If she was saying what he thought she was saying, he could work with that. But not tonight. Not while the farm lay in danger.
Chapter 31
Against her better judgment — but according to Eileen’s wishes — Claire met the family for breakfast Saturday morning at The Sizzling Skillet. She was so tempted to skip. They didn’t really need her for anything. But what if Noel showed up? She couldn’t bear not to see him if he could spare the time. He hadn’t acknowledged her note, which was perhaps not too shocking. Though would it have taken too long to send a text?
She’d peered out the window of Sierra’s office above Nature’s Pantry when she heard his truck arrive after midnight. It’d been gone when she woke up. Of course he had more important things to think about than her. The fire, for one. His sister’s wedding, for another.
Claire straightened her lacy top over her capris and eyeballed the front door of The Skillet. She hadn’t set foot in there for more than ten weeks. Alrighty then, she could do this. She strode across the parking lot and pulled open the heavy wooden door. A blast of country music nearly slammed her back outside.
“Claire! Good to see you!” The hostess beamed at her. “Are you here to see Nevin about the job posting?”
Claire stared at the girl. “Are you serious? He’s still looking for a chef?”
The girl’s smile faltered. “But of course. We had so many complaints about the quality of food going down since you left.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Claire tried to see past the hostess. “I’m here to join the Kenzie table. Are they here?”
“Kenzie?” The girl’s eyes blanked for a moment. “Um, yes. The big booth in the back corner. Let me show you.”
“I’ve got it, thanks.” Claire edged past her and more than a dozen tables.
Locals greeted her, asking if she was working here again, inquiring about the fire. Claire kept her answers brief as she made her way to the back.
“There she is!” Eileen scooted over to make room.
Claire set her purse on the seat as she greeted Amber and the other women at the table.
Eileen leaned closer. “I was just holding my news until you got here.”
The woman couldn’t possibly be getting back with her deadbeat husband. Claire raised her eyebrows. “Oh? What’s up?”
“I’ve decided to stay in Missoula, at least for now. I really like my job, you know? And my house may not be large, but it’s paid for. Why move now?”
Whoa. Not what she’d expected to hear at all.
Claire glanced at Amber, who parked her elbows on the table around its curve. “You’re serious, Mom? There are plenty of reasons to move to Flagstaff. Like me.”
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s not that I wouldn’t love to be nearby. But I think you and Shawn need a bit of time to adjust before he has to deal with an interfering busybody of a mother-in-law, don’t you think?”
Shawn’s mother reached across and patted Eileen’s hand. “I’m sure the kids will be just fine without us.”
Eileen dabbed her eyes with a cloth napkin. “You’re probably right. Claire is so wise. Not only can she plan and cater the most gorgeous weddings, she’s simply a person who sees through the fluff and focuses on what’s important.”
Claire stared at Noel’s mom, aware her mouth hung open. Eileen actually heard her words. Who knew?
“May I take your orders?” A young waitress Claire didn’t remember stood with pen poised over her notepad.
“I’d like a coffee,” Claire said. Everyone else’s hands already nursed a mug. “And brown toast and a poached egg.”
“Oh, do have a real breakfast.” Eileen leaned closer. “I’m picking up the tab, and who knows if we’ll get a chance for any lunch? It’s a long time until the reception.”
“It’s enough for me, thanks.” If only her gut weren’t gnawed into holes, worrying about Noel’s safety. Funny how she barely thought of the house, the farm. It was all about the man.
The others ordered then Amber focused back on Eileen. “Are you serious, Mom? I was so happy you were coming, too.”
“Oh, sweetie, that does my heart good. We’ll see how things go in time but for now, my place is in Missoula. We’ll talk often.”
Amber’s eyes narrowed. “Is it because of my father?”
“Don’t be silly.” Eileen took a sip of coffee. “We were done many years ago.”
Hmm. Could Amber be right?
Eileen glanced around the table, apparently aware that she had to say more about the situation. “I don’t see any reason to think we’d ever get back together. On the other hand, this is the first time in twenty-five years he’s tried to make amends. My pastor in Missoula says Bill sounded quite contrite. Only God knows his heart.”
“Good to see you, Claire.” Nevin’s heavy hand clamped over her shoulder. “When can you start back?”
Claire tried to pull away but the booth was too tight. She stared up at her former boss. “I’m not coming back to work here, Nevin. Thanks anyway.”
“But where else can you make such a good wage doing what you love?” He winked at Shawn’s mother. “And such tips, too! I know you love to cook. Where could you possibly find a better place to work than right here?”
“I’m catering weddings and special events now and having a great time with it. In fact, Nevin, please excuse us. I’m busy with a bridal party at the moment, so you’re kind of interrupting.” She added a smile at the end to soften the sting.
“But—“
The twangy country music fell abruptly silent. A siren sounded through the speakers then a radio announcer spoke.
“Voluntary Evacuation Alert. Residents of Galena Landing should be prepared to evacuate. The fire on Galena Mountain is growing and has leaped one of the barriers the fire crew dug over night. A firefighter has been injured. Several properties are in the direct path of the flames, and heavy smoke is pushing into Galena Landing. All residents are advised to gather needed supplies and prepare to head south in the event the evacuation orders ramp up. Volunteers are going from door to door advising residents.”
Claire should worry about the farm, worry about her catering career, but what about Noel? Surely if he were the injured fighter, someone would have called Eileen by now. No one would call Claire. She didn’t have the right to know.
**
Noel’s radio crackled. “Fire jumped Dobson Road.”
His dulled senses crashed. They’d banked so much on all the trenches and firebreaks the equipment had been digging up for the past 24 hours.
“Two miles north, almost at the Canadian border.” Zach looked as exhausted as Noel felt. Dirt and soot streaked his face, and there was no telling what color the guy’s shirt had once been. “River should stop it, though.”
“River?” Noel stared at Zach dully.
“Yeah, Watermans are up that way, just over the bridge. There’s a feedlot between the river and the mountain.”
“So the feedlot is probably in trouble.” Noel pushed himself to standing. He and Zach had stopped for a break, but time had run out.
“There’s nothing you can do, Noel. There’s a crew working there, too. Our job is here. Protecting this stretch of land.”
Zach was right. The state and county crews had finally arrived and taken over, relegating Noel back to civilian status. The chief had agreed he and Zach could stay and defend Green Acres as long as the fire didn’t jump the guard. They’d proven themselves.
Noel sagged against the pole barn where his sister’s wedding should have been taking place in a couple of hours. He sure hadn’t expected the weekend to go like this. He’d begun to daydream a new start with Claire.
Both guys stared up the mountain and the jagged line where the Cat had bulldozed a firebreak beyond the cabin.
“It’s a curious mix,” Zach mused.
“Hmm?”
“Remember that Sunday a while back when Pastor Ron spoke about how temporary our life on this Earth is?”
Noel nodded. No way could he forget that sermon.
“Here we are, protecting a little patch of dirt to the best of our ability. What we’re doing matters, sure. But not in the eternal scheme of things. You know?”
The wind picked up and immediately the roar from the fire grew. As a kid, this conundrum fascinated Noel. Blow on a fire and it should go out, like birthday cake candles. Forest fires didn’t work that way. Even campfires didn’t.
“Kyle got trapped up there. Young guy probably thrilled to be facing danger for the first time in his life. He’s lucky they pulled him out. He’ll be even luckier if he isn’t scarred from the burn.”
The kid’s clothes had caught ablaze from a shower of embers off a crashing tree. “Yeah.” Noel’s eyes weren’t seeing the fire any more. “The preacher was right that day. This stuff isn’t that important.”
Zach cocked a quizzical eyebrow at Noel.
“I always thought I’d get right with God when I was too old to have fun any more.” Noel huffed a laugh. “You know, like forty.”
Zach grinned.
“But there’s nothing certain, is there.” He wasn’t really asking for an answer. “You never know when it might be too late.”
“There’s that.” Zach leaned closer. “There’s also a positive way to look at it.”
“Oh?”
“God gave everything for us. Absolutely everything. We get a lot of joy in living for Him, too.”
Noel chuckled, but not from disbelief. “Not just for ducking the nasty stuff?”
“Yeah, not only. It’s worth living for Christ from an eternal viewpoint. But it’s worth living for Him today, too. Right now.”
A shout sounded above the inferno.
Noel jerked around to see what happened now.
A helicopter dumped a load of water above the log cabin.
Zach stared. “If the cabin burns, we’ll build again. It doesn’t matter, Noel. It really doesn’t matter.”
If only Noel could have the same faith. But he had more than yesterday.
**
Organ music flowed through the Galena Gospel Church and wafted into the library just off the foyer. Claire surveyed the women waiting in the room. Only minutes to go.
Amber, dressed in a floor-length gown with a layered hem, smiled back. If the bride’s bouquet of pastel garden flowers hadn’t been trembling, Claire might not have picked up on her nerves.
Rebekah, Shawn’s sister and the maid of honor, wore a similar dress in bold pink. Every time a whisper came from outside, she glanced toward the door. Several times she opened her mouth to say something, then bit her lip and turned away.
Eileen narrowed her gaze at the clock. Her pastel pink short-sleeved suit rocked her slightly graying hair. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I don’t think he’s coming.”
Chin up and eyes glistening, Amber nodded.
Claire didn’t have to wonder who Eileen meant. At least she knew it wasn’t because Noel didn’t care for his sister. Or that he was trying to avoid Claire. But still, she’d really counted on him being here. For Amber’s sake. Not hers.
If only he were safe, but she had no way to know. Zach would have told her, wouldn’t he? He’d arrived minutes ago, freshly showered, and slid into the pew beside Jo.
A huge sigh huffed out of Rebekah. “Your brother is so hot. I wanted to see him again.”
The girl could use a swat, but it wasn’t Claire’s place to provide it. Maybe she could get away with it as the wedding coordinator? No one would believe her motives. Better not chance it.
The clock ticked over to two-thirty. Claire slightly shifted the lace panel on the library’s window to the sanctuary. The music changed as Pastor Ron led Shawn and his best man from the pastor’s study, all three men in black tuxes. When they turned to face the well-wishers, the tails of Shawn’s jacket swung a tad.
The organist glanced over.
Claire raised her hand then let the curtain fall. “Time to go.” She led the way to the door.
One last chance. She glanced toward the big double doors leading to the parking lot. The foyer was empty.
At the back of the sanctuary, Rebekah stepped forward as the organ music switched once again. Shawn’s sister minced down the aisle, bestowing wide grins to folks on both sides of the church.
Amber took Eileen’s arm and stepped into position.
A door clanged behind her, and Claire whirled.
Noel! Long hair, soaking wet but combed, suit jacket slightly askew with his white shirt untucked, but here.
“Noel!” Amber stage-whispered and flung herself at her brother as the wedding march music began. The shuffle, as the gathered friends stood, covered her voice.
“Oh, there you are, son.” Eileen’s face contorted between joy to see him and something else Claire couldn’t name in that instant. “I’ll just get an usher to take me to my seat.” She turned to wave one of the young men over.
“No!” Claire hissed at her. “The march is already playing.”
“But it’s Noel’s job now.”
Amber straightened her brother’s jacket as he tucked in his shirt.
Claire rushed over with the box from the florist. One last boutonniere to pin on.
Behind her, the music mounted. No doubt the organist and everyone else wondered what the hold up was. They’d understand in a minute.
She grasped Noel’s lapel to pin the flowers in place, and he caught her hand as she finished. “Claire.”
For a second like an eternity he held her eyes. Then she licked her lips, and his gaze dropped to them. “Show’s on,” she whispered.
Noel nodded, and held his arm for Amber. “Shall we?”
Amber looked around. “Where’s Mom?”
Oh, Eileen. Where’d she go? Claire whirled around.
Eileen stood in the last row, blinking back tears but smiling. Beyond her, Bill edged closer. This was so not going to work.
“Stop for her, please,” she whispered to Noel.
He nodded and brushed his fingers against her cheek.
Claire all but wilted at his touch.
Amber stepped through the doorway on her brother’s arm and a collective sigh rose from the audience. A few steps in, the siblings paused, and Noel held out his other arm to his mother.
Eileen shot a questioning glance back at Claire, who nodded enthusiastically. Eileen tucked her trembling hand into the crook of Noel’s elbow and allowed him to guide them both down the aisle.
Claire shook her head. Eileen should’ve stepped to Amber’s other side. But then how would Amber have held her bouquet? The family was halfway to the front by now. It didn’t matter.
Noel’s broad back filled out the charcoal jacket he wore, his dark hair hiding the collar. His black pants could have used a pressing but, under the circumstances, that was quite forgivable.
Claire released a breath.
He was here. In the flesh.
She hadn’t seen him in over a month. How she’d cried in her pillow, longing for his touch. Still, the same things that had driven them apart in June remained.
Today she’d feast her eyes upon him, because this time when he walked out of her life, it would be for good.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Claire turned for the basement stairs. As much as she’d love to stare at Noel, she had to make sure everything was ready for the reception. She couldn’t leave Tony to manage on his own.
**
The pastor’s words stumped Noel for an instant. He should’ve come to the rehearsal. Then he’d have known how to answer the all-important question.
Mom squeezed his arm. “Her brother and I do.”
Shawn stepped closer, his eyes filled with Amber. She beamed at him for an instant before turning to hug Mom, then Noel. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Go get ’em,” he whispered back, steadying her. She turned to face the front of the church and Pastor Ron, who waited to carry out the cer
emony.
Mom slipped into the front pew and looked at him expectantly. Yeah, he really should have been to rehearsal. That spot was usually for both parents, wasn’t it? Not brothers. He strode down the center aisle to the back then turned to survey the gathering as they took their seats.
Where was Claire? At least he could sit beside her.
“Son!”
Whoa, what was Dad doing here? He was even halfway cleaned up. A quick glance around didn’t reveal Claire’s whereabouts. He’d have to catch her after. Noel slid into the pew next to his father.
“She’s beautiful,” Dad whispered.
“Yeah, she cleaned up pretty well, considering what a tomboy she was,” Noel whispered back.
His dad frowned. “I meant your mother.”
Oh. Okay. Too much information. Noel smiled at his dad, not having a clue what to say, and hunkered down in the seat, crossing ankles and arms in the process. He’d love to shed the jacket—even though the ceiling fans worked overtime—but no. He was determined to do this wedding by the books from here on in.
Pastor Ron started in on the joys of a Christian marriage. That caught Noel’s attention.
Dad tugged at Noel’s sleeve, but Noel shushed him. A Christian marriage? He could do this, given half a chance. If only he knew what it looked like. Amber and Shawn would soon be living too far away to observe. But he’d seen Zach and Jo. He pulled his thoughts back to the message.
“Your mother and I — we had a beautiful wedding, too. I ruined everything.”
He certainly had. And now he needed to talk about it in the middle of his daughter’s ceremony?
“I’m really sorry, Noel. Can you ever forgive me?”
Noel shot him a glance, hoping to quell the speech. Oh, man, his dad had tears streaming down his face.
“I know I owe you money. I’ll find a way to repay you.”
This was a new line. “We’ll talk about it, Dad. Later. Okay?”
A Farm Fresh Romance Series 1-3 (A Farm Fresh Romance Box Set) Page 51