Read Online Raspberries and Vinegar (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 1) by Valerie Comer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Valerie Comer
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you’re still hungry.” Sierra reached for the ladle. “And then there’s dessert.”
How could he resist?
***
She’d hate Sierra if they weren’t best friends. Quilting indeed. Jo had two left thumbs — she couldn’t vie with that if she tried. Her color sense was limited to whether plants looked a healthy green.
No point in dreaming about Zach, anyway. A cute guy competent on the farm and respectful to his mother only went so far. He’d be headed back to the city soon enough, and Jo’s life would go on the way she’d expected. Alone. Might as well keep it in mind.
When the meal ended and Claire began to clear off the table, Jo excused herself, grabbed her hoodie, and accompanied Domino outside. He ran circles around her while she made her way to the tire hanging from a branch of the elm across the yard.
Had Zach played on this swing as a child? Jo pushed off slightly with her feet, allowing the rope to twist the tire slowly.
In the distance, the sun sank toward the horizon and the waxing moon brightened overhead. The scent of freshly turned earth filled her nose as shadows stretched. An owl hooted up the hill, and another answered from down the valley. Domino zigzagged the ground, sniffing. She leaned over to scratch his silky ears when he came near.
Dear Lord, why? She’d thought she had come to terms with staying single. She didn’t need a man, a husband to make her happy. She had God, her girlfriends, and a chunk of land to grow food and demonstrate living gently on the earth. The community house they’d soon start wasn’t the end-all. Each of them had plans for a cozy home of their own to build nearby. They’d help each other and keep living in community. Someday they’d have guests and students, people who’d want to emulate their lifestyle. Folks they could teach. None of that required getting married. She simply hadn’t planned on finding someone at this stage.
Besides, if Jo had to fall in love, why couldn’t she be logical about her choice? God knew if she picked a mate, he’d need to feel as she did about His green earth. Someone who shared her values, her faith, her passions. She didn’t have these things in common with Zachary Nemesek. There was little evidence of strong faith. Zach longed to return to the city. And as for passions…
He was falling for Sierra, like every other male on the planet. Jo was twenty-five years old and never been kissed by a guy who meant it. Unless she counted her grandfather.
The door to the trailer creaked open, revealing Zach silhouetted against the rectangle of light. Jo heard low voices and the door closed. He whistled for Domino and by some sort of instinct, Jo’s hand tightened on the pup’s collar. Domino whimpered.
Why had she held him? Juvenile move. She released him with a pat, and he shot off across the yard, only his white parts showing.
Jo twisted the tire swing, not wanting to strain her eyes as Zach and the pup walked down the driveway. Too dark to really see. Too pathetic to try. Tears burned in the back of h er eyes. Stupid, stupid Josephine.
A warm, moist tongue licked her hand. She startled, clutching at the rope to prevent falling off the tire.
“Ah, that’s where you are.” Zach’s voice was surprisingly close. “I figured Domino would lead me to you.”
If he only knew. Jo hesitated, unsure of her voice, before rotating the tire back around. “Hey there.”
Zach climbed on the picnic table and sat with his boots on the plank seat, elbows on his knees. “Beautiful night.” His face glowed slightly in the moonlight and his hair gleamed. It looked soft, like Domino’s ears.
A flush crept up Jo’s neck and onto her cheeks. Good thing the shadow of the elm protected her from his gaze. “Yes,” she managed to say. “I love spring.”
He tilted his head, but his eyes remained in shadow. Was he looking at her? She couldn’t tell. “What about it appeals to you?”
“It’s like a promise. Seeds planted.
How could he resist?
***
She’d hate Sierra if they weren’t best friends. Quilting indeed. Jo had two left thumbs — she couldn’t vie with that if she tried. Her color sense was limited to whether plants looked a healthy green.
No point in dreaming about Zach, anyway. A cute guy competent on the farm and respectful to his mother only went so far. He’d be headed back to the city soon enough, and Jo’s life would go on the way she’d expected. Alone. Might as well keep it in mind.
When the meal ended and Claire began to clear off the table, Jo excused herself, grabbed her hoodie, and accompanied Domino outside. He ran circles around her while she made her way to the tire hanging from a branch of the elm across the yard.
Had Zach played on this swing as a child? Jo pushed off slightly with her feet, allowing the rope to twist the tire slowly.
In the distance, the sun sank toward the horizon and the waxing moon brightened overhead. The scent of freshly turned earth filled her nose as shadows stretched. An owl hooted up the hill, and another answered from down the valley. Domino zigzagged the ground, sniffing. She leaned over to scratch his silky ears when he came near.
Dear Lord, why? She’d thought she had come to terms with staying single. She didn’t need a man, a husband to make her happy. She had God, her girlfriends, and a chunk of land to grow food and demonstrate living gently on the earth. The community house they’d soon start wasn’t the end-all. Each of them had plans for a cozy home of their own to build nearby. They’d help each other and keep living in community. Someday they’d have guests and students, people who’d want to emulate their lifestyle. Folks they could teach. None of that required getting married. She simply hadn’t planned on finding someone at this stage.
Besides, if Jo had to fall in love, why couldn’t she be logical about her choice? God knew if she picked a mate, he’d need to feel as she did about His green earth. Someone who shared her values, her faith, her passions. She didn’t have these things in common with Zachary Nemesek. There was little evidence of strong faith. Zach longed to return to the city. And as for passions…
He was falling for Sierra, like every other male on the planet. Jo was twenty-five years old and never been kissed by a guy who meant it. Unless she counted her grandfather.
The door to the trailer creaked open, revealing Zach silhouetted against the rectangle of light. Jo heard low voices and the door closed. He whistled for Domino and by some sort of instinct, Jo’s hand tightened on the pup’s collar. Domino whimpered.
Why had she held him? Juvenile move. She released him with a pat, and he shot off across the yard, only his white parts showing.
Jo twisted the tire swing, not wanting to strain her eyes as Zach and the pup walked down the driveway. Too dark to really see. Too pathetic to try. Tears burned in the back of h er eyes. Stupid, stupid Josephine.
A warm, moist tongue licked her hand. She startled, clutching at the rope to prevent falling off the tire.
“Ah, that’s where you are.” Zach’s voice was surprisingly close. “I figured Domino would lead me to you.”
If he only knew. Jo hesitated, unsure of her voice, before rotating the tire back around. “Hey there.”
Zach climbed on the picnic table and sat with his boots on the plank seat, elbows on his knees. “Beautiful night.” His face glowed slightly in the moonlight and his hair gleamed. It looked soft, like Domino’s ears.
A flush crept up Jo’s neck and onto her cheeks. Good thing the shadow of the elm protected her from his gaze. “Yes,” she managed to say. “I love spring.”
He tilted his head, but his eyes remained in shadow. Was he looking at her? She couldn’t tell. “What about it appeals to you?”
“It’s like a promise. Seeds planted.
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