donât you need money?â Her dad pulled out several bills and thrust them into Noelleâs hands even with her objections. He seemed to need to complete that fatherly act, so she accepted with a hug. Then he handed money to his son.
His real son, Noelle thought.
But she was his real daughter in every way that counted.
Noelle was closer to meeting her grandfather, closer to seeing photographs of her natural father, learning about the man heâd been. She wondered what heâd looked like, if her hair was like his. Or her eyes, her nose.
They started out on 40 East, which ran into 81 North, Colin and the trailer behind them the whole way. Though the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains was breathtaking, she was glad her brother was there to help with the long hours of driving.
They were halfway through the trip and Noelle was resting in the passenger seat when Greg asked, âDoes Mom know why youâre really moving there?â
âIâm sure she and Dad discussed it.â
âThis year youâre going to be busy repairing everything at the camp, but after this summer, youâll have nothing to do for the rest of the year.â
âIâll figure out something. I can always teach computer classes to make ends meet, and my old job will let me work a few months.â The computer company sheâd worked for would allow her to telecommute. âThe summer camp seemed to take care of Grandma and Grandpa.â
âThatâs because they were both teachers. I still wonder why after teaching all year, theyâd want to babysit kids during the summer.â
âThey loved kids. They only had one camp session each summer, remember?â
âI was too young. Youâre the one who did the summer-camp thing. Thatâs why they left me the cave. Think Iâll take a look while weâre here. So whatâs up with you and Colin? Is it serious?â
âDonât pull out the suit. Iâve only known him a week.â
âHmm. Yâall were looking pretty tight.â
Noelle shrugged. She couldnât name what they shared and didnât even try.
She was grateful for the next fill-up stop to avoid her brotherâs probing questions. And because she and Colin got to spend a few minutes together. She felt herself falling for him in a dangerous way. No matter what Cindy said, Noelle didnât think a man could fake emotions this intense. At least she wanted to think better of Colin.
Around eight that evening, they made it to Front Royal, Virginia, less than an hourâs drive to her new home. While Colin drove the horses home, Noelle and her brother stopped at a hotel. After the long drive she wasnât up for rolling out sleeping bags in the house and spending the night on a hard, dusty floor. Besides, after her fatherâs assessment, sheâd rather get her first glimpse of the place in daylight.
It was late when Colin called her.
âGot the horses settled in?â she asked.
âYeah.â
âHow is Mr. Avery?â Colin had talked about him during their time in Memphis so she felt comfortable in bringing him up.
âGreat. He came out to the barns. He likes Maggie Girl. I told him all about you. He was friends with your grandparents and is looking forward to meeting you.â
Noelle swallowed her anxiety. âIâm looking forward to meeting him, too.â
He sighed. âNoelle, Iâm falling for you in a way I never expected. I mean, weâve been together less than a week, yet weâve spent so much time together it seems as if weâve known each other much longer.â
âI feel the same.â
âI donât know where this is taking us. Itâs so new andâI donât know. I havenât been serious about one woman in yearsâ¦. I canât promise you anything. I donât know the future of the farm.â
Her heart beat erratically in her chest. âIâm not asking