Scent of Cedar, page 9
part #1 of The Friendly Beasts of Faraday Series
“That’s right,” Drew said, shaking her hand. “I’m Drew.”
“And this is Seth Stafford. He and his grandfather have a ranch just outside of town,” Rhett said, thumping Seth on the shoulder as he made the introductions. “If you guys will follow me, we can get the lights up before it’s completely dark outside.”
Cedar gave them a hesitant look. “Oh, Rhett, I don’t want to put anyone out. It’s cold outside and it will be dark soon. I’m sure I can figure out how to hang the lights another day.”
Rhett shook his head and yanked on his coat while pushing his friends outside. “It won’t take us long and they’re happy to help. Aren’t you, guys?” He didn’t give them a chance to answer before he herded them outside and handed them lights from the boxes piled in the back of his pickup.
“Seth, you can help me with the lights on the roof. Drew, take the porch, and Drake, you’re in charge of the fence.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Drake said, offering Rhett a snappy salute before he took an armful of boxes to the fence.
Rhett went inside to get the stepstool for Drew to reach beneath the porch eaves. He found Cedar pulling on her boots. “Stay inside, Cedar. No need for you to get cold. Maybe you could make some hot chocolate for when we finish?”
“I’ll take care of dinner for you and your friends. It’s the least I can do.”
“I thought you said you couldn’t cook.” Rhett stared at her, wishing he hadn’t invited his friends. Right at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to haul Cedar back into his arms and lose himself in her kisses and warmth.
“I did say that, but I promise I’ll have something ready to eat when you guys come in.”
“Fair enough. It will probably take us about an hour,” Rhett said, pecking her cheek then hurrying outside. Seth had brought along a ladder, so he and Rhett climbed onto the roof while Drew used the stepstool to hang the porch lights.
The men worked quickly and efficiently, partly from the cold and partly because they’d hung lights together many times for Uncle Will, Seth’s grandpa, and the Millers. Seth asked a few questions about Cedar, but for the most part, conversation was kept to a minimum.
Darkness had settled around them by the time Rhett and Seth finished with the roof and joined Drew and Drake on the porch.
“Are any of the kids at school selling wreaths this year?” Rhett asked Drake.
“Yep. The seniors are raising money for their annual trip in the spring. Do you want a wreath again this year?” Drake finished wrapping lights around the last porch post and plugged it into a power strip Rhett had added to Cedar’s pile of supplies at the hardware store that afternoon.
“I want five of them and they can bring them to me at the garage, but I think Cedar might like to have some for the house. They’d look nice hanging on the doors and the porch, don’t you think?”
“Since when did you get all home and garden guru on us, man?” Drew asked as he stared at Rhett.
“I think he’s trying to impress a girl,” Seth said, batting his eyelashes at Rhett and barely missing the punch thrown at him by his best friend.
“That’s enough out of the bunch of you. Cedar said she’d feed you dinner if you think you can behave yourself that long.” Rhett grumbled as he moved toward the front door. “Is everything plugged in?”
“Sure is, boss,” Drew said, leaning against the porch banister.
Rhett rapped twice on the door, then pushed it open. “Cedar? Can you come outside for a minute?” he called.
Her footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor and she appeared in the entry with eyes only for Rhett. His heartbeat accelerated as she moved close to him.
“Would you like to come in for a break?” she asked, placing a hand on his arm.
“We will, but we’d like you to come outside first, if you don’t mind.” Rhett lifted her coat from where she’d tossed it over the stair banister earlier and held it for her.
She rammed her arms in the sleeves and hurried outside.
A yard light back by a garden shed and the twin lights glowing from either side of the front door provided the only illumination in the darkness.
“Are you ready?” Rhett asked, bending close to her ear. He worked to hide a smile when she shivered and leaned against him, nodding her head.
“Light ‘er up, boys,” Rhett said, in an imitation of a southern drawl.
Seth laughed while he and Drew flipped switches on power strips and Drake plugged in the main power source.
Suddenly, the world glowed with what seemed like a million twinkle lights. White icicle lights dripped from the eaves of the house and porch while more lights wrapped around each porch post and trailed along the porch banister. Lights swagged across the picket fence and decorated the pasture fence all the way to the road.
“Oh, my goodness!” Cedar exclaimed. She bounced on the balls of her feet and clapped her hands in delight. “This is spectacular!”
She moved back into the yard to get a better look at the lights on the house then turned to look at the lights on the fence before running to Rhett and throwing her arms around his neck, giving him an exuberant hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can’t believe you made this happen.”
“You’re welcome, princess.” Rhett picked her up and swung her around. His head lowered toward hers when he realized his three friends gawked at them from the porch.
Rather than claim a kiss, he set her on the porch and stepped back. “I had good help.”
Cedar hugged each of the men then moved to the door and pushed it open. “Please come inside and join me for dinner. It isn’t much, but I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Rhett watched as his friends stamped the snow from their boots, removed their hats and gloves, and then made their way inside the house before he joined them.
They left their coats and boots by the door then went to the kitchen where the smells of basil, garlic, and pepperoni made Rhett’s mouth water.
“You can wash up here at the sink or there is a bathroom just around the corner.” She pointed toward the hallway.
Rhett chose to wash his hands in the kitchen and stay close to Cedar. “What’s for dinner?”
“Pizza.”
He gave her a confused glance. “Did you make it from scratch?”
“No, I took it out of the freezer.” She slid one pizza out of the oven and another inside to heat.
“I know for a fact the frozen pizza we get around here smells nothing like that.” Rhett pinched off a bite of sausage from the pizza and popped it in his mouth. She glanced over her shoulder at him as she filled glasses with ice at the refrigerator. The faintest trace of a smile rode her lips, making him want to kiss her in the worst way. She’d changed from the heavy sweater she’d worn earlier into a dark blue blouse that perfectly matched her electric blue eyes. Her hair cascaded in golden waves over her shoulder and down her back.
A soft groan escaped his throat as his arms wrapped around her waist and he pulled her against him. His mouth brushed against her ear as he lowered his voice to a husky tone he barely recognized. “If the guys weren’t here right this minute, I’d carry you back to the living room and ravish you with kisses in front of the Christmas tree.”
“Rhett Riggs,” she admonished as heat soaked her cheeks. “You behave yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am, but only if you confess that you made that pizza.”
She laughed and finished filling glasses with ice. “I didn’t make it and I really did take it out of the freezer. When I was in Portland the other day, I stocked up on a few of my favorite things that aren’t available here in Faraday. I bought six pizzas from that place close to the freeway near Tualatin.”
“I think I’m in love,” Rhett teased, pressing a sloppy, playful kiss to her neck. “That is my favorite pizza place.”
She spun around and swatted him with a dishtowel as the other men returned to the kitchen.
“Something smells delicious,” Seth said, moving to the counter.
“Here. Have an appetizer while the other pizza heats up.” Cedar handed Seth a long, narrow tray.
Drew dubiously looked over Seth’s shoulder at the cut slices of cucumber, topped with meat, but took one before Seth passed the tray to his brother.
“What are we eating?” Drake asked, handing the tray to Rhett.
“It’s cucumber with prosciutto, mozzarella, and dill with a little Italian seasoning,” Cedar said, smiling at Rhett as she took the tray from him. “It’s one of the few things I do know how to make.”
“Fancy,” Rhett said before he popped a bite in his mouth. Although he hadn’t expected to like it, the blending of flavors and textures was good. By the time Cedar took the second pizza out of the oven, the tray of appetizers was empty.
Once they were all seated at the table with pizza and drinks, conversation flowed from the occupations of the men to what Cedar planned to do now that she lived in Faraday.
“I’ve started my own financial consulting firm. I’ve got half a dozen clients lined up, but I won’t start working with any of them until after the holidays. I needed a break.”
“Are you enjoying life here in our small town?” Seth asked, helping himself to his third slice of pizza.
“I am enjoying it. The people I’ve met so far have been incredibly welcoming and kind, present company included.” Cedar smiled at her guests then gave Rhett a long, private look that made him want to chase his friends out the door so he could get back to kissing Cedar without interruptions.
He’d never, not once in his twenty-eight years of living, felt like this. Cedar made him want things he’d never allowed himself to dream might be possible. It wasn’t just her beauty that beguiled him, either. No, it was something far more, something far deeper. And he knew it was insane to be this crazy about her when they’d just barely met, but his gut never led him astray and it said Cedar was the girl for him.
The last thing Rhett planned on or wanted was to settle down, to make a lifelong commitment, but since that first day Cedar had walked into the garage, that’s exactly the direction his thoughts had continually taken.
Even when he didn’t know who she was, he’d felt an unmistakable pull to her. One he couldn’t describe and certainly couldn’t deny.
“Isn’t that right, Rhett?” Drew asked, drawing him from his musings and back to the conversation as Cedar served slices of chocolate cake topped with peppermint-flavored whipped cream.
“What’s that?” Rhett glanced to his friend.
“The living nativity is something Cedar needs to see. She was asking about holiday events here in town.” Drew gave him a knowing look as he took a big bite of cake.
“The nativity is great, especially with all the animals. There’s the concert at the school, and usually someone puts together a group of carolers. Oh, and the community tree lighting is a big deal.” Rhett tried to think of more community events Cedar might enjoy.
They discussed other holidays and community traditions, like the Fourth of July fireworks, as they ate dessert and drank cups of steaming coffee.
Cedar had just refilled their coffee cups when Drake started laughing and pointed to the window where they watched Lolly stroll by.
“Dude. You should put a leash on your camel,” Drake said. Seth sucked in a gulp of coffee and started to cough. Drew froze with the last bite of his cake halfway to his mouth. Drake shot Rhett an apologetic look as the proverbial cat scampered out of the bag.
Rhett glowered at Drake then cast a hesitant look at Cedar.
Calmly, she set down the cup of coffee she held in her hand and turned her full attention to him. “Your camel?” she asked, pinning Rhett with a cool glare. “Lolly belongs to you?”
Rhett nodded once.
“You live across the pasture?” she asked, pointing a finger in the direction of his house.
Another nod.
“And your name is really Will Bolton?”
“No, Will was my uncle. He passed away almost two years ago. When he died, I inherited everything he owned, including Lolly.” Rhett sighed and raked a hand through his hair before he glanced at Cedar. Anger blended with indignation on her face while she appeared to be fighting the urge to smack him.
Every ounce of regret currently flooding through Rhett threatened to swamp him. Another sigh rolled out of him as he gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry I let you think Lolly belonged to someone else. She’s mine.”
The warmth drained out of Cedar’s eyes as she continued to glower at him. “You lied to me, and for what purpose? So you could invite your friends over and make a fool of me?”
“No, Cedar, not at all. I… um… I know it was rude not to return your calls or respond to the notes you left when you first moved in. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d stay this long. Lolly has a way of scaring people away and I assumed you’d be one of them. I just figured if I ignored the new neighbor, she’d leave me alone, move on, and it wouldn’t matter.” Rhett offered her a pleading look, one begging for forgiveness, or at least understanding. “Only Lolly likes you, and I don’t want you to leave. I didn’t even know who you were until I brought you home the other day. That’s the truth. I didn’t admit who I was then because I was concerned you’d think I was a rude weirdo.”
“Rhett Riggs, you are the most immature, childish, reprehensible dolt I’ve met in a long time. If you can’t even be honest about who you are, I think it’s best we not even be friends.” Cedar rose to her feet and offered the other men what appeared to be a forced smile. “Gentlemen, thank you so much for hanging the lights for me and joining me for dinner. In light of certain circumstances, I do hope you’ll forgive me if I take my leave. Please show yourselves out when you’re ready.” Her voice broke on the last few words and tears filled her eyes as she spun away from them.
Rhett felt lower than dirt as he watched her walk from the room with her back straight and chin up. Regal. She looked regal and elegant, like a true princess.
One whose heart he was afraid he’d just broken.
“You are in it deep, bro,” Drew said, carrying his dishes to the sink.
“I’m so sorry, man. I didn’t mean to let the comment slip out like that,” Drake apologized, looking as awful as Rhett felt.
“I know. It’s okay. She was bound to find out the truth sooner than later, anyway. It is a small town, after all.” Rhett started loading the dishwasher. The least he could do was not make more work for Cedar.
Quietly, the men did the dishes then let themselves out of the house. Rhett thanked his friends for their help then made his way to his pickup. Lolly stood by the door, waiting for him. He scratched her neck and looked up at the house. A curtain fluttered at an upstairs window, a sure sign Cedar watched him.
“I think I just blew it big time, Lolly.” Rhett opened his pickup door. “Come on, girl. Time to go home. There’s no reason for either of us to stay here.”
Chapter Eight
“You can’t sit around here and mope for weeks on end,” Juniper said from the end of Cedar’s couch.
The two of them sat drinking tea, eating cookies Juniper brought from a downtown Portland bakery, and admiring the stunning Christmas tree in Cedar’s front room. The tree she wouldn’t have if Rhett hadn’t cut it for her and helped her decorate it. Every time she looked at the vintage tree topper, tears stung the backs of her eyes and she battled the urge to cry.
She knew it was too soon to own the overwhelming, potent emotions she felt for him, but there they were just the same. Despite her concerns of how quickly she’d fallen for him, she’d never felt like this before and doubted she would again.
What if Rhett was her one great true love of a lifetime? How could she have given her heart to such a jerk?
“He’s not a jerk, sis,” Juniper said, as though she could read her mind.
Cedar scowled at her sister and sighed. “He was wonderful, thoughtful, generous, kind, even gallant, except for that whole great big lie I can’t quite get past.”
“It wasn’t exactly a lie, more like letting misleading information linger.” Juniper sipped her tea then pointed to the tree. “I mean, a guy who was really a jerk wouldn’t have taken you to cut down a Christmas tree then spent the day helping you pick out ornaments and decorating said tree.” Juniper drew in a long breath of the holiday-scented air and closed her eyes to better savor the fragrance before she smiled at Cedar. “And he did talk his friends into coming over and freezing their cute little behinds off to hang lights outside.”
“How do you know their behinds are cute?” Cedar asked, amused with her sister even if she wouldn’t allow so much as the barest beginnings of a smile to show.
“You forget I spent almost a month in town before you moved here. I know for a fact Rhett and his friends are all good-looking in that rugged, wild, not-quite-tamed way. Isn’t he good friends with that cowboy who looks like he stepped out of a western movie?”
At Cedar’s nod, Juniper continued. “And the two brothers, they’re both handsome. The one who delivers mail is a little too brawny and reserved for my taste, but the other one seems like a real catch.” Juniper studied the china cup she held and kept a nonchalant tone. “But if I had to choose, I’d say Rhett is the sexiest of the bunch with that mop of curls and his brooding bad boy vibe.”
Cedar tossed a throw pillow at Juniper. Her sister held onto her teacup and ducked with a grin. “Just saying, sis. Just saying.”
“Why don’t you just say something that doesn’t involve discussing that man. The fact remains that he let me believe an old man who happens to be his deceased uncle was the rude neighbor who ignored my pleas for help when I needed rescuing from his camel.”
“But then you figured out Lolly is an overgrown pet, so what’s the harm?” Juniper questioned as she bit into another cookie.
Cedar’s gaze narrowed as she glared at her sister. “Did you know Rhett was the neighbor all along?”
Juniper sat up and shook her head. “I did not. I only saw him in town at the café a few times and I had no idea who lived next door. Lolly did come over here twice when we were working on the house, but I didn’t think she’d be a problem, which is why I didn’t mention her before you moved. I just knew Faraday would be a good place for you, and it has been.”
