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

by Valerie Comer

  The grip on Noel’s arm tightened for a second as his dad peered into his eyes. The man nodded, and Noel turned back to learn all about loving one’s wife.

  **

  Just get through it. Just get through it. Claire managed to keep her fingers busy, but her mind would not release the look in Noel’s eyes as his finger ran down her cheek. Even now she couldn’t stop the tremor that ran through her entire body.

  She didn’t dare read too much into it. She was hired help. The families depended on her to create the perfect atmosphere for the reception, even in a venue they’d never once considered. A local greenhouse had come through, offering potted trees and decorative latticework to decorate the area behind the tables. Sierra had taken charge after midnight, winding twinkle lights and lace throughout the plants, making the church basement look better than Claire would have dreamed possible.

  Still, the sandwiches needed to be set on trays, ice added to the punch, and petit fours arranged on Eileen’s crystal platters. Claire could find stuff to do in the kitchen for a long time yet. She could ignore the ceremony through the sound system, but at least it alerted her when Pastor Ron prayed over the luncheon and invited everyone downstairs.

  Jo ran into the kitchen. “Everything under control in here?”

  Claire glanced up. “Yes, we have it covered. You go enjoy yourself.”

  Jo lingered. “Zach says the fire burned right up to the firebreak, but the farm is okay. Even the cabin’s okay.”

  Claire crushed Jo to her. “Oh, I’m so glad. So thankful.” But to have Noel? He would be worth giving up the farm for. She knew it now.

  Just a bit longer. Every time the double doors to the kitchen swung open, she glanced up, but it wasn’t Noel. He’d been messing with her mind again. That touch should have been illegal.

  “Claire!” Tony called out. “There’s no knife by the cake.”

  She stared blankly. She’d put one there. She knew she had. Eileen had brought the thing with a satin-wrapped handle. “Check with Eileen?”

  “She hasn’t seen it.”

  Amber’s mother must be frantic something had gone wrong. Strange she hadn’t come in here herself.

  But there was no time to go hunting. Claire yanked open the knife drawer. “I guess one of these will have to do.” Was there even one long enough and sharp enough to get through the hard frosting? Every church kitchen she’d been in had the dullest blades imaginable.

  “Need a good knife?” Noel’s voice swept right to her core. “I happen to have a solution for you right here.”

  He stood framed in the doorway, minus his suit jacket and tie. His white shirt was open by several buttons and partially untucked. On some guys it would look messy. On Noel, it was perfect. The way she remembered him. His hair, now dry, begged to be smoothed.

  “It needs to be a long blade,” she managed to say, gripping the edge of the countertop.

  “I think I have one long enough.” He grinned, and his dark eyes glimmered. “Come see if it will do.”

  “J-just show me here. I’m not going out there. There’s too much to do. Or show Tony. He knows what’s needed.”

  Noel glanced at the teen. “Good to see you again, Tony. I’m glad you’re keeping up with Claire. Still planning on going to culinary school?”

  Tony’s gaze flicked to Claire then back at Noel. “Yes, sir. That’s the plan.”

  Noel nodded and held out his hand. “Come, Claire. The knife is out here.”

  “Speech! Speech!” someone called from the reception hall.

  A comical expression crossed Noel’s face. He closed the few steps between them and pulled Claire into his arms.

  She stared up at him. He met everything on her checklist. Every item but one, and he knew it.

  His lips brushed hers and for an instant she clung to him. “Come,” he whispered. “I have to toast the bride.” He grabbed Claire’s hand and towed her out of the kitchen.

  Claire’s free hand swept her face. Was her hair in place? Did she have any crumbs on her outfit? It didn’t matter. He wasn’t letting go, and he wasn’t slowing down.

  Noel strode to the microphone set up between the cake table and the punch. He lifted a goblet with his left hand, his right still firmly gripped around Claire’s.

  “Thank you all for coming to share in Amber and Shawn’s special day. I could give you some stories about Amber growing up . . .” He paused until a few people began to snicker. “But I don’t want to embarrass her too much today. Get back to me next week.”

  Laughter, while someone — Sierra? — pressed punch into Claire’s free hand.

  “Seriously, though. Amber is an awesome young woman and I’m honored to be her brother. To the bride!”

  He raised the goblet, and the guests echoed him. “To the bride!”

  Claire tipped her glass along with the others, trying to tug free of Noel’s grasp. What must people be thinking? Eileen eyed her speculatively, and Rebekah’s eyebrows had pulled together. Amber winked.

  Winked?

  Noel didn’t let go. “I have another toast to propose.”

  Uh oh. She pulled harder, but he had her hand in an iron grip.

  “I’d like to honor my mother today. She was a single mom for most of my life.”

  Claire peered up to notice Bill staring at his son, his face wet. Tears? Could it be?

  “She juggled two little kids to get her degree and start a successful career. She sacrificed so much for Amber and me. I think she’s proud of the woman Amber has become.” His voice lowered. “I just hope she isn’t too embarrassed of me.”

  “Never!” Eileen called out.

  “I’d like to present the mother of the bride, Eileen Kenzie. To Mom!”

  “To Eileen!” people murmured, lifting their goblets.

  Noel paused so long Claire was certain he was done, though he hadn’t moved away from the microphone. “I just need a knife for the cake,” she whispered fiercely.

  He looked at her and grinned, that goofy dimple making her heart ache. She couldn’t handle much more.

  “Ready?” he whispered. “Don’t worry. I ran this past Amber.”

  Ran what past Amber? He wouldn’t . . . He hadn’t . . . The look in his eyes was what she’d dreamed of seeing. Was this for real?

  Noel set his goblet down and secured Claire with his arm tight around her waist. “One more thing!” he called out.

  The soft murmur of the assembly ebbed again as folks turned back.

  Claire held her breath.

  “I’ve been ignoring God for most of my life. It didn’t seem like it was any fun to be a Christian. I figured when I got old I’d take God up on salvation. But I’ve learned a couple of things.”

  Claire didn’t know where to look, but it didn’t seem right to stare at her shoes. Off to the side, Jo waved and Claire met her gaze. Zach stood behind his wife with both arms wrapped around her, holding her tight. He grinned and winked. Amber, beaming and nestled in Shawn’s arms, gave Claire a thumbs-up.

  A flush stole up Claire’s cheeks.

  “I prided myself on not being afraid of anything. I’ve jumped out of planes with nothing but a parachute. I’ve jumped off bridges, sometimes with a bungee cord. I’ve climbed cliffs without so much as a harness. But underneath it all, there was one thing I was afraid of.”

  She could sense him looking down at her, but there was no way she could meet his eyes. Not like this. Not here in front of everyone.

  “I was afraid of commitment.”

  The room was dead silent. Did that mean everyone could hear Claire’s heart pounding?

  “I’d never found anything worth committing to. In the past few months, I’ve found two reasons to change my mind. God has loved me with unfailing love, as a father has for his child.”

  Claire wouldn’t look at Bill. Not now.

  Noel’s arm around her tightened almost imperceptively. “And I’ve found a woman who will make every minute of my life worth being committed to.”
In an instant he was on one knee in front of Claire, a long box in his hands.

  Where had it come from? All that talk, but this wasn’t an engagement ring. She’d never seen one in a box this big. Claire wrapped both arms around her middle, suddenly chilled without Noel’s touch.

  Sierra rescued Claire’s goblet before she dropped it.

  Noel set the box down and tugged her hands free.

  “Claire, will you marry me? My life isn’t complete without you. I love you, and I need you.”

  The vision of her list swirled through her mind. Mentally she took a felt pen — one with permanent ink and a broad black tip — and made a big check mark beside the top entry.

  “Yes.” She met his gaze through vision swimming with tears. Tears of joy.

  He picked up the box and laughed. “The romantic thing would be a diamond ring.” He grinned at her, eyes twinkling. “I’ll get there, I promise. But here, for now — this is for you.” He tilted the lid of the box.

  The fragrance of mint wafted out.

  Five gleaming knives lay nestled on a bed of her favorite herb. The workmanship of the blades and their hand-carved wooden handles took her breath away. “Oh, they’re gorgeous.” He’d planned this, even without the ring. And where had he found the mint?

  He swept her into his arms and twirled her around. “Mint will always make me think of you. The patch below the spring survived the fire just fine.”

  Her arms wound around his neck — someone rescued the box — and pulled his lips to hers. Oh, yes. Sweeter than mint. By far.

  “To Claire and Noel!” Amber shouted.

  Glasses clinked.

  Oh, yes.

  Recipes for Wild Mint Tea

  Spearmint leaves make the best tea. Peppermint or other mint varieties may be used if spearmint is unavailable.

  For Iced Mint Tea:

  2 quarts water

  6 cups packed fresh mint leaves

  Place in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow to cool. Put 3/4 cup (or to taste) of honey or sugar into a one-gallon jar and pour the strained mint tea over it. Stir to dissolve. Fill with water.

  Serve over ice.

  For Hot Mint Tea:

  Bring 1 quart water (or more) to a boil in your kettle. Use a bit of the hot water to rinse out your teapot. Fill teapot with boiling water. In a spice caddy or cheesecloth, place a handful of fresh mint leaves or 2 tablespoons of dry leaves and drop into teapot. Steep to desired flavor and remove the leaves. Sweeten each teacup to taste with local honey. Add cream if desired.

  Alternatively, you can use a French press to make loose-leaf tea, or put the leaves into your teapot unbound and strain as you serve it.

  Jump to:

  Raspberries and Vinegar

  Wild Mint Tea

  Sneak Peek: Peppermint Kisses

  Sweetened with Honey

  Sneak Peek: Dandelions for Dinner

  Peppermint Kisses (Sneak Peek)

  Several tall candelabra with poinsettias massed at their bases cast a golden glow across the front of the church. A lit Christmas tree, decorated in red and white, stood off to one side, the star sending a gentle spotlight to illuminate the bride and groom.

  Rebekah Jackson wiped one tear from her eye then another, mesmerized as Noel Kenzie kissed his bride. She mustn’t mess her mascara.

  Surely all women cried at weddings. They cried because the bride was so beautiful. Because the music, flowers, and candles evoked a celebratory mood. They cried because true love had been found at last.

  Good thing Rebekah had come supplied with a whole packet of tissues. She dabbed her eyes. To think her best friend’s big brother had chosen to marry someone else, oblivious to the fact that Rebekah had adored him from afar forever. She’d had to see his wedding for herself before she could tuck away the fantasies she’d indulged in.

  “Isn’t she gorgeous?” Amber, her best friend and the groom’s sister, whispered. Amber had married Rebekah’s brother last summer. It was at their wedding that Rebekah’s crush had proposed. To the wedding coordinator.

  And now he stood at the front of the church with his bride wrapped in his arms. The kiss went on and on until snickers from the audience turned into rolling laughter with a few catcalls for punctuation. Then the couple separated just enough to gaze into each other’s eyes.

  Rebekah had never been to a wedding like this. The groom wasn’t wearing a tux or even a tie. A crowd of twenty-somethings attended in blue jeans. Well, yes, the invitation had mentioned casual dress, but come on, it was a wedding.

  “May I introduce to you for the first time, Noel and Claire Kenzie!”

  Cheers went up as the beaming couple turned to face the well-wishers. Noel clutched his bride tight to his side. Her dress was sort of appropriate. At least it was white, if not floor length. Her bouquet, rather than formal roses or lilies, looked like a bunch of wildflowers tied with twine, for all the world like some kid had cut them off the hillside.

  Rebekah would believe it if it weren’t the dead of winter. As in snowing with a howling wind. Not quite a blizzard, but definitely not wildflower-picking weather either.

  Noel and Claire strode down the aisle toward the back of the church, smiling and waving. Amber let out a huge sigh. “Oh, I’m so happy for my brother. He’s finally married. And to the greatest girl in the world.”

  Rebekah pulled away from Amber. “Thanks a lot, friend.”

  Amber giggled. “Oh, come on. Look at them. They’re perfect for each other. You just haven’t found the right guy yet. My brother was never going to be the one for you.”

  That hadn’t stopped Rebekah from daydreaming. But the fact was, Noel had said his vows, and he’d said them to someone else. Someone he obviously adored. And unless Rebekah wished divorce or early death into their relationship, he was now officially out of bounds.

  “Shawn and I have family photos for the next bit.” Amber tucked her tissues back into her purse. “Are you going to be okay without us? Just go down the stairs at the back. I think they’re setting up for the reception right now.”

  “No problem.” Rebekah waved a hand. “Don’t worry about me.” Not that she knew a soul here other than her brother and Amber, but she’d find plenty of people to talk to in the brightly lit basement.

  * * *

  The vision in the glittery gold gown hesitated at the head of the stairs for a moment. Her hand slid lightly down the banister as she descended.

  Wade Roper sucked in air and let it out again. An angel from heaven couldn’t be more breathtaking. Who was she? Who came to a wedding alone? True, he’d seen her across the church with a young couple, but they seemed to have abandoned her.

  Wade started forward and stopped again just as quickly.

  For the first time, he wished he’d worn something more formal to this shindig. Sure, Noel had threatened his tree-planting crew, saying it was up to them to keep this party from getting too formal. Wade and the others had laughed and agreed. That was fine as long as they were just hanging out together, but he’d never expected to meet a girl… a lady… an angel.

  James nudged him. “Wow, she’s a little overdressed, don’t you think?” His buddy already had a glass of punch in his hand as he pointed at the vision.

  “She’s gorgeous.”

  “She is kind of pretty.” James clapped him on the back. “And not just because you’ve been in the back country too long.”

  Wade had spent the last few months in college, not planting trees in the mountains. It’d been good to see his work friends today, but none of the girls he’d planted with had ever caught his eye like this.

  She paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked around.

  That did it. Wade started forward. She didn’t have anyone here, and she looked lost.

  “Hi, there. My name is Wade Roper. Can I get you a glass of punch?”

  Brown eyes blinked up at him. “That would be lovely, thank you.” Then her gaze took in his jeans and de
nim shirt.

  He had a three-piece suit hanging in his closet in Boise, thanks to his brother’s wedding last year. Should’ve worn it again. Should’ve. But it was too late now.

  Wade returned with two glasses of punch a moment later and filled his eyes while taking a few sips.

  Soft blond hair flowed to her bare shoulders. A chunky turquoise necklace curved against her throat, and a matching bracelet slid up her arm when she lifted the punch, long fingernails glimmering with turquoise polish.

  She hadn’t told him who she was. He needed to know. But he’d already introduced himself. What could he say next? “I’ve worked in Noel’s crew the past three summers. Are you a friend of his, or of Claire’s?”

  Those brown eyes met his gaze again, and her pink lips tightened. “I’m a friend of Noel’s sister, Amber, who’s married to my brother.”

  “I see.” And he did, kind of. But who was she? “And your name is…?”

  She laughed just as softly as he’d expected. “Rebekah. Rebekah Jackson.”

  Wasn’t it Rebekah in the Bible who had been described as uncommonly beautiful? “It suits you.”

  “Thank you.” But she looked puzzled.

  He was making a ham-fisted mess of introducing himself. Where were the smooth one-liners James could spin out at a moment’s notice?

  Click here to read Peppermint Kisses and join Valerie's email list!

  Psst: if you're already subscribed, check the bottom of any email from me for the link.

  Jump to:

  Raspberries and Vinegar

  Wild Mint Tea

  Sneak Peek: Peppermint Kisses

  Sweetened with Honey

  Sneak Peek: Dandelions for Dinner

  Sweetened with Honey Chapter 1