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“Took you long enough,” she said with a wink.
Lydia was right. It had taken Trent long enough to get the courage to propose, but now that he had her blessing, he didn’t want to wait a second longer. And he knew exactly where and how he wanted to pop the question. It was going to take a little prep work and a little help from the local pumpkin patch.
…
Her annual pumpkin patch visit was the highlight of the season for Whitney. She wasn’t a fan of Halloween with all its spookiness, but the cool evenings, the smell of pumpkin spice, and enjoying the harvest festivities at the local farm was her favorite fall activity.
Arriving at the farm that evening with Jess, she climbed out of her vehicle, feeling the usual excitement wrap around her.
Too bad Trent had to work late that evening. His last-minute text to let her know he wouldn’t be able to tag along had disappointed her, but she’d still enjoy the evening with her best friend. Linking an arm through Jess’s, they entered through the farm gates. The evening sun was low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the fields as families and friends participated in games of corn hole, made their own scarecrows from old farm clothes, empty vegetable sacks and hay, and launched pumpkins from a cannon. Watching the community come together to celebrate the season always made her feel proud to call Blue Moon Bay home. While she’d once dreamed of big city life, there was something about her small coastal town that would always truly feel like home, where she belonged.
“Hayride first?” she suggested as they approached the concession stand for the mandatory hot chocolate.
“Um…I was thinking we could start with the corn maze?” Jess said casually, but Whitney caught a hint of something she couldn’t quite distinguish in her tone—mysterious excitement that had nothing to do with pumpkins and corn stalks. Something was up with her friend that evening.
“Okay, sure.” She was up for anything and everything in any order.
They paid for their hot chocolate and Jess led the way toward the maze. Each year the farm created a new design, challenging locals with dead-ends and circular paths that could only be successfully navigated with the help of clues provided in the form of trivia questions. A correct answer would give the right direction through the maze to the next trivia stop.
“Hey, Whitney and Jess,” Mr. Bennett, one of the farm owners said in greeting with a wide smile.
“Hey, Mr. Bennett, hope you have a challenge for us this year,” Whitney teased.
The older man grinned and shot a wink at Jess. “Oh, I think you’ll enjoy this one.”
Whitney turned to Jess with a suspicious look. “What’s going on?” She glanced around and noticed no one else approaching the maze. She peered inside, but didn’t see anyone or hear the usual laughter as people got lost or debated the right direction.
“This year you’re on your own,” she said. She reached into her purse and retrieved an orange piece of construction paper and handed it to Whitney. “Your first clue.”
Whitney’s heart raced as she took it and read.
What was I wearing the first time we met?
A) A Clown Suit (Turn Right)
B) My Birthday Suit (Turn Left)
Whitney’s eyes widened as she laughed at the question. “Clues from Trent? Why? What’s happening?” she asked Jess, a whole new level of excitement enveloping her.
Jess shrugged, the mischievous gleam still in her eyes. “Guess you’ll have to complete the maze and find out.”
“Enjoy,” Mr. Bennett said.
Entering the maze, Whitney headed left. She hurried past the tall corn stalks, weaving along the path’s twists and turns until she reached the next trivia question stop. The usual pumpkin patch trivia card was replaced with another piece of orange construction paper with another one of Trent’s handwritten questions on it. She picked it up and read.
What song helped me confess my feelings for you?
A) In Case You Didn’t Know (Turn Left)
B) Love Stinks (Turn Right)
Whitney laughed as she headed left again through the maze. She brushed corn stalks out of her way as she moved quickly, eager to reach the next trivia stop.
Trent had created her own maze challenge that year. She couldn’t believe he’d done something so incredibly special for her. Making these direction clue trivia cards and convincing Mr. Bennett to give her exclusive access to the maze must have taken so much time and thought. Her heart swelled as she reached the next trivia stop.
She picked up the next card and read.
Where did we have our first kiss?
