His Tempest by Candice Poarch Read Free Book Online

don’t you need money?” Her dad pulled out several bills and thrust them into Noelle’s 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 he’d been. She wondered what he’d 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, “Does Mom know why you’re really moving there?”
    â€œI’m sure she and Dad discussed it.”
    â€œThis year you’re going to be busy repairing everything at the camp, but after this summer, you’ll have nothing to do for the rest of the year.”
    â€œI’ll figure out something. I can always teach computer classes to make ends meet, and my old job will let me work a few months.” The computer company she’d worked for would allow her to telecommute. “The summer camp seemed to take care of Grandma and Grandpa.”
    â€œThat’s because they were both teachers. I still wonder why after teaching all year, they’d want to babysit kids during the summer.”
    â€œThey loved kids. They only had one camp session each summer, remember?”
    â€œI was too young. You’re the one who did the summer-camp thing. That’s why they left me the cave. Think I’ll take a look while we’re here. So what’s up with you and Colin? Is it serious?”
    â€œDon’t pull out the suit. I’ve only known him a week.”
    â€œHmm. Y’all were looking pretty tight.”
    Noelle shrugged. She couldn’t name what they shared and didn’t even try.
    She was grateful for the next fill-up stop to avoid her brother’s 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 didn’t 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 hour’s drive to her new home. While Colin drove the horses home, Noelle and her brother stopped at a hotel. After the long drive she wasn’t up for rolling out sleeping bags in the house and spending the night on a hard, dusty floor. Besides, after her father’s assessment, she’d rather get her first glimpse of the place in daylight.
    It was late when Colin called her.
    â€œGot the horses settled in?” she asked.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHow is Mr. Avery?” Colin had talked about him during their time in Memphis so she felt comfortable in bringing him up.
    â€œGreat. 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.”
    Noelle swallowed her anxiety. “I’m looking forward to meeting him, too.”
    He sighed. “Noelle, I’m falling for you in a way I never expected. I mean, we’ve been together less than a week, yet we’ve spent so much time together it seems as if we’ve known each other much longer.”
    â€œI feel the same.”
    â€œI don’t know where this is taking us. It’s so new and—I don’t know. I haven’t been serious about one woman in years…. I can’t promise you anything. I don’t know the future of the farm.”
    Her heart beat erratically in her chest. “I’m not asking