She found a shim to hold the outside door open for her, then brought the boxes and containers from the car into the kitchen.
On her fifth and final trip, the door to the hall burst open just as she stepped into the kitchen. Ella bustled in, her cheeks pink and her smile as bright as her sparkling eyes. Her hair was pulled back and held in place with flowers. Her dress had an ivory lace bodice and flowing gauzy material that fell to the floor in a cloud. She looked as ethereal and beautiful as any bride could.
“Oh I’m so glad you’re here,” she cried out, her hands pressed to her stomach. “I’m absolutely starving. What did you bring me?”
Shauntelle didn’t have a chance to answer. Ella was already flipping open the lid of a pastry beside her on the counter. She filched a lemon tart out and started eating it, her eyes closed with an expression of bliss.
“Oh, this is amazing,” she murmured, licking her fingers. She took another one, but before she ate it she shot a guilty look over her shoulder. “Sorry. I’m just so hungry. I couldn’t eat supper because I was so nervous.”
Shauntelle grinned as she set up one of the two cupcake stands she’d brought. “You help yourself. I think it’s important that you approve of the merchandise before your guests do.”
“I like how you think,” Ella said. She polished off the lemon tart in two more bites, then opened another box and pulled out a cupcake. She turned it in her hands, admiring the tiny sugar roses. “This looks too good to eat, but that won’t stop me.” She took a bite and sighed again, looking back over her shoulder. “Seriously. You should go into business with this.” Then she giggled. “Wait. You are. Noah said the restaurant is looking great. I’m so excited you’re doing it, and so is everyone I know. It’s high time we had a decent restaurant in town.”
And why did the mention of Noah’s name give her more of a thrill than knowing people were excited about her new business?
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m nervous about it all,” she said, opening another box of cupcakes and arranging them on one of the cupcake stands she had brought.
Ella took another bite and licked her lips. She held up the remains of the cupcake she was eating. “If your cooking is half as good as your baking, it will be fantastic.”
“It certainly will.”
The deep voice coming from behind her sent shivers dancing down Shauntelle’s spine.
She turned, and there he was. His long, dark hair tamed and combed down. White shirt cinched by a blue tie. Dark blue suit setting off his broad shoulders, narrow waist. He looked taller and, if anything, even more handsome.
She couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off him.
“You look nice,” he said, slipping his hands in his pockets, tilting her a crooked grin.
“Thanks.” Why did the sight of him take her breath away? Why did his smile make her heart forget what to do?
“I think I’ll just leave you two alone,” Ella said, waving her half-eaten cupcake at them.
“No, it’s okay—”
“It’s fine—”
Noah and Shauntelle spoke at once, then both stopped, and Ella’s smile widened.
“I should join my guests,” Ella said, grabbing her dress with one hand while still holding the cupcake. “Just bring the food out when it works for you.”
Noah held the door open, and with a rustle of satin and tulle, Ella left.
The door fell shut behind her, closing off the chatter and noise from the hall.
“If I’d known you were here, I could have given you a hand hauling all this stuff in.”
“It’s fine. I managed.”
“You always seem to manage,” he said, a curious tone in his voice. “Very independent.”
“I’ve learned that the hard way.”
He held her gaze a moment as if he wanted to ask her more, then looked around at the boxes and plastic containers that held the cake stands, platters and cupcake towers. “I think I can figure this out. Can’t be any harder than installing glass doors.”
They shared a quick glance and a smile, and her heartbeat shifted again.
“Besides, I could use a break from talking about the arena and my plans with all the relatives,” he said, opening a box beside her. “So I guess these go on this platter?”
She sensed he wasn’t leaving, which was fine with her. So she gave him directions, telling him what went where.
Soon they had all the cupcakes arranged, and the cakes and pies and fruit platters set out.
“I guess we may as well bring this out.”
As they did, people stopped what they were doing and drifted over to the tables.
“Wow. That stuff looks amazing.”
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
“There goes the diet.”
Shauntelle felt the lift of pride at the positive comments and admiring looks. She resisted the urge to fiddle with the food arrangements.
“I see the desserts are coming out,” a voice boomed from the sound system. “I think we should let the bride and groom have first dibs, and then everyone else can help themselves.”
Before Shauntelle had the last platter of fruit on the table, Cord, Ella, and Cord’s children, Susie, Paul and Oliver, were already taking plates and filling them up.
“This seriously is incredible,” Ella said, catching Shauntelle’s hand as she passed her. “I’m so glad the other girl ditched me. I don’t think I would’ve gotten anything half as nice as this.”
Shauntelle could only smile. The compliments from the wedding guests gave her a badly needed boost of confidence.
She couldn’t help a quick glance Noah’s way, only to see him grinning at her.
Right about now, if someone were to ask her, she would say life was pretty good.
Chapter Ten
“Your mother seems to be doing fairly well,” Reuben was saying as he picked the cake crumbs off his empty plate.
“In spite of having a broken leg, she is.” Noah flashed his cousin a smile, but he had a hard time concentrating. The whole time Reuben talked, his attention was on Shauntelle, who had been replenishing the dessert table and fussing with the arrangements. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed, and she looked amazing.
The lights had been turned low, and the dance had already begun, but people were still helping themselves to the desserts.
“So Cord is sure happy,” Reuben said.
“Yeah. He is,” Noah replied, dragging his attention from Shauntelle and back to his cousin. “I’m happy for him. He’s had a difficult time. And I’m happy for you and Leanne too. It seems that all my cousins are finding their way through life. Making a home here.”
Shauntelle was cleaning up the plates and bringing them into the kitchen. She looked like she was getting ready to leave.
“You even listening to me?” Reuben was asking.
Noah blinked, then gave his cousin a rueful smile. “Sorry. A bit distracted.”
Reuben looked over to the table where Shauntelle was now tidying up in earnest. “Well, I can see why. She’s beautiful.”
Noah didn’t need to add anything to that.
“I hope you’re asking her to dance before she leaves,” Reuben said, setting the plate aside.
Noah had been thinking the same thing, but somehow, to do that in front of his family seemed to create a commitment he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
“I don’t know.”
“What’s not to know? She’s single. So are you. She’s here. So are you.”
“It’s not that simple,” he returned, looking back at his cousin. “And I think you understand exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Her parents? Her brother?”
Noah sighed, tugging the knot of his tie loose. He had abandoned the jacket half an hour ago.
�
�That’s part of it, but I think she’s getting past it,” Noah said. He knew she was still grieving her brother, but what she had told him about Josiah being a risk taker gave him some hope for closure, at least with her.
“So what’s the other part?” Reuben asked.
The music had grown louder and quicker, and Noah saw his mother holding court with Carmen Fisher, Cord and Ella. She was chatting away, underlining a point with a wave of her hand, eyes bright and looking happier than she had in ages.
“Staying here.” Noah turned. “My mother would love nothing more than if I took over the ranch, but I don’t think I can.”
“I understand. I went through the same thing,” Reuben said, his expression growing serious. “You and I both know what it’s like to live with a difficult father.”
Noah shoved his hand through his hair, trying to align his past with his present. “I can’t help it,” he said. “Every time I’m on the ranch, I remember how brutally hard I worked. Dad was always pushing, always demanding. I really don’t have many good memories there.”
Reuben scratched the side of his face with his forefinger, as if thinking. “My father pushed me hard too. Lots of difficult times. Except I had a chance to make peace with George. I won’t deny that it’s been difficult, but I’ve forgiven him, and I know that my son, Austin, gives him great joy. We’re working through it, and I’m really glad. I can’t imagine being anywhere but Cedar Ridge right now.”
His words fell into Noah’s mind like rocks tossed into a pool, disturbing a surface Noah had struggled all his life to keep quiet and calm.
“I know you have some bad memories of the ranch,” Reuben said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “But you can make new ones. And much as you’ve been talking about leaving, I also know it gets harder for you to leave your mom behind.”
“The guilt is real,” Noah said, adding a laugh, trying to bring some levity to the conversation.
“Being with Leanne, making our own wedding plans, has created a richness in my life I didn’t know was missing. I think the same could happen with you and Shauntelle.”
Noah glanced over to where Leanne and Shauntelle were talking.
Before he could stop him, Reuben grabbed him by the arm and dragged him over to the women.
“I think it’s time for us to have a dance,” Reuben said to Leanne. “And Noah, why don’t you dance with the lovely Shauntelle?”
Reuben pulled Leanne into his arms and spun her away, leaving both of them behind staring at each other.
This was a slightly awkward moment, but Noah knew he had to capitalize on it. So he held his hand out to Shauntelle. “Can I have this dance?”
“I haven’t danced in years,” she said with a little shrug.
“That makes two of us,” Noah said with a grin. “But I’m pretty sure you’ll catch on.”
Her chuckle was all the encouragement he needed. He slipped one hand around her waist and caught her other hand in his. They made a few fumbling steps, then just as Noah had promised, they found the rhythm and soon were two-stepping across the dance floor in perfect sync.
Shauntelle was laughing, and he took a chance and spun her around. She missed the next step and lost her balance, and he caught her.
“Maybe a little too ambitious,” he said.
“You never get anywhere if you don’t take any risks,” Shauntelle returned, grinning.
They caught their rhythm again, but no sooner was he ready to give her another twirl than the music shifted down. The lights were lowered, and a plaintive country music song came up. Violins gave cues, and the singer’s voice became a quiet, hushed crooning as she sang of memories and making new ones. Just as Reuben had said.
For a moment, Noah wondered if Reuben had made a specific request, the lyrics were so apt. He looked at Shauntelle, shrugged, and then, taking advantage of the moment, pulled her close and slowed his steps.
She followed his lead, and to his surprise and joy, she tucked herself against him, her head on his shoulder. Noah laid his head on hers, closing his eyes, letting the music take them along. Enjoying this moment with this beautiful woman in his arms. They didn’t speak, both seemingly unwilling to break this magical moment. This felt right. It felt good, and Noah didn’t want the song to end.
As they turned around on the dance floor in each other’s arms, possibilities danced on the edges of his thoughts. He and Shauntelle and the girls. On the ranch, just as they had dreamed of.
Could he do it? Could he, as Reuben had suggested, make new memories?
The song wound to a close, and when it ended, Noah stayed where he was, still holding Shauntelle, tucked in this moment of possibilities.
He drew back, looked down at Shauntelle and gave in to his impulse.
And right in front of his cousins, his mother and assorted members of the Cedar Ridge community, he kissed her.
* * *
Shauntelle couldn’t believe he had done that. When he pulled away she immediately wanted to kiss him again, but reason intervened, even as her heart beat like a mad thing.
Had that really happened? Had Noah Cosgrove just kissed her in front of all these wedding guests?
“I should... I should go,” she said, unable to look away from the dark intensity of his deep brown eyes. “I have to clean up. Go home. Clean up the leftovers. Tidy up.” Her words spilled out like her daughters’ beads out of a box. Unorganized and random. Just like her thoughts and emotions.
But even as she explained why she had to leave, even as he nodded as if agreeing with her, her hand stayed on his shoulder and his on her waist.
“Do you need help?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
She shook her head but sensed that he would help her anyway.
The music started up again. A polka this time.
“This would be our cue to leave,” Noah said, a smile curving his lips.
Shauntelle pulled away, ignoring the knowing looks people gave them, and headed into the kitchen.
She had been washing plates as they emptied so she had little to do. She was disappointed that Noah hadn’t followed her, but as she put the last of the cupcakes away, the door of the kitchen opened and he entered carrying a stack of empty plates, a half-eaten cake balanced on the top one.
“Not much left of all this,” he said, setting it down.
“You don’t need to help. You should spend time with your family.”
“I’m sure I shouldn’t,” he said as he rolled up his sleeves and dumped the platters into the sink of soapy water. “Especially not after that little display.”
But his smile showed her he hadn’t minded the “display” at all.
“I should let you know your darling daughters called my mother before we left for the wedding,” he said as he washed the dishes. “They invited themselves over for tomorrow. I somehow doubt you know anything about it.”
“I don’t, and I apologize for my daughters’ boldness.” Shauntelle felt a tremor of embarrassment, but the grin on Noah’s face told her he didn’t mind the girls’ forwardness.
“Don’t apologize. I’m looking forward to it,” he said, rinsing off the platter. “So where do you want the clean dishes to go?”
And just like that, he shifted the conversation to a more comfortable place. It didn’t take long to finish cleaning up, and when they were done, he helped her pack everything into her car.
The sun had set and the air was cooler. Shauntelle shivered as she closed the hatch of the car, then turned to Noah. He was right there, looming over her, tall, strong. And he smelled so good. Her heart twisted at the thought that he might kiss her again.
“Thanks again for all your help,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound so breathless. “And I guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it.” His eyes gleamed in the gathering dusk, and then he ducked his
head, brushed his lips over hers again. Just like she hoped he would. “Text me when you get home,” he said, his voice warming her soul.
She felt a surprising urge to cry.
Text me when you get home.
How long had it been since anyone was looking out for her like that? Since someone cared to know she made it home? Even when Roger was alive, she had to rely on herself.
“I will,” she said. She gave him a wavering smile, then got into her car. And as she drove away from the hall, in her rearview mirror she saw him standing in the parking lot, watching her leave.
And her heart sang.
The drive back seemed to take mere seconds. Her mind replayed that dance, that slow movement in his arms. The kiss. The other kiss. As she let herself in the house, she was so thankful her parents were gone and that the girls were staying overnight. She knew she had a sappy look on her face, and she was humming.
She banished second thoughts for now. She wasn’t looking into the future. For now her heart was full, her soul quiet.
For now, she only wanted to think as far as tomorrow. When she and her daughters would spend time with Noah and his mother. At the ranch the girls thought would make the perfect home.
The picture lingered, and she pushed it aside. One page at a time, she told herself.
Don’t look too far ahead.
The pernicious voice intervened, and though she wanted to dismiss it, she knew she had to be careful. Cautious. She had her daughters to think of, and she wasn’t in any position to indulge in whims. Not when Noah was still talking of leaving.
Chapter Eleven
“I’m so glad Gramma and Grandpa are gone for the weekend,” Millie said as she cuddled the kitten.
“Why do you say that?” Shauntelle asked, settling herself down beside Margaret, who was also holding a kitten on her lap, stroking its head with her forefinger.
“They wouldn’t be happy that we’re here,” Millie said, rubbing her nose on the kitten’s.
Shauntelle couldn’t help a quick look Noah’s way, disconcerted to see the frown on his face. It was still something she struggled with, the disconnect between her parents’ anger toward Noah and her own growing attraction.
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