The Harvest Read online

  Tess slid off her jacket and reached for his. Beneath it, Ryan wore a rust-colored crewneck that stretched across his expansive chest—the kind of chest she’d love to rest her head on.

  Ryan paused near the door. His gaze swept the room before he crossed to the fireplace and lifted his palms to the warmth. “Nice place. Heat feels good.”

  “A bit rustic, but thanks,” Tess said, hanging their jackets on a hook behind the door. “Have a seat, and I’ll heat the water. Again.” She sent him a grin, amazed that only minutes ago she’d felt so alone.

  He sank into an overstuffed chair near the hearth, and Tess went and lit the pilot light, then turned on the burner. While she prepared the snack, her attention drifted across the great room to Ryan. He stared into the fire, his elbows resting on his knees. His thick, golden hair curved around his ears, and a lone lock curled on his forehead.

  An unsettling feeling caught in her chest. Since Al’s death, Tess hadn’t looked at a man as anything but a member of the opposite sex. Today she looked at him as a man, an attractive available man whose image sent alien sensations coursing through her.

  As if he knew she watched him, he glanced over his shoulder. She turned away, and when the kettle whistled, Tess made the cocoa and carried a tray to a table near the hearth.

  Ryan admired the pretty woman handing him the steaming drink. The rich chocolate aroma rose from the thick mug, but another fragrance touched his senses as she leaned toward him. Lilies maybe. Ryan wasn’t sure. He didn’t know much about flowers, but he knew this—Tess Britton was as lovely as any blossom.

  Outside, he’d been struck by her long, dark hair disheveled by the wind, fringing her fair face. And her eyes were the deepest blue he’d ever seen. When they’d met times earlier, he’d contained his attraction, remembering she was married. Now things were different. His gaze drifted heavenward, amazed at God’s way of directing His children.

  Tess settled in an easy chair across from him and stared into the fire. She leaned against the cushion, stretching her slender legs toward the flames. He remembered admiring her figure on the beach a couple years earlier, but most of all he remembered her smile and the way she played with his young nephew. He wondered why she didn’t have a child of her own…but now wasn’t the time to ask.

  He’d made a blunder mentioning her husband, and he had cringed seeing the look on Tess’s face. Their amiable mood had vanished as quickly as a rock pitched into Lake Huron. Ryan recalled Tess mentioning that her husband often worked weekends. He could barely remember the man.

  He eyed her now, sitting across from him. He wondered about her husband’s death, but having occasional good sense, he harnessed that question, too.

  When Tess turned away from the fireplace, she shifted her legs and curled them beneath her on the cushion before catching his gaze.

  Ryan lifted the mug as if proposing a toast. “Tastes great. Takes off the chill.”

  She motioned toward the cheese plate. “I didn’t bring much with me, but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”

  Beneath her geniality Ryan noted a tinge of discomfort…and why not? He’d been a virtual stranger who’d plodded out of the woods. He should be grateful she hadn’t whacked him with the wrench.

  The silence stretched until he reached over and cut a hunk from the cheddar block and grasped a few crackers.

  She curved her hands around the ceramic mug. “You’ll laugh if I tell you this.”

  He arched an eyebrow and waited.

  “I thought you were a bear.” An embarrassed grin curved the edge of her mouth.

  “A bear?”

  “When I saw your shadow, the shape looked hulking…until I realized it was you.”

  “Thanks…I think.” Ryan liked the way her lips parted when she smiled and the way her cheeks dimpled.

  She settled against the cushion, her attention drawn to the firelight. Ryan wrapped himself in the pleasant mood. Too much time had passed sense he’d felt this contented with a woman.

  A comfortable silence settled over the room. Tess uncurled her legs and slid her hands along their shapely length to tug at her stockings, then regarded him with curious eyes. “Jill has only one brother, right?”

  “You’re looking at him.”

  He watched her expression change to a questioning frown. “Then you must be the brother who’s getting married.”

  Chapter Two

  Ryan’s stomach knotted. How had she heard about Donna? His sister, naturally. He struggled with his response. He liked this woman and didn’t want to create a bad impression. “When did Jill tell you I was getting married?”

  “Early this summer. She mentioned Davie’s going to be the ring bearer.”

  “Aah,” he said, planting on a lighthearted smile and scuffling for time to think. Should he tell her his fiancée dumped him only a couple of weeks earlier? No. She’d think he was on the rebound. The cause for the breakup needed more explanation than he wanted to give so Ryan only offered a vague response. “We called the wedding off…a while ago.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. Jill didn’t mention it.” She covered her lips with her fingers. “I guess it’s my turn to withdraw my foot from my mouth.”

  “Not a problem.” An unexpected sensation wound through him, as if he wanted to take time now to tell her what happened. Someone else’s perspective might help him dispel the guilt he felt over the situation. “We both realized it was a mistake.”

  “It’s easier that way.” She directed her gaze toward the fire. “Still, I’m sure it was difficult.”

  “Facing the truth is always difficult,” Ryan said, noting a depth of meaning in her eyes. Having second thoughts, Ryan plowed through his mind for a new topic—anything to avoid talking about his situation. “Do you really remember when we met?”

  Tess inched her head upward. “I sure do.”

  Ryan remembered the day well. She’d been alone, sitting on a canvas chair holding a book—a romance if he remembered correctly. When he and his nephew neared her, a flurry of seagulls had fluttered and squawked into the sky, and Tess had turned her head toward him and Davie. Her eyes had intrigued him even then.

  “You were with Davie and the golden retriever,” she said.

  Ryan had forgotten about Buck.

  “Your nephew is the sweetest boy. Behaves like an angel.”

  “Thanks. He is a good kid.”

  Her gaze lingered on his as she swept her fingers across her chin. “I didn’t recognize you without the beard. You look good…both ways.”

  He thanked her, wishing she’d used some other adjective, like handsome, debonair, good-looking. Uneasy with his foolish thoughts, he refocused on Tess and saw a look of longing in her eyes. “You like kids?”

  “I always hoped I’d have a little boy—or girl—like Davie,” she said.

  Her expression tugged at his heartstrings. “Why didn’t you?” The question sailed out before he could stop it. Way too personal.

  She didn’t answer at first, and Ryan could see her struggling with a response.

  “We were waiting,” she said finally, her voice so soft he almost didn’t hear her.

  Sadness hit him in the gut while she looked at him with regret-filled eyes and ran her hand along her neck. Ryan remained silent, wondering if she would say more.

  She didn’t, and feeling uneasy, Ryan searched for a response. “We all do that,” he said finally. “Put things off. Then sometimes it’s…too late.” The truth struck him.

  Tess’s sudden melancholy permeated the air. Ryan sensed it was something deeper than wanting a child. He longed to sit beside her and put his arm around her shoulder to offer her comfort.

  Why had she and her husband waited to have kids and why had her husband died? Questions tumbled in his thoughts until he stifled his curiosity and broke the silence. “We don’t always understand why things happen.” He said the words as much for himself as for her.

  “I wanted kids, but Al…” The words sounded
private as if they were meant only for her ears.

  Tess didn’t finish the thought. Instead, she shifted in the chair and sent him a sudden smile. “You don’t want to listen to my rambling.” She took a sip of the cocoa.

  “I— We all need to get things off our chest.” He thought of his own situation.

  The room hummed with silence unil Tess rose and headed toward the fireplace. “You really like kids. I could tell that day on the beach.” She grasped the poker and gave the glowing logs a jab.

  Watching the firefly sparks, Ryan joined her. “You’re right. I love ’em. I envy my sister.” He took the poker from Tess’s hand and prodded at the log as if he could jab away his thoughts. But her nearness nudged his spirit, and he decided to be open with her.

  “That was one of the things that ended my engagement. Donna didn’t want kids right away.” Maybe never, he thought. “I figured I’m thirty-three, and I wanted to have children while I was young enough to enjoy them.”

  “Sounds familiar” was all Tess said.

  Ryan replaced the poker in the stand and bent down to grasp a large log. He tossed it onto the flames. The sparks flew like red fireworks and the pungent scent filled the air.

  Tess stood beside him a moment, then ambled toward the kitchen-ell as she spoke. “I could see how much you love Davie. That’s what sticks in my mind.”

  “Someday, I’d like two or three just like him,” Ryan said. Relishing the company and fire’s warmth, he watched Tess putter at the stove.

  “Me, too. Just the same.” Then a tiny grin pulled at her mouth. “Maybe four.”

  “Four isn’t bad,” he agreed, sinking back into his seat.

  They laughed, and it felt good. Natural and honest. He snatched up a cookie and took a bite. “Pretty good.”

  “Thanks,” she said offhandedly as she returned with a carafe of hot cocoa and refilled their cups. “They’re store-bought,” she added, setting the container on the table. She curled up in the chair, looking small and vulnerable.

  “What brought you up north this weekend?” he asked.

  “I decided to spend a few days here, then close the cabin. My brother’s been coming along to help since Al died, but this year he has his computer business, and… Well, I just couldn’t ask him. Don’t know what I’d do without my family.”

  “Me, neither. Jill listens to me more than anyone. I’d be lost without her two-cent opinions.” He chuckled. “And her five bucks’ worth of wisdom.”

  “Wisdom’s nice.”

  Her comment had a double meaning, he guessed, but he had no idea what was needling her. “Since your brother couldn’t make it,” Ryan added, “I’ll be happy to give you a hand.”

  “No, you’ve helped enough. I have to learn to do things on my own. But thanks.”

  “Let me teach you.”

  “Are you on vacation?” She rolled her eyes. “You must be desperate for things to do.”

  “No, I’m doing the ‘brother’ thing. I’m closing Jill’s place for the season. Gary’s in the hospital.”

  “Gary?” Her grin faded. “Nothing serious, I hope.”

  “Not really. Appendicitis. Who ever heard of an adult with appendicitis?”

  “It happens.”

  “I figured I’d stay a few days and relax before going back. I have another reason for coming north, too. I’m doing a general appraisal on a house on Mackinac Island.”

  She leaned back and grasped her drink. “Appraisal? You’re in real estate?” Her eyebrows rose as she looked at him over the mug’s rim.

  “Yes. And investments.”

  “I suppose that’s good money.”

  “Not bad. But it’s not so much the money.”

  Tess leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees, her fingers wrapped around the mug. “Now you’ve really captured my interest.”

  He chuckled. “I’m a legal Peeping Tom. I step into people’s private worlds and see how they live. It’s intriguing.” But not nearly as intriguing as you, Tess, he thought.

  “Nothing wrong with that,” she said. “It’s perfectly legal.”

  “I am a pretty legalistic guy.” Something shifted in her expression, arousing his curiosity.

  “I’m glad.” A wide smile lit her face. “So tell me about this house on the island.”

  “The owner wants to travel and doesn’t want the upkeep of a big, expensive summer place. I tried to convince him to rent it out, but he didn’t go for the idea. The house is a good investment—though I couldn’t touch it.”

  “Expensive?”

  He nodded. “You can say that again.”

  “I’ve seen a few of them on carriage rides. The homes there are beautiful.” As if struck by a thought, Tess straightened her back. “Are you sure the ferries are running this time of year?”

  “On a shortened schedule. I checked. In a couple weeks they shut down for the winter.” He lifted the drink and took a sip. “I’ll go one of these afternoons.”

  “I’ve never been to the island in autumn.”

  “Really?” An idea popped into his head, and he began devising the right way to invite her to come along without scaring her off.

  “Nothing like the fragrance of autumn leaves.” She drew in a lengthy breath as if imagining the aroma. “The city wears me out. So many responsibilities. So many people. So much noise. I love it here. It’s the place I recharge my spirit. I burrow into nature and draw in a healing breath of fresh air and sunshine.”

  His pulse lurched at her intense gaze. “I think it draws me closer to what’s important.” He struggled to put it in words. “Like how small we are in comparison to the universe. Nature brings God into perspective.”

  “Yes, I suppose it does.” Her gaze moved across his face as if wondering whether he really meant what he said. Then she grinned. “That was rather poetic.”

  “Now you’ve learned my secret,” he said. “Are you a poet?” His playful question triggered a new one. “What do you do for a living? I never asked.”

  “Nothing as glamorous as a poet. I’m a school secretary. I have to get special dispensation to come up to close this place.”

  Ryan laughed at her humor. “That sounds almost religious.” Embarrassed, he fought a yawn and eyed his watch. “It’s quarter to eleven.”

  “That late?” She flexed her wrist, checking the time for herself and realizing her headache had vanished.

  “I’d better go.” He rose and grasped his cup. “I’ll help you clean up.”

  “No, don’t be silly. Two cups and two plates are nothing. I enjoyed your company.”

  “Same here,” he said, carrying his mug to the kitchen counter anyway.

  He hadn’t heard her follow him. But when he turned, she stood close enough to feel her warm breath on his skin. The hairs rose on the nape of his neck, and the tingle glided down his arms.

  He raised his hands to her shoulders, bracing himself from running into her, but at the same time wanting to hold her in his arms. “Thanks for the goodies.” He hesitated wanting to say so much more. “I’ll see you again?” His eyes sought hers for a positive response.

  Her lips curved to a smile. “It’s a small beach. I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  Tess offered her hand, and he took it in lieu of making a fool of himself by taking her in his arms. She walked with him, waiting while he put on his jacket and pulled the flashlight from his pocket. When she opened the door, he stepped outside into the nippy breeze.

  “Good night,” she said.

  “Sweet dreams.” The words left him before he could squelch the Romeo monologue wending its way through his thoughts. If she wouldn’t laugh, he’d be quoting Shakespeare’s “parting is such sweet sorrow” line.

  He gave her a nod, and heard another “Good night” echoing down the slope as he followed the starlit path to the beach. He longed to rush back and ask her more about her husband’s death and tell her the details of his broken engagement. The urge startled him.

&nbs
p; When he turned to wave, her slender silhouette remained in the open doorway. He forced his feet to continue along the sand.

  Chapter Three

  Sunlight peeked through a gap in the bedroom curtain, and Tess opened her eyes. For a moment she forgot where she was. When she remembered, a smile rose to her lips. She was recalling the handsome intruder.

  For the first time since Al’s death, Tess enjoyed being with a man. Maybe because she knew Ryan’s sister, one of the most down-to-earth, witty people she’d ever met.

  Ryan had come from a loving family, that was sure. One of Tess’s mother’s adages drifted into her mind. An acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree. He’d been open about his ended engagement. She suspected he was a man she could trust. Maybe her earlier attitude about men had been skewed. Perhaps one day she could find a man who valued family and home as much as she did.

  Thinking back to Ryan’s admission about looking through people’s houses, she laughed. Honest and candid. She liked that.

  Tess swung her legs over the edge of the bed as an icy shiver crept through her body. Heat. She needed to turn on the wall heater or light logs in the fireplace. With speed, she dressed in sweatpants and shirt, then pulled on thick stockings and slid her feet into hiking boots.

  As she opened the bedroom door, a disturbance vaulted from the living room, followed by a nerve-racking crash. Her heart leaped, and she tore down the hallway in time to see a squirrel scramble up one side of her draperies and then skitter down the other. Like a dunce, she’d forgotten to close the doors on the fireplace.

  Dashing to the front door, she flung it open, but the critter flew past her and headed down the hall to the bedroom. Tess stood on the threshold, trying to decide which way to turn—go after the animal or pray it left the premises on its own. She didn’t want to get bitten, but—

  A hand grasped her shoulder, and a scream tore from her throat.

  Ryan realized too late she hadn’t heard him. As she flung her arms in frightened defense, he dodged her thrashing elbows until reality settled in and she seemed to get herself under control.