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

by Valerie Comer

  “It’s okay, doll. Whatever you want. What do you think?”

  She took a deep breath. “About what?”

  Tyrell frowned as he glanced her way. “About the house. About us.”

  Had she missed some kind of proposal? Sierra wrapped both arms around her middle. “What do you mean, about us?”

  His teeth flashed as he grinned. “You and me. Cruising into the future together, just the two of us. Like this.”

  Sierra backed up another step, and the back of her knees caught the edge of a padded seat. She sank into it, her mind whirling.

  Not that she expected the kind of marriage proposal that went viral on Facebook. She didn’t know any guys who’d make a big production. But this? Was he even asking her to marry him, or what?

  Her biological clock said, “Tick-tock.” But he didn’t want kids?

  “I’m not sure, Tyrell,” she managed to get out. “I think we should get to know each other better before making such a big decision, don’t you?”

  Chapter 12

  “This isn’t the kind of blue I was expecting.” Gabe slammed his fists against his hips as he surveyed the row of cans, each with a daub of paint on the lid, on the plastic drop cloth.

  Jo, dressed in jeans and t-shirt already spattered with multiple colors, popped the lid off one of them, confirming Gabe’s suspicion. This wasn’t blue. Call it turquoise.

  “You said you trusted my judgment.” She grinned up at him.

  “Uh, yeah. I trusted you to get blue.”

  “You’ll love it.” She dipped a brush in and painted a quick splotch on the wall. “Perfect.”

  Gabe shook his head. Whatever. He was only going to be here for a few months, and it was definitely better than beige. Maybe having a fresher look to the apartment would help when he sold the building.

  Jo tilted her head at him. “How much painting have you done? Are you any good at cutting in?”

  He raised his eyebrows and pointed at the wall. “Do I look like I’ve got experience?” He smelled the floral scent at the same time Sierra chuckled from behind him.

  “Zach can cut in for Gabe.” Sierra tossed her jacket on a kitchen chair. “So long as you mark which walls are which colors, so the guys don’t make a mistake.”

  Good idea. He’d work with Zach, maybe in a bedroom. The girls could do the living room.

  Jo frowned. “Zach might be able to suture a dog, but he can’t cut in without painter’s tape to save his life.”

  Uh oh. Gabe could see where this was going.

  “We don’t have time for tape,” Jo went on. “Not if we want to do all the walls today. One color won’t be dry enough before we need to start the other.”

  Sierra stared hard at Jo. “There’s no need to kill ourselves doing everything in one day.”

  Looked like she wanted to be paired off with him as much as he wanted it. He was likely a poor imitation of Tyrell Burke. The guy had a flashy new truck and knew what he wanted out of life. Sierra.

  Jo stuck her hands on her hips. “Are you kidding me? Who knows when I’ll get Rosemary to watch Maddie for an entire day again? Nope. We’ve got too much to do to stand here arguing. We’ll start in opposite corners and work until we meet up then switch to the next room. You cut in for Gabe, I’ll cut in for Zach.” She glanced around. “Wherever he got to.”

  Great. No one said “no” to Jo. Gabe glanced at Sierra. “If you’ve got other things to do, I’m sure we’ll manage fine without you.”

  She narrowed her gaze at him. “I promised to help. I’m here.”

  Zach came out of the bathroom and flipped the fan on as he closed the door behind him. “Might want to do that room last.”

  The girls rolled their eyes, and Gabe stifled a grin. “Looks like you’ve got everything ready to go. Let’s get started.”

  Sierra shoved a stepladder into one corner. “Same color on both sides?” she asked Jo.

  Jo smeared a splotch of light turquoise on three of the four walls. “This is where the colors go.”

  Sierra nodded and popped open a second paint can. She poured some into a tray before selecting a brush from the array Jo had laid out. She carried the bucket up the ladder, set it on the rest, and dipped her brush in. With a steady hand, she angled her brush against the ceiling and drew a line along the top of the wall.

  Zach busied himself removing electrical covers then taped over each outlet.

  Nothing Gabe could do for a minute but watch, right? Somehow watching his buddy wasn’t as fascinating as watching Sierra, several steps up the ladder with her back to him. Her paint-splotched t-shirt tucked into the waistband of an old pair of jeans, hiding little of her feminine curves. She’d woven her hair into a thick French braid that hung way down her back and curled at the tips. No shoes, her toes twinkled with her signature purple nail polish and… something else.

  He stepped closer. A toe ring? Yeah, that figured. See, he should remember stuff like this. How different she was from Bethany, who’d rarely worn jewelry other than her wedding set. For her, dressing up included clear nail polish, not this purple stuff Sierra must buy by the case somewhere.

  Maybe Bethany would have worn more bling if he’d given it to her.

  Ouch. Where had that come from? They’d never had money for extras like that. Non-essentials.

  Try telling Sierra purple nail polish was a non-essential. Gabe couldn’t help the grin. He could make a good guess how that would go over.

  “Gonna stare all day?” Zach’s elbow caught Gabe’s ribs.

  Gabe blinked back to reality and caught the knowing look in his buddy’s eyes. A heated flush crept up his neck. “Uh, I’m not sure what to do now.”

  Sierra turned. “You’ve never painted at all?”

  Gabe pointed at the beige wall. “Does it look like it?”

  She shook her head. “Zach…”

  Zach laughed. “I’ve got it. Grab that roller, Rubachuk. Here’s what you do.” He showed Gabe how to load the roller then get rid of the excess before spreading the paint out on the wall. “Just be careful not to hit the ceiling or the wall that’s gonna be yellow.”

  “Honey gold,” corrected Jo, scooting her ladder over.

  “Right.” Gabe gave an experimental roll. This should work out okay. And the color might be greener than he’d expected, but it did look kind of refreshing. Time to get rid of his boring beige life and step into fresh turquoise.

  Sierra stepped off the ladder and moved it out of her way. She loaded her brush and glanced at him.

  Speaking of turquoise, why had he ever thought her eyes were blue? They matched the wall, and they looked good.

  * * *

  Sierra’s breath hitched. Why did Gabe keep looking at her like that? His eyes, his expressions, his body language, all said the opposite of his scathing commentary. Which side revealed his true thoughts?

  Her instructors had told her eyes were the windows to the soul. A cliché, but true nonetheless.

  Gabe turned away, bending to fill his roller again. When he looked at her again, the softness had disappeared. He raised his eyebrows, his eyes cold as blue steel.

  Was it hot in here or what? This was crazy. She strode across the room to open the few windows the apartment had. Sure, it was mid-October, but the day was bright and sunny, and she needed air.

  Thankfully, Jo broke the uncomfortable silence. “Good idea, Sierra. Get the paint fumes out. At least low-VOC paint isn’t as lethal as the old kind.”

  “Did anyone bring food? I’m starving.” Zach, of course, always thinking of his stomach.

  “Yeah, I brought lunch.” Jo waved her brush at him. “And it’s what, nine-thirty? Get to work.”

  “I’ll grab some chips from downstairs.” Gabe set the roller down. “Unless you’d rather have rice cakes.”

  “Rice cakes?” Unbelief laced Zach’s words. “You are kidding me, right? That’s a pseudo health food if I ever heard of one.”

  Gabe’s gaze met Sierra’s. “Som
e people like them. We seem to do a thriving business in all the flavors. Especially plain.”

  Mrs. Bowerchuk had been in then. Sierra couldn’t help the giggle that tumbled out. “Gabe’s right, Zach. They’re a hot seller.”

  “What, if you’re ninety?”

  “I don’t think it’s a requirement.” Gabe cracked a grin. “But it might help.”

  Now that was more like it. Loosen up a little, buddy.

  “I think I’ll stick with something less popular. Jo will kill me if it isn’t organic, but I’m happy to pay for whatever you rustle up.”

  Gabe raised both hands. “Hey, it’s on me. Unless you’re thinking of working your way through a whole case of chips, in which case you’re on, man.” He disappeared down the back stairs.

  “Can’t you even work for half an hour without eating?” Jo smacked Zach’s arm with her brush, leaving a turquoise smear.

  Uh oh. Sierra could see where this would lead.

  Zach lifted his arm and examined the paint. “If only I had food, I’d have enough energy to get even with you for that, woman.”

  “Yes, I can see how weak you are.” Jo raised her eyebrows.

  Zach stepped closer and wrapped both Jo’s wrists with one hand while he yanked the brush out of her fingers with the other. “Is that right?” He dabbed paint on Jo’s nose.

  Sierra took a deep breath and turned her back. Where was she on this wall again? Time to cut in along the baseboards, which, thankfully, were white and in reasonable condition considering how many years it had been since they’d last seen attention.

  “Take this,” said Zach. “And this.” Something dropped.

  No peeking. She didn’t want to see how much fun a married couple could have procrastinating painting a wall. She crouched at the baseboard and carefully angled her brush along it.

  Gabe’s footsteps clattered up the stairs as Sierra reached to load more paint on her brush. Against her better judgment, the silence from across the room made her steal a look from under her eyelashes. Yep, Jo and Zach stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing like there was no tomorrow, the brush on the drop cloth beside them.

  “Get a room,” Gabe said. “Later, that is. Here, have some chips.”

  Zach ran his finger along Jo’s nose, grinning as he spread the smear one way, then the other. “Mmm. Chips.” He released Jo and turned toward Gabe, who held out a basket with a selection of snacks.

  Jo swooped for the abandoned brush and smacked his backside.

  “If you two would focus on the wall, we’d be half done by now.” Sierra’s gut tightened painfully as she dipped her brush. Yes, she was happy for her friends. Really. But sometimes they were just a reminder of what she didn’t have. No marriage. No adorable toddler. Even pulling Tyrell’s face up did nothing to comfort.

  “Want some chips?” Gabe’s voice came from just beyond her shoulder.

  She glanced up, glad he blocked the view of the scuffle she could hear behind him. Not like she needed the calories, but… why not? She chose a bag and tore it open. Salt and fat, the next best thing to chocolate.

  Gabe picked up his roller and got back to work, mere inches from her. How was she supposed to concentrate with him right there? She climbed back on the ladder to cut in along the ceiling again. Across the room, Jo and Zach had resumed painting, banter now restricted to verbal.

  “I don’t know how you do that so evenly.”

  Sierra jerked, and a smear caught the ceiling.

  “Man, I’m sorry for distracting you.”

  “It’s okay. Toss me that wet rag. It’ll wipe off easily at this stage.” When she’d removed the blip, she glanced down at him. “It’s all in the angle you hold the brush. And knowing how much paint to have on it.”

  “You need a good brush, too,” Jo called out.

  Gabe’s gaze kept Sierra captive. Finally she found more words. “If you want to practice, the closets are a good place to learn.”

  He quirked a grin, and her heart flipped. “Where no one will see my mistakes?”

  “Exactly. It does take practice.”

  “A steady hand,” offered Zach. “Like with a woman. Always a fine line between messing up and perfection.”

  Jo dabbed paint in his hair.

  “Thanks, woman.” His roller found her pant leg.

  “Give it up, you two. We’ll be here all night.” Sierra glared across the room. “Keep going like that, and we’ll need another gallon of paint.”

  Gabe chuckled.

  She shot him a surprised glance. Laughter out of Gabe? Who knew it was even possible?

  “Looks like we have a lot of buckets. I don’t think we’ll run out any time soon.”

  Sierra shook her head at Gabe but couldn’t help the grin. So nice when he wasn’t glowering at her.

  “How do you do that, man?” He half-turned to Zach.

  His pivot caught Sierra off guard as his roller bumped her shoulder.

  “Hey! Watch what you’re doing!”

  Gabe’s blue eyes twinkled. “I was.”

  “You go, Rubachuk.”

  A mask pulled across Gabe’s face at Zach’s words. His gaze, still fixed on hers, hardened and chilled. His jaw flexed and he turned away to dip the roller.

  Zach mouthed, “I’m sorry,” to her over Gabe’s bent head.

  Who’d decided she and Gabe ought to be a pair, anyway? She shook her head at Zach and reloaded her brush. She was dating Tyrell, and he was obviously creating plans for their future together.

  That’s what she needed. A man who didn’t have one foot in the past and both eyes fixed on the rearview mirror.

  It was going to be a long day.

  Chapter 13

  “Gabriel Rubachuk!”

  Gabe barely made it through the double doors of Galena Gospel Church before Ed Graysen clapped him on the back.

  “Ed! Good to see you.”

  “Likewise, brother. Likewise.” The church elder peered deeply into Gabe’s eyes before squeezing his shoulder. “I heard you’d returned, and I can’t tell you how glad I am the rumor was true. Those junior high kids sure missed you.”

  The smile Gabe’d barely managed to bring up froze, the panic welling up his throat keeping it in place. “Oh, they’ve all moved up to the next class by now, Ed. It’s been a few years.”

  “You had a way with that age group no one else has. We’ve been through several teachers since you left.” The older man frowned. “And the fellow who’s doing it now seems to need a lot of time off. Maybe you could team-teach with him or something like that?”

  “Ed, I’m not sure I want to—”

  “We can give it a bit of time. New term starts in January, after all. I think Tyrell is around for the next two months.”

  “Tyrell?” Gabe barely got the name out.

  “Tyrell Burke. His family’s been around here for years. You must’ve known him at some point? Though he’s a more recent believer.”

  Gabe nodded. “He was ahead of me in school. I have vague memories of him.” The historical memories were vague, anyway. The most recent recollections, not so much. “So he’s been teaching the junior high class?”

  “Yes, he took it over last winter when Dan North got pneumonia. But it’s had its challenges.” Ed’s gaze slipped past Gabe. “Well, I shouldn’t be telling you all that, I’m sure. Still, have no doubt we’ll welcome you back with open arms.”

  “Uh, thank you. Don’t go doing anything rash, though, Ed. I’m not sure what my plans are, long term.”

  The older man frowned as his gaze snapped back to Gabe. “What do you mean, son?”

  “Just… I’m not sure.”

  “Well, I’ll give you a bit of time. I can’t go making these decisions without the board, though I’m certain they’ll be in agreement. Do pray about it. I know I will.”

  Gabe nodded as the elder moved on to greet someone else. He was so not ready for this, but he also wasn’t quite prepared to announce his intentions of le
aving Galena Landing for good to the general public, of which the well-meaning elder certainly qualified.

  “You okay, man?” Zach’s worried face swam into focus.

  “Nemesek!” Gabe stretched out his fist, and Zach responded. He had to get a grip. Enough already with people tiptoeing around him as though he were something fragile. That meant no more letting his emotions show. Another reason to shake off the dirt of this small town.

  And leave the tweens to the likes of Tyrell Burke? The amount that bothered him was astonishing. After all, he was leaving Sierra Riehl in Burke the Jerk’s hands. Acknowledging that stung, too.

  Gabe didn’t want her, so why did it bug him that Burke did? Why did Gabe see things in her eyes and mannerisms that seemed to invite more from him? But he didn’t have more to give. Burke, apparently, did.

  He heard Zach’s voice. “How did Maddie do?”

  Gabe blinked and gave his head a shake. Where had that come from? Why was Zach asking about Maddie?

  Jo had appeared out of nowhere and slid her hand into Zach’s. “She screamed bloody murder when I handed her to Jean, but she was playing with the toys before I got out of earshot.”

  Behind Jo stood Sierra, her back to him as she chatted with Noel and Claire. Her hair, curled at the bottom, swung below her shoulder blades, accentuating her narrow waist.

  “You’re coming for lunch after church, aren’t you?” asked Jo.

  “Uh, no. I was going to get things settled in the apartment.”

  She waved a hand. “It’s Sunday, dude. Take a break. You’re just afraid of guys’ day in the kitchen.” Jo leaned closer. “But they need all the help they can get.”

  Zach slung his arm across her shoulders. “I heard that.”

  “Don’t deny it. No one will believe you.”

  Zach laughed. “Too true. But yeah, Rubachuk, definitely come over. I bet the apartment still reeks of paint anyway.”

  The other three drifted closer.

  “We won’t even make you work,” Noel put in. “I put a pot roast in the oven before church. Plenty enough to go around.”