7. Noah
Chapter 7
Noah
S he’s just like me. That’s what I realized about Lizzy when we were working in my library. She’s spent her whole life hiding behind books, same as I have. Together, we’ll heal and raise little bookworms of our own. But they won’t feel the need to hide from the world. They won’t be afraid that love is conditional or believe they have to earn their way. No, our kids will know all the love in the world.
I reach for the device that’s been charging for the past few hours. I sent a text message to Tank yesterday, and he gave me a list of supplies to shop for. He even called me later and walked me through what to do.
I flick on the head shaver and take a steadying breath. I still hate the buzzing sound. They held me down and shaved my head. Sometimes in my dreams, I still feel the razor nicking my skin. Out loud, I say, “It’s hair.”
The first swipe is the toughest, but I grit my teeth and remember why I’m doing this. That’s all it takes to get me going again.
When it’s finally done and the last clump has fallen to the floor, I inspect myself in the mirror. There are still a few small scars from the abuse, but they aren’t as visible as I’d thought they’d be.
“You’re not a kid anymore,” I remind myself.
With that realization, I release the tension in my shoulders. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or says. All that matters is being there for my girl.
Lizzy
When Noah finally steps into the bookstore, I sigh in relief. I kept thinking that maybe he wouldn’t show up at all. Maybe he’d decide I was more trouble than I’m worth.
But he’s here now, stepping through the door with another bouquet of daisies for me.
He’s got a look in his eyes, like a hungry mountain cat. It makes me want to be his dinner, and I clench my thighs together.
“You look beautiful, Lizzy.” His voice warms me as he holds out the bouquet.
I accept the flowers, frowning at the sudden change in his appearance. “Your beard is gone.”
His beard was so full and bushy. It’s weird to see him without it, but I can’t deny I love seeing that firm jawline of his. Would he clench it and scowl down at me as he shoved deep inside my body?
I put the flower vase on the counter. Mr. Darcy is in the backroom, but I’ll have to watch him later. He loves knocking my tea mugs off this counter. Something tells me a full vase will just be too much temptation for my playful kitty.
I turn back to the handsome cowboy. “Why did you shave? You didn’t have to do that for our date.”
“I did it so you’re not alone. You’ll never go through anything alone now that you have me,” he says as he removes his Stetson to reveal his bald head. Shock fills me. He did this for me? He shaved all of his thick, beautiful hair.
Even though I hate it when someone reaches for my bald head, I do it to him. I can’t help wanting to feel him here.
He leans down and lets me touch it, not flinching when I stroke his skin. There are tiny scars here, and I have a million questions. But I don’t voice any of them. I can’t believe he did this. I can’t believe he shaved his head for me.
“Noah, this was…” my voice trails off as tears fill my eyes.
He quickly snaps his head away, panic flashing in his gaze.
Before he can say anything, I throw myself into his arms. I wrap mine around his middle and squeeze him tight.
“Thank you,” I whisper against the fabric of his flannel shirt.
He relaxes in my hold. “You’re my girl.”
With those three words, he steals the last part of my heart. It’s official. My heart belongs to Noah Maple, and it always will.
We stand intertwined for a few long minutes before he finally says, “Come on. I don’t want to be late for the date.”
I step back away from him, missing the warmth of his body. He’s always so warm and when he wraps his arms around me, I feel safe and anchored. Like I’ve found my rock, the one person I can always lean on.
“Am I dressed for the occasion?”
I’m wearing my usual long flowing skirt with a T-shirt that has a different pun about books on it. I paired it with my favorite red sneakers. I wasn’t sure if I should dress up for the date. Courage doesn’t really have any fancy restaurants. Not that it matters to me. The only thing I want to do tonight is spend time with the handsome, bald man who shaved his head for me.
“You look perfect, like always,” he answers, his gaze raking over me. How does he heat my body temperature with just a look?
I close the shop, knowing that Walt will be by later. After I flip the sign, I walk hand-in-hand with Noah to his truck.
What if this could be my forever? What if he meant what he said when he told me to live with him in wedded bliss and carry his heirs? Is it possible that one day I could have a family?
He helps me into the vehicle, and we pass the drive with small talk about his day on the farm and the customers I helped in the shop before discussing our favorite books. I’ve learned his favorite is The Lord of the Rings trilogy and that he’s currently reading a book about female scientists whose discoveries were discounted or stolen.
I watch as we leave the limits of Courage County, but I don’t ask any questions. I’m just enjoying being around Noah.
“What are you reading?” He asks when we finish discussing Marie Curie.
“A space exploration book,” I answer.
He rattles off several space opera authors and asks if the book is by one of them.
I shift in my seat. “Actually, it’s alien smut.”
“I’m not familiar with that genre.”
“Well, um, you know sexy romance books?”
“Sure, wait. You mean, they do it with aliens?”
My skin prickles. I hate it when people judge romance books. “It might be a joke to some people, but alien smut explores complex topics like women’s rights, human trafficking, and sexual consent.”
He pauses at a red light and looks at me. There’s no judgement or teasing in his expression. Instead, he looks genuinely curious. “Is that what appeals to you about the books?”
My cheeks heat. “Well, no. It’s um…the…so the books feature heroes with unusual bodies. It’s about the biology.”
He smirks at me like he knows I’m talking about alien dicks. OK, so the hot cowboy knows I have a thing for alien dicks.
The light turns green, and he pulls into an area that’s designated as a parking lot for a fairground.
“We’ll have to hike about a mile to get to the fair,” he explains. “Are you up for that?”
“What’s at the fair?” I ask, excitement building in my body.
He hesitates and looks uncertain of himself again, the same way he did when he took off his hat in the bookshop. “Have you ever heard of Janeites?”
I let out a squeal. I know exactly what those are. They’re devoted fans of Jane Austen’s work and life. “Is this one of their events?”
“Apparently, there’s a whole festival this week. Period dress, tea parties, food from the era, the whole thing.”
I beam at him. “This is the perfect date!”
He gives me a relieved grin and we spend the rest of the afternoon walking around. It’s fascinating to see all of the people wandering in regency era clothing and speaking in old English.
I take a million photos on my phone. I can’t wait to show the girls.
“Take a selfie with me,” I tell Noah when we’re in line. We’re inside of an old timey shop where Noah just bought a picnic basket of food.
He leans into the frame and just as I tap my phone, he presses a soft kiss to my cheek. In the photo, my eyes are shining brightly, and my cheeks are flushed. I look happy. No, I look like a woman in love. I think I’m completely gone for Noah Maple.
After we get the food and the blanket, the two of us walk across the field until we find a shady spot under one of the trees. Most of the festival attendees are eating inside, probably because of the building storm clouds.
But I wanted to be alone with Noah, especially after we spent the day together with him holding my hand, squeezing my hips, and touching my back through the thin material of my t-shirt.
I think he understands what I want when we settle on the blanket, but to my frustration, he reaches for the picnic basket and serves both of us heaping plates. The food is delicious, and we make small talk, discussing the ways that life is both better and worse in the modern world.
I’ve just finished eating when Noah asks, “What’s wrong? Something has been eating at you for the past hour.”
I sigh because I want to approach this delicately. I want to be sensitive. I mean, I appreciate the man is going slow for me. But if we go any slower, we won’t share any kisses until we’re both residents at the Wildflower Retirement Home.
“Tell me,” Noah commands.
I blow out a frustrated breath. “Well, when are you going to kiss me?”
His lips curve up in a slow, sexy smile. “Do you want me to kiss you?”
I scowl at him, done with taking things slow. “I want you to maul me like an animal!”
Before I can even blink, he launches himself toward me. In one quick move, he has me on my back on the picnic blanket. He’s stretched over me, staring down at me with a feral glint in his gaze. “I’ll maul you anytime you want.”