Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Love Barn: Kabanata 151 - Kabanata 160

TWELVE HOURS LATER, Garth was still in the exact same mood he'd been when he left Noemi's. All the frustration, irritation, and yes, hurt, had the muscles in his shoulders knotting up.He took a tentative sip of the second batch of coffee. Somehow he'd ruined the first.How had things gone wrong so fast? How was there any doubt in Noemi's mind what she should tell that arrogant asshole?What Noemi hadn't told him, Scarlett had shared while fuming over the old stories. He knew about Ángel pressuring Noemi into crazy diets, the hair removal, the Botox, and even the surgery consultation she'd gone to. All because this dick-head wanted to control everything about how Noemi looked.It touched all those old feelings about Scarlett's ex.Garth refused to even think the asshole's name.Scarlett had desperately wanted to create the family she'd lost. When a smooth talking guy promised her a home she could fill with their babies, she'd signed on. And slowly the guy had cut her off fr

Garth DID HIS BEST impression of a tent pole as he watched the wedding party twirl and gyrate around the dance floor while Benji played his bastardized version of the B-52's Love Shack. A few years back Garth had finally given in and tossed some money at Benji to get him to shut up about making their own funny version of the song. He'd written it, got some guys together and recorded a pretty nice version titled Love Barn. It was quickly incorporated into Benji's set for when he played wedding DJ, like tonight.The evening was drawing to a close. Garth checked the time. Any minute now...As if on cue, a white 1961 Lincoln Continental pulled around.It took the couple another half hour to actually depart, but once they were gone, the party broke up fairly fast. Some guests who needed time to sober up found places to sit while the family and wedding planner crew began cleaning up. So long as the food all left with the catering company the rest would be safe overnight until it was pi

Garth ESCAPED UP TO his room for a bit of privacy after they'd closed up the barn for their last wedding before the town festival that coming Wednesday.He needed time to himself.It was Sunday.He and Noemi had discussed her coming for dinner tonight. It was the night they were supposed to tell the others they were dating. At least that'd been the plan before everything was eclipsed by the proposal.Fucking Ángel.Garth closed his eyes and drew in a breath. He had always lived by his daddy's logic, that hate was a disease that only affected those who chose to hate. Garth didn't hate Ángel. He just didn't like him much.Garth changed into jeans and instead of one of his familiar polos he opted for a plain, light blue T-shirt.It made him think of the dress Noemi had worn to Scarlett's wedding. How perfectly she meshed with his family.They might not be an obvious match, but they fit. She belonged.His phone vibrated on the nightstand.Garth mentally chided himself f

Garth COULD HEAR THE festival in full swing outside now. They'd barely managed to get everything set up before the official start time. The crew had scrambled to get equipment out of the way before the townsfolk started showing up.He wasn't terribly keen on being around the throngs of people today. If he could hole up in the house and let everyone else have a good time, that would be fine by him. But he couldn't, both because this was a good chance to get out and shake hands but also because Scarlett and the others wouldn't let him.They hadn't pressed him for more information once he'd said things were over with his mystery girlfriend. Scarlett had dropped a few hints about this other woman she wanted to introduce to him, but he'd hopefully put her off that.Garth just wasn't ready to consider anyone else.He finished dressing in a maroon flannel, jeans and his worn boots. No sense in dressing up when he'd likely end up over at the kid's crafting station. That meant paint, gl

Garth STARED DOWN AT where he'd thought he'd seen Noemi.Except Noemi didn't wear flannel. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen her wearing jeans and have fingers leftover. But he was fairly certain that had been her."Garth?" Adeline's voice brought him back to the moment.He blinked down at this funny, sweet woman, but she didn't stir anything in him. Not like Noemi."Adeline?" He took her hand in his. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we see you around. Scarlett's intentions introducing us were good, but..."She smiled a knowing smile and turned her hand in his so she could give it a friendly shake. "I can tell. She's a special woman. I appreciate the history lesson.""Thanks, Adeline."If he'd met her at another point in his life, he'd have been interested. But it wasn't the burning connection he'd had with Noemi. Nothing could compare to that.Garth headed for the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. He skirted the tables between