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Chapter 30: Scarlett
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2022-11-24 14:09:48Related chapters
The Love Barn Chapter 31: Scarlett
IF Scarlett HADN'T needed to be in the office to handle client calls Tuesday morning she'd have stayed in bed. Cole's bed to be exact. But she had an afternoon event tomorrow and three weddings for the upcoming weekend. It was a busy time to have a hangover, even a small one.It was far earlier than she'd have liked to be awake, but between his alarms and needing a lift to his car she was up at the crack of dawn. She had a few hours to treat her headache so she couldn't justify canceling her Tuesday in favor of nursing her hangover.That glass of midnight wine had been a terrible, awful idea. At least until it led to sharing the shower after she sloshed them both.She shifted into park and the front door of the guy's house swung open.Scarlett cringed. So much for sneaking in before they were up and going.Garth, followed by Benji, stepped out in their work duds. They'd mentioned tackling the weeds encroaching along the property line from the neighbor's field. Was that today?
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 32: Scarlett
Scarlett drank her water and took her medicine. Though a nap sounded heavenly, she never could fall asleep once it was daylight. Her internal clock was not a fan.Her first order of business was coffee and simply sitting in the stillness of her house, existing. Her mind was quiet and with Garth taking over her meeting for the morning, there was no pressure to hurry from one thing to another. By the time she finished her coffee she felt steadier, more human.She scooped up her phone and glanced at the notifications.There were quite a few, but then she'd let them stack up over night. Now she tapped through them. Garth had texted her twice very late. The rest were from Ingrid, one from Jessica and even a message from Kasima.She created a group text with the three girls and fired off her reply: Too hung over to type. Come over.That done, Scarlett got in the shower for a proper washing up. When she turned off the shower she heard voices in her bedroom."Did you let yourself i
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 33: Cole
Cole WAS RUNNING off coffee and his cup was empty. He'd been in better shape than Scarlett that morning, that was for sure. The woman was a lightweight. He'd have to remember that in the future.He checked his watch.There was an hour break in the schedule he wanted to use to research food options for two diabetic patients. His go to brand wasn't appetizing to one, and the other hadn't responded to the special food the way they'd hoped. With all the new products hitting the market every year, he hoped to find a new solution for both. But that meant time and research.He strode to the front of the clinic. The break room coffee pot was empty, but they kept a small machine in the lobby stocked for patients. He was hoping to make this his last cup of the day, so there was no need to brew a whole new pot."Afternoon, Luna," he called out."Busy morning, huh?" She shuffled the papers around."That it was.""You had fun last night I heard." Luna delivered the line as easy and br
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 34: Cole
Cole STARED AT the doors leading into the restaurant. He couldn't recall the name of the place or take his eyes off that point to look at the sign. Ever since his phone call with Cal and Eve this morning he'd been operating in a daze. This wasn't the hangover or lack of sleep. He was wound too tight for that. Anticipation and anxiety had his stomach in knots. He'd changed his shirt twice before leaving the house due to sweat.He was a wreck.Without looking at his phone he hit dial again and listened to the ringing.Once. Three times. Five.Voicemail.He ended the call before Scarlett's voice could tease him.She'd been pretty rough that morning. Chances were she'd gone to work and was passed out already. He wanted her to be there with him, but this was all happening so fast. He couldn't fault her for nursing her hangover.A couple strolled toward the door of the restaurant. The man was in cargo shorts and a T-shirt. The woman wore leggings with a long, loose dress that d
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 35: Scarlett
Scarlett PRESSED HER back to the side of the house. She'd heard an engine, but was too chicken to see who it was.It was going to be Cole.She just knew it. But she couldn't face him right now. It was too soon, and she didn't know what to do.Feet crunched in the gravel coming closer.Shoot.She peered at the back side of the house. Could she dart around there and over to the guy's place? Climbing over their makeshift fence might give her away."Scarlett?" Benji called out. A light shone straight in her face."Hey." She held up her hand and squinted at him. The fading light cast long shadows, partially obscuring him."What are you doing?" Benji picked his way around her ruined garden plot."Just looking to see if I can salvage anything. I think it's a lost cause this year.""I thought we knew that already.""Yeah, well, I was just making sure. Coming inside?" She waved him to follow her."Sure."Maybe what she needed was a man's perspective. Talking to the gir
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 36: Cole
Cole PULLED INTO the driveway and stared at Scarlett's front door. He hadn't heard from her since she dropped him off Tuesday morning to get his car from The Watering Hole. There was this big, gaping hole where she belonged.What the hell happened?It was Friday.He'd texted.He'd called.And silence.She'd mentioned having a few events this week. He'd done his best to stay patient, not demand too much of her time. But three days of silence?His first assumption was that something had happened to her. But that was quickly discarded. If something had happened, word would have spread. Hell, he'd heard about some kid's broken arm, a marital spat that went down at David's Market in the parking lot and teenagers loitering too long outside The Grill. Anything that would have kept Scarlett from returning his calls would have been town news by now.Which meant there was only one explanation.She was ducking him. He couldn't call it ghosting because the town was too small. She
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 37: Scarlett
Scarlett closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to see him. "I hadn't realized it then. I was too caught up in...this. Us. I was overwhelmed.""What do you want, Scarlett? Do you want to work on this, or are you done?" Given what she'd been through with her ex, he couldn't fault her for wanting to protect herself."I want this to work out, but I'm scared it won't. I'm scared of how much it could hurt if it doesn't." She chuckled. "I've got that curse to watch out for and all.""But how good would it be if this does work?" The tight fist that had clenched on his insides relaxed a little and he sucked down a breath. He wasn't ready to commit to the idea of kids. It was too soon for that talk, but his eyes were open to the possibility."I think I'm scared of that, too. I'm just-scared. It's stupid. I'm sorry. I-""Baby. Sh."He gathered her to him, all the anger and fear gone out of him. He was asking her for everything she could give him. She was right to be afraid. He didn't h
Last Updated : 2022-11-24The Love Barn Chapter 38: Scarlett
Scarlett let go of Cole and frowned at the screen, then glanced at the window before answering it."What?" She stared out the window toward her cousin's house.Cole followed her gaze and saw Benji waving at them."Goodnight," Scarlett said, then ended the call."Ever heard of curtains?" It wasn't the first time Cole had noted the lack of window coverings."I like the sunlight in the morning." She turned toward him, hand on her hip. More of her hair had fallen down and her dress sliding off that shoulder was giving him all kinds of ideas."Come here." Cole held out his hand."Benji and Garth are right there." Scarlett held up her hands."If they don't want to see they shouldn't watch."He grasped her by the wrist and pulled her toward him. She came willingly, a sparkle in her eye. He kissed her again and ignored his phone vibrating."I brought you home. Now what?" she whispered. The smile on her face was happy. He liked the flush in her cheeks, the way she looked at
Last Updated : 2022-11-24
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The Love Barn Chapter 167: Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER...SCARLETT SAT STRETCHED OUT on the old, wooden swing content to watch the circus going on over in the flower garden.Mom threw her hands up and said something Scarlett couldn't hear. She chuckled and knew the others were likely beside themselves trying to figure out how to make Mom happy.They all called Noemi's mother Mom now. It just felt right. Garth stood next to Mom, shaking his head at the others. Noemi bent, fussing no doubt over the way the blankets lay or how the bow sat.Benji and Dixie had the whole light kit out and three cameras.All the attention was focused on the bundle of joy currently sleeping soundly in the cradle Garth had carefully restored. It was one of a handful of old things he'd found in the barn and kept. Judging by the initials on the bottom of the old crib, generations of Livelys had slept in that thing.And now so would her baby.Scarlett smiled and sank further into the cushions Cole had set up for her. She was still ex
The Love Barn Chapter 166: Noemi
Noemi WHIPPED HER CAR into the driveway. With it being so early and since everyone had family visiting the street was packed with cars. Garth's truck barely fit in the one open spot.Where the hell was he?What was he doing?Why was he talking to Ángel?A Jeep pulled across the drive behind her, Cole and Scarlett getting out."Why can't you answer your phone?" Scarlett demanded.Noemi threw up her hand as she caught the sound of a deep, rumbling voice."Benji? Hey, we're already here." Scarlett's voice faded as Noemi crept toward the fence and the gate her mother always left open between the two properties.Ángel sat in the swiveling chair at the head of the table on his parent's patio.Garth had a tight grip on one of the other chairs, his back toward her. He was leaning forward, his entire focus on Ángel, who was staring back at Garth like he'd just sprouted a second head or something."You're only going to get one shot at this. If she's decided to give you anothe
The Love Barn Chapter 165: Garth
Garth HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT the hardest thing he'd ever done was bury his parents and accept responsibility for Benji and Scarlett.That had been easy. A simple process and an obvious life altering decision.Neither of those moments had anything on what he was about to do.Garth stood on the front porch of the brick house and glanced to his left, where Noemi was likely sleeping. He hoped that she was getting rest. She never took off except for holidays and if he remembered correctly, she had events this weekend. With any luck, she'd have someone in her corner that would look after her properly.He turned his attention back to the door. There was one of the new, electronic doorbells. He pressed it, listened to the chime and waited.It was early still, but he hadn't been able to make himself wait any longer.After a few moments the locks clanked and the door swung open.Ángel stood on the welcome mat in sweatpants, a T-shirt and a hoodie draped over his shoulders. His hair was
The Love Barn Chapter 164: Noemi
Noemi HADN'T SLEPT ALL night. Most of the time when she wasn't sleeping it was because she was up at all hours trying to pull the last bits of a wedding together. There was purpose to the sleepless nights.All she'd done since getting home around two was sit in the guest chair at her desk and stare at the clear surface. She couldn't claim to have done a lot of thinking in those hours. Mostly she'd sat, stared and let her mind wander. She'd poked at corners she normally ignored, examining her feelings, her thoughts and all the other uncomfortable bits of her life.She excelled at leaving relationships.There were only two men in her life who had ever left her.Her father.And Ángel.Noemi had left every other man before he could get tired of her. She'd known she had the habit, but she hadn't paused to think it through like this until tonight. It was easy to pretend that she didn't have time for men and relationships that weren't going somewhere. She could spin all the excuse
The Love Barn Chapter 163: Garth
Garth GRIPPED THE WHEEL of his truck and drew in a deep breath. He knew it was his imagination. Noemi's perfume wasn't really lingering, he just wished it were.Another car rolled up to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Garth waved and pressed the accelerator, heading into town.It was tradition for the guys to meet up at The Hole in town for beers on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Benji had already texted, wondering where he was. Scarlett and the girls were up to something. All the normal things were underway. Except for him.Garth felt stuck. Like he couldn't move.He rolled the problem around in his head as The Hole came into view.The little parking lot was full and people had taken to finding spots along the street. It would no doubt be loud in there, full of people ready to start talking about the Christmas tours, when they were bringing the tractors to Main Street to help decorate and so forth.He just wasn't in the mood.Garth turned the wheel away from the
The Love Barn Chapter 162: Noemi
Noemi KNEW TODAY WASN'T her best work. She'd gone through the whole day in a fog that had nothing to do with the large, Thanksgiving meal she'd eaten yesterday or the Black Friday shopping she'd done that morning.Once again she had to wonder at a bride choosing to have her wedding the day after Thanksgiving. If Noemi was going to have a wedding-No.Not going there.She shook her head and turned her attention back to packing up the arch and removing the flowers. She had about an hour to get the rental pieces ready to go while the wedding party ate dinner. There were still a few things to make sure went off without a hitch. The cake needed cutting and the bride wanted Noemi to keep the speeches short, but there was time before that got started.It felt like she'd lived in a daze the last forty-eight hours.Wednesday night she'd chosen to not go to the annual meal her family had with Ángel's. She couldn't be in the same room with him and act like she wanted to be there. Not
The Love Barn Chapter 161: Garth
Both Garth and Noemi glanced at the door.Benji laughed loudly and a single pair of heavy footsteps came creaking up the stairs mixed with Dixie's softer voice.Noemi covered her mouth with her hand and glanced at Garth. Her eyebrows were almost at her hairline.He just shook his head as something-probably one of the pictures on the landing-clattered to the ground. Another burst of laughter followed by hurried footsteps into Benji's room and the slam of a door."Well, I guess no one knows we're in here," Noemi said dryly."No they do not." Garth put thoughts of his brother out of his mind. It wasn't the first time he'd ignored his brother's antics. "What's really going on, No-No?"She blew out a breath and let go of his hand. For a moment she fussed with her boots, unzipping them and getting more comfortable, sitting cross legged in the middle of his bed. He didn't say anything, just watched her face, how lines developed and went away as she thought through what was botheri
The Love Barn Chapter 160: Garth
Garth STARED DOWN AT where he'd thought he'd seen Noemi.Except Noemi didn't wear flannel. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen her wearing jeans and have fingers leftover. But he was fairly certain that had been her."Garth?" Adeline's voice brought him back to the moment.He blinked down at this funny, sweet woman, but she didn't stir anything in him. Not like Noemi."Adeline?" He took her hand in his. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we see you around. Scarlett's intentions introducing us were good, but..."She smiled a knowing smile and turned her hand in his so she could give it a friendly shake. "I can tell. She's a special woman. I appreciate the history lesson.""Thanks, Adeline."If he'd met her at another point in his life, he'd have been interested. But it wasn't the burning connection he'd had with Noemi. Nothing could compare to that.Garth headed for the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. He skirted the tables between
The Love Barn Chapter 159: Noemi
Noemi PARKED HER CAR out on the grass along with all the other cars.She could do this.Hopefully Garth wasn't angry with her. Well, he could be a little angry. She'd deserve that much. She just hoped he'd hear her.Noemi began walking with the crowd, toward the festival clustered around the barn. Her heart gave a twinge as she got closer to the houses.She hadn't told anyone she was showing up, partly because she was nervous and feared she'd chicken out. Through all the jumble of thoughts, the one thing she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was that she loved Garth.As the crowd folded her into their midst, Noemi realized there were a lot more people there than she anticipated. How was she going to find Garth in all this?"Noemi?" a familiar voice called out.She turned and saw Scarlett standing with a basket of something hanging from one arm and a toddler perched on her hip looking at Noemi with wide eyes."Hey." Noemi fidgeted with the hem of her T-shirt.Scarlett gr
