Page 33 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“Then give it back next time.”

Her expression sharpened. “What makes you think there’ll be a next time?”

“Your truck is at my garage.”

That silenced her. With a sigh, I accepted the jacket, though part of me regretted taking away the warmth it had provided her.

“Get inside,” I told her.

“You’re bossy.”

“You’ve mentioned that.”

“And yet you’ve made no effort to improve.”

“I’m comfortable with who I am.”

“That must be nice.” The words came lightly, but the sadness beneath them stayed with me as she turned toward the house. Evelyn waved from the porch. Carson did not. She only looked back once before disappearing through the screen door.

I remained beside my truck longer than necessary, staring at Marigold Ranch while rain tapped against the brim of the garage cap I’d forgotten I was wearing.

The property needed work. Anyone could see that.

More work than one twenty-five-year-old woman and her grandmother should have been carrying alone…

But Carson had made it clear she did not want pity, charity, or strangers inserting themselves into her life.

I respected that.

It just didn’t stop me from noticing.

Chapter

Five

BEAU

By the time I arrived at my parents’ house, the storm had moved east, leaving the air heavy and the roads shining beneath the glow of the setting sun.

Mom’s car filled the driveway beside Dad’s truck, Jax’s SUV, and Hunter’s dark pickup. Clover had parked half on the grass like she always did, despite Dad complaining every Tuesday that she was destroying his lawn.

The smell of roasted chicken and butter met me before I made it through the kitchen.

Mom stood near the stove, her blonde hair twisted into a loose bun that had surrendered several strands around her face. She wore a navy apron over a soft green blouse, and had one hand wrapped around a serving spoon while the other directed Dad away from a tray of rolls.

“I was checking them,” he insisted.

“You were eating them.”

“A man has to know whether they’re safe for his family.”

“You ate three.”

“Thorough testing.”

Mom pointed the spoon toward the dining room. “Go sit down, Walter.”

Dad took another roll before obeying, and I leaned down and kissed Mom’s cheek.