The question made her think of Pru. Hadn’t her aunt given her that very chance by putting conditions on the gifts she’d left?
Perhaps sensing that he hadn’t quite convinced her, Noah stood and stalked across the room. Scrubbing his hands over his face, he looked back at her. ‘You can’t keep hiding from life, Beth. What happened to taking risks?’
His words cut deep, because somehow he’d figured it out, figuredherout. Hiding from people and experiences was how she lived her life. Determined to avoid any situation that might make her feel vulnerable. Because putting herself out there and facing possible rejection, dealing with the aftermath of failure—they weren’t risks she’d ever been willing to take.
Scowling, she clambered to her feet and glared up at him. If he wanted to throw around accusations and make her face the truth, then he needed to be willing to do the same.
‘I’m not the only one who hides, Noah.’
He shook his head. ‘I’m not the one hiding from whatever this is between us.’
He was right, of course. But she wasn’t done yet.
‘Have you told your parents how you feel about working on the farm?’
His face paled.
‘I might hide from life, Noah, but you’re hiding from the truth. You were born to renovate. You know it and I know it. You’re overwhelmingly passionate and incredibly skilled, but you’re living a lie. All because you don’t want to risk hurting your family.’
His expression darkened and he inched forward. ‘Well, at least I’m protecting the people I love. The only person you’re protecting is yourself.’
It was as if he’d struck her. Slapped her in the face and called her selfish.
‘That’s rich,’ she hissed, ‘coming from someone whohaspeople to love. If I don’t protect myself, who will? I have no one.’
‘Oh, for god’s sake, that’s what I’m trying to tell you!’ He strode across the room, eliminating the space between them, and gripped her by the shoulders. ‘We’re here, Beth. We’re all here, ready to love you.I’mhere, ready to love you.’ He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his forehead to hers, his chest heaving with every breath he took.
And his words hung in the air between them. He’d stolen her ability to speak, to think, yet every ounce of her awareness was on him. The boy next door. The only person she’d ever let get close enough to kiss her. The only man who’d ever made her feel seen.
And yet, she still couldn’t give him what he wanted.
He looked down at her, his thumbs stroking her skin, his gaze heated yet sad. ‘Maybe I’m being selfish by asking you to stay. And you’re right, Ihavebeen hiding from the truth.
Which is why I’m going to speak to my parents about what I want to do with my life.’
She shook her head. ‘Noah, I—’
Lifting her chin, he pressed his lips to hers. Softly, so softly. Her hands fisted in the fabric of his shirt—a reflex, nothing more—but he pulled away and looked down at her. Ran his thumb over her moistened lips.
‘If there’s one thing you’ve taught me,’ he told her, his voice husky, ‘it’s that the best things in life require us to take risks. To do what’s hard. So that’s what I’m going to do.’
Releasing her, he turned to leave.
‘Noah …’
He stopped at the door, turned back, waited.
She didn’t want him to go, but she also couldn’t find the words to express how much she needed him.
‘I’m sorry.’ He smiled sadly. ‘I never meant to put this much pressure on you. Just … do me a favour, okay? Give yourself time to make the decision that’s right for you, not one that’s based on fear.’
She hesitated but eventually nodded, realising that she owed it to herself to do exactly that.
When Noah left, she looked down at the phoenix pendant. Was that really how he saw her? Did he truly believe she was strong enough to rise from the ashes?
Pressing her hand to her chest, she felt the pounding beat of her heart. He made her feel things she never thought she’d have the opportunity to feel. He made herwantthings she’d never had the courage to go after.
But was she brave enough to do either?
