A Baby and a Betrothal

by Michelle Major

  Slowly he let go of her hand. Her eyes snapped open as he backed away.

  “Where are you going? You can’t leave me.”

  “Come with me,” he said, sliding his fingers through the ripples on the reservoir’s surface. He moved deeper into the water.

  She gave her head a short shake.

  “You can do this,” he told her, sinking under the water. Damn, it really was cold. He resurfaced, pushed the water from his face and grinned when he saw she’d stepped out far enough for the waves to brush the underside of her breasts. Too bad the wet suit covered them up so efficiently. He leaned back and gave several hard kicks until he was out far enough not to touch the bottom.

  “Swim, Katie,” he called to her.

  She glanced behind her at the grassy shoreline then put her arms out straight and dived forward. As soon as her face hit the water, she reared up, sputtering and coughing, wet hair draped forward over her eyes and cheeks. She swiped at it, looking both scared and angry, making his heart lurch.

  “I’ll come back in,” he said loud enough to be heard over her panting breath. “We’ll start slower.”

  “No.” She held up a hand. “Give me a minute.” She slicked her hair away from her face. Droplets of water glistened on the tips of her eyelashes. He couldn’t tell if they were lake water or tears but continued to tread water and wait.

  “You don’t have to put your head in.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Her lips were moving, as if she was giving herself a silent lecture. Then she pushed off again, slower this time. He eased out a little farther as she swam for him. He shouldn’t have been surprised that once she started her form was perfect. If she’d been taught to swim by her father, he would have made sure of that. Within a few strokes she was next to him.

  She lifted her face out of the water and looked around. “I did it,” she whispered. Her teeth were chattering but she grinned. “I sw-swam.”

  “Just like the Little Mermaid,” he agreed, taking her hand and pulling her into him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as her legs went around his waist. Again he was grateful for the cold water. “How are you doing?”

  “Freaking out. But in a good way this time.” She hugged him then gently kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Noah.”

  He forced himself not to shift his head and take her mouth with his, not to take advantage of their position and her emotions. He was her friend today and grateful for the chance to support her. With an effort of will almost beyond him, he pushed her away. “Race you back to shore.”

  She splashed water in his face at the same time she yelled, “Go!”

  He laughed, wiped his eyes then followed her through the water.

  * * *

  “I want to swim more,” Katie told Noah an hour later.

  “You’ve got to get in the boat, honey.” Noah leaned over the front of the boat to where she was treading water in a different, deeper inlet. “Your lips are blue.”

  Katie pressed her fingers to her mouth and realized she couldn’t feel her lips. She swam to the back and put her foot onto the step that hung from the edge, hoisting herself out of the water. Noah had taken her to several different parts of the park so she could gain confidence swimming in new areas. She’d stripped out of the wet suit for this last dip, since she wouldn’t have it to cover her on the Fourth of July. There was too much adrenaline charging through her to be embarrassed by Noah seeing her in a bathing suit.

  He took her arm to steady her as she stepped on the boat then cursed. “Your skin is like ice. Hell, you’re probably halfway to hypothermia. I should have never let you stay in the water so long.”

  “I’m fi-ne,” she told him, but her teeth were chattering so hard it was difficult to speak.

  “You need to dry off.” He wrapped a towel around her shoulders and she sank into one of the captain’s chairs. Katie didn’t care that she was freezing. She’d done it. She’d conquered her fear of the water. It felt like the first step toward something new and exciting in her life.

  “Tha-at was so-o fu-un.”

  “Stop trying to talk.” Noah picked up another towel to dry her hair. “You’re shaking so hard you’ll chip a tooth.”

  He covered her head with the towel, scrubbing it over her hair. His touch felt so good all Katie could think was the old advice of reheating someone with hypothermia by skin-to-skin contact. Just the thought of pressing herself to the broad expanse of Noah’s chest warmed her a few degrees. She giggled, the sound coming out more like a hiccup with her teeth still chattering.

  “What’s so funny?” Noah used the edge of the towel to smooth the hair away from her face.

  She shook her head, but couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “I’m happy.”

  He dropped to his knees in front of her. “I’m proud of you, Katie. I’d like to think your dad would be proud, too, but he’s an insensitive jerk.”

  She arched one eyebrow.

  “And I’m learning not to be,” he added. He leaned closer, his mouth almost brushing hers as the boat dipped and swayed on the water. “Which is why I’m not going to kiss you now,” he whispered.

  “You’re not?” She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed.

  Disappointed, her body cried. She expected her brain to register relief, but it shut off as she stared into Noah’s familiar blue eyes.

  He gave a small shake of his head. “I want you,” he said softly. “You know I do. But you have to choose. I can’t make any promises, and my track record isn’t the greatest.”

  She gave an involuntary snort and he smiled. “Right.” He traced one finger along the seam of her lips. She must have defrosted, because his touch made her whole body tingle. “You’ve got your new plan for life, and I don’t fit into that. I’m going to try to do the right thing and respect that.”

  No, she wanted to shout. Kiss me. Be with me. But she didn’t say those things. Swimming was one thing, but taking an emotional risk was a different level of courage. One she didn’t yet possess.

  “I brought lunch,” she said, trying not to sound as lame as she felt.

  Something passed through Noah’s gaze, but he pulled away and stood. “Are you warming up?”

  Not as much as she’d like. But with the towel wrapped around her shoulders, she nodded and pulled the insulated tote bag from under the dash. Taking out two sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, she handed one to Noah. “Chicken salad,” she told him.

  “My favorite. What are you having?”

  “Same thing—it was easier to make two. I also have fruit, chips and homemade lemonade.”

  She glanced at him when he didn’t move. He stood in the center of the boat staring at the wrapped sandwich resting in his hand.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He glanced at her, his brows furrowed. “Chicken salad is my favorite, but you don’t like it.”

  “That’s not true.” She pulled out the bag of potato chips from the tote. “Exactly.”

  He shook his head, sank down on the seat across from her. “Is this your grandma’s recipe?”

  “Of course.” She pretended to search the bottom of the tote. “I know I packed forks for the fruit.”

  “Then you definitely don’t like it. I remember from when she made it in high school.”

  “I don’t dislike it. Why are you making a big deal over the sandwich?”

  “Because you’re starting a new life.” He tugged the tote bag out of her grasp. “Or so you tell me. You’ve got to start making what you want a priority, even if it’s in your choice of sandwich fillings.” He placed the bag on the floor and, before she could stop him, grabbed her sandwich out of her hand. “And I bet...” He unwrapped the wax paper. “I knew it. You used the heels.”

  Katie felt more exposed than if she was pranc
ing around in a string bikini. “Who cares? We don’t use them at the bakery. Why waste food?”

  He lifted one corner of his sandwich. “Then why not use them on mine, too? I’m not picky.”

  “Because...” She grabbed the chip bag, tore it open with such force that a few chips flew out and landed in her lap. She stared at them, hating the embarrassment coursing through her. “It’s habit. I use the ends of the bread for myself. Maybe I like the ends.”

  “No one likes the ends.” Noah picked up the chips scattered across her thighs, his fingers golden against her paler skin. “You think I don’t notice things, and most of the time you’re right. But we’ve been friends for over ten years, Bug. I know how you put the needs of everyone around you in front of your own.”

  “You make it sound like a bad thing,” she muttered, brushing her palms across her legs. Her stomach rolled, as if she was eleven years old again and her mother had caught her taking extra cookies from the jar on her grandma’s counter.

  Noah sighed, caught her hands in his and held them until her gaze lifted to his. “It’s not, but I want to make sure you make yourself a priority.” His smile was tender. “You may not think I can take care of you, but the guy you choose should put you first. You’re perfect the way you are.”

  She wanted to believe those words were true. But she’d had a lifetime of the people around her proving they weren’t. She hadn’t been enough for her own parents. And as much love as Gram had given her, Katie had never been sure if it was unconditional. From the moment her mom and dad left her in Crimson, she’d made herself indispensable, working after school, weekends and summer vacation in the bakery. She’d learned the art of baking and made herself a valuable part of the business. Of course she loved it. But what if she hadn’t? What if she’d rebelled or turned her back on her grandmother’s legacy? What if she didn’t help whenever someone needed her now? If she wasn’t giving them her best, would people leave her behind just like her parents had?

  Noah would never understand the deep roots of her fear of rejection. Even though he’d been through a lot with his family, he’d always had their unwavering love and support. She forced a laugh, tugged away from his grip and grabbed the sandwich from his lap. “You win,” she said lightly. “No more bread ends for me.”

  He studied her a moment then unwrapped his sandwich. “I hope that’s true,” he said. “If you need somewhere to donate all those ends, my stomach volunteers.” He took a bite and gave a little moan of pleasure. “Especially if the ends come with your chicken salad between them.”

  She appreciated that he let go of the topic. The rest of the afternoon saw them back to their normal camaraderie. She stifled a yawn as he docked the boat an hour later.

  “Worn-out?” he asked, hopping onto the wood planks and tying a rope to one of the poles.

  “Exhausted,” she admitted. “I’ve been tired in general lately.” She gathered her sunscreen and tote bag and stood. “I hope I’m not getting sick. There’s too much to do before the Founder’s Day Festival for that.”

  He reached out a hand and steadied her as she climbed onto the dock. “That’s what I’m talking about. You work too hard, doing your part and everyone else’s.”

  “Olivia is pregnant,” she argued, exasperated they were back on this subject. “It’s not like she dumped her responsibilities on me for no good reason.”

  “All I’m saying is you matter, too.”

  “Point taken.” She dropped her sandals to the ground and shoved her feet in them, starting toward his truck before he could lecture her any longer. His words were especially irritating because they were true. She was pushing herself too hard, taking on more special orders at the bakery just as the summer tourist season was heating up. With the extra work for the festival, she was spread way too thin. It grated on her nerves to have Noah point it out. People praised her overzealous work ethic. They didn’t chastise her for it.

  Noah caught up to her as she reached the back of the truck. “Don’t be mad. I only want you to take care of yourself.”

  The concern in his eyes was real. She knew that. He’d only said out loud what she’d been thinking the past week. “Maybe I’ll put Lelia in charge of some of the smaller orders. She trained at a bakery in San Francisco, so she knows her way around the kitchen.” Katie had never shared any significant chunk of responsibility at Life is Sweet since her grandma’s death. But she couldn’t keep going at this pace.

  “Good idea,” he said and opened her door for her.

  “Do you need help with the boat? I didn’t mean to run off and leave you with all the work.”

  “I’ve got it.” He patted the passenger seat. “You probably swam a couple miles today. You deserve a rest.”

  The truck’s interior was warm from the sun beating through the front window. Katie’s eyes started to drift shut, but she managed to stay awake while Noah maneuvered the boat onto the trailer. By the time they headed back toward town, her eyelids were so heavy it was hard to fight off her need for a nap.

  “Close them,” Noah said softly.

  With a sigh she did and immediately drifted asleep.

  She woke in her own bed, the light spilling through the curtains indicating early evening. She vaguely remembered them arriving at her house and Noah carrying her to her bedroom. Rubbing her eyes, she climbed from the bed. She needed to find the new cell phone she’d got to replace hers and check messages in case anything had come up with the bakery or the festival. She found the cooler bag, her purse and her phone sitting in a neat pile on the kitchen counter. Next to them was a plate covered in plastic wrap with a note on top.

  “I’m not the only one with favorites. Thanks for a great day. N.”

  She unwrapped the plate to find a peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich. He’d even cut off the crusts. She quickly took a bite, savoring the chewy peanut butter and sweet banana slices. So Noah remembered her favorite sandwich?

  She knew it wasn’t a big deal—they’d been friends long enough that he should remember that kind of detail about her. As she chewed, she tried—and failed—to convince herself that she’d be able to remain friends with Noah while trying to fall in love with another man.

  Where did that leave their friendship? Katie didn’t want to think about the answer. Maybe it would get easier once his mom was fully recovered and he wasn’t around all the time?

  She only hoped that was the case. Otherwise, she was in big trouble.

  Chapter Twelve

  By the time Noah checked in with the Forest Service ranger station and returned the boat to Crimson Ranch, it was almost dinnertime. When someone was sick or in trouble in Crimson, food poured forth from the community like manna from heaven. Right now there were enough lasagnas, casseroles and soups in his mother’s freezer to last them another three months. He and Emily took turns defrosting food for dinner each night while his mom wrote thank-you notes for the meals, flowers and miscellaneous bits of support she’d received.

  The house was empty when he walked in, however, and his mom’s Toyota SUV that Emily had been driving wasn’t in the garage. He hoped this meant pizza or some kind of carryout for dinner. A person could only handle so much lasagna.

  His mother spent most of her afternoons reading or doing crossword puzzles on the screened-in back patio, but when he didn’t find her there, Noah quickly climbed the steps to the second floor. She’d been doing great since she’d returned from the hospital, almost back to her regular self as far as Noah could tell. He also understood how quickly something could change. The pancreatic cancer that claimed his father had been sudden and ruthless, only a matter of months between the initial diagnosis and his dad’s death.

  “Mom, where are you?” Noah shouted as he sprinted down the hall to the master bedroom. The door was closed, and he burst through then stopped as his mother’s gaze met his in the
mirror over the dresser.

  “What’s the matter?” She whirled around, took a step toward him. “Are you okay?”

  He held up one hand as he tried to catch his breath and still his pounding heart. “Of course I’m okay. It’s you I’m worried about.”

  “Me?”

  He nodded. “Why are you dressed like that?” She wore a long, flowing skirt with a gauzy tunic pulled over it. A bright beaded necklace circled her neck, a gift from his father for her fortieth birthday, shortly before his dad had got sick. Her head was covered in a silk turban, covering the scar that ran from her temple to her ear. He’d got so used to seeing her with a simple knit cap or a baseball hat, he couldn’t quite make sense of her looking so glamorous. She was even wearing makeup, something he hadn’t seen his ever-practical mother do in years. Suddenly his skin felt itchy. He glanced at his watch. “Where’s Emily? It’s her turn to make dinner.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. Did I forget to tell you?”

  “Tell me what?” he said through clenched teeth.

  Her smile was wide. “I have a date tonight.” She spun in a circle, and Noah’s mouth dropped open. His mother was twirling as if she was a teenage girl or princess-movie character. “I have to admit I’m a little nervous.” She turned again toward the mirror, patted her head. “I wish my hair would grow back faster. I may have more wrinkles than I used to, but I always had good hair.”

  Noah felt as though his head was about to start spinning, as if he was some demon-possessed horror-movie cliché. “Where’s Em?”

  “She drove to Aspen to meet a friend from back East who’s vacationing there. Davey went with her. It’s a big step for both of them. Other than helping Katie with a few things for Founder’s Day and grocery runs, your sister has barely left the farm since she got here.”

  “Mom, you’ve been home less than a week. Don’t you think you should take it easy?”