Page 232 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

By nine that morning, Marigold was already overflowing with people. Pumpkins lined the drive from the road to the farmhouse. Children ran through fallen leaves in costumes that would be covered in dirt before lunch. The barn doors stood open beneath ropes of orange lights.

Smoke rose from the cider station.

Someone had dressed the scarecrows.

Someone else had dressed my father. He wore a straw hat and flannel shirt despite repeatedly explaining he was not a scarecrow.

Mom thought it was hysterical. She laughed beside Meme, who stood on the porch in a burnt-orange dress with a cream cardigan over her shoulders.

For most of the morning, I barely saw Carson, she was needed everywhere. She wore jeans and a cream sweater, blonde hair loose around her shoulders…

Then, by late afternoon, the trees glowed beneath the lowering sun.

Most of the maples had lost enough leaves that their branches showed through. Gold and orange covered the ground around the old oaks. Every time the wind picked up, leaves spiraled through the festival like confetti.

I found Rosie near the hay wagons. “Where’s Carson?”

She looked at me, then smiled mischievously. I immediately disliked it. Rosie was known to cook up crazy plans.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Rosie.”

“Go stand by your family.”

“Why?”

“Because for once in your life, Beau Jones, do what you’re told.”

Jax appeared beside her carrying rope. “Don’t bother.”

“What’s happening?” I asked in confusion, and he shrugged.

“No idea. She won’t tell me either.”

Rosie looked pleased with herself. “You two are exhausting.”

She walked away, and Jax watched her go. He caught me staring and quickly averted his gaze.

“What?”

“Nothing.” I smiled.

Music changed near the barn, and people began moving toward the main path.

The Halloween procession.

Clover and Hunter stood near the porch with mom. Dad had one arm around Meme, and I joined them.

“Where’s Carson?” I asked.

Meme’s eyes were fixed on the barn. Then Blueberry stepped through the open doors.

Everything inside me stopped. Carson sat in the saddle.

For a second, all I could see was the woman I’d watched climb onto that horse weeks ago and immediately ask to get down.