by Louise, Tia
And having that looming shadow right alongside it. The clock running out, like Cinderella at the ball. The pain of knowing in only a few short hours, everything will change, will go back to the way it was before, and we won’t be able to hold each other this way for a long, long time.
11
Taron
I’m standing in the back of the room watching the man crown a little girl with orange-red hair Princess Peach, and I have to confess…
She looks like a peach.
The child prances down the stage in a leaf-green ruffled dress, and the music rises. Everyone claps. After all the days I’ve spent with her, flying on the three-wheeler, jumping in the pond, running through the groves with Akela, working quietly behind the scenes in the kitchen, on her product line, on the store… I realize this is something Noel would never be happy doing. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.
It’s absolutely not her personality.
Light streams across the dark corridor, and she emerges from the bathroom. Her hair is over one shoulder, and a smile curls her lips… She’s so beautiful. She’s the best thing I’ve ever seen, and the truth hits me like a freight train.
I’m in love with this girl.
She pauses to chat with a lady holding a sleeping toddler. The woman nods and smiles, and Noel pushes a strand of dark hair behind her ear with long, elegant fingers.
She only makes it a few more steps in my direction when an older lady stops her. The woman shows her a bottle of Autumn’s Bounty body lotion, and I can tell by the animated way she’s speaking it’s a rave review.
As much as I hate that asshat Digger, he’s right. Noel is royalty in this place. The way she carries herself, the grace she shows everyone who approaches her. She’s not just beautiful and smart and damn sexy, she’s special.
I’m standing beside a line of men along the back wall with their arms crossed, watching the pageant and the spectacle surrounding it. I recognize some of them from that first meeting at Denny’s. A few I’ve seen talking to Sawyer in the fields, and I realize they’re part of the community of growers.
What would it mean to build a life here with them? It’s miles away from Nashville, but it feels more like home than anything I’ve ever experienced. Warmth is at my side, and I look down at my girl smiling up at me.
“Seen enough?” She’s happy, and I love seeing the glow in her eyes when she looks at me.
“I get it now. That little girl actually looks like a peach.”
Her chin rises, and she nods as if I’ve cracked the code. “Next year you can be a judge.” The words catch her short, and a splinter of pain cuts my chest.
I don’t want to think about next year and where I’ll be or how far away. I put my arm around her waist and turn her to the door. “Let’s get out of here.”
I want to spend the night holding this beautiful creature in my arms.
The yellow cake turns golden brown, and I look over her shoulder. “Just a few more seconds.”
Noel is in front of me, holding a spatula as she watches her first batch of hoecakes frying in the pan.
“It’s just like making pancakes.” She reaches out and quickly flips all four of them, perfectly browned.
I kiss the side of her neck, holding her waist, loving the feel of her back against my chest. The weekend is here, and Sawyer told everybody to sleep in—which naturally means we’ve been up since dawn stealing every moment we can find together.
Last night I held her so close to me as she slept. My face was in her hair, and I did my best to memorize her scent, feel her body against mine, doing everything in my power to imprint her on my mind. I never want to forget how she feels in my arms.
The Peach Ball is tonight, and she said she’d go with me. We’ve done our best to stay in the moment, but we can’t avoid the truth any longer. It’s my last night in town. Tomorrow, I leave before dawn, and it feels like a lead weight pressing on my chest.
My face is at her shoulder, and I take another deep inhale as she plates the small corn cakes. Then she turns in my arms and puts her hands on my chest.
“I decided to change the scent on the one I sell.” Her head tilts to the side and she smiles up at me. “I’ll still make this scent, but it’ll just be for me.”
I don’t know why this makes me so happy, but it does. “Will you send me a bottle?”
“I’ll give you the one I have. I’ll put it in your bag.”
Raking my fingers along the side of her hair, I lean down and kiss her cheek, just as the door swings open and Leon storms into the room. We step apart, but I’m sure he saw me holding her, kissing her.
Either way, he doesn’t say anything about it. “Breakfast ready?” He pulls down a plate without making eye contact.
Noel is back at the stove, spooning four more cakes onto the hot griddle. “Almost. Unless you want eggs.”
“Nah, this is good.”
I put a few strips of bacon on to fry and walk over to restart the coffee pot. My eyes are on Noel moving around in those cutoffs I love. I’m making a mental picture when Sawyer joins us, growling about too much noise in the house to sleep.
Noel cuts up the last peaches in the refrigerator, and we have a quiet breakfast. I think it’s about more than simply the end of harvest and exhaustion. I think it’s because the fact of what’s coming is settling in. I’m leaving in the morning, then a few days later Sawyer will leave. Neither of us will be back for a long time.
Breakfast is over, and we all carry our dishes to the sink. Leon immediately starts to load the dishwasher, but Noel stops him, pulling him into a brief hug.
“It’s your birthday weekend. Go pick me some peaches, and I’ll make ice cream.” He starts for the door, and when our eyes meet, she nods. “Go with him.”
A sweet smile is on her lips, and I head out the door, following Leon up the hill. It takes longer today, searching the near-bare trees. Primarily under-ripe fruit is left, but we’re able to find a few new ones that have turned since the pickers left.
We celebrated Leon’s actual birthday a few days ago, but the festival seemed to take over everyone’s attention. He’s been unusually quiet the last few days, and I wonder if it’s because of a certain teenage girl.
“So…” We’re walking side by side past the short trees. “You and Betsy?”
He doesn’t answer right away. His brow is still lowered, and he searches a branch, finding two more peaches.
After putting them in the bucket I’m holding, he cuts those hazel eyes up at me.
“So, you and Noel?” His sharp tone catches me off guard.
I’m not sure how to answer him or why exactly he seems so angry. I take a few steps to another tree and search the branches, coming back empty-handed.
Clearing my throat, I look over at him. “Something like that.”
Crossing his arms, he glares at me. “How long?”
Rubbing my hand across my chin, I start slowly up the hill. “Almost since the first day.” I grin, remembering her falling off the counter right into my arms.
She was like a gift from heaven.
“You love her?”
Love. It’s a word I’ve thought more than once, but I’ve never said it out loud. Here, in this fragrant grove with this kid who reminds me so much of myself, I decide it’s time to be honest.
“I do.”
“Have you told her?”
My lips press together, and I shake my head. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Ah… I don’t know.” Exhaling a deep breath, I level with him. “It’s not fair to tell her I love her and leave. It’s not fair to ask her to wait. I don’t know what might happen in the next eighteen months.”
“You were pretty sure of yourself when you got here.”
“Was I?” I think back fourteen days… it feels like a lifetime ago. I feel like a completely different person from the guy who rode in here in the middle of the night, fresh out of basic with Sawyer.
“You said you’d take care of my brother. You said you wouldn’t let anything happen to him.”
I hadn’t thought he was listening to me.
Lifting my chin, I meet his eyes. “I meant it.”
“You’ll have to take care of yourself if you plan to keep that promise.”
The side of my mouth lifts with a grin. “I guess I will.”
He turns and starts down the hill toward the house. “Noel’s a serious person. She’s got plans, and she doesn’t fall in love with just anybody. In fact, I don’t think she’s ever had a serious boyfriend.”
“Okay.” I won’t say I’m sorry to hear it.
“Whether you ask her or not, she’s going to wait for you.” He reaches over and takes the bucket of peaches. “I’ll kick your ass if you hurt my sister.”
Emotion hits me hard in the chest. Slowing my stride, I watch him stalk away from me, jogging up the back steps and into the house.
Noel is there, but I don’t go to her. I need to think. I need to decide my next moves and what I’m going to say. Either way, I’ve got to tell her the truth before I go.
12
Noel
The Peach Ball sounds like a big event, but it’s really more a reception with live music and dancing. It’s the final event of the festival, and the organizers go all out with a cash bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres… Still, it’s not an evening-gown and tuxedo type of thing.
Either way, I got a new little black dress to wear, and I’m hoping to make it a special night… A memory I hope will last us a while.
Taron is down at the cottage, and I’ve done my best to hold it together all day. Last night he slept in my bed, which is a first. Usually, I slip down to his place late in the evenings then back to my room before the sun comes up. It’s safer that way.
Sawyer knows something’s going on between us. He knows we slip off to the pond and the reservoir, and we make breakfast together every morning and sit up talking at night. He knows Taron’s taking me to the ball tonight, but I don’t know what he’d say if he knew we were sleeping together. I don’t want to fight with my brother before he leaves the country.
So I’ve been being careful, secretive, but I couldn’t stop Taron last night. He got in my small bed and curled around me like a koala. This morning, he taught me his signature hoecake recipe, which he says he got off the Food channel on TV. We had ice cream, and we rode the three-wheeler down to the pond once more. Now I’m waiting for him to come to the house to “pick me up.”
Leon is taking Betsy, and he left about thirty minutes ago. As part of the growers association, Sawyer took off after lunch to help set up or tear down or basically just be a presence. Mindy Facetimed me wanting to see my dress, which she helped me pick out the day I told her I was going with Taron.
“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous!”
“You think?” Turning side to side, I look at the short black dress only held up by thin straps crossing my back.
I want tonight to be perfect. I want everything to go just right.
I need everything to go just right. It’s a memory I’ll hold for a long time…
My dark hair is styled over one shoulder, and I put on waterproof mascara. God, I don’t want to cry, but I’m afraid I might.
“Now I’m wishing I was going.” My friend is in her bed in bright red pajamas eating popcorn from a big green bowl.
Her curly dark hair is in a bun right on top of her head, and any other day, I’d be right there with her.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“Binging Pretty Little Liars for the third time.”
“Is it bad that I think Alexander Skarsgård is so hot in that?”
“Alexander Skarsgård is an actor.” Mindy adopts a clinical tone. “You can appreciate his hotness even when he plays a horrible character.”
“Noel?” Taron’s voice in the kitchen makes my stomach jump.
“Gotta run!”
“Have fun tonight! I want to hear all about it!” She blows me a kiss, and I hit the end button.
Giving myself one last look in the mirror, I grab my special lotion and rub a quick pump on my hands and shoulders before opening the door.
Taron takes my breath away. He’s standing in the hall in his boots, dark jeans, and a navy button-down shirt with a tan blazer on top.
“Damn.” He exhales the word on a hot breath.
His blue-green eyes glow with desire. They travel like a caress from my hair to my shoulders and down my legs.
“You like it?” My voice is small, quiet, and he closes the space between us, pulling me into his arms.
For a moment, we hold each other. My arms are around his waist, and his are around my shoulders. I’m completely engulfed in his rich scent of clean soap and cedar. Our breath rises and falls together. Don’t let go…
I think of the words we’ve never said. The words our bodies have spoken so many times—every time we’ve touched each other, teased each other, kissed each other or made love… The words echo in my head and in my aching heart.
Akela’s nails click on the wood floors as she trots into the room and sits beside us, waiting, as if she knows this is our last night as well.
Taron’s arms relax, and he clears his throat. “We’d better take off if we’re going.”
His chin drops and he wipes a hand across his mouth. He almost seems like he wants to say more. I want to say more… So much hangs in the air between us.
“Wait a minute!” I dig in my purse and pull out my phone. “My arms aren’t long enough.”
He takes it from me and holds it up. I do my best to help him get us head to toe beside each other. It’s a crooked shot, but we’re smiling, our cheeks are together, and all those feelings glow in our eyes. He gives it back to me, and I take one more selfie of just our faces before slipping it back in my tiny handbag.
“Now?” Lacing our fingers, Taron guides me through the kitchen and out the back door to the old Chevy truck.
Inside, I scoot all the way across like always, so I can rest my head is on his shoulder. The lap belt is across my waist, and I hold his hand with our fingers still threaded.
We don’t speak. On the radio is an old country song about a man who loved a woman until he died, and I close my eyes, wondering if such a thing is possible. If Taron might love me until he dies. I know I’ll love him…
It hurts so much, but I’m determined not to waste these precious moments borrowing heartache from the future. He’s still here with me. I can still touch him, smell him. He’s still mine right now. I’ll have plenty of time to miss him when he’s gone.
The civic center is transformed for the party. White twinkle lights are wrapped around potted trees lining the room. Tables are arranged on one half of the hall with white tablecloths and small candles in the centers. A band is playing a mix of country, rock, and standards at the other end, and people are dancing.
I catch sight of my brother talking to Dutch Hayes, and I can guess what’s going on there. Sawyer’s been worrying himself sick over what’s going to happen with the orchard while he’s gone. I wish he’d talk to me about it. I’m perfectly capable of keeping things up and running, but he likes to follow the old ways.
He gets up every morning at the ass-crack of dawn, gets in his truck, and drives twenty miles per hour to meet with the old timers at the Denny’s in town and talk about the almanac predictions and whether or not the migrant workers will be back next spring.
Spoiler alert: They always are.
“Want some punch?” Taron’s smiling down at me, and I let my annoyance with my brother go.
“I’d rather have a Coke, if they’ve got it.”
He lifts my hand and kisses my fingers before leaving me standing beside a tall table at the perimeter of the dance floor.
I look around for anybody I know while I wait, and I see Leon hugged up with Betsy on the dance floor. My brow furrows, and I wonder if I should have The Talk with him. I wonder if Sawyer’s already done
it… He’s just so distracted these days, and he still thinks of Leon as a little kid. I’m sure my youngest brother already knows how sex works, but I hope he’s being smarter than I was about birth control. Jeez… What would I do without Mindy?
Digger’s smooth, unwelcome voice breaks my reverie. “You look as beautiful as I imagined you would.”
“Digger.” I hold out my hand, hoping to block his usual hug and kiss on the cheek.
I fail.
He pulls me into a stiff embrace and kisses my cheek, leaving behind the heavy scent of his lemony cologne.
Looking past him, I see Rachel Bishop with her arms crossed, standing at his left flank and glaring at me. I really want to tell her she has absolutely nothing to worry about. At all.
“Hi, Rachel.” I reach out to wave her in closer, but she turns to chat with Andie Stevens at the next table.
Rude. But I guess I don’t blame her. Just because I can’t imagine ever dating Digger doesn’t mean nobody else might. Some girls actually find him attractive, and I guess his dad does have a lot of money.
“You’re here with Taron.” It’s not a question. Digger’s nose curls. “At least he’ll be gone in twenty-four hours.”
“Gone isn’t forgotten.”
“You think he’s something, but he’s not. I checked. Taron Rhodes is nothing in Nashville. No people, no family.” He looks over my shoulder to where I assume Taron is getting me a drink. “Don’t set your heart on a guy like that, Noel. He will let you down. Believe me.”
My voice is practiced calm. “I couldn’t be less interested in what you think.”
He’s about to say more when a warm hand catches my arm, and I relax at the familiar touch. “Is this guy bothering you?”
His voice is a tease, and I look up into Taron’s handsome face. “He talks too much. I’d really like to dance.”
“Done.” He puts our drinks on the table and lifts his chin at Digger. “Sup, Hayes. Bothering my girl again?”
That makes me laugh, and I slide my hand into the crook of his arm. Digger’s dumb expression is enough for me. I put my face against Taron’s chest, and we sway into the middle of the couples dancing to an old Patsy Cline song. It’s the one about having a picture of the one you love… only he’s with another girl.
