your money,” he said with a shake of his head. “That’s perfectly understood, but I don’t feel right taking the J Ranch totally over. I’d like to purchase my half.” “That sounds reasonable.” Martin nodded and then looked at Samantha. “Your mom said you spent some time together yesterday. How did it go?” Samantha and her mom had gone to the Farmer’s Market to sell the produce they had grown in the garden and orchard. It was something Samantha had enjoyed when she was little but her mom had suddenly stopped taking her around age ten. Samantha’s feelings had been hurt terribly. Yesterday her mom had been in the kitchen packing up the items that were to be sold when Samantha had found her way into the kitchen, looking for an early lunch. “Where are you going? Farmer’s Market?” she asked. Her mom gave a quick nod, then asked if she’d like to come. They had sold all of their produce so they spent the rest of the time wandering around the market, socializing with the rest of the vendors and shoppers. It was great and Samantha had bought an apple pie they agreed would be for dessert. It had been the best time she’d had with her mom in years. “It was great. We got along and it seems like we’re on the right path to a better relationship.” Dad smiled at her. “Well…” Her father glanced down at Noah’s chest with a red glow on his cheeks. “I should be going. Sorry to bother you.” “Dad, you’re no bother at all. We were visiting.” Her dad looked at Noah. “We’ll sign the papers soon?” “Yes, sir.” They laughed as the men shook hands. Daddy quickly retreated down the stairs and shut the door behind him. “What do you think?” she asked. He looked down at his chest. “That I should’ve put a shirt on when he came in.” “Why? You would have taken it right back off.” She pulled him back down onto her.
CHAPTER 16
The rest of the evening with Noah was like a dream. The television had been left off so they could curl on the couch to talk and steal kisses now and then. Always a gentleman, he never pushed her boundaries. She smiled at him. The late hour was leaving her tired even though she didn’t want to leave. She started for the door but was pulled back to him, her petite body against his bare chest. “Don’t go.” His lips brushed against hers. “If I stay, it could lead to more than this…” His lips pressed against hers cut the sentence in half. Pulling from his embrace and resting her hand on the knob, she tried to get the will power it took to actually walk away from him. His hand went against the door to stop her from leaving. “Before you go, there’s something I want to ask you.” “Yes?” He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Heat shot through her body as his lips found the curve of her neck. “I was listening to the radio while I was getting ready this morning.” “Mmm hmm?” She loved the way his lips felt against her bare skin. The fabric of her top slipped down to reveal her shoulder. “There was an announcement about the Fourth of July Festival this weekend,” he mumbled while leaving trails of kisses across her skin. “I’ve heard of it.” The words came out in a small breath of air as her nipples puckered against the lacy fabric of her bra. His hand slipped under her dress to massage her tender mounds. She’d almost forgotten what they were talking about. Right, the Fourth of July Festival. “Will you go with me?” “I would love to.” Oh, how much she wanted to touch him, but she was scared to turn around. Her body leaned against his. Noah’s erection throbbed against her. “I should go.” “Shh. I want to hold you. I would never push you for more than you want to give. Pushing you would hurt you and I don’t ever want to do that.” He grabbed her by the hand and slowly turned her around. “Please stay with me.” She nodded slowly at him as he began to lead her to the bedroom.