Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
I t was five in the morning when Aaron parked his truck in the garage and strode up the path to the house. Titan happily greeted him, and he scratched the dog’s head.
He and the rescue crew had spent the night fighting a lightning fire that struck a cabin on a guest ranch. The tiny cabin was ashes by the time Aaron and the crew arrived.
After an exhausting night, he showered before he left the station and was ready to fall into bed.
As he drove up the driveway to his family’s home, he was surprised to see a light filter through the kitchen window. A silhouette passed the pane. Not his mother. He’d never seen her wear a ponytail, though pictures of her when she was younger showed she had.
Belle?
If she were making breakfast, she was getting an early start.
Aaron left the dog on the terrace and stepped from the mudroom to the kitchen to Belle standing at the butcher block counter his mother used for kneading bread. Her elegant fingers were covered with sticky dough. A few stray patches of flour dusted her cheeks. A tray of baked cinnamon rolls sat on a cooling rack.
She was baking?
Her head came up.
So did his heart.
“I didn’t expect anyone to be up.” He looked into her eyes, large and beautiful in her oval face.
“I … I couldn’t sleep.” A stray curl flopped down her forehead. She blew it aside, but it determinedly took its place.
“How long have you been up?” Without meaning to, he glanced at the covered tray.
So did she. She blushed. He liked that about her. She was sophisticated, but had the grace to blush.
“Since you left,” she said quietly. It sounded more like a question. “I … I was worried.”
About him? He needed to ignore that rise in his chest.
“Fighting fires is my job, though it is volunteer.” He gave a soft snort. His family had shown concern when he first started at the fire station, but thankfully his mother could now fall back asleep. He felt called to be a first responder. He had to follow that mission.
“I know, but I saw you and the others fight the fire at our cabin so I know how dangerous this is.” She scanned the butcher block, then looked back at him. “Baking helps me relax, so I decided to make cinnamon rolls.”
“I can smell the cinnamon.” He laughed softly. “You’ll have a bevy of fans in this household. I hope you don’t plan to leave.”
“Cooking for this household would be a dream come true,” she said lightly, though her heart weighed heavily in her chest. Would that she could stay and help with the cooking and anything else. When she’d visited as a teen, she’d learned to care for the horses, pigs and chickens. Her children would be in heaven, if they stayed. Ranch work would open up a whole new world to them.
And what of her?
She’d be near Aaron. Her draw to the man was undeniable—a threat she didn’t need right now as she headed to divorce court against her attorney husband. “I love to cook, though your mother is tough competition. I noticed you and your brothers like to eat.”
“That we do.” He laughed again. “You’ll be a hit.”
“That would be nice.” She grew serious and stared blankly across the kitchen. She’d love to cook for a family who would be at the table for meals and not text last-minute excuses. She swallowed. Too late she learned the real reason behind Chad’s vague responses.
“Hey, everything’s going to be okay.” Aaron’s gentle touch on her arm made her blink. The look in his eyes sent a shaft of warmth through her core, his expression so tender she could barely take a breath.
He smoothed a hand along her arms. It was the gentle touch she needed to heal deep wounds that made her heart throb.
“How—”
The kitchen door pushed open. Mrs. McSweeney stopped in the doorway, her gaze dropping to her son’s hand wrapped around Belle’s arm. Her gaze shifted to the breakfast rolls rising beneath the pastry cloth.
“I thought I smelled something good.” Mrs. McSweeney’s face spread into a sincere smile. “You’ll definitely have a fan club in this household.”
“I hope so.” Belle forced lightness into her voice. “Baking is my specialty.”
“Good morning, Mom.” Aaron’s face unreadable, he dropped his hand from Belle’s arm.
She winced. She wanted his touch to last forever.
“So formal.” His mother eyed him. “Good morning.” She stepped to one of the prep counters.
“Good morning, Mrs. McSweeney,” Belle said.
“Good morning, and please call me Naomi.” The older woman smiled at her. “How’re you feeling, hon?”
“Fine. Better than yesterday.” Belle appreciated the concern in Naomi’s eyes. “The kids and I had so much fun. I think we were asleep before we climbed beneath the covers. We appreciate your letting us stay here and for the clothes.”
“It’s our pleasure. Working on the ranch can be tiring,” she said, joy in her eyes. She looked around. “I was going to start breakfast, but it looks like you have everything ready.”
“I can’t let you do all the cooking.” Belle moved to the stove, where the eggs and bacon warmed in skillets. Have a seat. I’ll serve you.”
“No, I can’t let you do that.” Naomi waved dismissively. “I’ll wait for the others. Felix is in the living room. I’ll bring him in here so he can join the conversation.”
“I’ll get him, Mom.” Aaron stepped past her.
Belle watched him leave, then turned to Naomi. “I hope you don’t think?—”
“My son is an adult.” Naomi spoke softly. She lifted a hand. “He’s always followed the Lord.”
“I wouldn’t interfere with that.” A hot flush came over Belle’s face. What Naomi had seen looked like she had interfered. “I’m sorry I gave that impression.”
“You didn’t, but as a mother, you know what it’s like to want to protect your children.” Though Naomi’s smile was slight, it was sincere.
Yes, Belle did know that. Now more than ever, she wanted to protect them from her disintegrating marriage.
Naomi looked past Belle. “Now what can I do to help?”
Belle looked around more to ease this awkward moment. She was a guest in Naomi’s home. She would behave like one. “I think I have everything ready. I’ll just finish this last batch of cinnamon rolls and let them rise while we eat.”
The door swung open. Seth, Jude and Toby strode into the room.
“Can’t sleep with all these fragrant odors from the kitchen floating upstairs.” Seth’s smile dimmed slightly as he looked from his mother to Belle. He glanced around the kitchen.
“You have Belle to thank for that.” Naomi’s voice was light. “You finish the rolls. I can check on your children while the boys get everything on the table.”
“Thank you.” Belle turned back to the dough. She was grateful for Naomi. Her children would be disappointed if they missed breakfast with the McSweeneys.
Naomi returned to the kitchen as Belle finished the cleanup.
“The children are seated if you want to join them,” Naomi said. “I just need to get a couple of things.”
“Let me help you,” Belle said with concern. She couldn’t sit when Naomi still had things to do.
“You’re fine.” Naomi gave a slight wave. “I’ll just be a minute.”
Belle nodded and stepped into the dining room as everyone was gathered around the breakfast table. She took her seat between Lyle and Kelsey and wondered at the wisdom of staying at Sweet Mountain Ranch. She had thought to give her children an experience they’d always remember. Had her motives been selfish? Was she remembering how Aaron catered to her those summers when she was filled with dreams of her exciting future?
Now when she felt like a failure as a woman, having a man interested in her gave her morale a boost.
If she were doubting her wisdom of her staying at the ranch, she should leave.
She hated to disappoint her children, but if staying opened the door to temptation, she had to go.
Give me strength, Lord. Help the kids understand. They’ve been through so much. I hate that their hearts break from something I did.
Slowly, gently, the peace she craved settled into her heart. She didn’t know how she knew, but she welcomed the sense that everything would be all right.