice. Maybe he’d think she was admiring the view.
The truck jolted to a halt and the engine cut out.
Claire took a deep breath and peeked out between her lashes. Noel had parked the vehicle amidst the trees.
“Ready?” he asked.
For what? To get out and rid herself of the shaky feeling the height had given her? She nodded.
Noel sprang out of the truck and came around to her door. He opened it with a sweeping bow. “Come and see.”
Claire gingerly slid out of the vehicle and reached for him, glad of strong hands to hold her up. He didn’t seem to mind as he led her to a rock not far away.
Across in front of them lay the entire valley. Galena Landing glowed in the late afternoon sun, the lake placid and calm at its feet. The river glistened as it wound toward Wynnton. Fields patchworked a quilt along the valley bottom, rows of cottonwoods and willows outlining various farms.
Claire sank onto the rock, not daring to stand lest she tumble off the edge and roll down the steep hillside where her battered body would eventually be found, picked at by crows.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Noel knelt beside the rock and rested his arm behind her. “It makes me feel like the king of the world.”
She should mind, but his support was welcome. Claire managed a nod. It was impressive. He was right about that.
King of the world? A stray thought wandered through Claire’s mind and came out her mouth. “I wonder if this is like what Jesus saw when Satan tempted him. He showed him a whole panorama and said he could be ruler of it all if he’d only acknowledge Satan’s supremacy.”
Noel jerked back. “Pardon?”
Claire shook her head. “I didn’t mean it that way. You’re right, it’s absolutely breathtaking.” In more ways than one. “I guess what I meant to say was it’s a terrific reminder to worship the Creator, not the beauty itself.”
Chapter 19
Right. Claire had a ton of faith in the Big Guy. Noel kept forgetting because she didn’t talk about it a lot. She didn’t need to. She lived it.
The whole Christian thing was familiar from childhood, so Noel supposed he might be somewhat immune to random comments. She may have said more over the months they’d known each other than he’d picked up on. But the comment about Jesus’s temptation . . . what was a guy supposed to say about that?
She might be a little strange, but in an endearing way. How could he leave Idaho without her?
Noel shot a glance at her profile as she gazed out across the valley. The view was spectacular, but not compared to her. “Stay right here.”
Claire looked up, her eyebrows pulled together. “I don’t know where else I’d go.”
Noel laughed. “Then it shouldn’t be a problem.” He strode over to the truck, opened the back door, then pulled a cooler from under a Hudson’s Bay blanket. Tossing the blanket over his shoulder, he turned back to Claire and hefted the cooler.
“A picnic?” Her voice even squeaked a little at the end.
Yep, he’d surprised her. He carried the cooler to a nearby flat rock and set it down. “And it isn’t from the ditzy diner, either.”
She bit her lip and her face reddened. Cute. He was right on the money.
“Aw, your lack of faith in me causes serious pain, Claire.” He opened it up, removed the checkered fabric from the top, and spread it on the rock.
“Even a tablecloth?” Sh
e sounded incredulous.
“Yep.” Jess to the rescue.
He spread the blanket beside the tablecloth then swept a bow to show Claire she could move to the new location.
Claire sank to the edge of the blanket with her hikers amidst the tufts of grass.
“Let me get you something to drink.” Noel pulled out two plastic wine goblets, along with a bottle of sparkling raspberry. After pouring, he handed her one of the goblets.
She took it from him with trembling hands, her eyes fixed on his.
He clinked his cup against hers. At least it would have clinked if it had been glass. “To us.”
Her jaw clenched. “Noel, I don’t think —”
Noel pressed his finger against her soft lips. “That’s the spirit. No thinking. Let’s just enjoy today.” He settled down beside her, shoulders brushing, and took a sip.
After a moment, she did the same then shifted away and set hers beside the blanket. She stared off into the distance.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“A little.” A small smile crossed her face. “More curious, though.”
Noel winked at her. “I’m full of surprises.”
“You seem to be.”
Their eyes caught for a long moment then Noel turned to the cooler and brought out a baguette, a tub of herbed cream cheese, and a butter knife. “Just so you know, I didn’t make this.”
She eyed him speculatively, as he’d intended. He tore off a small chunk of bread, spread it with cheese, then handed it to her. His eyes held hers captive while she chewed the morsel.
**
Claire had never been this intimately aware of a man’s presence. It was dangerous to meet Noel’s eyes, but she couldn’t help herself. She wanted more of him. But the only kind of more she could give and accept was the image of Noel filling her eyes, her mind — her memories.
There couldn’t be any other kind of more. Not today, not ever. Still, she couldn’t regret being here.
He opened a container and set it on her lap. The aroma of herb-spiced chicken tickled her nostrils. The brown speckled drum and thigh lay nestled next to potato salad with a few cubes of yam in it. No deli in town sold anything like it.
“You really made this yourself?” Not Jess, she wanted to ask, but that was unfair. Besides, Jess wasn’t here. Whatever existed between them, Noel had chosen to spend his day with her, not his foreman. Jess had always treated Claire as a friend.
“I did.” Noel’s fingers gently swept her bangs to the side. “For you.”
Her skin tingled from his touch. She’d thought she was hungry, but her appetite for food had dropped with each touch. Her every nerve ending was tuned to his body, yearning for more.
For an instant she thought he’d kiss her again. She wouldn’t push him away. But then he broke contact and opened a second container, and took a bite of his own chicken leg. He winked at her. “Pretty good, if I do say so myself.”
Claire should try to eat something, not sit here on this mountain like a lovesick fool. She lifted a drum and nibbled it. Her eyebrows shot up. This was no store-bought mix. The man was an excellent cook. “This is delicious. I might need the recipe.”
His shoulder bumped hers. “Every cook keeps his secrets.” He picked up her fork and captured a piece of yam. “Here, try this.”
She opened her mouth, allowing him to feed her. The slightly sweet taste of the unusual dressing melted in her mouth. She grabbed his wrist. “What is that?” And more importantly, why was the guy planting trees instead of cooking in some swanky restaurant?
He shrugged, looking pleased at her response. “Just a little twist I started making a year or two ago. Honey mustard, a bit of fennel.”
That slight licorice flavor. Fennel. She should have recognized it. When she loosened her grip on his wrist, he caught her hand. With his other, he stroked her cheek.
Claire closed her eyes, savoring the sensation, knowing she shouldn’t encourage it. She felt him move a second before his lips, tasting of chicken seasoning, met hers.
She fumbled with the container on her lap, getting it out of the way so she could twist to meet him more fully. Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding his face at the right angle for their deepening kiss.
This time she’d be the one to pull away first, but not yet.
Definitely not yet.
He released the hand he’d held and slid both of his around her back, cradling her against him.
Dear God, why was it again that she couldn’t have this man until death would them part? Claire clung to Noel, even when his mouth released hers and he rocked her tightly across his chest, nuzzling her neck.
“Come with me,” he groaned into her hair. “I need you with me always.”
Was that a marriage proposal? It didn’t quite sound like one. And where exactly did he want to take her?
Far from Green Acres.
And if she were paying any attention to her aroused senses, possibly far from God as well.
She’d never been so tempted in her life to toss everything she valued, everything she believed in, right over a cliff like the one in front of her.
The devil had offered everything to Jesus, too. Nothing he’d offered had been evil in itself — in fact, all of it already belonged to Jesus. It wasn’t the timing, and it wasn’t the way. To agree under those circumstances would have made God less God, and Satan would have become the ruler of the universe.
Loving Noel wasn’t wrong, either. But giving in to him under these circumstances was. For another few seconds Claire soaked in his nearness before she drew back.
He allowed her some room while keeping his hands linked around her. He rested his forehead against hers and looked deeply into her eyes. “Please?”
Her fingers tightened in his hair. “Oh, Noel, you know I can’t. Green Acres is my home, my life.”
“Home is wherever a person is with those they love.”
But he hadn’t quite said he loved her, no matter what his eyes told her. She slid her hands down to his shoulders, flexing her fingertips into his back muscles. “This is where God wants me.”
“How can you say that? Doesn’t He want us to be happy?”
Claire pulled away a little more, a cool breeze passing her forehead where she no longer touched Noel. Did God want her happy? It wasn’t His stated purpose. She shook her head a little. “He wants to give us peace.”
Noel’s eyebrows arched. “Peace?”
“Don’t you feel it?” The conviction within her grew, even as her heart seemed about to break. “When I surrender everything to God and ask Him to do His will — not mine — He provides perfect peace that soothes my soul.” Even now the balm was being applied. It gave her strength to put her hands on his arms and gently push him to release her.
“How can you say this isn’t God’s will? Why would He bring us together only to tear us apart?” Confusion and hurt mingled in those brown eyes that had come to mean so much to her.
Claire sucked in a deep breath. She had a feeling those exact thoughts were going to haunt her for many sleepless nights.
“Is it that you don’t want to leave Green Acres? A farm is more important to you than I am?”
He hadn’t asked her to marry him, only come away with him. Did he even realize the words he’d used? “This place means everything to me, but not just because I love it here. It’s because I truly feel God called me to be a part of it. I’m sorry, Noel. God will always be the most important person in my life. I want to please Him more than anyone else.”
Noel rocked away from her. “I can’t believe I’m losing to some invisible guy in the sky.”
Yes, she was making the right decision. “You told me you believed in God.”
He raked his hands through his hair where, just moments before, her own fingers had been. “I do. Really, I do. But all this talk about His will and stuff — it’s old person talk.” His eyes widened as they met hers and he realized what that must sound like. “I mean no offens
e, Claire, but isn’t there plenty of time for religion later? We’re young. With any luck we’ll have fifty or sixty good years yet.”
Noel flung his hand out and waved it, encompassing the valley behind her. “Yeah, I believe in God. I even believe He created all this beauty. But why do it if He didn’t mean people to enjoy it?”
A chill came over her. A bit of wind, no doubt. “Who said anything about not enjoying it? There’s been nothing unenjoyable in my life when I walk with God.” Except for Nevin. And a few other minor inconveniences. “Don’t you understand? He’s my foundation. Anything I build without His support is sure to collapse. That’s where the dissatisfaction will come in, every time.” She should know. Look at Graham.
The sky seemed to darken, but wait. That might not be her imagination. She twisted on the striped blanket and looked behind her at the sky.
Ominous clouds boiled over the mountains across the valley. A streak of lightning flashed through the dark mass, followed by a distant rumble.
Noel surged to his feet and snapped the lid on one of the containers. He tossed it into the cooler and reached for the other. “If you’re hungry you can eat on the way back down. We need to get going.”
Hungry? The tastes had been tantalizing, but she had no desire for food left now. Even the mingling of dissatisfaction and peace fled in the presence of the lightning. Another flash lit up the darkening sky. A plume of smoke lifted from the distant mountainside.
Fire.
“Claire? Can you get the blanket?” Noel grabbed the cooler—when had he gotten everything in it?—and ran for the truck.
Claire struggled to her feet, still staring at the smoky wisps. A small explosion puffed as a distant tree went up in flame. “There’s a forest fire.” Rain began to spatter around her as clouds choked off the last bit of sunshine.
A Farm Fresh Romance Series 1-3 (A Farm Fresh Romance Box Set) Page 41