But I didn’t know how to explain all of that to a man who so clearly wanted to introduce me to the life he’d left behind. The one he’d be getting back to in a few weeks.
“Guys, I’m ready!” George called from the other room, distracting us both.
Thank fuck, because what was I going to do now?
The Spring Fling was held in downtown Kirby Falls. Just like the Orchard Festival in September and the holiday markets in December, booths lined Main Street, which had been closed to vehicular traffic.
There were artisans and food vendors set up among local farmers and craftspeople. Judd’s had a booth near the corner of Main and 4th Street, and Grandpappy’s was always right beside us. Eloise called it friendly competition, but since both farms were actual friends, none of us minded.
My parents were manning our table alongside Candace and Mercer as they sold treats, sweets, and Judd’s Orchard merchandise. Apples weren’t in season yet, so we didn’t have as many offerings as the Clark bunch, whose farm was extensive and sold produce nearly year-round. They had a good spread of greens, fresh garlic, herbs, and bakery items for this early-spring event.
Will and Becca were chatting with folks visiting the Grandpappy’s tent, but they both paused to give me a wave as I arrived, sliding between our neighboring tables.
“What are you doing here?” my mother asked. “I told you we were happy to work the festival.”
“I know,” I replied. “I just wanted to check in. See if anyone wanted a break to grab some lunch.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust my family to handle things. Well, it used to be that—old habits died hard—but for the most part, I knew that Candace and Mercer had it covered. But when my parents were involved, I often worried that they were overextending themselves. I always looked for ways to ease their burdens, and sometimes that came off as bossy and overbearing.
“Thanks, honey,” my dad said, squeezing my shoulder affectionately. “But we’re good.”
“Actually, you can do something for me,” my mother piped up.
Mercer gave a look that clearly conveyed I was in for it now, and it was my own damn fault.
“What is it?” I asked hesitantly.
Mom grabbed a paper bag and started filling it with things—hand pies, coffee cake, a slice of caramel apple pie, and some ... turkey sandwiches. “You can run this over to Ian in the kissing booth. I made him some sandwiches he likes before I left the house. He’s probably too nice to ask Eloise for a lunch break. And I’m sure he’s been the busiest booth on the street this morning. You go check on him for me.”
My sister didn’t even bother hiding her amusement.
I sighed and accepted my fate as well as the bag from my mother.
She beamed. “Thanks, sweetie.”
Without a fond farewell for anyone I was related to, I trudged off down the street in the direction of the carnival games and rides set up in the bank parking lot.
This was what I got for trying to micromanage. I loved my mother, but she was not above manipulating her offspring. I knew what she saw when she looked at me and Ian and George. A ready-made little family.
Ian and I had been discreet about our relationship. I hadn’t seen any sense in getting anyone’s hopes up—least of all, my own. We had George to think about, after all. It had seemed simpler—smarter—to keep what was happening between Ian and me to ourselves. Plus, there was the whole celebrity aspect. If tabloids caught wind of a romance brewing between Dorian Masters and a farmer ... I didn’t even want to consider the havoc that would wreak. It made Ian’s invitation to a Hollywood premiere that much more complicated.
While he might have tried to sell it as just one night and no big deal, it would mean being photographed in his world, speculated about. My life—my entire existence—would be picked apart for public consumption. That prospect was daunting.
Obviously, my sister knew what was going on with Ian, but not because I’d spelled anything out. The kiss conversation had happened after thewedding, and she’d been extra observant as a result. I’d simply told her we were taking things as they came and not to get too worked up about it.
The reality was that everyone in my inner circle probably knew that Ian and I were . . . more. I lived in a small town, and people liked to talk—even well-meaning people, like my friends. Ian wasn’t shy with his affection, and sometimes I’d catch him watching me in a way that made it hard to deny what we were to one another. Other times, I’d catch myself.
We were a small-town secret ... so basically everyone already knew.
But that wasn’t the point. My mom didn’t need to manufacture these reasons for us to see one another. She didn’t need to get her hopes up either. I had no idea what was going to happen with Ian, but I was a realist.
My life was here, and his couldn’t be.
But that didn’t mean I didn’t wish things could be different.
About a block from the bank, I noticed a line of people on the sidewalk. As I walked, I grew more suspicious. Dread settled in my gut as I eyed the single-file crowd of predominantly women.
When I turned the corner into the parking lot, I finally caught sight of the kissing booth. All these people were, indeed, queued up to get cozy with Dorian Masters.
