Scent of Cedar, page 12
part #1 of The Friendly Beasts of Faraday Series
“Want to see the tree, Nick?” Rhett asked, placing a hand on the little boy’s shoulder and guiding him through a doorway into the living room. Rather than turn on the overhead light, Rhett plugged in the tree and the light from it softly illuminated the room.
Cedar smiled as she studied the tree. None of the ornaments matched, but they all appeared to be well-loved. Strings of popcorn and striped candy canes completed the decorations. A star gleamed from the top of the tree, casting golden beams around the room.
“Wow!” Nick whispered, slowly walking over to the tree. “It’s beautiful, Mr. Riggs. And it smells good, too.”
“It sure does, Nick. Want to know a secret?” Rhett asked, helping the boy remove his coat then tossing it over the back of the couch.
“Sure,” the little boy said, gazing at him like he was a hero.
“Miss Haynes helped pick out my tree. We went up in the woods, high on the mountain, and found just the perfect one.”
“Gosh, that sounds like fun. I sure wish I could go to the woods for a tree. Mom doesn’t have time, though. She’s busy working.” Nick sighed with disappointment. “And she told me if I try to go by myself Santa won’t ever come to my house again.”
“Is that right?” Rhett said, guiding Nick back to the kitchen. “I guess you better listen to your mom. You wouldn’t want to get on Santa’s bad side.”
“I know. I’ve got a special present I want this year so I’ve been trying to be extra good.”
“I bet Santa will be happy to bring that special gift to you, Nick.” Cedar held the bar stool steady and the boy climbed up on it. “What do you want Santa to bring you?”
Nick glared at her like she was the most clueless adult he’d ever met. “I can’t tell you. If I do, Santa won’t bring it. That’s a rule!”
“Oh, I’m sorry! I never got to tell Santa what I wanted as little girl, so you’ll have to coach me on the rules.” Cedar sat beside Nick. “What else should I know about Santa?”
Rhett made four cups of hot chocolate while Nick offered Cedar detailed information about Santa, his elves, his workshop, and the etiquette required in requesting a gift.
“I’m glad you told me all that. Boy, have I been missing out,” Cedar said, sliding Nick’s cup closer to him as Rhett carried the other two outside. “What do you like best about school?”
“My teacher. Mr. Miller makes learning fun, and he’s kind of silly, but in a good way.” Nick slurped his chocolate and then leaned back with a foamy mustache. His tongue darted out and he licked away the chocolate before he gave Cedar a saucy grin. “I know a secret.”
“You do?” Cedar asked, thoroughly amused by the unreserved child. “What kind of secret?”
Nick looked around to make sure no one was listening then motioned with one little index finger for Cedar to lean closer. He cupped his hands around her ear and whispered, “I think my teacher likes my mom.”
Cedar gave him a surprised look. “What makes you think that?”
“When he sees me mom, he looks at her like Mr. Riggs was staring at you, all googly-eyed like this.” Nick crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue, making Cedar laugh.
She ruffled the boy’s hair and shook her head. “I don’t think Mr. Riggs looks like that, especially not at me.”
“Uh-huh. I heard the other Mr. Miller tell my Mom that Mr. Riggs was gone on you, whatever that means.”
“The other Mr. Miller? Oh, you mean the mailman?” Cedar wondered if everyone in Faraday had discussed her relationship with Rhett, or lack thereof.
“Yep, my teacher’s brother is a mailman. I think it would be fun to carry the mail. I call him big Mr. Miller, ’cause he’s bigger than my teacher. He’s kind of like Santa ’cause he gets to deliver presents and stuff.”
Cedar nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Do you think he works for Santa?”
Nick’s eyes widened as he considering the possibility. “Maybe, but I don’t think he’s jolly enough to be on Santa’s crew. He doesn’t laugh all the time like my teacher. He looks like this.” Nick crossed his arms over his little chest and scowled.
Cedar almost snorted chocolate out her nose at Nick’s portrayal of Drew Miller. Although she’d only met the man once and seen him around town a few times, he was rather serious and quiet, or at least it seemed that way compared to his brother’s outgoing, affable nature.
She looked around for a napkin and spied a roll of paper towels on the counter. She pulled one off and dabbed at her mouth then took a moment to study the room. The kitchen was clean and tidy. The smell of meat and spices filled the air, making her stomach rumble. It was nearing the time she normally ate dinner.
Nick giggled and pointed at her. “I heard your tummy growl. I’m hungry, too. Mom said we’d eat dinner right after we took care of Lolly. Do you think she’s okay?”
Cedar rested a hand on Nick’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure your Mom will help her be just fine.”
“But we can’t have the living nativity without Lolly. She’s the star of the show. Shep gets to be the sheep, and Miss Cooke said Pete could be in it, too.”
“Who’s Pete? Is that a friend from your school?” Cedar asked, leaning back in the stool and propping one elbow on the counter.
Nick shook his head. “No, silly! Pete’s a donkey. And Mr. Stafford brings in a cow. Last year, he brought Ivy. She’s all wooly and red and white, like a fuzzy candy cane.”
Cedar grinned. “A fuzzy candy cane cow and a donkey named Pete. I really do need to see this play. I’m sure Lolly wouldn’t miss it, if she’s the star of the show.”
“Gosh, everyone knows you can find a sheep or donkey anywhere, but not everyone has a camel like Mr. Riggs. He’s awful lucky to have his very own camel.”
“Yes, he is.” Cedar realized in that moment, she was lucky to live close to Lolly and her owner. Rhett had been so concerned about Lolly, so tender in his care of her, then equally gentle with the vet’s little boy, she knew he was a good man. Animals and kids were fantastic judges of character.
Deep down, Cedar knew she could trust Rhett. Just because they’d gotten off to a rough start, didn’t mean she couldn’t forgive him. When she thought about it, the Rhett she’d fallen for, the one she loved, was the man who went out of his way to be kind to others, to lend a hand, to make the holiday season full of magic. And a man like that was worth keeping.
As though her thoughts made him materialize, Rhett and Angela walked inside.
“How’s Lolly?” Cedar asked, getting to her feet.
“I think she’ll be fine,” Angela said, catching Nick when he leaped off the stool into her arms. “She’s sleeping now. Her breathing is normal, still no fever, and she appears comfortable. The dog and cat are cozied up to her, resting, too. I can’t help but think it was probably something she ate.”
“Considering Lolly and her habits, we may never know,” Rhett said, motioning toward the table. “I’ve got a slow cooker full of stew if any of you want to stay for dinner.”
“I need to get this guy home to our own dinner of stew, but thank you for the offer.” Angela set Nick on his feet. “Go get your coat, honey. We need to get home and take care of our animals.”
Nick raced into the front room and returned with one arm in a coat sleeve and his mittens trailing behind him. Angela helped him with his coat, made sure his mittens were on his hands, and then tugged on his stocking cap before she turned to Cedar. “It was nice to meet you, although I’m sorry the circumstances weren’t more pleasant. I think I’ve seen you at church a few times, but haven’t had the chance to say hello.”
Cedar shook her hand. “It was nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Carol. I’m sure I’ll see you around town.”
“Most likely. We’ll be at the tree lighting and the nativity, as well as the school events. And please, call me Angela.” Angela opened the door and nudged Nick outside. “Have a pleasant evening.”
“Let me walk you out.” Rhett gave Cedar a pleading glance, as though he wanted her to stay then hurried out with Angela. He returned a moment later and removed his coat, draping it over a barstool.
“Will you stay for dinner, Cedar? I’d be happy to have you join me.”
After she’d been so aloof to him, she didn’t feel right staying, but the smell of the stew and the promise of more time in his presence caused her to agree.
“I’d love to stay.”
Rhett grinned and washed his hands before he ladled two bowls full of stew and set them on the table along with slices of cornbread.
“I made the cornbread this morning, but I can warm it up if you like.”
Cedar shook her head, trying to recall the last time she’d eaten cornbread, if ever. “No, Rhett, this is great. Thank you.”
Rhett put her at ease as they ate, asking about holiday plans, discussing the upcoming community events.
“It looks like you’ve recently completed some remodeling in the house,” she said, pointing to his countertops. “Have you been working on it long?”
“Since before Uncle Will passed away,” he said. “If you like, I can give you the grand tour after dinner.”
She smiled at him. “I’d like that.”
What she really wanted was to spend more time with Rhett. What they were doing didn’t matter, just as long as she was with him. She made a vow to herself to let Rhett know she was ready to forgive, forget, and move on, if he was still interested. And she sincerely hoped he was.
“That stew was delicious and the cornbread was perfect, with just a hint of sweetness,” she said as she helped him with the dishes.
“Anyone can throw meat, potatoes, and vegetables in the slow cooker,” he said, storing the leftover stew in the refrigerator and wiping down the counter. “The cornbread is from a mix, so I can’t take all the credit for it, although I do like to stir a spoon of honey into the batter.”
Cedar wiped her damp hands on a towel then leaned against the counter, watching him work. He was so incredible, and beautiful, although she knew he wouldn’t appreciate her calling him that, even if she could find no other word that came close to describing him.
“Rhett, about what happened between us the night that… when Drake said… when we…” She cleared her throat and tried again. “I wanted you to know…”
He silenced her with a light brushing of his lips across hers. “We’ll talk later. Right now, I want to show you the house.”
Chapter Ten
Rhett couldn’t get home fast enough when Cedar called and said Lolly was sick. Although the camel was nothing but trouble most days, he loved her. She represented a tie to his uncle he wasn’t ready to lose.
Beyond that, Lolly was independent, stubborn, and completely loveable.
When Cedar had texted him she was at his place, he could just picture the camel running home and Cedar following to keep an eye on her.
He arrived home to find Lolly in a pile of straw and Cedar next to her, comforting the camel, as well as his dog and cat. He wished he’d thought to take a photo of the four of them, because the sight of the woman surrounded by his beloved, goofy pets turned his heart to syrup.
Lolly truly looked like she was at death’s door by the time Angela arrived. Thank goodness she’d been nearby and not out at some outlying ranch. He was glad Nick had been with her. The boy’s chatter had cut the tension and helped both him and Cedar calm down.
Rhett had been so worried he might lose Lolly, he almost wept with relief when Angela assured him the camel would be fine. Although neither of them could figure out what caused her illness, she appeared to be recovering quickly.
In fact, he’d just seen her peeking in the kitchen window. He could have sworn she winked at him, but that was impossible, wasn’t it? Those given to fanciful thinking might say the camel plotted the whole thing just to get him and Cedar together, but that was crazy.
No, Lolly most likely ate something she shouldn’t have.
At any rate, he was grateful to have Cedar in his home with the opportunity to finally speak to her again. He wondered if she’d ever get past being angry at him. Rhett knew from the moment he failed to admit he owned Lolly and confess he was Cedar’s neighbor the omission would cause him regrets. But he had no idea how many, or the depths his regret would reach.
The past two weeks had been the most miserable he’d ever experienced. Cedar was constantly in his thoughts. Every whiff of the Christmas tree made him think of the day in the woods when he’d kissed her so passionately. He could still feel her hands caressing the back of his neck, the way her silky hair tangled around his fingers. And if he lived to be a hundred, he’d never get the sweet, decadent taste of her out of his mouth or mind. Cedar was a gorgeous, enticing woman, but more than that, she had a good heart, a sharp wit, and a keen mind that challenged him.
He had one more secret he needed to clear up, then he hoped Cedar would forgive him and give him a second chance to prove he was worthy of her trust and her love.
Rhett could no longer deny he loved Cedar. He thought he’d fallen in love with her the moment she’d first set foot in his garage. But after they’d cut down Christmas trees together, he’d known for certain she was the one for him.
The past two lonely weeks had given him plenty of time to think and he’d realized there wasn’t a single thing wrong with picket fences or pot roast. Especially if he shared those things with the beautiful woman smiling up at him like he could hand her the moon.
When she started to apologize, he silenced her with a kiss. He didn’t plan to do it, it just happened. And from the dreamy look on her face at that moment, he was glad he’d done it. “We’ll talk later. Right now, I want to show you the house.”
“Okay,” she said, letting him take her hand and lead her through the house. He showed her the bathroom and pointed out where Uncle Will had the cook stove. He walked her through each room, even showing her those he had yet to renovate before they made their way back to the living room.
“Can you stay a little while?” he asked as they stood near the tree.
She nodded.
“Great. Have a seat on the couch and I’ll build a fire.” A cozy fire soon burned and crackled in the fireplace.
Cedar waited for him on the couch. The tree stood off to the right. The fireplace was in front of them and to the left, a bank of windows allowed them to watch fluffy flakes drift down from the December sky.
Rhett clicked on the TV and started a movie he knew Cedar had never seen. He thought she’d get a kick out of listening to the Haynes sisters from White Christmas sing “Sisters.”
“I thought you might like to see White Christmas,” Rhett said as he took a seat close beside her, inhaling her fragrance. He’d forever connect her to Christmas. She embodied the things he loved most about the holidays, right down to the scent of cedar.
“How’s your new rig? Is it giving you any trouble?” he asked, settling back against the soft cushions of the couch.
Cedar gave him a surprised look, as though she’d anticipated a far different topic of conversation. “It’s great. I drove it to Portland yesterday and didn’t have any problem with it at all.” She studied him for a long moment. “I don’t suppose you had anything to do with the dealership changing their mind and delivering the replacement, did you?”
“I might have made a few phone calls,” Rhett said. He’d been livid when Cedar and Juniper had been left stranded on the highway. As soon as he returned to the garage after taking them home, he’d called the dealership and demanded to speak to the owner. When the guy blew him off, Rhett warned him he wouldn’t like the results. He’d hung up and called the vice president of the auto company. Rhett had restored a vintage car for the man a few years ago. The VP had been so impressed with the work Rhett had done, he told him to call him if he ever needed anything. Getting Cedar a vehicle that ran properly seemed like as good a time as any to contact the man. Within an hour the dealer had called Rhett and promised to have a new vehicle there for Cedar before the week was out.
He hoped Cedar wasn’t upset he’d stepped in.
When she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a hug, he decided perhaps he’d handled things just right.
“Thank you so much, Rhett. I was getting nowhere and the last thing I wanted to do was ask my dad for help. I don’t know what you did, but thank you.” She dropped her arms and started to scoot back, but he captured her hand in his. Electricity jolted up his arm at the touch.
He wondered if that same zing would rock through him fifty years from now when he and Cedar were old and gray. He certainly hoped it would.
His thumb traced lazy circles against her palm while his eyes met hers. Flames flickered in the twin sapphires, drawing him to her. Before he lost himself in them, before he succumbed to the spell she unwittingly wove around him, he cleared his throat, determined to speak from his heart.
“Listen, Cedar. I’m sorry about what happened. I shouldn’t have let you think someone else lived here. I should have told you from the beginning I was your neighbor. And I really shouldn’t have ignored your calls or messages. It was childish and stupid, and I’m sorry, sorrier than you can know. Normally, I’m an upright kind of guy. If you don’t believe me, you can ask around town. You’ll probably hear how I’m the town bad boy, chasing every skirt I can find, which is not true. At least not since I moved back and grew up. However, I have been terrified of making a commitment, until now. You’ve done something to me, Cedar Haynes. You’ve given me impossible dreams and made me want things I never thought I could have. There’s nothing in this world I’d like more than to spend the holidays showing you just how much you mean to me.”
Her smile could have lit up the entire room. “I’d like that, Rhett. Very much. I’m sorry for being so stubborn. I know you’re a good man. Just watching you today with Lolly and then Nick confirmed what I already knew. And I shouldn’t blame you for avoiding me when I first moved in. I’m sure I sounded like some sort of hysterical nut case on the phone, although I think I deserve a little grace because it’s not every day you look up to see a camel smiling at you.”
