Berry on Top (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 6)

by Valerie Comer

  “My parents can stay with me.” Liz crouched in front of Jo. “For that matter, so can Graysens. I have a sofa to sleep on.”

  “Zach could hear rumbling up the hill while he was loading a few things from his parents’ house, so he didn’t take time to call me then. He just wanted to get out of Galena Landing.”

  “Mama? You okay?” Maddie peered into her mom’s face.

  Jo gathered the little one tight. “Oh, baby. Yes, I’m okay. So are Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa.” She glanced around the group, her gaze landing on Liz. “They’re all right.”

  “Finish the story,” suggested Claire, still soothing Jo.

  “It all took longer than Zach thought. Finally they were on their way out to the farm. The river was high. He was almost across the bridge when he felt something slam into it. He gunned the motor and made it across, but the bridge is gone.” Jo buried her face in Maddie’s curls. “So close.”

  Headlights angled down Thompson Road. The crowd in the straw bale house surged for the door. Liz reached for Jo but too many bodies came between.

  Strong arms surrounded her. Mason. She turned and clung to him, tears streaming down her face. “I can’t believe I almost lost them. Just when I’ve let them back in.”

  “They’re safe, sweetheart.” He folded her against his chest and rested his cheek on the top of her head.

  His heart beat steadily through the Henley-style shirt, the waffle-weave soft against her cheek. Nothing could harm her when Mason held her close.

  Avery wrapped her arms around both of them, her nose squishing against Liz’s hip.

  Of course. The little girl felt the mood in the room and needed assurance just as Maddie had. Liz loosened her grip on Mason and encircled Avery but, if anything, Mason held her even closer.

  “I’ve waited all day for this,” he murmured into her hair. “All week. I’m not letting go just yet.”

  Feet stomped on the deck outside. Cold, damp air swirled in from the open door. Liz tipped her face to look into Mason’s and smiled at him. “You’ll get more chances.”

  “You bet I will.” Once again, his lips brushed hers with the intensity of promise. He pulled away, regret shining in his eyes. “Later.”

  As Liz turned toward the door, she caught Erin’s gaze. The twins’ mother still sat by the peninsula with a puzzled frown marring her once-pretty face. Erin wasn’t that different from Vonnie. From Martha and Anne and the others at the soup kitchen in Des Moines. Down on her luck, needing a helping hand. Needing Jesus.

  Could Liz extend that hand?

  Chapter 35

  “No school!” yelled Christopher. “The best birthday present ever!”

  Mason groaned and rolled over in his bed. No work, either. That bridge linked the entire north panhandle to the rest of Idaho. News had reached the farm that the avalanche had taken out the road south of Galena Landing, too.

  “Daddy, I turned the light on in the bathroom but nothing happened,” came Avery’s worried voice from his bedroom door.

  He squinted at his bedside clock, but there were no numbers. Power out, too? All the folks at Green Acres needed were more refugees. They’d invited him to be part of the group, though. His heart warmed. Liz would be teaching this term. At least if the roads ever reopened so students could arrive.

  “Daddy?”

  Rain rattled against the windows. At least this time it wasn’t thirty below. “Coming, princess. Give me a minute.” He swung his feet onto the cold floorboards then yanked a sweatshirt on.

  It didn’t take long to confirm the power outage. A glance at his cell told him the communications tower hadn’t sustained damage. Whew. They could get messages in and out, at least as long as batteries lasted. He shook his head, grinning. Next door had plenty of power for charging. Plenty for everything with all those solar panels. Although even they would eventually need sunshine.

  “Get dressed, kids. We’re going next door.”

  * * *

  “How many people live on this side of the bridge? And are they all out of power?” asked Sierra. “I’ve never stopped to count.”

  Liz exchanged a look with her mom. “I’ll get a pen and paper and we can make a list. Not that we have room for everyone.” We. It felt good to be part of this group where she could do something positive for folks in need. For the community in which she’d grown up.

  “There’s the dorm above the farm school.” Allison leaned against the counter, cup of herbal tea in hand. “Desks can be moved aside in the classrooms to accommodate more. There’s a commercial kitchen and bathrooms. Folks can be pretty self-sufficient, really. They can bring whatever food they have on hand.”

  “Which won’t be a lot, for some of them,” said Claire. “They count on going out to eat or picking something up from Super One after work.”

  “Grocery trucks won’t be getting into Galena Landing for a while, either,” Sierra added. “My dad drove for them for years. Most grocery stores don’t have a warehouse out back, so when the shelves get empty, that’s it until the next truck.”

  The women looked at each other then Claire shook her head. “We can’t do much about Galena Landing with the bridge out, but we can make a difference for our neighbors on this side. I hope all our vehicles have plenty of fuel. Who knows how long before they restore the road?”

  Keanan and Noel entered. “Four new lambs overnight, and that heifer looks close to calving.” Keanan nodded, looking satisfied. “And the solar pump at the barn is working brilliantly. Could use some sunshine, though.”

  "It can't make up its mind whether to rain or snow," added Noel. "I guess it's good that it's not too cold."

  Christopher’s excited voice filtered through the discussion.

  Liz’s pulse quickened. Mason! He was here, if she could only get to him. She slid the pen to her mother. Mom remembered where everyone lived better than she did, and Zach could help her. He knew every farmer in the valley.

  Liz jammed her feet into boots and grabbed her jacket just as the door opened to Mason and his twins.

  “Miss Liz!” Avery’s arms wrapped around her.

  “Were you on your way out?” asked Mason, stepping aside.

  “It’s a zoo in there.”

  He peered past her. “I see that. Want to walk?” A slow smile curved his lips.

  “I’d love to.” Liz tied her hood around her face then patted Avery’s back. “You go on in. Maddie’s in there somewhere. Have you had breakfast?”

  The little girl shook her head and released her. Christopher rumbled past. Mason held out his hand, and she took it. The cacophony lessened as the door shut. Or maybe Mason’s touch was a force field all its own.

  Hand in hand, they strolled down the slushy driveway. She hardly knew what to say to this man, the one who had captured her heart, but it didn’t seem words were necessary. Just being with him was enough, away from their friends, family, and all the strategizing going on.

  “Guess we’re stranded,” Mason said at last, turning to face her in the middle of Thompson Road. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that we’re both on the same side of the bridge collapse.”

  “I’m glad Zach got through with my parents.” Liz still shuddered to think of the close call. “I’d be so worried about them in town, cut off on all sides.”

  Mason traced a finger down her cheek. “At least from here we can escape through Canada if we need to. But I don’t want to be anywhere else.” His blue eyes held hers from mere inches away. “Do you?”

  His words held so many layers of meaning. “This is where I want to be,” she whispered back. “Now and for always.”

  He leaned the tiny space between them and covered her mouth with his. This was no whisper. No passing brush of lips. This was the kiss of a man claiming the woman he loved.

  Liz wrapped her arms around his neck and accepted his silent proclamation. Tasted his love and offered hers back to him. “Mason,” she murmured when they came up for air.

  “I lo
ve you, Liz. I love you more than I’ll ever be able to tell you.” His lips caught hers again, tasting, exploring.

  She might never breathe again. Surely air was over-rated. “You’re doing a good job,” she said when she could.

  “Of what?” He nibbled her lip.

  “Telling me without words.”

  He trailed kisses across her nose, across her cheeks, across her closed eyelids. “Words are good, too,” he whispered against her temple. “I love you.”

  Liz leaned back just enough to get his attention.

  His kisses stilled as he looked deeply into her eyes.

  She memorized his face. The angular jaw wearing a day’s worth of stubble. The straight nose. The blue eyes, clear as a mountain lake. The lips that made her insides turn to mush.

  “What is it, Liz?”

  “I love you, Mason Waterman. Thank you for being patient with me. For coming to find me.” For being everything I need. But she couldn’t say those words. Not yet.

  “If we’re going to start with that...” His thumbs caressed her cheeks. “Thank you for forgiving me. For offering me another chance. I will never hurt you again. You have my solemn promise.”

  “I know I'm safe with you. All that is water under the bridge.” She touched his lips and quirked a grin. “And the bridge has been swept away, just like ours. The past isn’t here anymore.”

  “Only the future remains.” He kissed her finger, but his eyes never left hers.

  The future. She held his face between both her hands and touched his lips with hers, not wavering from the intensity in his gaze until he slanted his head and deepened the kiss.

  * * *

  A horn blared, reminding Mason he stood in the middle of a country road kissing his beloved. Not exactly a private place. He released her with a rueful grin and glanced at the big black truck looming beside him.

  “Yo, Waterman! Anything you want to tell me?” Zach leaned from the open window.

  Arms wrapped around Mason, Liz sidestepped toward the edge of the road, dragging him with her, like some kind of dance.

  Not that he was reluctant. He kissed her again as they shifted.

  The truck stayed parked. “Sorry to interrupt,” Zach said drily.

  “He’s lying,” whispered Liz. “He’s not sorry at all.”

  “The county is in some kind of crisis situation,” Mason murmured back.

  “Are we supposed to care?”

  “I think so. I think that’s what this is all about.”

  “Sometimes I hate being a responsible adult.”

  “I hear you.” He kissed her upturned nose.

  Liz sighed and turned to face her brother. “What do you want, Zach?”

  He jumped from the cab and strode over, jerking his chin toward the old farmhouse. “Christopher says you’re out of power, too?”

  Still holding Liz’s hand, Mason nodded

  “As near as we can figure out, the slide south of town took it all out. We’ve already had a few phone calls from people in panic about being cut off. No power, no water, and little food.” He shook his head. “I’m glad I filled the truck’s fuel tank yesterday. I’m headed out to every house on this side of the river to see how we can help.”

  Mason pressed a kiss to Liz’s temple. “Duty calls.”

  “I know.” She sighed, glaring at her brother. “Are you going with Zach?”

  “If I can be of help.”

  Zach nodded. “I’d like that.” A grin twitched on his face. “And on the way, I can grill you about your intentions toward my sister.”

  “All honorable.” Mason held up both hands.

  “Men.” Liz shook her head and shoved her hands in her coat pockets. “I guess I’ll go help cook up a storm. I’m sure we’ll need a pile of food.”

  Mason caught her, twirled her around once, and gave her a quick kiss. “To be continued. I promise.” He climbed into the truck as Liz made her way back to the farm.

  Zach put the truck in gear. “I can’t wait to hear the story.”

  * * *

  “He loves you, doesn’t he?” Erin’s voice was flat.

  Allison had assigned Liz and Erin to preparing the dorm rooms for an influx of guests, as though Liz wanted to spend time alone with the mother of Mason’s children. A sharp glance at Allison had been met with a firm nod. Fine. It was probably overdue.

  “He does.” Liz pointed at the next door in the long corridor. “Want to check that one?”

  Erin crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. “He’s changed.”

  Guess they were in for a heart-to-heart right here, right now. At least they could be comfortable. Liz pushed the door open and crossed the small space to sit at the desk. “God changed him.”

  Erin followed her in and perched on the edge of the bed. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’ve all sinned and disobeyed God.”

  “You mean like the ten commandments?”

  “Yeah, like those. The Bible explains those and more. None of us can keep all the rules.”

  Erin’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve tried to do good stuff. It’s hard.”

  Could this woman be ready to hear what Jesus had done for her? Liz’s heart stilled. What if Erin gave her heart to Jesus and wanted to be a proper mom to Avery and Christopher? A wife to Mason? She closed her eyes for an instant, remembering their kisses of only an hour before. Wouldn’t it be best if Mason married Erin? But not if he didn’t love her. He loved Liz. He’d told her so. He wouldn’t turn his back on her now.

  Erin's sins are scarlet. Jesus wants to make her white as snow.

  Liz took a long, shaky breath. She had no right to withhold the story of redemption from this needy woman. God, I trust You. I can’t believe You’d give me Mason just to take him away again. But if You do, help me to remember that You are enough.

  “Death is the result of sin, Erin. God made a way to remove our sin so that we could be new creatures. He sent His only Son, Jesus, as a little baby to grow up in our dark world. Jesus didn’t do anything wrong, but He was killed anyway. When He died, He accepted our sin and paid our penalty so that we can have forgiveness from God. God changes us when we accept that forgiveness. It means we want to please Him because we are so thankful.”

  Erin stood, her face twisted in distress. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not me. You haven’t lived my life.”

  “I’ve lived my own, and it hasn’t been pretty.”

  “You?”

  “Oh, yes. Trust me. God has a lot of work to do in my life. He’s only now beginning because I’m finally letting Him do it.”

  Erin shook her head.

  So Liz seemed like she had it all together? If only Erin knew. But maybe Liz didn’t need to go into the whole story, at least right now. “You know what a mess Mason was.”

  “Yeah.”

  “God made him into a new person. He changed him from the inside out. You’ve been around for a few days now. Surely you’ve seen the difference.”

  “He does seem different. He was already different in Billings before I moved out. I didn’t think it would last.”

  “God’s power is strong in Mason’s life. He meant it when he gave his life to God.”

  Erin shrugged, shaking her head. “I don’t know. I’ve been messed up for a long time now. Drinking. Drugs. You name it. I’m trying to keep clean now though.” Her hands rested on her belly.

  Wait a minute. Liz’s gaze narrowed. “Are you pregnant?”

  “Yeah. Again.” Erin peered at her between her lashes. “I didn’t want to be. Nearly got an abortion, but a friend of mine had hers botched, and it scared me.”

  Mason wasn’t the father this time. He’d been in Galena Landing for a couple of years. Liz dared to breathe. “There are lots of people who want babies and can’t have them. Adoption is a better answer than abortion. It isn’t the baby’s fault they were conceived.”

  “I know. I just don’t even know what to do. I wanted to see Avery and Ch
ristopher to remind myself that life was better. I hoped Mason...” Her voice trailed off.

  Would what, take Erin back? Take the baby off her hands? A thought began to poke at the back of Liz’s mind. “If you got your life straightened around, would you want to keep the baby?”

  Erin shook her head. “I don’t have a job or any training to get one. I don’t have a home. I was living with Landon, but he kicked me out when he found out I was pregnant. That’s no life for a baby.”

  Liz’s heart went out to the hurting woman. She crossed the small room and wrapped her arms around Erin. “I know what it’s like to have no home and no prospects. Without God, I would still have nothing.”

  “Really?” Erin sniffled into Liz’s shoulder.

  “Really.” Liz’s mind buzzed. “I have some ideas, but first I need to know if you really really want help.”

  “Yes.” Erin’s voice caught on a sob.

  “And if you are open to a loving home for your baby.”

  Erin pulled back. “You?”

  “No, not me. But will you tell your story later when I ask you to?”

  Erin’s brown eyes begged Liz. “Okay. If you think it can help.”

  “I do. For sure.” Liz hesitated. “And one more thing. Can I give you a Bible? My friend underlined a whole bunch of verses that helped me understand how much God loves me. Maybe it will help you, too.”

  “You’d give me a Bible?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Erin covered her face with both hands. “No wonder Mason loves you. You’re so kind.”

  Chapter 36

  Who knew what was going on in Liz’s mind this time? Mason allowed himself to be dragged over to where Sierra and Gabe stood by the door, ready to leave the melee in the straw bale house, no doubt craving some peace and quiet.

  With no power next door and the temperature dipping below freezing again, he was as homeless as the three dozen other people who found themselves guests at Green Acres Farm. Avery was delighted to stay at Zach and Jo’s with Maddie, while Christopher yearned for any excuse to sleep over with Finnley. That left Mason free to take one of the dorm rooms. It was noisy over there, too.