Harvest of Love

Chapter 16

                  Tired and hungry, I slink back to my truck to head home. The drive back seems never-ending due to tortuous thoughts. I become nauseated, whether from being sick at heart or of an empty stomach is hard to tell. When I'm finally back in Bloomfield, I pull into the A&W to grab a bite. I park and turn off my engine. As I'm about to open my door, I see MaryBeth coming out of the restaurant. She has her arms full of food but manages to wave and smile to someone who she's left inside. I watch her walk to her car further back in the parking lot. On impulse, I start to head in her direction. She's bent over placing the food securely on the passenger side. She doesn't notice that I have hurried over and now standing directly behind her. She straightens to shut the door and jumps when she sees me.

"Mason! You scared me to death!" she exclaims as she places a hand over her racing heart. The sight of her lifts my spirits immediately. Her long curly blond hair is wind blown with tendrils teasing across her bright blue eyes and pink full lips. It feels so good to see her. That warm connection I have always felt between us is a salve to my broken heart. "Are you okay?" she asks sincerely concerned. 

           Without thought or a care of the consequence, I place my hands on either side of her face and kiss her lips with a demanding pressure at first that causes her to tense. I slide my hands gently down her neck and shoulders to her lower back while softening the kiss. I drawl her in close, encouraged by her melting into my embrace and returning the kiss with some of her own. She at least wants me, I think. Heady with desire, I pull away slowly to catch my breath.

"What was that for?" she asks in a shaky voice. I give a one-sided smile and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"For being you. You don't play games with me. You're beautiful inside and out. I want to give us a chance, if you'll have me that is."

"What about Rebecca? I thought . . . "

"That's over. For good this time."

"Have you spoken with her?"

"Yeah," I answer with a bitter laugh. "I even got to see her engagement ring."

"Engagement ring?" Shock fades into understanding in her eyes. "Harlow? She's decided to marry Harlow?"

"I didn't catch his name," I say dryly.

"Oh, Mason," she places her palm against my cheek. "I'm so sorry. That must have been quite a shock for you."

"I guess I at least know why she left." I try to sound indifferent about the situation.

"I don't think that was really her . . ." she leaves that sentence hanging undone and starts again with, "So now you want to be with me?"

"I know that sounds horrible, but I've always felt something for you. I was just blinded by Rebecca, but I'm seeing more clearly now. And I see you, MaryBeth, only you. And if that kiss was any indicator, I think you feel something as well." A slow smile spreads across her face before she launches herself at me. With arms around my neck, she initiates a kiss that really does make me only have thoughts of her.

              I didn't get to spend much more time with MaryBeth since she needed to get the food back to her family. We made plans to see each other as soon as possible, though before my work would require most of my time. I guess I'm staying at the farm after all, as long as I can pull my weight, that is. I grab food for Clem and I. I dread that conversation, but I'm ready to just get it over with. I'm curious to know if Clem knew about the engagement or Harlow at all. Maybe that was the real reason he didn't want me to go confront Rebecca. By the time I make it back to the cabin, it's roughly 9 pm. Clem looks surprised to see me when I walk through the door.