Page 64 of A Hard Habit to Break

“For what?” Rachel managed to squeal out the words while in a bear hug.

“For loving what I love.”

Her father’s body shook. Overwhelmed, Rachel struggled to choke back the building wall of emotion.

“You two look close to tears. Can I help?” a familiar voice drawled.

She released her dad. Noah approached, his expression amenable, but his hazel eyes burning with fire. She found herself heating with desire. After spending most of the morning savoring his kisses, she looked forward to what came next.

“You’ve been gone awhile, Six.” Those piercing eyes belied his relaxed stance. “Found what you were looking for?”

“Yeah, got my gloves handy,” she said, waving the pair in her grip. An image of herself in his arms, his big hand cupping her neck, holding her safe and secure, invaded her thoughts, running rampant like… subterranean termites.

Her dad rubbed the bridge of his nose, then released a long sigh. “Good morning to you, too, Noah. Didn’t realize I was invisible till now.”

“Sorry, Matt.”

“Yeah, your voice drips with remorse,” her father drawled. “You know, twenty-five years ago, my daughter came home with a clump of kid hair, a half a stick of gum, and told meshe had a husband. Under normal circumstances, I’d stay out of married folks’ business, but you two have never been the least bit ordinary with each other. Since you both seem right as rain with each other and your common-law kitten, I suggest we get started so you two can go on an actual date. Eat. Talk.”

Rachel couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled forth. Noah’s angular exterior crumbled, and he grabbed her hand.

“Great idea, Matt. I’ll make it happen after we get the arch built.”

“Let’s walk and talk, Noah, not run.” With his long strides, Rachel had to double-time it.

Bethany exited the house, her smile wide as the Appalachian range. “Oh, wonderful! Noah’s here with the wood. I saw Tobias driving up. He’s parking out by the barn.”

Rachel’s nose twitched at the euphemisms. She opened her mouth to point it out, but a chorus of cheerful voices approaching from the direction of the barn cut her off. The wedding planner, Mrs. Kline, followed by her tuxedoed feline, Adele, and four white-haired women from the faith center. The kids in Sunday school used to call them the Q-tip Clan.

If memory served, they were all deaconesses, with close to four hundred years of “Shhh” experience among them. They bustled across the yard, carrying glass pitchers of fresh-squeezed orange juice, milk from the nearby dairy farm, and—Rachel raised her chin and inhaled through her nose—yep, one of them carried Mrs. Calvary’s breakfast biscuits topped with sharp cheddar and bacon.

Noah blew kisses and dished up a smile for each woman. “You know you can count on me.”

The ladies clustered around the two of them, eyes shining like news reporters on the beat, eager for fresh details on an exclusive story.

“Pastor Harris hinted you two were still lovebirds. Where are you sneaking off to this time of the morning?” the shortest woman with ruby cheeks asked.

As if what they were being accused of only happened under the cover of night. “Not sneaking. Working,” Rachel corrected.

One of them looked at Rachel and Noah’s joined hands with a raised brow. “Which requires him to hold your hand?”

She tugged at her hand, still in his grasp. Nope, she wasn’t prepared for the whispers and winks aimed at her, never had been. When Noah refused to release her, she charged in, mouth first, brain lagging. “Why are you leading, when I’m the one in charge?”

Noah chuckled, running one hand through his chocolate waves. Even after all these years, the simple gesture made her heart skip a beat.Every hair on his head was precious.

“You’re the boss.”

“Thanks for that,” she said, inserting sarcastic wit.

Noah gave a wry grin. “Always loved when you took charge, Six. And to prove I’m a man willing to follow, I’ll do everything you ask.”

And why did that make her think about his lips on hers?

“I appreciate that, Noah.”

“Good. ’Cause I’m an excellent student. I’ll do everything… as long as I want to do it.”

Rachel’s smile slipped. “Really. You couldn’t stop yourself. Noah… can you be less Noah, just for today?”