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

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A Farm Fresh Romance Series 1-3 (A Farm Fresh Romance Box Set) Page 50

by Valerie Comer


  Amber bit her lip and nodded.

  “I think the basics of a real wedding are a bride and groom, some witnesses, and an authorized person to perform a ceremony. In fact, I think you once told me you’d be happy to get married in front of a judge.”

  “Your point is?” At least Amber’s chin had come up a little.

  “Everything else is just trappings. The gorgeous dress — and yours is stunning, by the way, and it’s safely hanging up in the other room. Your mom has borrowed a steamer from the pastor’s wife.”

  “Oh.”

  Yeah, girl. Others are doing things for you while you sit and mope. “The flower-adorned chapel, the cake, the reception — even the friends — are not actually the wedding. Don’t get me wrong. They’re awesome. They show how important a milestone this is in your life. They give your family and friends a chance to get together and have a memorable party. But they’re not vital to a good marriage.”

  Oh, right. Claire, the counselor. She’d broken her own engagement. She’d been afraid to trust God enough to even see what pull poverty in third world countries had on Graham. He’d had one conversation with her about practicing dentistry overseas, and she’d yanked his ring off her finger and blocked him from her mind. Just like that.

  Could he have convinced her to join him if she’d been a bit more open? How would her life be different? Claire shook her head. Too much had happened in the three years since they’d parted ways. Graham had married someone else, for starters. The end.

  “I always wanted everything perfect, you know? I’ve been dreaming of my wedding since I was a kid. I guess all little girls do.”

  “I didn’t. Not really.” Claire had always figured she’d keep standing on her own two feet. She’d lived the trauma of parents who argued every day and finally parted ways. Of course, Amber didn’t even know her dad.

  Amber shifted to stare straight in Claire’s face. “Honestly?”

  Claire shrugged. “My parents fought all the time. For years. Marriage didn’t seem all that romantic to me.”

  “But I always thought it would be different. Because even though my parents didn’t love each other — obviously — the guy I’d marry would be so smitten with me that everything would be perfect.”

  “Shawn does love you. All of this —” Claire waved her hand to take in the church basement, the town, the valley, and the forest fire “— isn’t a result of his lack of love.” A sudden thought struck her. “It’s not a lack of God’s love toward you or me, either.”

  “I guess.” Amber’s mouth twisted to the side as she thought. “I mean, I know it’s not Shawn’s fault. I wanted everything to be perfect for us as we started our new life together.”

  “You had your lists.” Claire couldn’t help but tease.

  “Yeah, I do. Not just ones of how perfect Shawn is for me. Lists for everything. Have you seen my list of things to do before we move to Flagstaff?”

  “You mean besides go on a honeymoon?”

  “Yeah, besides that.”

  Claire counted the grin on Amber’s face as a particular and personal victory. “You may know I’ve written more lists since meeting you than I ever had before, and not all of it has to do with creating a new business venture.” She let out a sardonic laugh. “Not sure we can brag this one up in the books, though.”

  “Did you ever make one for your perfect guy?”

  Heat spread across Claire’s face as she clambered to her feet. “I should give Mrs. Graysen a hand with those tablecloths.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Amber grabbed Claire’s hand and yanked her back to the floor. “You did write a list, didn’t you?”

  Claire sagged against the wall. “Okay, so what if I did? It’s not like it will get me anywhere.”

  Amber’s brown eyes looked deep into Claire’s. “It’s my brother, isn’t it,” she said quietly.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll get over it.” She had before, with Graham. Somehow this was different. Though she’d once accepted Graham’s ring, he hadn’t filled her mind every waking moment as Noel did. To say nothing of her sleeping moments.

  “Why would you want to?”

  Claire stared at Amber blankly. “Why would I want to what?”

  A grin twitched around Amber’s mouth. “Get over him.”

  “Oh.” Claire took a sip of her water. Maybe it would cool her face.

  “My brother isn’t perfect. I know that. But I’m willing to bet he fits the checklist you’ve made to a tee. Doesn’t he?”

  “Not quite.”

  Amber tipped her head.

  “What’s number one on your list?”

  Comprehension dawned on Amber’s face. “That the guy love God with all his heart.”

  “Exactly.”

  Claire’s thoughts drifted back to that day on the mountain when Noel had said God only wanted them to be happy. Had she been so busy feeling sorry for herself since then that she’d forgotten to pray for his spiritual wellbeing? Or maybe she’d felt guilty — selfish — for asking that of God. For sure selfish. Did she only want him right with God so she could marry him?

  Involuntarily she shook her head. No. His soul was more important than her happiness.

  Still, couldn’t she have both?

  “Shawn!” Amber let out a squeal as she jolted to her feet and dashed for the door. “You found us!”

  Claire rubbed her ears to get Amber’s high-pitched scream out of them and pushed to her feet more sedately.

  Her soon-to-be-husband twirled her around and kissed her soundly. “Of course I found you. You texted me and told me.” His glance took in Claire. “Heard anything about the farm since you left?”

  She shook her head. “We had a lot of smoke, but the fire was a little ways up the mountain still.”

  A cell phone rang in the sudden quiet, and Jo tugged hers out of her shorts’ pocket. “Hey, Zach.” She bit her lip as she listened.

  Everyone turned to eavesdrop on her end of the conversation, but there was nothing to hear. A few seconds later she swiped it off. Jo’s gaze swept the room. “Zach’s okay. He and Gary Waterman hauled some cattle across the river. He’s headed to our place to plow as wide a berth along the edge of Green Acres.”

  “But they’ve ordered evacuations!” Sierra said. “He’s not allowed to be there.”

  “They can’t force anyone to leave.” Claire grabbed the back of a chair. “Just prevent them from returning.”

  Jo met her eyes. “Noel’s working with the fire crew. He’s doing everything he can to save our farm.”

  Chapter 30

  Trucks hauling excavators and dozers on low-beds churned through the smoke to the end of Thompson Road. Noel made out Zach’s pickup in the midst of the pack, and his opinion of the vet climbed higher. The guy had guts coming into the thick of it, untrained and all.

  But Zach didn’t join the crew at the base of the logging road. Instead, his truck veered off into his own driveway. Noel narrowed his eyes. What was Zach up to? Once he had this crew working, he’d go over there and find out. Maybe he came back for his dog or something and would be gone in a moment. How could Noel face those women if something happened to Zach?

  Noel focused on the equipment operators crowding around him. “Our number one goal is to save that log cabin and this farm if possible. Whoever’s driving the D6, push the trees down on the uphill side of the fence above the spring. Shove them out into the middle of that pasture. Once the duff is gone we’ll have that fire break we need.” It was mighty close to the field of wheat Claire had shown him months ago, now yellowing with maturity. No matter. It had to be sacrificed or the whole place would be lost. Might be anyway.

  He could hear minor explosions as boiling pitch blew tree trunks apart, and the ever-present crackles of dry needles burning.

  Men ran to their equipment and engines rumbled to life. These guys were well trained and knew their lives were on the line to protect the farms. They’d do the best they could.

  A
nother engine rumbled in the distance.

  Noel turned and stared through the orchard between Green Acres and the Nemesek farmyard. That wasn’t Zach’s pickup he heard. More like an old diesel engine. A tractor.

  Noel jumped into the nearest truck and roared down the driveway to the one next door. He peeled in beside Zach on the old John Deere and slammed on the brakes.

  Zach glanced at him then continued to back the tractor a few more feet before hopping off.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready to plow as many furrows as I can along the edge of the pasture.”

  “You’re crazy, man. I’ve got a D6 pushing trees out into that. Don’t get in their way. Let them do their thing.” Among other things, those guys knew what they were doing. Did Zach?

  “I can help make a fire break. I promise I’ll be careful and watch the fire.”

  “But what you’re doing won’t save your cabin. Only the crew can do that.”

  Zach peered at the hillside. Noel followed his gaze. Not a pretty picture. Already several trees waved in the air and toppled in front of the D6 bulldozer, while the hillside burned not far above.

  If the wind picked up, they’d be in danger in no time.

  Noel gripped Zach’s arm. “I can’t let you do this. It’s too dangerous.”

  “It’s my farm, my parents’ farm. I can’t rely on strangers to protect it when I’m not willing to.”

  “That hurts.” Noel tried a grin. “I’m no stranger.”

  They stared at each other a few seconds longer. Zach had as much right to be here as Noel did. Maybe more. Sure, he might not be trained to fight fire, but neither of them were officially on the crew.

  Noel clasped Zach’s arm. “There’s no time for this. If you’re going to do it, get rolling, but stay out of the way of the dozer. Make sure I don’t have to report an injury — or worse — to Jo.” And Claire.

  Zach saluted and bent to hook the plow to the tractor’s three-point hitch. “On my way.” He climbed back to the open tractor seat before bellowing down at Noel. “And besides, man, it’s all in God’s hands. Thanks for what you’re doing, but God will determine the outcome. Pray for safety.”

  Pray for anything? When was the last time he’d done that? Since he’d met Claire, much more often than anytime in his life prior. He hadn’t wanted to remember not everyone lived to a ripe old age, but the sight of that fire threatening the valley brought it home. Any one of those guys trying to create a firebreak could die.

  Zach could die.

  Noel could, too.

  He jumped into the truck and ripped back down the road. “Please, God. Please keep everyone safe. Especially Zach.” He took a deep breath. “And me. Not quite ready to meet You face to face, but I’ll get right on that when there isn’t a fire breathing down my neck. Please keep me in one piece that long.”

  He spared a thought for Claire. She’d be safe enough in town, at least for now. Whether she’d ever forgive his stupidity, or not, was still up in the air. But he’d be in a lot better shape if he kept her home from burning.

  ###

  Claire looked around the small group in the church basement. “Okay, it’s time for the wedding rehearsal. Anyone have any questions before we go upstairs?”

  Amber shook her head and took Shawn’s hand. They headed toward the stairwell, Eileen right behind them. A door clanged shut in the foyer.

  Claire grabbed the stack of programs and followed along. Footsteps halted above her and Eileen’s voice quavered, “Bill?”

  Some guy said, “Is this my little girl?”

  Claire broke into a run and jogged up the stairs to see Shawn’s arm protecting Amber, who stared at the strange man.

  Eileen advanced on him, hands on her hips. “Nobody invited you to this wedding. Get out.”

  “Are you my father?” Amber pushed away from Shawn slightly.

  The man looked like Noel might when he turned ninety. Tall, but bent. Paunchy. Balding head with blotchy skin. And yet, in there somewhere, the resemblance showed. Claire couldn’t tear her gaze from Noel’s father. She grabbed for the stair railing to keep steady as she climbed the last two steps.

  But he had eyes only for Amber. And Eileen. His gaze flicked back and forth between them as he licked his chapped lips. The guy did not look healthy by anyone’s standards.

  Amber clutched Shawn’s hand and dragged him closer. “Dad?”

  “Get out, Bill.” Eileen edged between father and daughter.

  “Nah, she wants me here. See?” He peered around his ex-wife. “I heard you was getting hitched and figured you’d want your old man to give you away.”

  Claire’s fingers tightened around the railing. The nerve of him. But still. . .he was her father. Apparently.

  Amber laughed, the sound brittle and false. “Good to meet you, Dad. But you can’t exactly give me away.”

  Eileen grabbed Bill’s arm and towed him toward the door. She hissed something in his ear that Claire couldn’t quite make out.

  He pulled loose and turned to Amber. “That’s a father’s job.”

  Amber shook her head. “A father’s job is to be there for his kids. To take them sledding and fishing and to church on Sunday. A real dad tucks his kids in bed at night and reads them stories and drives them to school when they miss the bus.” Her voice rose incrementally with each sentence as she advanced on him. “All my life I’ve needed a real dad, and where were you?” She stabbed a finger into his chest. “Where. Were. You?”

  Bill’s gaze flicked from Amber to Eileen and back again. “I, uh . . .”

  Shawn slid his arm around Amber’s waist, tugging her close. “I’m Shawn Jackson, soon to be your son-in-law. What my bride is trying to tell you is that the wedding is tomorrow at two-thirty, and you’re welcome to be our guest. However, Amber’s brother will be giving her away.”

  “But —”

  Claire remembered she was in charge of this wedding. “Excuse us, Mr. Kenzie. We’re running on a tight schedule here. Like Mr. Jackson says, the wedding is at two-thirty, and the doors will open promptly at two. We hope to see you then. Now, if you don’t mind…” She let her voice trail away as she took Eileen’s arm and steered her toward the sanctuary. With any luck Amber and Shawn would be right on their heels. And where was the rest of the bridal party? Still hanging out in the basement?

  Ah, no. They’d gathered at the top of the steps and listened to every word of the interchange. Too bad. Yet they were friends of the couple and wouldn’t think the worse of either of them because of Bill’s intrusion.

  Shawn’s sister, the maid-of-honor, crowded close to Amber as the exterior door swung shut behind Bill. “Is your brother really going to walk you down the aisle? So cool.”

  Amber opened her mouth to speak as her gaze fastened on Claire’s, but Eileen beat her to words. “If not, I am. You’re my little girl, and I can do the honors as well as anyone.”

  “For tonight, we’ll need you to stand in for sure.” Claire smiled at Amber’s mom. “Everything else depends on the fire, I suppose.” She looked around the little group. “It’s good that you were able to notify everyone of the change of venue.”

  “I did not tell Bill.” Eileen glowered.

  Claire shrugged. “But he found out, so it stands to reason word got out to the people you wanted to send the information to. At any rate, let’s get this rehearsal started. Pastor Ron is in his study whenever we’re ready.”

  Flowers banked the platform and Amber squealed in delight. “Oh, it’s almost as beautiful as the pole barn at the farm. Where did these all come from?”

  Claire let out a breath she’d forgotten she was holding. Mrs. Graysen had come through at Sierra’s request. She’d promised to scrounge her flowerbeds and those of all her friends to create a magical garden for Amber. “After all,” she’d said, “all this smoke can’t be good for the blossoms, so they may as well be put to good use.”

  Roses, daisies, and masses of sweet peas fr
amed the dais. The women of the church had done a wonderful job under Mrs. Graysen’s direction.

  Maybe one day it would be for her. Her mind slid to Noel, out there in danger while she played dress-up in town with his sister. It didn’t seem right. Would he even get a break overnight or would he keep working right through? When would he sleep? Ah, she might not know when, but she did know where. His trailer was parked just a few blocks away outside Nature’s Pantry.

  She turned back to the group, who awaited her instructions. When this rehearsal was over, she’d slip over to the trailer and see Noel with her own eyes. Make sure he was all right.

  **

  Noel staggered up to his trailer in the dark. He couldn’t remember ever having been this exhausted in his life. He’d fought fire before, but never with this personal investment.

  He only hoped the wind wouldn’t pick up overnight. He’d only allow himself four hours in bed — and if he hadn’t been worried about being caught in the flames, he’d have slept on the deck right there at Green Acres after sending Zach back to town.

  Something fluttered on the trailer’s door, and Noel tried to focus enough to peel it off. He unlocked the door and managed to get inside before shrugging out of his smoke-soaked clothes. Yeah, that meant the stench followed him in, but what else could he do? He cranked the vents open to max and started the exhaust fan then tripped his way into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

  He’d parked in such a hurry he’d forgotten to light the hot water tank. Cold water sluiced over him, turning black as the drain pulled it out of sight. He wrapped a towel around himself and went back into the main room to pour a glass of water. His gaze fell on the paper he’d removed from the door.

  Dear Noel.

  His skin shivered, and not just from the cold water.

  I’m so thankful you came back for your sister’s wedding. Zach told us how tirelessly you’ve been working to save Green Acres. I owe you a huge debt of gratitude for your efforts. Rest assured, though, I won’t blame you if the farm burns. God has been showing me that some things are far more important than where I live. I’m praying for you. Claire.

 

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