Page 144 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

Carson looked toward them. “Those two are going to kill each other.”

“Probably.”

“You sound unconcerned.”

“I’m the younger brother. It’s my job to watch, not intervene.”

“Useful.”

“Very.”

She slowed near an older section of fence beneath the oak tree. The shade dropped the temperature enough that neither of us rushed away. I leaned against the rail. Carson stayed beside me, closer than I expected. Not that I was complaining, if it were up to me I’d have her pinned against that tree, but I didn’t know if she wanted more.

Last night sat between us again. I wondered if she felt it too. Her gaze moved toward my mouth, giving me the invitation I so desperately needed.

I wanted to kiss her in a place that my brother or father couldn’t catch us. Something about the first kiss between us mattered.

Maybe because we had already almost done it.

Maybe because the longer I knew her, the less interested I became in wasting it.

Carson rested one hand on the top rail. “This is where Pops used to stand during the festival.”

I looked around. “Why here?”

“Could see everything.”

From this angle, everything about Marigold Ranch was in view—the barn, pastures, hayrides, the big house.

“He’d pretend he was supervising.”

“Was he?”

“No. He was mostly drinking cider and bossing people around.”

“Sounds like James.”

“He was terrible sometimes.” The affection in her voice made me smile. She looked toward the open land. For once, mentioning James didn’t bring immediate sadness.

“Come on.” I pushed away from the fence.

“Where to?”

“Back to work.”

She looked offended. “You’re ruining the moment.”

“I thought you didn’t like moments.”

“I don’t.”

“Exactly.”

We headed back toward the barn. Behind us, the old fence remained in the shade. Still, as I walked beside Carson, I had the strange sense that eventually something important was going to happen there.

I didn’t know what.

But I knew one thing for certain.