Chapter Eighteen, Feeling At Home

Silvia Blythe reached over to tap Adam's arm at the end of the closing hymn. Making a quick gesture, Adam nodded, took Beth's hand and pulled her down the side aisle toward the front. When they reached a side door displaying an "Exit" sign above it, she tried to stop him.

"Adam…I wanted to thank the minister for the message."

Adam glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled. "You'll get your chance. He's coming over for dinner. We need to keep moving or we'll never get out of here."

Hearing Adam's name called, she looked over her shoulder just as they were stepping out the door. Silvia intercepted the girl allowing them to make their escape.

"Don't worry. Mom knows how to handle them."

Not wanting to share him with any more females, she held tight to Adam's hand and followed him to his truck. Guiding her to the driver's side, he helped her up and then slid in next to her.

She really should move over to the other door, but it was a long way to scoot gracefully in a dress. And, truth be told, she really didn't want to.

Adam smiled down at her after he started the truck and all she could do was smile back. He put his arm across the back seat as he craned his neck to back out of the parking spot. She felt disappointed when he pulled his arm away to put the truck in drive.

Lord, You and I know I'm going to break up with Kyle, but until I do so, I still have a certain obligation to him. Don't I? Seeing her bare hand caused a niggling of guilt. Sighing, she wondered where that wonderful peace she felt at the end of the sermon vanished to.

"Hey. What happened to that pretty smile of yours? Are you upset with me for dragging you out of there the way I did?"

She turned to face him only to realize how close they were sitting. Her breath caught in her chest. Clearing her throat, she said, "No…not at all. It's…it's just…I'm fine."

"Alright…if you're sure." He reached over and took her hand for a moment, giving it a comforting squeeze. "You know I'm here if you need to talk."

Smiling up at him, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment. Her gaze tracing every inch of his handsome face, she returned it to his deep blue eyes. Seeing the heat simmering in them, she decided it was a good thing the traffic light was red or they might have ended up in the ditch. "I'm glad you're always here for me. Thank you," She said, barely above a whisper.

As his gaze caressed her face, she felt her heart rate increase - especially when it stopped at her lips. When a horn blared from behind, heat crept up his neck and he cleared his throat. "Guess I'd better get my mind on driving."

The huskiness of his voice sent somersaults through her stomach and a longing for things she couldn't define. She never experienced such a myriad of emotions with Kyle and it confused her.

She knew she should put some space between them, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She wanted…needed to be close to him. She couldn't explain why…not even to herself.

Turning down his lane, they rode in comfortable silence. Riding past her cottage, she took in the sites of the rest of the valley. Each of the houses built along the lane stood as unique as her cottage.

After rounding the big bend in the road, they pulled into the driveway. She sat in awe of the beautiful three-story Victorian home complete with balconies and wrap-around-porch. It was a pale periwinkle blue with soft white trim - and not plain trim, either. But, the scrolling, sculpted trim that looked to be as original as the aged house itself. Struck by awe, she allowed the image to burn itself in her memory.

Shutting off the engine, Adam sat a moment lost in thought. Tension mounted within her as she wondered what he was thinking. She didn't move. She didn't flinch. She held her breath and waited.

Finally, he turned to face her, laying his arm across the back of the seat. His gaze swept over her face.

Never in her life had she felt such a desire to be kissed. Kissing was something she always reserved for her wedding day. She never had a problem keeping Kyle at arm's length. But, now, with Adam…it was different. Boy, was it different.

As if he could read her thoughts, the simmering of his eyes quickly turned into a blaze. Very slowly, he raised his other hand to cup her face. And still, he didn't kiss her.

His voice spoke low and tender as he said, "We better get inside. Mom and Pastor Jack will be here soon." Yet, he didn't move…and, neither did she.

"Beth…I…" Sighing, he pulled her into a gentle hug, planted a quick kiss on her temple, and then opened the door to step out. "Come on." Reaching for her waist, he gently lifted her out and set her feet on the ground.

Her legs felt like noodles and she feared they would collapse under her, but she forced them to hold. As a matter of fact, she couldn't move. She just stood there like an idiot, staring into Adam's face.

A knowing smile lifted one corner of his mouth. Taking her hand, he pulled her away from the cab and shut the door.

Walking to the house hand in hand, Beth felt an odd sense of coming home. As he closed the front door behind them, she looked at him to see if he might be feeling it, too. But, he didn't even look at her…just tugged her toward the back of the house.

"Come on. Mom wanted me to check the roast and make sure it's not burning."

"Mmm…doesn't smell burnt. Smells heavenly."

"Mom knows how to make a mean pot roast."

"Maybe she can give me some cooking lessons."

"You don't know how to cook?"

"I do. But, mostly out of a box. I'm pretty good at following recipes when I have the time or a reason to cook. Kyle and I usually either eat with one of our parents, or eat out or take out." She shrugged, looking intently into the crock pot that housed the roast.

Taking another good whiff before he closed the lid, she sighed. "Wow, does that look and smell great."

"Well, I'm sure Mom would love to teach you if you really want to learn."

"Learn to make stuff like this? You bet I do. And I have a feeling it would be a blast taking lessons from your mom."

"What's this I hear? Someone wanting cooking lessons?"

"Hey, Mom. Pastor Jack. Yep. Beth says she wants to learn to cook like you."

"She hasn't even tasted my cooking, yet." Silvia shook her head and smiled.

"I don't have to. Just looking and smelling, I can tell its out-of-this-world yummy." Beth grinned.

"You'll certainly be learning from the best, little lady. Silvia is the finest cook bar none," Pastor Jack said as he and Silvia rounded to the other side of the kitchen's island.

"Yes…that's why he's here every Sunday and any other day of the week he can manage to finagle an invitation." Silvia smiled up at the pastor and, seeing a look pass between the two, Beth wondered if there were more to Jack and Silvia's friendship.

Not realizing that Adam stepped up behind her, she startled at the touch of his hands on each side of her waist. "Mom, call us if you need us. Since Jack is here to help, I want to go sit on the porch with Beth."

Tugging on her waist, he turned her around and steered her toward the doorway.

"Of course. You young people shoo and let us old folks take care of getting the meal. Your day will come soon enough."

"Now, who are you calling old?" Beth heard the pastor retort. The bantering continued to reach her ears all the way back to the living room.

"Didn't mean to startle you back there," Adam said.

"Oh, it's ok. I was so taken up with watching your mom and the pastor that I didn't realize you had walked up behind me. No harm done."

"Good. This way."

Stepping out the side door of the front room and onto the wrap around porch, Beth sucked in a breath. "Oh, Adam. What a beautiful view you have here." Leaning against the rail, she folded her hands and rested them on top as she surveyed the panoramic scene spread before her.

"And I thought the view from my cottage was amazing. I don't think I could ever get tired of seeing these mountains as the backdrop to everything. It's so beautiful."

Sitting on the porch swing, he invited her to join him. Beth sat and closed her eyes, luxuriating in Adam's nearness mingled with the sounds and smells of the Smoky Mountains surrounding them. Feeling his arm go around her shoulders and pull her close, she sucked in a quick breath.

"Are you happy here, Beth," he said, soft and low in her ear.

"Mmm…Happy? More than happy. Content…at peace. It's hard to explain or even understand myself, but…" Opening her eyes, she turned to look into his. "It's almost as if I've wandered around lost my entire life and I've finally come home."

Gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he said, "Maybe you have…."