Page 41 of Gossip Game

They drove down a longish driveway, ending at a sprawling brick rambler with a wraparound porch featuring Chippendale railings. It was all decked out with pumpkins, a buffalo plaid mat and other fall decorations. All of that paled compared to the splendor that was behind the home, however, an unobstructed view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in all their autumnal glory. Charlotte was trying to take it all in when Noah yanked her from the van.

“You don’t have to stay,” he said, his words a hurried whisper.

His brown eyes held a look of raw anguish. He hadn’t counted on them being seen together by the paps. This trip was so under the radar, they’d both decided she didn’t need any security.

Cleary, he didn’t want to add any more fuel to the rumors of their relationship. She got that. She hated that it was because he didn’t believe she was his type. But that was neither here nor there. Their reality was a football game swarming with cameras.

Noah’s voice wasn’t as steady as usual. She had no doubt that if he had a way of leaving, too, he would use it. Humble didn’t even begin to describe this man. Which was so incongruous with every professional athlete she’d ever known. His reticence only made him even more endearing.

You can always count on me, he’d confessed to her on the plane.

Well, that went ditto for her. They were in this together. For better or for worse.

Her heart stuttered a beat at her brain’s whimsical choice of words. She patted him on the chest, letting her palm linger over his heart a moment longer for added reassurance. His heartbeat stuttered for a few beats as well. Their gazes collided and held.

“You’re leaving?”

Maisy’s question had Charlotte dropping her hand and turning to placate the little girl. She fingered the end of one of Maisy’s braids.

“I’m not going anywhere, Miss Maisy. I’ve never been to a high school football game. And you promised there would be funnel cakes.”

“Yay!” Maisy raced to the front porch.

Noah remained where he was. “You sure?”

She nodded with more conviction than she felt. “I owe you, remember?”

He closed his eyes with a pained sigh. “I was wrong to ask this of you.”

“Why did you bring me here, Noah?”

Charlotte was surprised at the steady way she’d voiced the question, considering how desperately she wanted to know his answer. He’d told her she was here at his grandmother’s request. She knew there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his Meemaw. Deep down, though, she hoped she was here for a different reason.

His lashes jerked up, revealing a maelstrom of emotion in his eyes. Just when she thought he might answer, his sister called to them from the porch.

“Hey, you two. Lunch is on the table. Come and get it.”

Meemaw was everything Charlotte expected and, yet, so much more. For starters, the older woman’s eyes were bright and discerning, even after a night spent in the hospital. Her grey hair was long, its sleek waves framing her face. Most women of her age favored a shorter style. Noah hadn’t exaggerated her height—six feet, if Charlotte had to guess. Meemaw still carried herself with the regality of an aristocrat, shoulders back, chin held high.

An aristocrat who drove a giant pickup truck.

“Do you mind if I borrow your truck this afternoon, Meemaw?” Noah asked during lunch.

“You’re welcome to use my van,” Alex offered as she nabbed a pickle from Ainsley’s hand before it landed on the floor.

Noah shot his sister a horrified look.

Their mother, Val, chuckled. “It’s your brother’s day. Let him drive something that isn’t a mom-mobile.” She turned to Noah. “Are you going to show Charlotte around town?”

He gave Charlotte a sheepish look. “Actually, I was going to head over to the high school. See what I can do to dial back this whole Noah Hudson Day nonsense.”

“It’s not nonsense and you’ll do no such thing,” Meemaw declared, lowering her palm to the tabletop with a loud whack.

Noah sighed. “This weekend is supposed to be a celebration for you, Meemaw. Not me.”

“And what if honoring your many accomplishments is what I want for my birthday, huh?”

“Check mate,” Charlotte mumbled so that only Noah would hear.

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