Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
A fter Aaron called his parents to tell them about Belle, he sat in the living room and worked on a design for his daytime employer, the one who paid, while Belle and her children showered and settled into their rooms.
His concentration wavered as memories of Belle and the summers when she and her family visited Sweet Mountain flipped through his mind. Uncomfortable heat tightened in his chest. The feelings for her hadn’t dimmed with time. His jaw set. Seeing her again brought them full force.
How long would Belle stay at his cabin? The flickers in her eyes showed she was making plans. He remembered that look. She’d been like that those summers long ago.
Since she’d arrived at his cabin, she’d remained quiet, but the look in her eyes was easy to understand. She wanted to leave. She wanted to move on with her life.
A gnawing emptiness ached within Aaron. He wasn’t her husband. The reminder pounded inside his head.
He forced his mind back to his design. Footfalls on the stairs were the excuse he needed to put his laptop away. He lifted his gaze to Lyle and Kelsey with freshly shampooed hair and faces shining from a scrubbing, then to Belle looking beautiful like a Madonna. Her hair damp, wisps of curls framed her smooth face.
She lifted her gaze to Aaron’s. Tension drained from the lines at the corner of her eyes. Her full, soft mouth curved, filling him with relief—and more.
“I guess it’s too early to have dinner, but I’m happy to make it. Did you have anything planned?” Her musical voice blanked his mind.
“Not really.” He mentally shook his brain to reality and away from dusty memories. When he was at the cabin and working on a design or a cabin project, his mind wasn’t on food, until his growling stomach drove him to the kitchen. He rose. “Let’s check the refrigerator so we can decide.”
After a unanimous vote for spaghetti, the children moved to the bay window and stared longingly at the forest lining his property.
“Can we take a hike?” Lyle looked over his shoulder at his mom.
“That’s a good idea.” Belle turned to Aaron. “Any suggestions on where we should go?”
“If you like, I’ll go with you.” Looking into her dark eyes unearthed feelings he’d buried after her last summer in Sweet Mountain. At least his voice remained steady. “I can show you one of my favorite hiking trails.
“We don’t want to take you from your work.” Belle scraped her teeth over her lower lip. She glanced into the living room where he had worked on his laptop.
“I had reached a stopping point,” he said. He had finished one part of his design and posted it in the shared drive for the corporate office to implement. He had to present the specs to his boss before creating the next part.
“Thank you.” Her soft exhalation pulled those feelings to the edge of his control.
“Let me pack some energy bars and sports drinks, then I’ll be ready to go.” He stepped into a closet and pulled out a backpack.
Belle and her children rushed upstairs for jackets and hats. When they returned, Aaron stood by the back door and checked his phone. No emergencies and no notices from his employer. He texted the fire chief and his boss that he may be without a signal for a couple of hours, but would contact them when he returned to the cabin.
The fire chief confirmed he had a full crew. His boss hadn’t checked Aaron’s design yet, but would post comments on the shared drive.
The hike took them through a forest of evergreen and aspen. Springs bubbled up and danced over rocks before disappearing. The children were fascinated with the chipmunks that scampered across the path. Shrubs quivered, then tiny black eyes peered through branches before ducking from view. Belle and the children laughed, then quieted and waited for the curious heads to pop up again. They didn’t.
“They’re more interested in food than these invaders to their sacred forest, but we’ll see more,” Aaron said, their fascination with the wildlife a reminder they were city kids.
They saw a lot more—deer, woodchucks and cows.
“Cows live in the forest?” Lyle asked in surprise.
“This is a national forest,” Aaron explained. “It’s open to the ranchers in the area so their cattle roam freely, which they like because it’s cooler in the shade.”
The forest opened to a meadow that stretched to the base of a snowcapped peak. A doe and two fawns lifted their heads from the crystal clear waters of the creek cutting through the swaying snapdragons, sunflowers and Indian paintbrush. At the signal, the fawns pranced into the forest. With a last look at the intruders, the doe followed.
Her children sighed. Belle wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders.
“They’re gone.” Kelsey stared at the fortress of trees protecting the deer.
“I’m sorry we interrupted their afternoon snack.” Belle dropped her gaze to their deflated faces. “They’re a little shy.”
Kelsey nodded.
“I’m sure we’ll see more.” Lyle tipped his head to her, sympathy in his eyes.
His sister lifted her face to his, her smile slight.
“We will.” Aaron’s tone was light.
Why hadn’t she taken her children to her parents’ cabin before? Because her husband didn’t want to go?
And if she had come? The rush of feelings broke through the crumbling stronghold that was no longer immune to Belle. His jaw set against the stirring that made him long to smooth a finger along the curve of her cheek.
“Ready for a snack?” Aaron balanced his backpack on one knee and widened the opening.
“What do you want, Mom?” Lyle looked back at her.
“Go ahead and choose something for yourself.” Belle smiled at her son. The crinkling around her eyes made them glow and sent warmth through Aaron’s core.
While everyone munched, a big-eyed hare scrambled across the path. Everyone laughed. The amusement in Belle’s eyes was the first Aaron had seen since her last summer in Sweet Mountain.
“We should head back.” Aaron slipped his backpack over his shoulders.
The short hike had taken longer than usual as Belle and the children explored fallen trees and watched curious animals. They had energy but may feel differently when they reached the cabin.
When they stepped into the kitchen, Aaron suggested everyone get cleaned up.
“You should go first.” Belle’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry about me.” He lifted his hands. His showers were quick.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
The children thanked him, too.
While they freshened up, Aaron checked in with the fire chief and his boss. They didn’t have any more news, which made him relax slightly. During this dry season, the crew stayed alert.
When he read his last message, voices discussing the hike sounded from the staircase. Belle and her children walked through the kitchen archway.
“Feel free to take your shower.” Belle’s smiles looked more relaxed each time she flashed one. She glanced about the kitchen, then shifted her gaze to his. “I know you work at the fire department, and you know how to cook, but I can start dinner if you have work to do.”
“I’m caught up at the office.” He didn’t mention the fire department. He wasn’t on call, but that could change. “Just give me a minute.”
“A minute?” Her brows puckered.
“Something else I learned at the fire department and growing up with six brothers.” His mouth tipped.
He was cleaned and changed and coming down the stairs when the aroma of simmering marinara sauce drifted through the dining room. He stepped into the kitchen to a set table and Belle in front of the cooktop. Kelsey stood at the opposite counter and tossed a salad. Lyle buttered the slices of an Italian bread loaf and placed it into the oven.
Belle lifted her gaze to his, her smile warm.
His pace slowed. How natural they looked, as if they belonged in this kitchen. His mind closed to that thought. Though he sensed the strain between Belle and her husband, she was married.
“What can I do?” He looked around the kitchen.
“Can you check the spaghetti?” She glanced at the pot simmering on the stove.
“Testing spaghetti is my specialty,” he said lightly.
“Why am I not surprised?” Her merry laugh mixed with the kitchen sounds.
With dinner on the table and everyone seated, Lyle asked for the blessing.
Soon, conversations mixed with the passing of serving dishes.
“Do you want me to serve you, Mom?” Lyle lifted questioning eyes to Belle.
“Thank you.” Appreciation shone in her eyes.
“Say when.” Lyle ladled sauce over the pile of spaghetti.
“Do you want me to serve you?” Kelsey looked at Aaron.
“That’s service.” Aaron flashed her a smile, which made her giggle and lift a shoulder.
As they ate, the children talked about the hike. They laughed as they recalled the shy and curious animals.
Belle laughed, too, but the distant look in her eyes showed other thoughts filtered through her amusement.
A heaviness settled in Aaron’s chest. The charred remains of her Sweet Mountain oasis were the easy guess. If she shed that magical smile, what troubles would be exposed?
Her children?
Toppled summer plans?
Missing husband?
Had she called him yet?
Without thinking, he glanced at her left hand again. The wedding set was elaborate with a diamond that belonged to a New York socialite surrounded by tiny diamonds—a setting that would’ve made any woman proud to flash when she lunched with friends, attended dinner parties or volunteered in her child’s classroom. A setting that said, “My husband makes a lot of money and takes good care of my kids and me.”
He swallowed a bite of spaghetti that turned tasteless in his mind. Why was he thinking about her husband? And comparing himself to the man who wasn’t here and hadn’t called?
Aaron’s life was full. He had Christ’s peace. He wouldn’t let a boyhood crush make him long for something that hadn’t been God’s plan.
Lord, forgive me.
Aaron was with Belle now. She needed help. God had given him a heart to help others. He would use that gift to pull her through this blow.
Rain fell on the righteous and the unrighteous, but that didn’t ease the desire to stand by her side.
“Do you put out a lot of fires?” Lyle had just swallowed. His mind shone with eagerness, his mind open to a new adventure.
Kelsey’s look at Aaron showed her interest in what he did.
Aaron liked sharing details about his volunteer work, which he enjoyed more than his remote design work.
“I put out a few.” Relief flooded him for this distraction from his thoughts of Belle. He rested his forearms against the table’s edge. “It varies from week to week and can depend on the season. Summers are hot and dry. Most of the cabin owners are from the East Coast and high humidity areas, so they aren’t used to the dry climate. And then there are electrical storms. A lightning strike can hit a dead tree, which starts fires, too.
He liked their interest. If Belle approved, he’d give them a tour of the fire station. He’d yet to meet a kid who didn’t enjoy meeting the firefighters and exploring the firetruck.
There was one serving of spaghetti in the serving bowl, but the kids leaned back in their chairs, their hands resting on their stomachs. Belle’s plate was barely touched.
She looked relieved that her children had put the disastrous night aside to talk about something else. What thoughts were turning in her mind?
Lyle was quiet as he took in what Aaron said.
“How did you learn to be a firefighter?” Kelsey leaned forward.
“I took some courses, then I went to a training center near Denver.” Aaron was used to people asking him about becoming a firefighter. Kids were very interested. He’d tell them everything they wanted to know. Volunteer firefighters were always in demand. “The work is hard, but it’s rewarding. Continual training is always required.”
“Really?” Lyle’s brows shot up. “You don’t become a firefighter, and then that’s it?”
“No, new techniques and equipment are always available,” Aaron said. People asked that question a lot. “With the new inventions and methods come more training.”
“There’s one last serving of spaghetti.” Belle’s gentle voice brought her children’s gazes to her. “Does anyone want this?”
“I’m full.” Lyle dropped his gaze to the few noodles on his plate.
“Me, too.” Kelsey looked from her plate to Lyle’s.
“Look like it’s time for us to trot off to bed.” Belle rose.
“I’m too tired to trot.” Exhaustion laced Lyle’s voice. He held his hands as if holding a horse’s reins. He stood.
“Me, too.” Kelsey giggled but also rose.
Belle’s fight against exhaustion was losing strength. Everything inside Aaron clenched. She held a brave face and remained strong for her children. She was the rock they needed at this moment, but who was her rock?
Keep Your hand on her, Lord.
Aaron stood and stacked the plates.
“You can leave that.” Belle’s voice was a soft caress around his heart. “I’ll put these guys to bed, then clean the kitchen.” Belle moved next to her children.
“You cooked dinner. I’ll take care of the kitchen,” he said, his voice low, but firm. “Go to bed.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, then relaxed, but the message was clear—she had her own ideas.
“Thank you for a great dinner.” Lyle’s broad smile showed his appreciation, then turned to his mother. “And for cooking it.”
“Yes, thank you.” Kelsey nodded. “It was yummy.”
“Yeah, yummy.” Lyle stifled a yawn.
“You’re welcome.” Aaron smiled at them. “But you did all the work.” He glanced at Belle. “And it was delicious.”
“Thank you,” Belle said softly, her mouth curved in that way that brought his stomach to his throat. “And thank you for letting us stay here.”
Her children softly offered their thanks.
“You’re welcome, again,” he said, and hoped his face didn’t reveal this rush of feelings that butted against the thin veil of control.
“Come on, kids.” Belle guided the children to the kitchen archway. “Let’s say our prayers, then go to bed.”
“What will we do tomorrow?” Lyle asked his mother.
Kelsey looked at Belle.
“We’ll have to talk about that,” Belle said, her voice showing the heaviness of the decisions she’d have to make. The three of them disappeared into the dining room.
A physical weight seemed to press on Aaron’s shoulders. His mouth dried. How much more did Belle feel that force? In a few minutes, her world had fallen apart—something he’d seen many times as a firefighter, but would never get used to.
What would they do tomorrow? Call the insurance company, get a rental SUV, buy assorted items, though Aaron hoped he had enough of what they needed.
He’d do whatever it took to help Belle get through her stay in Sweet Mountain.
And when she left?
She was with him now. He’d cherish every moment.