Scent of Cedar, page 6
part #1 of The Friendly Beasts of Faraday Series
In need of a distraction from her ponderings about Rhett, about how much she anticipated sitting next to him in his truck and listening to that rich voice of his while breathing in the luscious, manly scent of him, she called her sister.
She wasn’t sure if Juniper’s overreaction was because she approved of Cedar going with Rhett or because she thought it was a bad idea. “Honestly, Juniper, it’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a huge deal,” her sister stated with a hint of astonishment. “You’ve never decorated for Christmas, had a Christmas tree, or shown any interest in one. Besides, you haven’t gone out on a date in years. Years, Cedar!”
“I’ll have you know…”
“Don’t start that business about Richard again. That idiot does not count at all,” Juniper said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Now, tell me about your date to find a Christmas tree. Who’s taking you?”
“Rhett Riggs. He owns the garage in town. He’s the one who’s been helping me with the SUV. You won’t believe this, but the salesman at the dealership is refusing to do anything about it. I’ve got a call in to the owner, but I’m sure I won’t hear back from him this weekend.” Cedar packed water bottles and a few energy bars into a bag and set it with her outerwear by the door.
“Don’t let them get away with anything, sis. They need to make this right and they know it. But enough about your stupid car. I want to hear more about Rhett Riggs.” Juniper sighed dreamily.
Cedar could just picture her sister flopping down on her big, white, overstuffed couch with a wistful look on her face. Then she remembered Juniper had gone to the coast with friends for the weekend. That would explain the ocean sounds in the background.
“Tell me about the hottie mechanic,” Juniper demanded.
“I never said he was a hottie,” Cedar said, picturing the way Rhett had of looking over his shoulder at her with a smoldering gaze that melted her insides. “Even if he is.”
“I met him a few times when I was working on your house,” Juniper said. “He looks like a typical bad boy. Does he have tattoos? Any piercings?”
Cedar scoffed. “How would I know? I just met the man the other day.” Juniper didn’t need to know Cedar had practically been glued to Rhett’s side in the evenings when he wasn’t working. That would fuel an inquisition Cedar had no interest in enduring. “Besides, you know better than to ask questions like that.”
She’d never admit to her sister how intently she’d ogled Rhett as he removed his coveralls and scrubbed his hands at the garage the day he’d driven her home. She’d observed him from his dark curly hair to his worn work boots and back up again every time she’d seen him. No tattoos or piercings were readily visible, and that was fine with her. She could clearly envision the fit her parents would throw if she arrived at one of their elaborate dinner parties with a guy boasting a nose piercing and tattoos all over his arms.
Entertained by the imagined reaction of her parents, she stifled a giggle.
“What’s so funny?” Juniper asked.
“I was just picturing how Mom and Dad would react to one of us bringing home a guy with tats and piercings.”
Juniper laughed. “They’d lock you up in one of their guest rooms and never let you out again.”
“Probably.” Cedar heard the rumble of a vehicle pull up outside. “He’s here, Jun. I’ve got to run.”
“Have a great time, sis. And be prepared to tell me all about it later. I want to know everything.” Her sister’s tone turned from teasing to serious. “I’m sorry you spent Thanksgiving there by yourself. I wish you would have come with me to Seaside.”
“No. You’ve had that weekend to the coast planned with your friends for ages. I had a wonderful day, so don’t worry about it. Just enjoy your weekend on the coast. Eat a bowl of clam chowder for me.”
“I will, sis. Love you!”
“Love you, too, Jun.” Cedar disconnected the call and hurried to pull on her coat and wrap a scarf around her neck. She made sure she had ear warmers in the pocket along with her gloves.
With the bag of snacks in one hand and her purse in the other, she rushed to the front door and opened it seconds after Rhett rang the doorbell.
“Good morning,” she said, wondering how the rush to the door had left her breathless. Or perhaps it was the gorgeous man standing in the morning sunlight on her porch that took her breath away.
His grin highlighted white teeth, although one front tooth was slightly crooked. “Ready to go?” he asked and stepped back as she breezed outside.
“I am.” She smiled up at him, wondering what he’d do if she ran her hands though that head of tousled hair. The dark curls and waves rested in a haphazard fashion around his tanned face, as though he put no effort into creating a style that a hairdresser would have spent hours fashioning.
Her gaze drifted downward across the stubble on his cheeks to his oh-too-kissable lips, then the slight cleft in his chin. It definitely wouldn’t prove to be a hardship to spend the day with him. As much time as they spent together, though, Rhett hadn’t made a single move to take their relationship beyond a budding friendship. Perhaps what was between them was all one-sided, all a product of her imagination.
When he reached out and took the bag from her then clasped her hand with his, her knees felt weak and wobbly.
“Let’s get to it.” He led her to his pickup and opened the passenger door. After giving her a hand inside, he set her bag in the backseat then jogged around to the driver’s side.
“Is it warm enough for you in here?” he asked as he drove down her lane to the highway.
“Yes, it’s fine, thank you.” Just being in close proximity with him raised her temperature several notches, but she wouldn’t share that tidbit of information with him.
“If you get too cold or warm, let me know,” he said before he pulled onto the road heading north of town.
They’d only gone about a mile when they both spoke at the same time to break the silence that had settled over them.
“Go ahead,” Rhett said, offering an encouraging smile. “What did you start to say?”
“I wondered how long you’ve lived in Faraday. Did you grow up here?”
Rhett nodded his head. “I did grow up here. My uncle raised me. My mother wasn’t much of a mom and the fifth time she abandoned me, my uncle made certain there wouldn’t be a sixth time.” His fingers grazed over the scar on his forehead and Cedar wondered if that scar had something to do with his mother.
“How old were you when you came to stay with your uncle?”
“I was five,” Rhett said, then glanced out the window, as though he waded through painful memories. He remained silent for several moments before he glanced over at her. “My mom was an alcoholic and had a different boyfriend every other week or so. She claimed she had no idea who my father was, and in truth, she probably doesn’t. Anyway, sometimes she’d disappear and not come back to our place for days at a time. Twice, child protective services took me away, but she somehow got me back. The last time she disappeared, it was winter and so cold. She was drunk and headed out with a new boyfriend. When I tried to stop her, she backhanded me and the ring she had on left a deep cut on my forehead.”
Cedar felt tears prick her eyes as Rhett rubbed the scar again. He cleared his throat and continued. “The power was shut off and after a few days, I ran out of food. One of the neighbor women took me in and gave me a hot meal. She got in touch with my uncle. He came and loaded me along with the few things I owned in his old pickup and brought me here. That was the last time I lived with my mother.”
“I’m glad you had him, Rhett.” Cedar reached across the seat and squeezed his hand.
“Me, too,” he said, giving her another sideways glance. “But that’s enough about my past. What about you? I know you have a sister. Where did you grow up?”
Cedar started to release his hand, but Rhett twined their fingers together. The warmth of his rough, calloused hand pressed against hers sent tendrils of heat spiraling through her. How long had it been since she’d done such a simple thing as hold hands with another human? Far too long, if her reaction to Rhett was any indication. Or maybe it was just this incredible man that elicited the undeniable reaction in her.
“Juniper said you met when she was working on my house.”
“Yep. I did run into her a few times. I didn’t realize you were sisters until you told me your name the other day. I can see a little resemblance, but…”
“We’re so different in size, most people don’t make the connection. Juniper is barely five-feet tall, although she always wears heels and refuses to acknowledge that even with them on she’s still tiny.”
Rhett laughed. “How about you? Do you prefer heels?”
“I used to, but I’m quickly adjusting to the ability to wear whatever I like.” Cedar leaned back and relaxed. “I’m five-nine and used to intimidate many of the men at the office when I’d stand next to them in my three-inch heels. The corporate types with chips on their shoulders don’t appreciate taller women who wield more power than they do.”
“No, I don’t suppose they would.” Rhett slowed his pickup and turned off the highway onto a snow-packed road. He switched into four-wheel drive then looked over at Cedar. “What about your parents? Where did you grow up?”
“In Portland, mostly. My parents are very career-oriented. Mom works in investments and my dad is a corporate attorney.” Cedar glanced outside and watched three deer leap through drifts of snow as they rushed into the trees. Amazed, she stared even after they’d disappeared into the shadows of the pines.
“I have to ask…” Rhett shot her a charming grin that would have made her agree to anything. “Juniper and Cedar. What’s with those names?”
Cedar gave him a long, studying glance before she answered his question. “My great-grandfather was a timber baron. He made a fortune in logging and milling trees. My greedy family could only inherit his money if they agreed to name their children after a tree. When they did, he gave them a million for each child born in the family and also put a million into a trust fund in each child’s name.”
“You are kidding me.” Rhett shot her an incredulous look.
“No, it’s true. Dad’s name is Douglas, you know, like Douglas fir. I have an aunt named Tamarack, although everyone calls her Tamie, and an uncle named Pine. My cousins are Birch, Aspen, and Oak.”
Rhett clamped his lips together and Cedar playfully nudged his arm. “Go on and laugh. It is funny, and ridiculous, but it’s the truth.”
Although he didn’t outright laugh, he did cough to hide a snicker before he turned to her again. “With that kind of money on the table, I might consider naming a kid after a tree, too.” He grew quiet a moment, then his face lightened with a mischievous grin. “How about Cottonwood or Elm? Are those taken?”
“No, and I hope they won’t be. You should…” Cedar’s words drifted away as Rhett rounded a curve and before them stretched acres of snow-dusted trees surrounding an open meadow. The pristine, untouched snow sparkled in the sunshine with such brilliance, Cedar wished she’d brought her sunglasses along. Then again, she wouldn’t want to dim or dilute the pure, perfect scene before her. “Oh, my,” she breathed on a reverent whisper.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Rhett asked as he parked the truck off the road in a wide pull-out and turned off the ignition. He unfastened his seatbelt then took her hand in his again. “If you get cold or tired, or want to go home at any point, just say the word.”
“I can’t imagine wanting to rush home with this splendor to explore,” she said, pointing to the beauty waiting outside the warmth of the pickup. “But thank you. And thank you for bringing me here. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks for coming along. I used to come with my uncle. Now that he’s gone, I hated to come alone.”
Cedar sensed the depths of his sadness and grief as he opened the door and cold air rushed inside. She pulled her gloves from her pockets along with a pair of ear muffs. Before she could step into the snow, Rhett was there, handing her a pair of snow bibs. “Put those on. They may be a little big, but they’ll keep you dry.”
“Thank you.” She tugged on the insulated pants, removed her coat, and pulled the bib straps over her shoulders then quickly shoved her arms back into the sleeves of her coat. Rhett pulled on a similar pair of bibs then yanked on a heavy coat and tugged on a pair of gloves before he lifted a bag from the back of his pickup.
“Shall we go find a tree or two?” He held out a hand to her and took a step away from the pickup.
“We shall,” she said, clasping his hand and following as he led her around the edge of the meadow.
They walked for what seemed like hours to Cedar. Rhett guided her through trees and up a hill. When they were almost to the top, they stopped while she caught her breath.
“Are you doing okay?” he asked, studying her face for signs of fatigue or frostbite.
“I’m fine,” she panted, bracing her hands on her thighs as she bent forward and drew in a lungful of cold air. Although she wasn’t out of shape, she made a note to add walking or running to her fitness routine. Yoga kept her limber, but hiking uphill in 20-degree temperatures wearing pounds of heavy winter clothes was something else entirely. Muscles she didn’t even know existed were suddenly screaming in protest of the unaccustomed use.
Rhett, on the other hand, appeared invigorated by the cold air and the climb. He looked entirely too good with his hair wind-tossed and his pale green eyes glowing with warmth and interest.
“Are we getting close?” she asked.
“We are. Are you sure you’re doing okay?” he questioned, clearly concerned.
She straightened and nodded. “I’m doing great. Let’s go.” She took the hand he held out to her and followed as he continued walking up the hill.
A few minutes later, she sucked in a gasp as they reached the top of the hill. Before them, a flat expanse held hundreds of Christmas trees, all dusted with snow like a master baker had tipped them with powdered sugar.
“This is amazing, Rhett. Just… wow!” The blue sky above her, the sparkling crystals of snow beneath her boots, and the dark green of the trees surrounding her made her feel like she’d been transported into a magical world. A deep breath filled her nose with the invigorating aroma of the trees as well as a masculine scent that was all Rhett.
Rhett grinned at her and tugged on her hand. “I think I see the perfect tree for your house. Do you have a specific kind in mind?”
“Fragrant,” she said. Although her parents had never allowed them to have a real tree, Cedar had long imagined how wonderful a home would smell filled with the scent of a Christmas tree.
“Fragrant, huh?” Rhett guided her to a tall, perfectly shaped tree. They walked around it twice before he nodded with approval. “Personally, I don’t think anything can beat the scent of a fir tree. Some people prefer pine trees for decorating, but if you are going for a traditional Christmas scent, I recommend a Douglas fir.”
“That sounds great.” Cedar watched as he set down the bag he carried and removed a saw. “How do you know so much about Christmas trees?”
Rhett hunkered down by the base of the tree and squinted up at her as the sun shone in his eyes. “My uncle made sure I knew about trees and a lot of other things.” He smirked. “How does a girl named Cedar not know more about trees?”
“Because my parents are about as urbanite as you can get. We never even had a tree when I was a kid.”
Shocked, Rhett rocked back on his heels and gaped at her. “No tree? Did you celebrate Christmas? Are you Jewish or something?”
Cedar shook her head. “No, nothing like that. My parents never saw the need to indulge Juniper and I in the silliness of fairytales, so no Santa or Easter Bunny, or even the tooth fairy, for us. At Christmas, Juniper and I received one gift each from our parents and one from our grandparents. And it was never toys. They only bought useful, educational gifts.”
Rhett resumed sawing without commenting on the sad state of her childhood. She couldn’t help but notice the look of astonishment mixed with a bit of pity on his face. She didn’t want his pity any more than she wanted to expound on the many faults her parents possessed when it came to raising two little girls who dreamed of being princesses, not corporate executives.
Rather than defend her disappointing childhood, she studied Rhett’s efficient movements as he worked the saw back and forth through the trunk of the tree. His coat kept her from seeing the flex of his arm muscles, but even the thick covering couldn’t hide the breadth of his shoulders or the power of his toned body.
“Timber!” Rhett yelled, making her laugh as the tree cracked and fell to the ground in a shower of snow accompanied by a loud whooshing sound.
Cedar clapped her gloved hands together, then impulsively hugged Rhett when he stood. “Thank you so much! My very first tree!”
When she would have pulled away, he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close. “You are so welcome, Cedar.”
Her smile faded as his eyes held hers. She had a sudden, inexplicable craving for mint ice cream and decided the unique color of his eyes had to be the reason why.
“Cedar,” he whispered, drawing her closer against him. His breath, laced with a hint of cinnamon, caressed her face as he bent his head toward her.
She closed her eyes and braced for the impact of his kiss, sure it would send her reeling. She felt his lips, warm and soft, brush against hers in the lightest of touches before he released her and stepped back.
Cedar popped her eyes open and stared at him, wondering what had just happened. Surely that wasn’t his idea of a thorough kiss — the kind of kiss she’d dreamed of him sharing with her since the moment she’d met him. A man that looked like Rhett Riggs probably knew dozens of ways to knock a girl’s sense right out of her head through a kiss without even trying.
