If she closed her eyes,
she could still feel his touch.
His warm, steady hand cradling her chin. His feather-soft kiss on her cheek Julie tried to forget the emotional closeness theyd shared, but it was impossible.
Im concerned about his health, thats all this is, she tried to tell herself. But that wasnt the whole truth. She had so wanted Noah to stay with her, instead of leaving on his jet. She wished she had the chance to comfort him. She wished that when he was hurting, and when he needed someone to hold on to, he would reach for her.
But hed gone back to his life in New York. It was a few minutes past midnight, which meant it would be three in the morning in New York. Hed be fast asleep, and in a few hours his alarm would go off and hed start his day. It would be a day without her. A day where he wouldnt think of her once.
But she would think of him.
JILLIAN HART
grew up in a small rural town in Washington State, where she could ride horses and hike in the mountains any time she wished. Although she left home, went to college, got married and moved to the city, she is still a country girl at heart. When Jillians not hard at work on her next story, she reads, stops for café mochas and putters around her rose garden.
A Love Worth Waiting For
Jillian Hart
MILLS & BOON
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Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
Psalms 119:105
To Cheryl McGee and Jolene Haskins
extraordinary women, writers and friends.
The writingchicks rule.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Letter to Reader
Chapter One
Noah!
She was in his arms the second hed stepped away from the crowded gate. Noah Ashton couldnt get over it. His little sister, Hope, married and glowing, flung her arms around his neck, squeezed tight and then stepped back to look him over.
Her brows furrowed and her mouth pursed downward as she scanned him from head to toe. Noah liked that about Hope, that she fussed over him. Not that he needed it and not that it made a bit of difference. She always had the same complaints when it came to his lifestyle.
Do I meet with your approval?
You most certainly do not, and you know it, mister. She scowled, eyes flashing. You look like death warmed over.
Im just tired, thats all. Long day, long night, long flight. Noah brushed aside her concern with a wave of one hand. Im good as gold.
Gold is a lifeless mineral.
Ah, but its of great value.
You know what I mean. She slipped her slim arm around his, steering him down the small breeze-way in the tiny Montana airport. You work too hard. Our grandmother is worried about you.
Nanna hasnt seen me since your wedding. For all she knows, Im still as good-looking as ever.
Good-looking? Hopes smile dazzled, teasing him right back. There is something wrong with you, brother dear. Youre delusional.
Hey, women tell me Im handsome all the time.
What kind of women have you been hanging around? They obviously have terrible taste when it comes to men. Her dark eyes sparkled with humor.
Hope loved teasing him, he knew it, but he was a good guy. Did he deserve being hassled? Hey, wait a minute. Not five minutes off that plane and youre torturing me. Im a billionaire. I dont need to put up with this.
Youre only getting what you deserve. She winked at him. Youve hardly spoken to me since my wedding. Ive been busy, but never too busy to talk with you.
Ive been overburdened with this takeover, and I figured being a newlywed, you needed time with your husband. Noah shrugged, not sure how to feel about his sisters decision to marry. Good luck in marriage genes just didnt run in their family. Are you doing all right? Married life agrees with you?
It sure does. Why, are you thinking about trying it?
Not in this lifetime. Noah swung his carry-on over his shoulder, steering Hope toward baggage claim. I want you to be happydont get me wrongbut after watching our parents year in and year out, I still cant believe youre giving marriage a try.
Im not giving it a try. Im in for life. And dont give me that look. Not every marriage was like our parents. She led the way through the doors and into the crisp weather. I never thought I could be so blessed.
She did look happy. She sparkled when she smiled. It was as if shed found her hearts desire. Now there was a conceptthe words happy and married in the same thought.
Remembering the chaos of his childhood, Noah shivered. If true love were possible, it had to be a rare occurrencelike a total eclipse of the sun.
Great that his sister was happy as a newlywed, but he wasnt about to be led astray from the path hed chosena single, unattached bachelors life. He wasnt about to wish there could be a woman out there who would love him just the way he was.
Nanna is so excited youve come, Hope told him after hed grabbed his luggage, and when they were weaving between cars in the parking lot. It means so much to her that youll be at the party tonight.
I wouldnt miss ityou know that. Tenderness filled his chest at the thought of their grandmother. Hows she doing?
Fantastic. Hope pressed her remote key chain and the side door on her minivan slid open. Getting married at her stage in life is an exciting event. She wants to make sure she does it right.
And the engagement party is the kick-off event?
Its a celebration, Noah, not a football game. Hope stole his briefcase from him and set it on the floor of her van. Tell me it isnt so, that you didnt bring work.
Of course I did. You know I have to. I have a company to keep afloat while Im here.
Havent you ever heard of a vacation? You know, where you leave your desk and phone behind and go someplace and enjoy recreation?
Ive heard of it. Never tried it myself. Could be addictive and destroy my carefully guarded work ethic.
No wonder you look like death warmed over. You really dont look well.
Shed hit a nerve, but he didnt want her to know that. Whatever his problems were, they were his. Thats the way he was madehe could solve his own troubles. Im jet-lagged. Just came back from Japan.
That would explain it. Okay, youre off the hook. For now.
He deposited his suitcase and garment bag on the floor. Now what? How did he tell his sister, who loved him and thought she was doing the best for him, that he didnt know about the state of his health? When hed flown in from Tokyo last week, hed spent the night in the emergency room.
He opted not to tell her and snapped the seat belt into place instead.
Hope negotiated her minivan through the airport traffic and soon they were pulling onto the freeway. The Christian country music on the radio mumbled in the background as the miles sped by. Noah stared out the window at the road ribboning between gently rolling fields. The rugged snow-capped mountains, dead ahead, rose up from the horizon to touch the enormous blue sky.
Peace. For a brief moment, the restlessness within him stilled. What would it be like to live here, spend each day absorbing the beauty and the quiet, letting serenity settle over like the sun from above?
Then his cell phone rang, and Hope glared at him in that sisterly way that said she was still worried about him.
Not able to tell her why he had to work, why there would be no peace for him, he took the call.
The church hall was warm and friendly despite the darkening storm outside, and the heater clicked on just as Julie Renton was stretching on tiptoe on the second-to-the-top step on the ladder. The crepe paper rustled as she pressed it to the ceiling. The air current from the nearby duct tore the streamer of pink from her fingers and sent it fluttering to the carpeted floor.
On the other end of the streamer, Susan Whitly cried out in protest as the end she was securing to the opposite corner popped out of her grip.
Sorry. Laughing, Julie scurried down the step-ladder to rescue the crepe paper. Doom strikes again.
The more you say the word doom, the more its going to follow you around like a dark cloud, Misty Collins called from the corner where she was draping the last of the tables with beautiful shimmery pink cloths. Everythings coming along fine. Well be done in time for the party.
I cant help seeing disaster. Julie glanced around the large hall, already half-decorated thanks to her very best friends. Granddads had it tough over the past few years. Now that hes found happiness, I want this party to be perfect. To sort of kick off this exciting new phase of his life.
With all the hard work youve done and the plans youve made, it will be beautiful, Susan assured her from high atop the other ladder. Your grandfather is going to have a wonderful time.
Im praying that youre right!
The party had to be perfect for him, Julie thought as she climbed up the rickety ladder. It wasnt every day a girls grandfather got engaged. After being a widower for so long, Granddad deserved as much joy as he could get.
Hed been the only close family shed had after Mom left.
They say Noras grandson is coming tonight. Misty smoothed wrinkles from the tablecloth. You know, the really rich one.
Julie inwardly groaned. She was under enough pressure with this party going well. I dont want to think about the billionaire.
Why not? Misty opened a package of lace place mats. I mean, hes a billionaire. You know. With billions of dollars.
That doesnt mean hes nice. Julie pressed the streamer into place. Just because hes rich doesnt mean hes gracious or polite or even understanding about a party for his grandmother. Hes probably used to events far more lavish than we could ever dream of. What if he doesnt think our efforts are good enough and isnt afraid to say so?
Julie, dont worry. Susan leaned the ladder safely against the wall. This Mr. Ashton may be rich, but hes got to have a heart. He has to want his grandmother to be happy.
What if he thinks my grandfather isnt good enough for his grandmother? Julies throat felt tight as she tossed the tape roll into the cardboard box shed brought all her supplies in.
Who knows? Rich Mr. James Noah Ashton the Third was on the cover of some magazine I was reading at the dentists office. He lives a grand lifestyle. Misty argued. I wouldnt mind some of that.
Hey, I saw that picture and I thought he was to-die-for, Susan added. He looked really nice. Like a real gentleman.
Hmm, a gentleman? Julie wasnt too sure about that. Can you really tell from a magazine picture? Especially where they airbrushed away all his flaws?
What flaws? Judging by the picture, I dont think the man has one itty-bitty imperfection.
Julie sighed and didnt say a word. The indentation on her left ring finger remained from the engagement ring shed worn for over a year. She definitely knew about mens imperfections. Specifically their unwillingness to commit.
Maybe this Ashton guy isnt so bad, Misty argued. Even if he does have blemishes or scars or something. His coming here to our little town, dont you think its like a fairy tale? He could be my Prince Charming come to rescue me.
Julie helped Misty with the last of the candlesticks. I love that youre an optimist, but believe me, I dont think Prince Charming exists.
They do on my daily soap opera, she insisted. Dont mess with my dreams.
Everyone laughed, even Julie. Okay, so she was a little disillusioned. She didnt mean to be. It had been a difficult year, learning to set aside her long-cherished dreams of a husband and children of her own. Her heart still ached.
Maybe someday her own prince would come, a man who wouldnt leave her, whod never let her down.
It was a prayer, a wish really, and Julie knew deep in her heart it was one wish that would never come true.
The sound of the car door closing shot like a bullet in the quiet. Probably Granddad. Right on time, as always.
Is that our promised pizza?
And our reliable deliveryman, Julie confirmed. Id better go help him. You guys stay here and put up your feet.
Cold wind hit her face, reminding her that winter was on its way. Soon, Granddads wedding would be here, and shed be celebrating the holidays alone.
But its good for him, Julie reminded herself, and let the cold wind blow over her, chasing away the heaviness of lost dreams. She had friends, and she still had her grandfather, who was heading her way, awkwardly balancing a couple of pizza cartons.
Julie! he called out, his voice deep and robust, the way an old cowboy should sound. I hope I got the order right. Good thing is theyre still hot.
Youre my favorite granddad for doing this. She ducked his Stetson brim to kiss him on the cheek, cool from the chilly air.
Least I could do for the girls who are making my Noras party special.
Let me take these. She lifted the boxes from his arms. Everyones done a great job. The hall looks so nice. Do you want to come see?