Putting her thoughts aside, she asked, “Are you okay if I invite Sam over for Sunday dinner?” She wanted to do something to thank him for feeding the chickens, and pumpkin bread was a small offering compared to taking on the feathered red dragon.
“Oh?” Grandpa grinned. “Giving the resolution a good start this morning? Do you want me to make myself scarce?”
“What?” Cat blushed. “No, nothing like that. I—um, owe him one. That’s all.”
“Fine by me.” Grandpa turned the radio on, and they rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence.
Cat watched the Montana scenery pass by, contemplating her dad’s offer.
Moving home.
It was difficult to think of Boston as home anymore. Snow Valley had gotten under her skin and worked its way into her heart. The town was one big family—parts of it were dysfunctional, as with any family, but a family nonetheless. Leaving that behind wasn’t a decision to make lightly.
Then again, if she was going to work on her resolution, she needed to go where the single scene was hot and hopping. It wouldn’t take long to fall back in with old friends. Friends she’d hardly spoken to since moving.
Somehow, she couldn’t imagine Snow Valley letting her go as easily as Boston had. Whitney would find a way to send her goodies in the mail. Aiden would FaceTime. Harley and Shelby, Chet’s nieces, would email. Mercedes would call every day.
Cat glanced at Grandpa. She’d miss him too. He’d been a mainstay in her life, the one who welcomed her home from elementary school and grumbled over algebra homework.
And then there was Sam. Would he keep in touch or let her fade away like snow on the mountain tops? The idea didn’t sit well.
Crossing her ankles, she decided to keep the conversation with her dad on the DL for now.
Chapter 4
Sam hated being late for church—everyone turning to look when the back door opened. But it couldn’t be helped. Not after Bessie had attacked the feed bucket, possessed with the evil spirit of chickens gone bad.
His Carhartt overalls were covered in chicken goo, and he’d had to start a load of laundry before he could leave his cabin to stave off the smell. Then there was the call to Edward O’Shae, Cat’s grandpa, about fixing up the bunkhouses. His pruning team would arrive at the end of the month. He’d inspected the dwellings on the edge of the orchard. Several needed repairs before the men arrived.
Migrant workers followed the seasons. Most came at harvest time, bringing their whole families and everyone pitched in to get the fruit off the trees. But in the winter, the men came for pruning—bringing only a couple women to cook for them. Where the rest of the families stayed, Sam had no idea. The men rarely spoke of where they came from or where they went. Jorge, the oldest of the group, organized their travels and handled the paperwork. His cell phone was the only way to get a hold of him, and he’d waited to hear back about their arrival before leaving the cabin.
Driving fast was not an option on snow-packed roads, so he settled behind the wheel and ended up only five minutes late. For the Snow Valley congregation, that was considered on time.
The church was packed. The first Sunday of every year had the best attendance, as everyone turned over a new leaf—or page in the hymnal—as it were.
Smiling, Sam stopped at the back of the chapel to look for an open seat. He spied one next to Cat and her grandpa. Gabe Wesson sat in front of them with his two kids. If Sam knew Cat at all, she’d have Gabe’s daughter Lindsey in her lap before the chorus of the first hymn was over. Cat had a beautiful singing voice, the kind that he would love to hear in his kitchen, his front room, his trees …
He quickly shook off the thought. If anyone had placed him at arm’s length, it was Cat. She’d told him right up front that she wasn’t looking for a man, but she was always looking for a friend. He respected her for being straightforward and enjoyed the way she’d taken the pressure off.
There was a seat by Roxy, who happened to glance back and see him. She gave a small wave and nodded her head to the open spot. He was about to make his way to sit next to her when his resolution came to mind. Instead of following his common sense—which apparently wasn’t all that sensible in the dating world—he waved her off and took the third empty seat in the back row.
Pastor John had picked “starting anew” for the sermon this fine New Year’s Day—a timely subject. The gentle pastor reinforced Sam’s desire to make changes in himself in order to change things in his world. The rule of three played over in his mind, and he once again nodded to stamp it into his heart. With the final amen, Sam had set his sights on staying his course long enough for it to become a part of his heart.
After the service, he spoke to Eli for a minute about welding the Pluk-O-Trak. The apple-picking machine had limped through the summer. Several areas needed reinforcement, and Eli was the only welder in the valley. Eli agreed to come over the next day and take a look at it. After agreeing on a time to meet, Eli wrapped his arm around his wife, and they headed out the door together. Sam watched them go, wondering if he’d ever have what Eli had.
He was deep in thought when Roxy touched his arm. “Hi.” She tucked her short blond hair behind her ear. “I had a lot of fun last night.”
Sam considered her for a moment. Normally, he would take her comment as an invitation to ask her out again. But he was learning that wasn’t the way things always worked. Remembering Pastor John’s admonition to stick to it for thirty days, he smiled. “Me too.”
They stood there in an awkward silence for a moment before Roxy brightened. “I’m not due back at school for another week or so.”
“That’s good.”
“… So, that gives me some free time this week.” She lowered her gaze to the floor and then peaked up at him through lowered lashes.
See, this was the part that threw Sam for a loop. Roxy had done the same thing when she was fishing for an invite to the bonfire. He’d bit—hook, line and sinker—only to find out she’d played him for a fool.
Fool me once …
“I’m sure you’ll need it to recharge your batteries before hitting it hard your last semester.” He patted her on the arm. “It’s so good to see you.”
She looked up, surprise written all over her pretty little face. “Oh. Okay. I’ll see ya around.”
“Lookin’ forward to it.” Sam moved toward the back doors but was stopped by Paisley, the manager for the local band gone platinum, the Iron Stix. She dragged a cute brunette behind her, one of those girls who has a style. Like she looked at the fashion world and said, “Nah, I’m good just the way I am.” And she was good-lookin’. Her boots came up her calf, and her flowing dress and long cardigan landed just above the knee. A black leather cuff graced her delicate wrist, and her heavy earrings jangled.
Sam did a double take.
“Sam!” Paisley said. “I was hoping to see you here today. I wanted to introduce you to one of my dearest friends, Nellie.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Sam put out his hand.
Nellie flushed pink as she shook his hand. “Likewise.”
Paisley continued with the introduction. “She’s my maid of honor, and she’ll be working at The Barn.”
The Barn was quickly becoming a hot spot for country music artists to record. Snow Valley was far enough off the GPS that the press didn’t pay it any attention, and Clay had installed the latest in sound equipment. “That’s great. Congratulations on the engagement, Paisley—Clay, too.”
“I’m sure people around here thought Clay and I eloped a long time ago, but with the Iron Stix on tour and setting up the new studio, we just haven’t had time.”
Another couple succumbs to wedding fever. Sam brushed his hand over his mouth to hide his smile.
“Anyway, I’m kind of swamped with the new album right now, and poor Nellie doesn’t know a soul in Snow Valley …”
A silence, not unlike the one he’d faced with Roxy, smothered them. Sam’s natural desire t
o ask Nellie out rose to the tip of his tongue. Not that there was much to show her this time of year, but he’d gotten pretty creative when it came to planning dates. A winter picnic or horse-drawn sleigh ride, not to mention the upcoming sledding party, would be fun with a beautiful girl like Nellie. But that was all it would be—one date.
Remembering the rule of three, he tamped down on his instincts.
He wasn’t dating for fun anymore; he was dating for keeps, and he wouldn’t play the fool any longer.
Cat and her grandpa moved passed them in the aisle. Sam’s attention was drawn to the lacy skirt that swished as Cat walked. She looked good all the time—like she rolled out of bed and into a magazine. Sam nodded a greeting. Cat bit her lip and gave him a half-hearted smile. Her eyes were full of disappointment. He wanted to ask her about it, but was still held by the uncomfortable situation with Paisley and the new girl.
Seeing Cat gave him a brilliant idea. “Hey, Paisley, have you checked out Cat’s books?”
“Cat’s books?” Paisley furrowed her brow.
“She writes Christian romances. I’ve never read one, but my mom loves them. Do you read much?” Sam rubbed his hands together. He could offer Nellie a great way to kill some time and promote Cat’s novels all in one.
“Yeah—I love to read.” Nellie shrugged a shoulder.
“Catrina O’Shae is her name,” Sam supplied.
“That was Catrina O’Shae?” Nellie craned her neck to look around Pastor John standing at the door and shaking hands as parishioners left.
“Yep.” Sam rocked back on his heels, as proud as puddin’ of Cat’s success. She’d really made something of herself and her dream. “You should check them out. She’s really talented.” Excusing himself, he said, “It was great to meet you. Welcome to Snow Valley.”
“Thanks,” Nellie replied. She smacked Paisley’s arm. “You didn’t tell me …”
Whatever she was upset about faded away as Sam hurried out to the parking lot, wondering if he’d entered the Twilight Dating Zone.
The moment he resolved not to ask a girl out, he had two planted in his path. He considered the possibility that the Lord was testing his commitment to this plan—seeing if he was willing to let go of what he wanted now for what he wanted in the future. For Sam, a home and family were the ultimate blessing, and he was more than willing to forego a few bad first dates to create something that would last. Maybe after he ran into Nellie a few more times, he’d ask her out, but right now, he wanted to know what put the disappointment in Cat’s eyes.
He spent all morning picturing her surprise when she saw the chickens were already fed. His daydream had kept him warm while doing chores in the gray light of dawn.
Hurrying to the parking lot, he slipped and caught himself before landing on his back. Edward’s tail lights blinked once, and the truck pulled out of the parking lot. Sam smacked his fist against his leg, angry that the opportunity had slipped by.
Chapter 5
Cat lifted the lid off the rice maker and let the steam escape. She’d tucked her phone between her shoulder and cheek so she could talk while she cut up a pineapple.
Pastor John’s sermon about starting anew had really hit home. For a moment, Cat entertained the idea that she and Sam could start anew and throw out the friends only rule. But, after seeing him swarmed by females after church, she managed to talk herself out of that idea.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Dad.” Cat smiled at the idea that she would see him soon.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Cat hacked the top off the pineapple and flipped it upside down on the breadboard to let the juices spread from the bottom of the fruit all the way through before cutting it up to serve. “I’d like to accept the job.”
“Wonderful!”
Cat chewed her lip. “I’ll look at flights tomorrow.” Her car was buried under three feet of snow and wasn’t going anywhere until spring. But she could take the subway to campus or borrow her mom’s car. Things would work out.
“Of course. Of course. We’ll pick you up. Just text me the flight information.”
“I will.”
“Catrina, I’m so proud of you.”
Cat smiled. For the past year, she’d made a decent paycheck as an author. She’d lived her dream, waking up each morning feeling blessed to be able to share stories with her readers. Somehow, she’d known it couldn’t last forever. Eventually the alarm buzzes, and dreams come to an end.
A heaviness settled into her chest. I’m not losing a dream; I’m simply replacing it with another. The time had come to put away childish things and move into the world of adults who contribute to society, raise families, and move out of their grandpa’s house.
They said goodbye and hung up. Cat stared at the pineapple. “You have it easy. You were born a pineapple. People are born blank. We have to make it up as we go.”
The oven timer went off, and Grandpa wandered into the kitchen. Cat smiled. “Your timing is impeccable.”
“You can call me many names, but don’t ever call me late for dinner,” he replied with a grin.
Cat set a plate of teriyaki chicken and rice in front of Grandpa, the bowl of pineapple chunks in the middle of the table, and two small bowls of spinach salad by their cups. She took a seat across from Grandpa and bowed her head while he blessed the food.
After saying amen, Grandpa stared at the empty placemat on his right. “What happened? I thought you were going to ask Sam for dinner?”
“I’m sure he has plenty of options.” Cat speared a piece of chicken and chomped down on it, chewing thoroughly. The image of Sam at church—looking mighty fine in his gray suit—surrounded by every available woman in Snow Valley popped in her head, making her want to go all Chicken Bessie right there. Well, maybe not every woman.
Grandpa chuckled. “Scared off by a gaggle of females, eh?”
“The only female that scares me off is Bessie, Satan’s favorite chicken.” Cat used her knife enthusiastically. “I don’t believe in falling in line for a guy. I’m not a groupie.”
Grandpa ate for a moment in silence. “I wouldn’t ever want you to settle for someone who doesn’t think the world of you.”
Cat sighed, the fight leaking out of her. “I know. Sam’s a good friend.”
“Sure, sure.” Grandpa tucked into his rice.
Cat narrowed her eyes. “You’re not hiding anything, old man. You might as well tell me what you’re thinking.”
Grandpa’s gaze drifted to the triple-layer cake on the breadboard.
Cat grinned. She knew the way to get information out of Grandpa. “Do I have to bribe you?”
“I’m just weighing my desire to speak against my desire for dessert.”
“Is it bad enough I’ll have to send you to bed without dessert?” Cat joked. She’d never treat her Grandpa like that, but she desperately needed to lighten the mood.
Grandpa smiled kindly and placed his weathered hand over hers. “Men should be standing in line for you.”
“But?”
“But … you’re not the best at sending signals.”
“What?”
“It took until you were three before I thought you liked me.”
Cat scowled. “That’s because you had that awful toupee. I thought for sure the thing would bite me.”
It was Grandpa’s turn to laugh. “You little scamp!”
Cat grinned. “I haven’t flirted in ages. I think I forgot how.”
Grandpa considered the cake. “That’s why I think Sam would be a good match for you. He doesn’t play games.”
Cat turned to pick up the breadboard and set the cake between them. Her pumpkin bread was good, but her Chocolate Devil’s Cake was the stuff dreams were made of. It was the kind of dessert she’d serve a date. A cute date. The kind of date you wanted to kiss goodnight … and hello … and hey, it’s Tuesday.
She wiped her fork off on her napkin and took a big chunk without bothering to cut a sl
ice. Grandpa followed suit. They carved their way into chocolate heaven while Cat mulled over the situation with Sam and the phone call she’d had with Dad.
Out of all the men she’d met in Snow Valley—and there had been a surprising number of great guys—Sam was the one she could picture herself with. They got along great as friends, and after the Bessie incident, she was pretty sure they’d get along in a lot of other ways, too. Shoving her feelings aside, she reasoned that Sam had plenty of options, and she needed to increase hers.
“Dad offered me a job at the university,” she finally said.
Grandpa’s fork didn’t break stride. “Are you going to take it?”
“Yes,” she said quietly, her eyes filling with tears.
Grandpa patted her hand again. “You don’t seem very excited.”
“I’m going to miss you.” Cat leaned over the table and threw her arms around his neck. He returned the hug, the peppermint smell from his joint cream filling her senses.
“I’m going to miss you too, pumpkin.” Grandpa’s voice caught.
Cat finally pulled back and plopped into her chair, wiping the moisture from her eyes with her fingertips. Grandpa handed her a napkin. “Thanks.”
“That’s not for your eyes.”
“What?” Cat looked down and found a chocolate smear across her belly. When she’d leaned over to hug Grandpa, she’d flattened the cake. Throwing the napkin on the table, she stood up. “I’m going to change.”
“I hope not.” Grandpa winked. “I think you’re great just the way you are.”
Cat smiled. “That’s why grandparents are the best.”
“Cat?”
She paused at the doorway. “Yeah?”
“I was planning on your help with this remodeling job I took on this morning. It won’t take more than a week …” He let the question hang there. Cat was sure he didn’t want to ask her to change her plans, but he would need an extra set of hands or two.
Lucy McConnell's Snow Valley Box Set Page 34
