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Belle sat in the chair by the bonfire, just soaking in the peaceful night noises of the ranch. She was listening to Noah, Margaret, Stormi, her parents, and a few other regulars getting up to speed on the progress of spring planting and birthing. The B&B was also bustling due to Spring Break bookings making it a full house. All around, tired but happy conversations were happening.
She closed her eyes and laid her head on the back of the Adirondack chair upon which she sat.
“You ever think about going back,” she heard Noah ask and realized when Jake answered she was interested in that conversation more than the others.
“I miss my mom and dad a lot. My mom calls just about every other day wanting to come to visit, but I’ve begged her to let me settle in. I know I won’t be able to hold her off much longer,” Jake finished with a light chuckle.
“I miss my parents something fierce,” Noah said. “Cherish them while you can.”
“I know. I was close to choosing to stay near them, but my mother encouraged me to spread my wings and see what else might be out there to make me happy. I love them both for encouraging me, no matter the cost to them. They had me late in life, and I’m their entire world – they never slowed me from trying everything,” he finished. Belle could hear the pride and love radiating from his words, and she didn’t need to see his face.
She found herself wanting to walk over and hug him. Realizing that her fascination with the man was growing with each day, she was grateful he had no idea. They had a great working relationship, and she decided that there was no need to risk that.
“I like the pace of the ranch, though, more so than I did the city. The dirt and smells there is a different taste altogether,” Jake finished.
“Yep, never could stomach the filthiness of the city,” Noah replied. “I have only visited New York and Chicago a handful of times but don’t have any desire to make them my home.”
“I loved the city when I was younger, but after being in the military I think I craved something easier, more meaningful,” Jake replied.
“I get that,” Belle said, interjecting. “I went to school in Ann Arbor and thought that it was a big city. When Reagon started talking California, it seemed like this great adventure, but I cannot see me anywhere but here,” she said, the words aloud for the first time in a crowd.
Noah just stared at her for a moment, “yeah, born and raised here on the ranch. I have a tough time seeing you in the city. I mean do they even have sheep, goats and cows there? Exactly how does someone wishing to practice animal therapy make that work in California?”
She just shook her head, “at the zoo,” she quipped.
Jake and Noah just looked at her with wry grins, “that probably isn’t too far off,” Jake replied after a minute.
“Reagon would have had a hard time here. I mean, I think he was going stir crazy the five days he spent on the ranch,” Noah added.
Belle looked at Jake; he seemed interested but did not add anything.
“I know you are right. He always said he loved the idea of slowing down, but liking the idea and having to invest in it are two vastly different things.”
“You can’t leave,” Matthew said from her right. “I would miss you, Belle.”
“I would miss you, buddy,” she said, reaching over to squeeze his hand.
“I think you should stay too, Jake,” Matthew said, emphasizing his name.
“Oh, you do,” Jake said with a small chuckle.
“Yep,” Matthew said. “I think you would be a good boyfriend for Belle,” he said proudly.
Belle almost swallowed her tongue in surprise when she heard his words.
“Why do you think I would be good for Belle?” Jake said, deciding to play along.
“Because Margaret said Noah loves her food and likes to spend time with her, so she is his girlfriend. She is going to marry him, and we are living together. You said you like Belle’s apple crisp, and you always spend time with her when she is working. So, you should be her boyfriend and then you can marry her,” Matthew said.
Belle did not know what to say as she clamped down on her lips to stop from laughing. She did not want to look at Jake for fear; she would not see what she was hoping in his eyes. So, she settled for staring at the fire and hoped Jake, Noah or Margaret would rescue the situation.
“Well, Buddy, I would be thrilled to have Belle for a girlfriend, but I think Belle should get to pick her boyfriend, don’t you think?”
“Okay,” Matthew hung his head and stuck his lip out. “I was just trying to help.”
“And you did, thank you,” Belle interjected, not able to take his cute downturned face. “If I were looking for a boyfriend right now, Jake would be the top of my list.”
She hoped to goodness that came out to those listening as pacifying Matthew only, and the truth of that statement remained hidden. She braved a look at Matthew, who had a sincere smile on his face once again. Buoyed, she glanced to her left and locked eyes at once with Jake. She hoped he did not see any of her internal thoughts because of the way he looked. She would have sworn he could see straight through to her soul.
She finally looked at Margaret, who gave her a knowing smile. Belle realized her house of cards might be caving in around her feelings for Jake, but tonight she still could hope she would not make a second major mistake with her love life. Tonight, she was just going to enjoy the fire, good friends, and the hot cocoa as she wrapped her hands around her mug.
Tomorrow would dawn with its own brand of problems, and she would cross that bridge when it presented itself.
