Page 68 of The Pumpkin Spice Romance
“Wow, that looks as good as new,” Noah said, walking to Scarlett’s side to join her in admiring the antique church pew she’d been polishing.
He hadn’t seen her much throughout the day, working on separate projects after the furniture delivery had arrived earlier that morning. And while she hadn’t seemed angry or offended by their almost-kiss the night before, Scarlett had been quieter and even more focused than usual on whatever task she tackled.
Is she avoiding me or just busy?
The idea that he’d hurt her feelings — or worse: read more into that moment in her apartment than she wanted — left an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Clear the air or let it go?
The question had weighed on his conscience all day long.
Before he could act on his guilt— no, notguilt. Noah wasn’t sorry for how he felt, how she drew him to her in a way that went far beyond physical attraction. . .although that was present, too!
But thankfully, before Noah acted on whatever he felt or fell down another rabbit hole of overthinking, Scarlett interrupted his thoughts. . .
“Jinx brought by a gallon of polyurethane to weatherproof the wood, but I wanted to clean and condition it first. You know. . .since it’ll be sitting outside for the next several weeks. Now that it’s cleaned and polished, I’m going to seal it. I shouldn’t have spent all afternoon on this one thing, but it seemed to beg for my attention.”
“It’s a nice find. I bet it’ll be in high demand once the pumpkin festival ends.”
“I hope so,” Scarlett agreed, still focused on the polishing rag in her hand, but at least sharing her thoughts. “I hate to think of such beauty going unseen.”
“I’d say that’s true about every piece of furniture in Jinx’s secret barn,” Noah said with a shrug. “Give me about ten minutes to help the kids with the reclaimed barnwood backdrop, and I can give you a hand finishing that.”
“That’s okay — I think I’m good,” she said, waving off his offer. “I just need to grab a stir stick and paintbrush from the truck.”
Since Noah was headed that way as well, he fell into step beside Scarlett.
“I’m amazed. Everything looks so good,” Noah said, pleased with all they’d accomplished, but more desperate to keep Scarlett talking than anything else. “It’s been fun watching your vision come to life.”
“Like I said last night, I couldn’t have done it without you.” She paused, smiling up at him. Time slowed. Energy crackled between them. “And the youth group, of course,” she said, quick to add, as if remembering how he’d stepped back from her the last time they’d found themselves so close. She resumed walking without letting the moment linger.
“They’re a great group,” Noah agreed. “You should see them working the Christmas tree lot! They’re jollier than a tribe of Santa’s elves. They blast holiday songs over huge speakers, set up a hot beverage station for cocoa and cider, arrange a toy drive, and insist that even the most pathetic tree finds a home. Silly hats and ugly sweaters are a must — totally nonnegotiable as far as the kids are concerned. And no one is off the hook,” Noah said with a laugh. Bragging about his kids always brought Noah great joy, so he didn’t hold back. . . It was a topic he slid into with ease and one that seemed to calm Scarlett’s jittery nerves.
When they reached his truck, Noah lowered the tailgate. Before he began sifting through his tools, which the kids had scattered in the bed, Scarlett hoisted herself to sit on the edge.
“You sure know all the high school students well,” she pointed out, lifting one foot to rest on the tailgate so she could untie her shoe. She slid it off, shook out a sliver of bark, and looked up as if waiting for his reply.
What were we discussing?
“Oh. . .yeah,” Noah said, getting back on track.
My youth group.
“Well, I was born and raised here,” he explained. “I’ve known most of them since the day they arrived in Green Hills. I’ve watched them grow up and tried to be a big brother of sorts, a friend to each of them.”
“That’s nice of you, especially when you don’t have to,” Scarlett said as she finished tying her shoe and then dropped her foot to hang off the tailgate. Leaning forward, she slid her hands under the outside of her knees. The way she ducked her head and looked at him through her veil of lashes quickened the pace of his heartbeat and invited Noah to say more.
The ever-present struggle between giving her space and closing the gap reared its ugly head.
Tired of listening to the voices of his conscience, Noah dodged her swinging feet and stepped closer to Scarlett.
“I want them to know they’re never alone. That’s important,” he said. “No matter where they come from, what experiences they’ve lived through, or who they’ll be down the road, they’re valued. . .and worthy.”
“You’re a good guy, Noah Ford.”
Scarlett’s hair hung by her cheek. Noah reached out to remove sawdust and wood shavings from the thick waves and couldn’t resist the urge to curl a silky strand around his fingers.
Time stilled until nothing existed beyond Noah, Scarlett, and the dust motes dancing in the light between them.
