Page 100 of A Hard Habit to Break

Rachel turned to Noah, her eyes shining with an emotion he dared not name yet. “My answer is yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But what about your responsibilities here?”

“I’ll work out the details,” he replied, his heart hammering in his chest. She’d said yes.

“Okay. And, Noah…” She smiled, a soft, secret smile that made his knees weak. “This was perfect. And… you’re perfect, just as you are. You always have been.”

Lowering her head, she pressed a kiss to his scarred knuckles. The nerves plaguing him about coming here, pouring out his heart, vanished. True happiness burned bright in his chest for the first time in days. Clothes came off in between whispered promises. Noah lifted Rachel into his arms, carrying her like a blushing bride to the water’s edge. She looped one arm around his neck, trailing kisses over his pecs. The warmth of her breath heated his skin. He bit back a curse. With Rachel, the simplest contact triggered a hunger that consumed him. “You undo me, Six.”

He eased her to her feet. Hand in hand, she glided into the water, tugging him into the flow, splashing his thighs with cool droplets. “Hmm, it feels good,” she moaned, “but you feel better.”

Sliding her bare body against his, Noah lay back, floating on the current. They made love slow and gentle… drifting in and out time as the stars watched… the water sung… and the tide rose with their cries of ecstasy.

Whatever happened next, he knew that this day, this made-for-them moment, would live on in their memories forever. A testament to the enduring power of first love and second chances.

The drive back to the farmhouse in Rachel’s truck was filled with comfortable silence—ClamClam contentedly nestled in Rachel’s arms—broken only by the soft sound of their favorite old country songs playing on the radio. As Noah pulled up to the porch, he cut the engine and handed Rachel her keys. The solo light glowing in the darkness joined the quiet, as neither seemed eager to end the night.

Finally, Rachel turned to him, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. “Thank you, Noah.”

“I’ll walk you to your door.”

“No, I’d better say good night before I’m tempted to stay with you till morning.”

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on her cheek and then on her lips. When he pressed, deepening the connection, she opened for him like a blossom in spring, moaning into his mouth. ClamClam meowed, breaking the spell and reminding them of her presence. The warmth of Rachel’s skin lingered on his lips as he pulled away. Laughter rippled through them, easing the intensity of the moment. Noah decided to end the night while he still held the reins on his raging libido.

“Good night,” he said as ClamClam leaped from the cab, circled once, and then took off in the direction of the barn.

Rachel lifted one hand, waving. “Bye.”

They grinned at each other like the silly kids they had been. As Noah watched her walk up the porch steps, the ring glinting on her finger, a sense of certainty washed over him. Whatever the future held, he knew that his heart belonged with Rachel. The town of Service would always be theirs, but their love story would blaze a new trail from this moment on.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

HER FATHER ANDBethany’s wedding day had finally arrived. On this Saturday, the perfect blend of blue sky and plump cotton clouds provided the ideal conditions for a midafternoon spring wedding. The daytime and evening pictures at sunset would make for a spectacular scrapbook. Despite the days of careful planning, anxious anticipation had Rachel brushing imaginary tendrils from across her powdered cheek. She stood in the middle of the barn, fingers nervously tapping against the weathered wood as she surveyed the list of final details and design.

This was meant to be a joyous occasion—a celebration of her father’s second chance at love—but Rachel couldn’t stop thinking about the magical night she had shared with Noah just two days earlier. Yes, she’d left town, chasing purpose, adventure, and belonging. Noah had always been the one who got away. When he unexpectedly asked her to be his “forever” the other night,Rachel had found herself torn. Of course, she wanted him. But what about Service, his family, his career? People depended on him. Could she ask him to leave the town that loved him as much as she did?

She glanced down at his class ring on her finger. Admittedly, the anticipation of walking down the aisle had her daydreaming about their wedding. The unanswered what-if question—

Had their happily ever after begun?—was enough to make her stomach turn. What if the next ceremony in town had her and Noah’s names on the invitations?

“K.I.T. Keep it together,” she scolded herself. “You can focus for forty-five minutes.”

Taking a deep breath, Rachel tried to push thoughts of her future and career decisions aside as she looked around the barn. Strings of mini party lights were draped across the old rafters, casting an inviting warmth over the space. Wine barrels topped with round beveled glasses and wildflowers in mason jars lined the walls, and a cluster of hay bale chairs had been arranged the length of the interior. If the afternoon sun proved too intense, this served as a respite for the guests.

Outside, the scene was even more breathtaking. Tractors had been transformed into works of art, their beds strewn with tiny white lights and vine greenery. The enormous oak tree stood as the headpiece, its branches wrapped with delicate pale peach silk that fluttered in the gentle breeze. Beneath the oak stood the altar trellis that Rachel had built as a wedding gift.

Stepping through the barn doors, she saw that the lawn bustled with activity. Mrs. Kline redirected a trio of kids with eager hands away from the goats adorned in apricot chest bibs. On the reception tables, Leah Calvary, dressed in an elegant calf-length dress with shear sleeves, gave the floral bouquets a quick mist of water to stave off thirst well after sunset. As she moved through the crowd greeting guests, she acknowledgedthe reverence and outpouring of love visible through the efforts of many to make this day exceptional. Rachel couldn’t help but let her mind wander back to the past two weeks. Driving into town, she thought she’d left Noah behind for good. But she never had. She could admit she carried him in her heart, envisioned him with every accomplishment, and yearned for his comfort with every setback. It wasn’t the act of him putting his ring on her finger that made the evening magical. No. It was the fact that Noah’s only demand was her love. He understood how much her career meant. Instead of pulling her into his fairy tale, he would willingly walk into her world.

She ran her fingers over the hand-carved trellis, each vine intricate and unique like the love she carried for her family… for Noah.

“Looking good, RJ,” her father called from the back porch, disappearing inside.

“Thanks, Dad,” she whispered. As she stepped back from her handiwork, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her father and Bethany deserved this. After everything they had been through, they’d earned a day filled with love and happiness. Rachel was honored to be a part of it, even if the thought of Noah’s sacrifice twisted her stomach with nerves. Would he regret his choice?

The object of her affection had been scarce these past two days. His absence bothered her, but she understood he had gifted her with the needed space to think clearly about his decision. Even Benji had been a noticeable void on the farm. Rachel found joy in Benji finding a place to belong in her hometown. This was Service, the place where everyone could stumble upon a rich plot of soil to plant roots and build a life.

Could she and Noah have the same in California?

She had always craved adventure and independence, and leaving town had been the best decision at the time. But a partof her had always wondered what would have happened if she had stayed. Would she and Noah have worked together like Penelope and Taylor? Would they have a cabin by the falls with babies in tow, blueprints tacked to the wall, or both?