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

by Valerie Comer

  “That’s more like it. Just a few Ben Franklins will do me until I can get things moving forward.”

  Nothing had changed. “You still at Della’s place in Philly? I’ll pay your room for next month and get you some grocery vouchers.”

  “Philly?” Confusion shadowed Dad’s voice.

  Noel let out a whoosh of air. “Where are you?” Of course Philly had been too good to be true. He’d lasted, what, a year or two there? It was almost like he’d settled down, which wasn’t the same thing as keeping a job.

  “St. Louis. You know, with that arch. Thought maybe I’d swing back west and see your mother.”

  Uh, that would go over like a bear in a planting site.

  “Then maybe see you. Where you at these days?”

  “Idaho, but I won’t be here much longer. Got another gig after this one.”

  A drunken chuckle met Noel’s ear. “You travel the country like your old man.”

  The words escaped before Noel could censure them. “Not exactly like you, no. I actually work and pay my own way.”

  Bewildered, now. “I used to do that.”

  And then he’d hit the bottle a few too many times. Watching his father, even from a distance, had been a huge motivator when Noel decided to quit the booze. Once his dad had been a traveling salesman. Now he was just a drunk on the move.

  “I haven’t seen you in awhile. Maybe I could stay with you a bit.”

  Oh, please, no. “My trailer is very small, Dad. There isn’t room for anyone else. And my jobs take me way into the mountains.” No one to con or bum a drink from. Might that be a good thing? “No towns, no people except my crew. It wouldn’t work.”

  His dad huffed. “Well, I know when I’m not wanted.”

  No doubt that’s why he wasn’t at Della’s any more.

  “But I hear my baby girl is getting hitched and it seems her old man ought to be there to give her away, doncha think?”

  Noel’s gut chilled. “Did Amber ask you?” No way would she have done that. She didn’t even know Noel kept in loose contact with their father. When she’d asked Noel to walk her down the aisle, she hadn’t said anything about wishing for the father she’d never known instead.

  “She probably don’t know how to find me. So I’m ambling over to see what’s up.” There was a significant pause. “Leastways if I can come up with the fare.”

  Noel had never been so tempted to deny his father funds. Could he justify ruining Amber and Shawn’s big day by providing means for Dad to come west? On the other hand, could he live with his conscience if he kept the man away if he wanted to make amends? Dad hadn’t claimed that as his goal. But still. There was more chance of it happening if he saw his family than if he stayed away. Maybe.

  He probably should ask Amber before giving Dad money this time, but that would lead to more questions than he wanted to answer. What were the odds their father would actually get all the way from St. Louis to Galena Landing in time? Pretty much zero.

  He sighed. “How much do you need?”

  **

  Amber and her mother came to Green Acres the next weekend to finalize some arrangements.

  “Do you know anyone who might want to buy a house in Missoula?”

  Claire swung to face Eileen Kenzie. “No, why? You’re not moving, are you?”

  She glanced at her daughter. “I might be, if all goes well.”

  It didn’t look like Eileen and Amber had argued. They sat there side by side with no visible animosity. So could it really be that Eileen wanted to move to get away from her daughter?

  Amber elbowed her mother. “Mom, you’re scaring Claire.”

  Was it that obvious?

  Eileen looked startled. “What?”

  “Shawn is being promoted. And transferred.”

  Claire felt like the bus had left without her. “Oh, no! I mean, the promotion is great. He couldn’t convince them to keep him in Missoula?”

  Amber shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. His grandparents live in Flagstaff, and the family goes down often. He’s happy to move nearer to them.”

  “You’re moving to Arizona?” Claire heard the incredulity in her own voice. “And it doesn’t matter?”

  “I’m pretty sure I can get a job there. If it takes a while, Shawn will be making enough to keep us comfortable for the time being. I think it will be kind of fun.”

  She couldn’t be serious. “But Missoula is your home.” Claire cast a glance at Amber’s mom. Noel hadn’t mentioned ever living someplace else while he was growing up. Not that he’d given her the details of his life.

  Amber laughed. “It’s really not a biggie. All I care about is being with Shawn.” Her eyes grew large and her hand came up to cover her mouth. “Oh. I didn’t mean it that way.”

  Eileen looked puzzled. “Mean it what way?”

  But Claire knew. “I once was engaged to a man who decided to join Dentists Without Borders. He was certain I’d be happy to gallivant around the world with him.” She grimaced. “He was wrong.”

  “I didn’t mean to make it sound like you should’ve been. It truly doesn’t matter to me.” Amber took a deep breath. “I mean, we’re different, and so are the circumstances.”

  The girl should stop talking already before she dug herself a deeper hole. Claire stared at her for a moment before turning to Eileen. “So you’re thinking of moving to Arizona, too?”

  “I can’t very well do without my baby.”

  Claire noticed no one had said a thing about Noel’s whereabouts. They probably didn’t see him often enough for it to be a big deal, and he traveled so much — her gut soured — that Arizona was as likely as Montana to be on his way to or from a destination.

  “Aw, Mom. You know we’d love to have you live nearby.”

  Which could never be said of Claire’s mother, who was best off left in Denver where she’d migrated when she finally dumped Claire’s dad.

  “Well, you surprised me, is all.” Claire put a cheery voice to it. “Here I thought your family roots went deep into Montana soil. I assume no one is moving before the wedding?”

  “Oh, definitely not. That’s only six weeks away. Shawn is flying south next weekend to look for a house for August first.”

  “You’re trusting him to find you a place to live, sight unseen?”

  “Relax, Claire. It’s only a rental. We can move again later if it turns out to be not the best part of the city or something. It’ll give us time to look for a place to buy.”

  That kind of trust was foreign to Claire. She’d thought Graham was the weird one, expecting her to love him enough to fall in line with his plans. But if she believed Amber, Graham’s expectations had been normal and her own response strange. For a moment she tried to imagine leading Graham’s life. Failed. No, she couldn’t have done things any differently. If nothing else, this conversation told her she hadn’t loved Graham. Not truly. Yet how was that a surprise? Hadn’t she come to the same conclusion three years earlier?

  Maybe she had no idea what love really meant. The only other recent example had been Jo and Zach, and Jo had won out about staying on the farm. A niggling memory poked at Claire’s mind. Hadn’t Jo so desperately loved Zach she’d been willing to move to Coeur d’Alene before she’d found out he’d accepted a position at Landing Veterinary?

  Noel hadn’t asked Claire to marry him. He’d only talked about her coming away with him. Had he meant marriage? Because nothing else was on the table. Claire gave her head a shake. A wedding wasn’t, either.

  **

  His mother’s high heels clipped to a stop on the church’s bottom step. “Noel?” She fanned herself, though it wasn’t that hot out. “Is that really you?”

  He crunched across the parking lot toward her, but she didn’t need to make a production out of her surprise.

  The Green Acres car hadn’t pulled in yet. Maybe Mom wouldn’t figure out this was all about Claire. What did he really want his mother to think? Either that possibility or the on
e where he was seeking God looked equally unattractive.

  Noel leaned over to peck her cheek. “Good morning, Mom.” He tucked his hand under her elbow and practically lifted her up the steps. He nodded at his sister. “Hi, Amber.”

  She winked at him then glanced at the parking lot.

  Noel could hear vehicles and voices but no way was he turning to see what had her attention. Not with their mother’s interest firmly focused on him. “Shall we?” He took Amber’s arm and escorted both women into the foyer.

  “Good to see you again, Mr. Kenzie.” The gray-haired church elder beamed and reached for Noel’s hand, not seeming to notice both were occupied.

  Noel released Amber to shake Ed Graysen’s hand. “Good morning, sir. I’d like you to meet my mother, Eileen, and my sister, Amber. Mom, this is Mr. Graysen.”

  The elder winked at Amber. “I’ve met the pretty young lady before.” He turned to Noel’s mom and closed both his hands over hers. “It’s an honor to meet you, Eileen.”

  Noel could only hope the guy was happily married. It wasn’t like Mom needed anyone in her life, especially not in Idaho if the rumors of her move to Flagstaff held any truth.

  “You have such a lovely family,” Mr. Graysen went on.

  “Thank you.” Mom pulled her hand free and gave the older man a slightly puzzled look. She took Noel’s arm again, tugging him to turn aside. “Who is that?” she whispered after a few steps.

  “One of the church elders.” Noel glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Mr. Graysen give Claire a hug. He squelched the jealousy that rose at the sight.

  Mom hadn’t noticed. “This isn’t a very large building.”

  “Galena Landing is a lot smaller than Missoula.” Amber tugged her purse strap higher on her shoulder.

  Those things always looked like they were a nuisance, and women seemed to jam enough into them to put their backs out of whack. Even Claire, and she wasn’t a city girl like Amber.

  There’d be no way to pull off his stunt of last Sunday and wait until Claire sat down. Not after how badly the day — and week — had gone. But he could steer his sister and mom into the back pew so he’d be able to watch Claire throughout the service.

  “I like to sit a bit closer to the front, son.” Mom shook her head and pointed to a spot halfway up the sanctuary. “There’s an empty row.”

  Noel leaned down. “I’m not that comfortable in church, Mom. I’d feel kind of awkward way up there in the middle.”

  “But I can’t see or hear from here. You sit wherever you like. Amber, are you coming?” Mom turned on her spiked heel and marched down the center aisle.

  Amber shrugged and sent a look of appeal at Noel then followed their mother.

  “Whatever.” He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but a nearby older woman looked at him with a frown. Sit with his family or at the back? Blast his mother anyway. He gritted his teeth and followed her into the middle of the empty pew. She could’ve let him sit on the aisle so he could escape if he needed to, but no. A few people edged in from the other end, and more filed into the row in front of them. Sierra. Claire. Mr. Graysen with a smiling older lady. Even he would have trouble wedging himself in beside Claire with the number of people claiming the seats.

  He glanced up as a shadow loomed over him, and Zach and Jo slid in beside him. Great. He’d managed to avoid Zach since the guy had taken too close an interest in his relationship with Claire a couple of months back. Still, he had to be polite. “Good morning, Zach.” Noel leaned forward a smidge to see Jo beyond her husband. “Hey, Jo.”

  “Hi yourself!” Jo grinned at him then tapped Claire on the shoulder. Claire turned—away from Noel. The two girls whispered for a moment then Claire faced the front as the worship team came on stage.

  Noel hunkered down in the pew, crossing both ankles and arms. The only bright side was Claire’s profile.

  Chapter 22

  Claire squirmed on the crowded pew. Pastor Ron’s words arrowed straight at her heart and Noel’s gaze scorched the back of her head. This would’ve been a fine sermon any other time. Everything had become awkward since meeting Noel. How dare he rock her world?

  Still, why did Pastor Ron have to choose this particular Sunday to enthuse on the temporariness of life on Planet Earth? Only a stranger here, he said. Only camping out. And in the light of eternity, he was right. It shouldn’t matter where she lived since it wouldn’t last anyway.

  But when she closed her eyes from Pastor Ron’s gaze — why couldn’t he look at someone else while delivering this message? — she could see only Noel’s face. His dark eyes as he looked at her. His appreciation of the beauty of their surroundings. His delight in the morel mushrooms and the herbed chicken. What did Green Acres matter in comparison with a love like his?

  Not that he’d asked her to marry him. No, those memorable words hadn’t crossed his kissable lips. Come away with me, he’d said. What did that mean?

  Belatedly Claire realized Sierra and Mrs. Graysen, on either side of her, stood as the worship leader urged everyone to turn in their hymnal to “This World is Not My Home.” Just passing through? Where did she have her treasure laid up? Could she sing this song? Either way, Noel watched from behind. He’d see if she did…or didn’t.

  Oh, God. Why this message? Why today?

  **

  “Wasn’t that a lovely sermon, son?” Mom spoke rather loudly into the quiet sanctuary as she gathered her purse and Bible after the service.

  “Wonderful,” Noel murmured. He took Mom’s elbow in hopes of steering her straight out the door to the vestibule and beyond as quickly as possible, but she’d have none of that nonsense.

  Zach Nemesek turned. “Thought-provoking, for sure.” He glanced from Noel to Amber then at Mom. “Mrs. Kenzie, I presume?”

  Noel beat his mother to the punch. “Yes, this is my mother, Eileen. Mom, meet Jo’s husband, Zach.”

  “Lovely to meet you.” She placed her soft hand in Zach’s for a brief instant then withdrew. “Josephine is a wonderful young woman.”

  The skin around Zach’s eyes crinkled. “She is definitely something special.” He glanced at Noel then back at Mom. “Even though we’re just passing through a bit of time on this planet like Pastor Ron said, I’m thankful God drew me back to Galena Landing to spend whatever time I do have with Jo.”

  Mom pressed her fingers against Zach’s arm. “You grew up here, then?”

  “Sure did. Right here in this church.” He grinned. “Next door to Green Acres, actually. The girls bought my grandparents’ land.”

  Noel hadn’t known that. There was a lot he didn’t know. He’d been so focused on leaving before Claire could lure him into staying he hadn’t bothered really getting to know anything about her past. He glanced at her, but she was deep in discussion with Sierra, their faces turned away from his. Like a cloud coming between him and the sun, cooling him.

  “You’re coming for Sunday dinner, aren’t you, Noel?” Jo interjected, leaning around Zach. “Your mom and sister are. Sierra put chicken soup in the slow cooker early this morning. It won’t take long when we get home. We’ll just make a batch of biscuits and dish up.”

  “Uh.” The sermon confused him. Did those thoughts mean he had a better chance with Claire or a worse one? Could he stand being in her presence? Or vice versa?

  Amber elbowed his ribs. “Of course he’s coming. What else would he do? Reheat a tin of ravioli in his trailer over at Elmer’s?”

  “Hey, I’ll have you know I can cook.”

  “Since when?” Skepticism loomed in his sister’s eyes. “I’ve seen no evidence.”

  Good point. He never bothered in Missoula with Mom and Amber. Nobody ever asked him to contribute and he hadn’t volunteered. “I make a mean taco stew.”

  Amber’s narrow eyebrows met. “News to me.”

  Claire and Sierra turned toward the conversation behind them.

  “Taco stew?” asked Sierra. “Sounds delicious.”

 
Amber swatted Noel’s arm. “You’re making that up since there’s no way you can prove it.”

  He opened his mouth in protest but Sierra beat him to words. “Oh, I don’t know. What do you need for ingredients, Noel? We probably have most of it. Maybe you’d like to make supper at Green Acres tonight. You know, in thankfulness for us feeding you lunch.”

  “What, no one believes me?” His eyes caught Claire’s.

  She took a deep breath and looked away. “Noel’s a good cook.”

  “That’s very interesting, my dear.” Mom all but purred. “How might you know this?”

  Noel’s heart sank. He’d managed to keep his mother from suspecting the strength of his feelings for Claire and had sworn Amber to silence on the topic in their matriarch’s presence. Now the cat was out of the bag.

  Claire met his mother’s gaze. “He’s come through the mobile kitchen at Elmer’s a time or two. He knows his way around.”

  A breath slid out he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

  “Sierra has a great idea, though,” Jo put in. “You up for chef tonight? You’ll get all the prep help you could possibly want. I think I hear Zach volunteering.”

  Noel’s eyes snagged onto Claire’s. “Sure, I’d like that. I can swing by Super One and pick up what I need.”

  “Like what?” asked Sierra. “We have stewing meat or ground if you need that. Or is your recipe chicken-based?”

  “Stewing beef is great. But I need a few other things to do it right.” He ran through Simon’s Aunt Linda’s recipe in his head. Cilantro. Avocados. Peppers. Hadn’t he noticed a good variety of peppers at the store that day with Claire? If he was going to tingle her taste buds, he’d need poblanos.

  “Sounds good, even if Jo did volunteer me.” Zach’s deeper voice broke into his thoughts.

  Sierra grinned at Zach. “Co-ol. Guys’ afternoon in the kitchen. You better teach Zach some useful tricks, Noel. He can’t cook his way out of a mac-and-cheese box.”