AllFreeNovel
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The trick-or-treating is supposed to last three hours, but it passes quicker than I thought it would. Most of the kids have made their way through several times, and when we run out of candy, we decide to clean our space. A handful of business owners volunteered to make sure the school grounds are cleaned after the event is over and everyone’s gone. It makes my job a lot easier, honestly.
While we’re packing up the tent, Rose Bishop walks over to us dressed like a queen with the crown and all. It makes me snort because she’s basically Eldorado royalty.
“Y’all did so good. Did you see all the costumes that entered the contest? It just gets better every year, doesn’t it?” She glances at all of us. “Goodness, I need to capture my grandbabies lookin’ so cute. And you too, Grayson.” She winks, then digs in her oversized purse and pulls out her iPhone.
She struggles with it for a few seconds until Kenzie goes to her. “I’ll help ya, Grandma!”
After a few seconds, they’ve figured it out, and the pictures begin. Once she’s gotten her fill of photos, she hugs and kisses each of us, then goes on her way.
“Just wanna tell y’all thank you,” Kenzie says to everyone.
“You’re welcome!” Hadleigh gives her a hug. “It was a lot of fun.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kane grunts, but I see him flash a smile at Hadleigh.
We part ways with them, and for the first time since we arrived, Kenzie and I are alone. The sun’s setting, so the temperature is dropping.
“Apple cider, oh my goodness,” Kenzie shrieks when she sees the booth. We stop, and I get us each a cup. A slice of apple sits on the edge of the cup along with a huge dollop of homemade whipped cream covered in caramel sauce. She takes a sip, and when she pulls away, whipped cream sticks to her nose.
Leaning forward, I smirk before licking it off.
She pulls me toward her and captures my lips with an animalistic growl. We get lost in the moment and quickly realize we’re making out in the walkway when someone clears their throat. Parting, we glance over and see Kenzie’s mom.
“You two.” She shakes her head. “Dorothy and the Scarecrow making out like they’re on HBO.”
“Mom.” Kenzie interlocks her fingers with mine, tightly holding her drink with the other hand.
“Did you try the pumpkin pie?” she asks. “It’s so good. I’m gonna go buy a whole one right now.”
“Save some for us!” Kenzie tells her with a laugh before she walks away. When we’re alone again, Kenzie turns to me.
“I’ve been waiting to kiss you all afternoon,” she whispers.
“Well, just wait until we leave here,” I say, waggling my brows. We find our way to the line for some pie. We’re handed our slices, and it nearly melts in my mouth. Mrs. Bishop wasn’t lying. It’s the best damn pie I’ve had in a long time.
“I know why Mom got one to go now,” Kenzie says around a mouthful, checking out the line that’s even longer than the one we waited in. Playfully pouting, she shakes her head.
“I’m not that patient. I’d rather go home and eat something else…” Kenzie smirks. “But not until we’ve been through the hay maze. I gotta experience it firsthand.”
“Deal,” I say with a laugh. “You think ya can beat the fastest time?”
“You guys installed a freakin’ clock?” she asks in shock.
“Of course we did. Then the ranch hands took turns racing. You’re currently lookin’ at the champ, baby.”
“That’s not fair because you knew the design.”
I chuckle as we continue forward. “Doesn’t make it any easier.”
“We’ll see ’bout that,” she challenges as we buy a few tickets. After a few minutes, it’s our turn to go inside.
“Do you wanna be chased?” one of the teenage volunteers asks us.
“Up to you,” I tell Kenzie.
“Nah, I got a record to beat,” she says with a cocky grin.
“I’m followin’ you and won’t get in the way. Good luck!” I offer with a snort.
Kenzie rushes through, thinking she made the right turn until she comes to a dead end. I take a few steps forward. “Givin’ up already?”
“Not yet!” She rushes past me, giggling.
She takes another wrong turn, though she doesn’t know it yet.
“We’re getting close. I can just tell,” she says matter-of-factly.
I chuckle, trying to keep it to myself. It’s the worst move she could’ve made because it leads back to the start, and then you gotta backtrack without getting lost again.
Five minutes pass before she realizes she fucked up. The sound of children’s laughter and voices float around as Kenzie throws a small fit.
“You’re already three minutes behind my time,” I mumble when she walks by.
Seconds later, Kenzie turns around and nearly mauls me with her mouth. She presses me against the giant hay bale, then slides her tongue against mine. As I groan, she wraps her arms around my neck and barely comes up for air.
