“You were never acne riddled, Jane.”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly prom queen material, either,” she shot back. The playful banter went missing, and her discomfort grew. It wasn’t a secret that she’d considered herself the most plain out of all her sisters. She was the oldest, and yet she hadn’t married. She simply wasn’t someone that men chased. And she was far too busy trying to make the world better to do the chasing. Was that a crime?
When she glanced up into Noah’s eyes, she flinched. There was more anger in those depths than she’d been prepared for.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
He shook his head. “Because it makes me mad that you don’t see what I see.”
“Well, isn’t that what they say, anyway? That beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I never said I was unattractive. I said plain. There’s a difference. I’m happy with what I am.”
Noah blew out a breath. “And would it irritate you if I told you that you were wrong about the beauty out there?” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm, and she glanced around at the landscape surrounding them.
“Maybe a little.”
“Then it isn’t so farfetched for me to say that it makes me upset when you discount the way I see you.”
She let his words sink in. They were sweet, and even though it took a lot for her to accept them, she could see his point. He found her beautiful. And he wanted her to acknowledge it without brushing off his compliment. His feelings were just as valid.
Heat bloomed in her cheeks, and she was sure she resembled a ripe fruit more than herself at this moment.
A softer smile touched his features, and he took in a deep breath before exhaling it with effort. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, Jane. And no, it’s not just skin deep, but that doesn’t make it any less of a true statement. The person you are as a whole—she has captured my heart. You’re selfless, driven, and kind. You think about others before you consider yourself. There is nothing more attractive than a woman who can be humble and headstrong at the same time.” He let out a laugh and reached across to her so he could trace a finger along her cheek. He withdrew just as goosebumps rose on her skin.“Don’t ever second-guess the woman I have given my heart to. She’s far too valuable to be underestimated.”
Her own smile spilled across her face at his compliments. He wasn’t telling her that she was drop-dead gorgeous. That would have been overkill, anyway. Noah was reminding her that not only was her soul beautiful, but so was she. And that understanding made her love him even more.
“I was thinking about something.” She shifted in the saddle, itching to change the subject from something so serious.
“What’s that?”
They continued riding, slowly making their way along the trail toward a line of trees that would offer shade. Apparently, there was a water source out that way as well.
“This charity event. The gala I’m in charge of. It’s going to be the biggest one of the year, right?”
He smiled. His patience was inhuman. She’d mentioned this exact fact so many times, she was certain he was tired of hearing her state it. And yet he never told her to stop talking. It’s what she did when she was nervous. Words just kept spilling.
“Well, I was asking around, because I’ve never been to the one they hold for the western side of the country. It’s usually very exclusive, and I’ve only just started working for them. Anyway, I found out something interesting.”
Noah tilted his head, his eyes drilling into her. The attentiveness he had for her was also something she adored about him. She never felt like she was boring him to death. When he didn’t ask, she simply continued.
“The board members only occasionally attend. Usually, they just send a few representatives.”
“That makes sense. It would be in their best interest to save spots for people who are willing to donate, right?”
“Right,” she agreed. “But you know what’s weird?”
“Hmm,” Noah grunted.
“The head of the organization never comes.”
His brows furrowed, and his eyes flashed with something. Was that confusion? She couldn’t blame him. She was confused, too.
“Right? It doesn’t make sense that the head of the organization hasn’t made an appearance. Like,ever.”
Noah didn’t offer any ideas as to why this would be.
“It’s weird. You would think the guy who put this charity together would want to put a face to the program.”
“Well, to be fair, there are a lot of faces for the program. You’ve met some of the board members, right?”
