Page 205 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

Carson looked at me after a minute. “I know what you did.”

I smiled. “Not sure what you mean, I was hungry and figured you were too.”

“You’re still bossy.” Her knee bumped my arm.

We ate like that while the festival continued around us.

By three, Carson disappeared.

I didn’t notice immediately because Darlene had trapped me near the parking area, insisting that one of the directional signs leaned two degrees too far to the left. When I finally escaped, I went looking for water and found Meme alone in the kitchen.

“Where’s Carson?”

“Upstairs.”

My attention sharpened. “She okay?”

“She just needs to rest a little.”

As if we had summoned her, Carson appeared in the doorway. My eyes went to her face first. Then lower. Her prosthetic leaned against the kitchen cabinet beside her. She wore loose shorts now, her residual limb bare, skin still faintly red where the socket had rubbed.

Carson froze. Long enough that I knew some part of her had forgotten I knew.

Two nights ago, showing me this had taken shaking hands, tears, and enough fear that made my chest hurt just remembering it.

Today, she was standing in her kitchen without it because she was uncomfortable.

“Rosie’s threatening to put liquor in the cider,” I said.

Carson blinked. “What?”

“Apparently the tavern booth isn’t selling enough.”

“It’s three in the afternoon.”

“That’s what I told her.”

Meme made a sound of disapproval. “People shouldn’t need liquor to enjoy cider.”

“Tell Rosie.”

“I will.” Meme returned to the festival, leaving us alone.

Carson stared at me for another second. Then something in her shoulders relaxed. She moved toward the kitchen table with the careful, familiar gait of someone who knew exactly how to navigate her own home without the prosthetic.

I leaned against the counter. “Your festival’s a hit.”

“Our festival.”

The correction came automatically, and something warm spread through my chest.

“Nope.”

She frowned. “You all helped.”

“Yeah.” I pointed toward her. “Still yours.”

Carson looked toward the window. Outside, people filled the ranch. The next hay wagon rolled past. A little girl screamed happily when the tractor honked. Her mouth softened.