Merry Mitchell (Mitchell/Healy Family #3.5) by Jennifer Foor Page A

went out in the mail. It was terribly embarrassing for Noah and I, especially since everything we did ended up in a tabloid. Paparazzi speculated that we were on the outs, that I’d had a miscarriage, and that we’d both been unfaithful. If they could print a story, they’d use whatever would sell magazines, and unfortunately my life was open to speculation.
    When things started to quiet down from that catastrophe, another reason to halt the ceremony came into play.
    Noah’s other sister Christian was sexually assaulted, and there was no way that any of us could even mention a wedding, or being happy while she was in such bad shape.
    After that it was like an omen. We knew we couldn’t celebrate being in love when such tragedy was surrounding us, even if we ran off and did it in Vegas. I couldn’t look at that poor girl that I’d come to love so much and see the terror in her eyes as she pretended to be happy for us. She needed to heal, and we were all going to be there to help her, no matter what we had to do. So even though it was what we both wanted, Noah and I promised everyone that we’d hold off.
    They say all things come in threes, but after everything, it was hard for me to be able to even talk about a wedding in front of them. Settled with the idea that we’d just wait another six months, I focused on finally being able to take it easy at home, and maybe write another number one single for my new album.
    When I heard someone climbing the hardwood stairs, I zipped up the dress bag and closed the closet door. I didn’t need any more bad luck when it came to getting hitched. At this rate we’d be old and gray before we made it down the aisle.
    Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and my mood immediately lifted. I could smell the musky scent of his deodorant that still lingered after working outdoors since before the sun came up. His scruffy facial hair tickled my neck as he brought his lips up to my ear. “Good mornin’, darlin’.”
    I turned around, lifting my arms over his head to rest on his shoulders. My lips craved a kiss, and Noah made sure I got one. The hint of coffee was still on his tongue, and since I didn’t see a pot brewed downstairs I knew he’d probably stopped by his parents.
    Noah’s family ranch was so large that there were many homes built on the property. His Gram had the largest home that everyone called the main house. It was a huge white mansion located near the entrance. His parents had a tremendous log cabin built in the woods, down a long dirt lane. Before Noah had built our house, we’d lived in a double wide that was also on the property. We used golf carts and farm vehicles to get around, and had plenty of room for when their extended family would come to visit.
    Since I’d lost my mom to cancer when I was a young girl, and grew up with an alcoholic father, I never knew what it was like to be overwhelmed by kin. Noah’s family hadn’t just welcomed me into their lives; they’d showed me more love than I’d had in all of my adult life. I didn’t know how I’d gotten so lucky, but I was sure to thank God every single night before I closed my eyes.
    “How’s your mom?” I asked.
    “She’s good. She’s got both of my sisters at home. I imagine she’ll be preoccupied for the next couple of weeks.”
    “I bet she’s thrilled.”
    Noah backed away and started undressing. It was probably inappropriate, but I sat down on the mattress and watched the show. He saw me licking my lips, craving the idea of joining him in a hot shower. “Mom said my aunts and uncles will be here tomorrow. I need to make sure Gram doesn’t need anything at the main house. Bells said that she and Rusty won’t be here until tonight. They don’t want to leave until the baby goes to sleep, that way they don’t have to keep stoppin’.”
    His cousin’s little girl was the cutest child. She was always happy, and I couldn’t get enough of her. Noah seemed to get nervous when they were