North Dakota Weddings (57 page)

Make that weather-related.

Corn, soybeans, wheat, winter wheat, dry beans, barley, durum, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, canola, oats. Then there was the soil temperature, and was it too wet or too dry? And the weather—was it too hot, too cold, or too windy? Would it be early planting or late planting this year? The worst cases, of course, were the extremes of flooding or drought.

Fascinated by it all, Jack smiled to himself. Both men were thoughtful and intelligent. Jack quickly recognized how important farming was to them—it was their whole life, consuming most of their time and obviously their thoughts. If he were in their position, how could he blame them? Now that he considered it, most of his thoughts and time were consumed with his career, his evenings spent on related engineering projects.

“They say we can expect a drought this year.” Paul slid his plate forward a half inch and leaned against the chair back.

“Don’t remind me. Say, did you hear that Tom Bly broke his leg?”

“Yep, that’s too bad.”

“As soon as I’m feeling myself again, I need to get up the road and pay him a visit.”

“That’ll be soon enough, Gary.” Rayne’s mother rose to gather up the dishes.

Rayne stood, too. “I’ll do the dishes, Mom, since you did most of the cooking.”

“Nonsense. You’ve got guests.”

“I’ll help her, Mrs. Flemming,” Paul said, throwing a quick glance at Jack.

Of all the. . 
.

Apparently, Paul was attempting to earn points. Jack wasn’t sure he was entered in the contest for Rayne, even if he wanted to be.

When Rayne leaned over him to take his plate, she smiled down. “We usually wait for an hour after dinner for dessert. Would you like yours now?”

“No, thank you, on dessert. I need to get back.”

“Just give me a few minutes to finish the dishes. Then you can show me the reason for your trip.”

Paul hung around the table, grabbing up the remaining utensils. Jack stood. He could do something at least. He picked up the larger platters that held the remaining food.

Rayne’s father rose from his place at the table. “It was good to see you again, Jack.”

Jack paused, holding a plate with two pieces of fried chicken left. “I’m glad you’re doing better.”

“Not at the moment. I need to lay down now.” He walked slowly from the dining room, Rayne’s mother hovering near his elbow, then turned back. “Take good care of my little girl at that company of yours if you want to keep her.”

“Of course I will, sir.” Jack nodded with an easy smile.

“Just remember, we could use her here, too.”

With that, Rayne’s father began climbing the stairs. Her father had just confirmed Jack’s fears—making Jack glad he’d come for the first time since he’d arrived. He finished helping clear the table, but with Paul lingering near Rayne in the kitchen, and her mother, having returned from helping Mr. Flemming, chattering away, it was too crowded for Jack.

He made his way to the den to wait for Rayne. He’d been there less than two minutes when she appeared and grabbed his arm. “Come on.” She looked back through the wide doorway. “Hurry.”

Jack stood. “Where are we going?”

“Shh.” She crept through the front door, and Jack gently closed it behind them. “Follow me.”

Jack hurried behind her through the snow. It was beginning to come down hard and thick, and the chill seeped through his sweater. “Rayne, what are you doing?”

“Hiding.” Rayne trotted ahead to the barn about forty yards from the house. She tugged Jack inside.

“What’s going on? Why are we in the barn?” Jack rubbed his shoulders. “Shouldn’t we have at least put on our coats?”

Rayne giggled. “I don’t think Paul is ever going to leave as long as you’re here. This was the only way for us to speak privately.”

Couldn’t she just ask Paul to leave? Jack looked at her, noticing that the dim light in the barn created a halo around Rayne’s face. Her expression, her features, appeared soft and…beautiful.

“Now, what was so important that you drove out here?” She folded her arms, teasing in her eyes.

She had beautiful eyes, too. They were deep and penetrating tonight.

Suddenly, Jack’s mind went completely blank. Why had he come to the farm? He shook his head, searching for the words. The pump…

“I designed a new fountain pump. It’s more efficient, using less horsepower and yet streaming higher than any other.”

Her eyes brightened. “Are you kidding me? I’m thrilled for you, Jack.”

Jack sagged, uncertain if he witnessed all the enthusiasm in her eyes he’d hoped for. He was an idiot. “The schematic is in my car.”

She took a step toward him. “You drove all this way to show it to me?”

“I…uh…well, yes.” The huge barn felt like it was closing in on him. He stared at the ground and tugged at his shirt collar sticking out of his sweater, then looked back at Rayne. “I’m sorry. I just thought you would understand.”

“I do understand. I’m already thinking of a fountain design. I’m just flattered that you wanted to share it with me.”

“Who else?” The cold, the smell of the barn, the pump design, all disappeared from his world because his focus was now on Rayne’s face alone. When had she come so near to him?

She tipped her head just so, the way she’d done the night they’d gone ice-skating. He’d wanted to kiss her then but hadn’t. He’d thought about kissing her ever since that moment.

Jack relinquished the last of his control and gave in to his natural impulse, leaning toward Rayne, meeting her. At that moment, she was all that mattered to him.

He pressed his lips against her perfectly shaped ones and melted into their softness.

Delight spread over Rayne, rippling from the top of her head, then down her body, all the way to her toes. Contentment enveloped her, and yet she wanted more… .

So much more.

As if in answer to her heart’s longing, Jack wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. Of their own accord, her arms slid up and over his shoulders then around his neck. She weaved her fingers through his hair, his wonderful hair. How she’d longed to do just that.

She melted into him, balancing between the dizzy heat of his kiss and the reality of the cold barn enclosing them. With all her heart, she wanted his kiss to intensify, but a noise tugged her back from the edge, the world around her entering into her awareness.

Gently, she unwrapped herself from this man who’d captivated her heart. “Oh Jack,” she whispered, pressing her head against his broad chest. There she felt content, safe. Like she belonged.

She breathed in the scent of his cologne, making her light-headed. Finally, she eased away from him and gazed into his eyes, a dreamy, faraway look in them.

She adored the lazy grin on his face.

Someone cleared his throat. Rayne stiffened. Paul stepped from the shadows.

At seeing him, her heart raced. She dreaded reading his expression. Had he witnessed the kiss she’d shared with Jack? Their tender moment?

“Sorry to interrupt your discussion,” he said, tension twisting his voice.

“No problem.” Rayne and Jack answered simultaneously, both appearing eager to hide their indiscretion.

Rayne grimaced. Indiscretion? Had she been reckless in kissing Jack?

Appearing hesitant, Paul looked from Jack to Rayne, an awkward silence filling the barn.

“Your mother was looking for you,” he finally said.

“I need to head home anyway.” Jack jammed his hands into his pocket and blew out a breath. He gave a nervous chuckle. “Besides, it’s getting late.”

Jack headed for the barn door, as did Rayne. She gave Paul a soft smile in an attempt to hide her annoyance as well as reassure him, though she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t owe Paul an explanation. Did she?

Outside, Rayne wrapped her arms around herself as the threesome hurried to the farmhouse. The weather had taken a turn for the worse. Once inside, Rayne stomped her shoes on the rug.

Jack did the same then reached for his coat on the coat rack. “Thanks for dinner, Rayne. I hope I wasn’t too much trouble tonight.” He subtly glanced at Paul, who remained in the foyer with them.

Paul thrust his hand out to Jack. “It was good to see you, Jack.”

Ready to explode, Rayne pursed her lips instead.

“And where do you think you’re going, mister?” Rayne’s mother appeared in the foyer, hands on hips.

Before Jack could answer, her mother closed the distance between them and tugged on his coat. “You can’t go out in this weather. There’s a serious storm brewing out there.”

“I don’t remember hearing anything about a storm.”

“Wasn’t supposed to be here until Sunday. We’ve got plenty of room, and another day at the farm won’t kill you. But driving a lone North Dakota road as far as you have to go just might.”

Rayne stared at the floor, laughing inside. This was one time she more than appreciated her mother’s gift for persuasion.

Y
awning, Rayne rubbed her eyes. She felt oddly at peace with the world. Happy. She knew there was some reason for this feeling inside.

But what was it? Still groggy, she searched her thoughts.

Then she remembered. Jack was here at the farm.

And in the barn last night…

She shut her eyes and allowed her mind to linger on Jack’s kiss. With her finger, she traced her mouth, recalling his lips against hers, and drew in a long breath.

Suddenly, Paul’s kiss came to mind. Though at the time, she had felt the tiniest rekindling of any feelings she might have harbored for Paul, his kiss had not stirred things in her like Jack’s—his kiss potent, making her heady with emotions she’d never experienced before.

She allowed the rush of excitement to swirl once again.

A big smile spread across her face. She’d have to tone that down, she knew. It wouldn’t do to have people asking questions. How would she explain?

Filling her room was a calm that she easily recognized as the muted quiet of a snow-covered landscape. The blue-and-yellow wallpaper reflected a shimmer from a break in the curtains hanging against the window. A white radiance only created by snow. Or did everything just look brighter today?

A million questions bombarded her thoughts—what did this mean? Did Jack feel the same way she did this morning? How would they work together now?

With a single kiss, her relationship with Jack had altered into something much more than coworkers. Something much more than friends. Oh how this changed everything.

But for better or worse? Rayne wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

And what would he think if she told him she had been talking to another company?

On the side table, her cell chirped, letting her know she had a text message. She reached over and lifted the phone.

From Jack. He’d left the text message in the middle of the night? She’d slept hard, then, because she hadn’t heard the message come through.

Rayne rose up on her elbows to read the words,
Forgive for my actions
.
Leaving first thing in the morning
.

What? Pain stabbed her heart. Was he sorry for kissing her? Or was he afraid of Rayne’s reaction? What might have happened, what might he have said, had Paul not interrupted them in the barn?

Though her mother had convinced Jack to stay the night to be safe, they’d not had another moment alone. And now it didn’t look like she’d get one.

Rayne wasn’t so sure it would be safe for him to drive back this morning either. Worry for his safety tore through her. Apprehension over his apparent regret of kissing her sank heavily in the pit of her stomach.

Rayne rose from her bed and thrust open the curtains. It was snowing so hard she couldn’t see the barn from her window. She pulled on her jeans and a sweatshirt and opened the door. The aroma of bacon and eggs met her as she bounced down the stairs, hoping.

When Rayne turned the corner into the kitchen, her heart leaped.

Jack sat at the kitchen table, her mother’s best breakfast spread before him. He was buttering toast and, though he smiled, uncertainty lingered in his eyes.

She couldn’t help the big smile she launched at him.

Her father busied himself, scooping fat-free margarine from a tub, frowning. Her mother turned from the hefty pan of bacon she was frying and glanced at Rayne. “Good morning, sugar pie.”

Rayne hoped her father wasn’t eating the bacon. “Good morning.” She tugged out a chair and sat at the table, tossing a questioning look at Jack. “You’re not going to drive in this, are you?”

Her mother leaned over the table, setting a plate of eggs in the middle. “Of course not. He’s agreed to stay for at least another day.” Her mother winked. “Isn’t that right, Jack?”

His dimples deepened with his smile, along with the color in his face. “Looks like a blizzard out there.”

Rayne hung her head, allowing a soft laugh. Her mother appeared to have a way with Jack. A way that she didn’t have with Rayne ever since she’d taken the job in Fargo.

Rayne’s father chuckled. He looked like the image of vigor this morning. Jack was good for him. Apparently, he was good for them all.

Had they given up on Paul, then? At the thought, Rayne was surprised he hadn’t made his way over this morning, especially after walking in on her and Jack in the barn. He’d been right about Jack caring about her. She saw that now. Would Paul continue to pursue her, or would he step out of the picture?