Chapter Twenty-Nine
RACHEL SET HER updated renderings on the entryway table, deciding her committee presentation could wait.
The showdown with Pete had tainted the moment.
Another time, she told herself. Noah waited for her at the bottom of the porch steps, hands tucked into the pockets of his faded jeans.
His familiar crooked smile made her heart skip a beat.
Even Pete couldn’t ruin the flutter in her stomach when Noah looked at her with desire in his eyes.
“What was that in your hand?
Rachel shrugged. “It can wait.”
“Ready for the walk back to my place?” Noah asked, voice low and husky. His gaze was intense on her face, but his tone held a note of uncertainty.
Rachel nodded, unable to form words as memories of their night flooded her mind.
How many times had they made this trek from her door onto Calvary land?
Hundreds, probably. But never like this, never with the electric tension, the gravity of what it meant for their future, that now crackled between them.
As they set off down the overgrown path, gravel crunched under their boots as they strolled closer to tonight’s promise of pleasure. ClamClam fell into step beside them. The humid summer air clung to Rachel’s skin, making her jeans feel damp and heavy. In the distance, a cow lowed mournfully.
“Remember when we used to race to that big oak?” Noah said, pointing ahead.
Rachel laughed. “You never let me win.”
“You beat me”—he winked—“a few times.”
“I was a worthy opponent, wasn’t I?” she said, grinning.
“You always have been, Six.”
“Hopefully, my luck holds. Bethany asked me to join her in presenting at the council meeting tomorrow afternoon.”
“Did she? Sharing the spotlight with her soon-to-be stepdaughter, nice,” Noah chuckled, as if he saw it coming a mile in the distance. Had she been so anxious that she missed how she fit snugly in her old and newfound family?
“Yep, and stop grinning like the ClamClam who swallowed the canary.” Rachel smiled.
“The clinic was… is Bethany’s brainchild.
She deserves all the shine. If not for her, I wouldn’t be on the project.
So, we’re going to make a strong case for the high school and mill conversions to be awarded a share of the grant money.
That faceoff with Pete might work against the proposal. ”
“Don’t worry about him,” Noah cut in, leaning over to drop a kiss on her cheek. “This town is small, but we have big dreams. I looked up that EPA website you mentioned. There are plenty of grants available that could help working people and save jobs. We’re doing a good thing, Six.”
Noah looked at her, those magnetic eyes pulling at all the ways they worked while repelling the points that proved too difficult to think about as they walked deeper into…
everything. Rachel could feel her emotions melting like ice cream—sweet, with a sugary high on love—into a pool around his feet.
“We should celebrate afterward… drinks at the Bear?”
“It’s a date,” he said, this time kissing her lips.
It felt so natural, this easy banter, as if the years apart had never happened. As if Rachel hadn’t left their idyllic mountain town in the rearview mirror, chasing a safe haven for a redheaded Black woman who preferred hammers to hot curls. As if she hadn’t broken his heart, and he, hers.
She thought of Pete’s hostility. Noah trusted Pete to do the greater good.
What he never realized—and Rachel hadn’t until she’d separated herself from the town—was that Noah was Pete’s better half.
As long as the tag team existed, Noah cleaned up Pete’s image.
Pete commanded, while Noah cajoled. Noah didn’t need Pete.
But despite her better judgment, knowing Pete didn’t share well with others, Rachel found she’d fallen for Noah all over again.
A loud crow rang out in the distance. Rachel imagined Ricky, head high, wings down, had a female to impress.
Likewise, as they walked, boundaries blurred as bare skin skimmed bare skin, eyes lingered, breathing slowed as pulses raced.
Noah’s cabin came into view. Logs marked by the passage of time, yet golden light spilled through clear panes, providing an unobstructed view of the comfort awaiting her return.
The river’s rush, along with Rachel’s heartbeat, grew louder with each step.
Noah had given her a home… with him… in him.
“Be careful,” he murmured, steadying her with a hand on her lower back as they navigated a tangle of roots.
His touch sent shivers racing up her spine. Rachel stumbled slightly, and Noah’s arm encircled her waist.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly.
Great.
Tomorrow, she needed to be the picture of professional competence, yet tonight, she could barely walk in a straight line around this man. She looked up, meeting his intense gaze. “I know.”
For a breathless moment, the rest of the world faded away. There was only Noah—his woodsy scent, strong arms, and hazel eyes swirling with unspoken promises.
ClamClam meowed impatiently, breaking the spell. Rachel stepped back, a rush of heat flushing her cheeks.
They continued on in charged silence until they reached the plunge pool.
She squeezed Noah’s hand. “Let’s not go inside. Not yet.”
“What do you have in mind instead of sleep?” Noah asked with a lopsided grin. Gosh, he was gorgeous, even when he frustrated her to the point of insanity.
Rachel slipped off her boots, shed her jeans and shirt, and waded into the cool, clear water. One look at Noah’s appreciative gaze and she immediately decided hours tangled up with him were worth the under-eye circles.
“Showing up at the redevelopment meeting looking like you’re thoroughly sexed is brilliant. I love a smart woman,” Noah said with a chuckle. He settled onto a water-worn rock, content to watch her. “I think you’re part water nymph.”
Rachel splashed the water with her toes, relishing its silky caress. “Maybe you’ll be the one who’ll look ravished at the podium.” She laughed. “Remember our first time?”
“How could I forget? You screamed so loud, I thought a banshee had gotten you.”
She shot him a mock glare. “I did not scream.”
“Oh, you most certainly did,” Noah said, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I thought you might run off, so I held on to you for hours… until I knew I had to get you home before our dads came looking for us.”
Rachel rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. “My hero. Always there to save the day.”
Noah’s expression softened. “I’ll always fight for you, Rachel Lydia Johnson.”
Her full name, spoken so tenderly, made her breath catch. She waded back to shore, pulse quickening as Noah rose to meet her.
“Rachel,” he began, reaching for her hand. “These past few days… you being back here… It’s been everything.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. A bird trilled sweetly in a nearby tree.
Noah looked off into the distance. Rachel waited for the words he held inside. He had been the same as a kid, slow to share how he felt, giving her trickles rather than a downpour.
“I know… I hurt you, that’s why you left.
I was young and stupid to even suggest you forgo college to get married.
We had a plan, and I, like a fool, blindsided you with a proposal.
I deserved what happened next. But I never stopped thinking we could be each other’s future.
You coming home… to a man you could be proud of, who could provide for you, was part of my plan. That’s in jeopardy, you understand?”
“Noah, I want to have your six, be the one who shelters you. How can I be the woman I want to be for me, for you… if you won’t tell me what’s happened?
I’ll listen without judgment.” Rachel’s heart raced, hope warring with the fear of being hurt again.
Would he choose the job, whatever Pete’s plan was, over her? “Noah, just tell—”
But before she could finish, he pulled her close. “I know you’re worried. Don’t be. Have faith in me.”
“I do.” But a nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered caution. “Noah, I—” Rachel hesitated, searching for the right words. “I trust you. But—”
“No buts, Six. You trusted me before—”
“I still do, but with Pete,” she muttered, feeling vulnerable beyond her bare flesh.
“I get it. He was there when I wasn’t. Have you ever considered why he’s always there, lurking?
Picking up what you left behind?” Abbie Hinesberry from high school and Cheyenne’s face flashed in her mind.
“And I know you’re holding something back from me.
That there’s more to the story about your job, and you don’t believe I can handle it. ”
Pain flashed in Noah’s eyes, there and gone so quickly she almost missed it. He took a steadying breath.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “There is something I haven’t told you. Something that could change everything. But I swear to you, Rachel—I won’t hurt you. Even with Pete, you can trust me. Can’t you?”
Rachel’s stomach clenched with dread. “Spill it, Noah. What did he discuss with you?” she whispered.
Noah shook his head. “I want make captain one day. Maybe even a fire chief for the entire county. But this committee chair position is political. If I mess this up, make the wrong decision, then there’s no way to put myself in a better position to win.”
“Win what? You’re an excellent leader and you’re next in line,” Rachel said, totally confused by Noah’s half-explanation.
“That’s true, but it’s not simple math when politics are at play, okay? I need a little more time to figure out a plan for all parties. After the council meeting. I’ll give you more details. I promise.”
She wanted to shake him until all the dust spilled out. But the raw vulnerability in his eyes stopped her.
“Okay,” Rachel said softly. “You have one more day to stall.”
Relief washed over Noah’s face. He pulled her close, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
“Thank you,” he breathed.
Noah claimed her lips in a searing kiss, all his attention focused on pleasing her with pillowy pulls of building pressure.
With skilled mastery he teased with his tongue, offering and retreating until Rachel melted against him, all doubts momentarily forgotten.
She surrendered on a soft moan, twining her arms around his neck, preventing escape.
No way would she rob herself of his untamed indulgence.
Noah’s hands roamed her bare back, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
Rachel gave as good as she got, years of pent-up longing pouring out in a desperate tangle of lips and teeth and searching hands.
The pacing changed, and moans morphed to euphoric sighs as his mouth gently lifted from hers. In his eyes, passion blazed in tune with the fire roaring beneath her skin. Noah rested his forehead against hers.
“God, I want you every minute of every day, Six,” he murmured.
Rachel’s lips curved in a satisfied smile. “Me too,” she admitted.
Noah pulled back slightly, expression serious. “I know this is all happening fast. And I know you have doubts. I’d be worried if you didn’t. But I need you to know—I want everything in this life with you by my side.”
She believed him.
As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the rest of the world slowly filtered back in. ClamClam wound a figure-eight pattern around their ankles, purring contentedly. A dog, probably Hiccup, barked in the distance. The ever-present hum of cicadas filled the air.
But above it all, Rachel heard the steady thump of Noah’s heart. Strong. Sure. Calling her home.
Whatever additional secrets there were, whatever challenges lay ahead—in that moment, Rachel chose to believe that their love was strong enough to weather any storm.
She tilted her face up, capturing Noah’s lips in another passionate kiss. This one held a wicked promise of pleasures to come. Of long, sultry nights and lazy mornings tangled in sun-warmed sheets.
When they parted, both were flushed and breathless.
“We should head inside,” Rachel murmured reluctantly.
Noah nodded, eyes dark with desire. “Soon,” he agreed, kicking off his boots before tossing his shirt in the grass. “But not quite yet.”
With a playful grin, he scooped her up and waded into the cool river.
“I should be reviewing my notes,” Rachel said as Noah’s hands palmed and squeezed her apple bottom in all the right places.
“I should be getting eight hours of sleep. I should be doing a hundred responsible things that don’t involve you screaming my name,” Noah rasped, before his mouth claimed hers.
He tasted like the best night of her life—all passion fulfilled and promises kept. When they broke the kiss, their eyelids lowered to half mast, their gaze lazy and lustful.
“Responsibility is overrated.” She grinned, kicking her feet to splash them both with dewy droplets.
Rachel relaxed her arms, floating on the gentle current lapping at her limbs. When Noah parted her thighs and his head disappeared beneath the water, Rachel’s delighted shrieks gave way to soft moans.
Whatever tomorrow might bring, they had this perfect moment.
She dared not let doubt ruin tonight. As Noah’s ministrations had her breathless and soaring, a small danger sign flashed a warning.
In the morning, Rachel might regret tonight’s actions.
However, tomorrow’s problems would be future Rachel’s business.