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A cold mist had settled over the ranch further out in the marshes, but miraculously a stream of sunshine had caught the oversized barn in its gentle rays. The day only grew brighter as the afternoon wore on, which was a good thing because she hadn’t been able to resist wearing her flirty, flowing floral dress the color of chocolate and buttermilk.
Cole had called the dress white, but no… it was after Labor Day, so it definitely was not white! And it went perfectly with her gold cowgirl boots.
Eva held out her arms as Charlie and Pip reached her. “You made it!” She’d begun to wonder if they would as the afternoon wore on, but now she caught them as they landed against her with a hardy hug. She let out a giddy “ooph.”
At leasttheywere happy to see her.
Her attention drifted to their mother in concern. Liv stood with River, her shoulder pressing into her husband’s. She cradled her new baby next to her chest as she smiled over at her boys. West’s ex kindly included Eva in her sweet looks. Was there some pity in that gaze? Eva was both touched and annoyed. Liv probably knew too well the way West worked.
The guy was pulling a disappearing act that Eva had dumped past boyfriends for, and yet… what they had was special, wasn’t it? He’d changed his ways after what he’d done to Liv. He was just being a dutiful son.
Cole wasalsoone, and yet, he never made her feel second best. Earlier, after Eva had stuffed her phone into his glove compartment to banish her stalker yet again, Cole had handed her down from his truck to escort her to the pumpkin patch just like the gentleman she knew was still hiding inside West, and yet, she never had to trick Cole into being one.
In a way, West’s brother was making her realize how she liked to be treated. Cole was protective, fun, smart—just the kind of guy that she’d love to set up with her friends, and yet, for some reason, the thought of matching him up withanyonemade her teeth clench.
She was turning greedy probably, just like she had when she met any of West’s brothers and enjoyed their company. Who was she to stand in the way of Cole’s happiness?
Eva straightened. Her gaze went from Pip to Charlie. “How are you liking your Thanksgiving vacation?”
The boys both started talking at once. “Mompa got her heart surgery!”
“Mompa talked to me on the phone!” Pip announced proudly. His missing teeth from the summer had grown in, making him far more articulate than a boy with such innocent blue eyes should be. “She said I was her good boy!”
“Well, you are,” Eva agreed cheerfully. There was something about these kids that made her heart sing with joy. West and Liv had done a good job raising them.
Charlie was already tugging on her arm. “Where’s Cole?”
Surrounded by all the beautiful, single women from this town.They’d clutched to Cole all afternoon like Charlie and Pip were presently doing to Eva. How was she to know that her makeover would be too powerful? As soon as Cole helped her out of his truck that morning, the women had him trapped as they hounded him with questions about his mother.
Kylee was the worst of them. Eva still didn’t know why the talented caterer rubbed her the wrong way—maybe they were too much alike in another life? Eva had no idea, but she’d bristled when Kylee attached herself to Cole’s arm and tried to tempt him away with treats.
Of course, the flirt could cook! Apparently she could do everything that Eva couldn’t!
Kylee had given Eva a sideways glance before she’d asked him,“So this is going to be your sister-in-law?”
Eva could still hear her giggles from where she stood, and Cole’s rumbling replies.
She peeked over at him and felt herself flush when she caught his eyes sliding to her…and his nephews. Of course, he was just making sure they were okay.
“Please! Take us to the milk jug target shooting.”
She ripped her gaze away as Charlie and Pip begged her to take them into the part of the pumpkin patch that she and Cole had sectioned off into carnival games. They’d have to hurry to try out everything before the festival was over. Already their friends were taking down their booths. It turned out kids weren’t allowed to party late into the night. Go figure.
After a nod of approval from their momma to go with Eva, the boys dragged her over to the mini shooting range.
Cole still teased her about being a better shot than she’d been with West.
He was such a dork!
Too bad he couldn’t see her target practice with West’s boys himself, but Kylee had him cornered. Again! Eva carefully picked up the pellet gun, listening to the animated chatter around her. The addicting aroma of pumpkin pie and pumpkin scones sweetened the cool air. The tastes and smells were to die for. The kids who had come were even cuter. They squealed out in excitement as they warmed their hands against the fire barrels with their families and tried out the games.
Charlie and Pip hadn’t even seen the races yet. They were all in for a treat.
She giggled and nestled the pellet gun against her shoulder. She’d only worked on this festival to make West proud of her, but now? Well, even if he hadn’t been able to make it, she’d cherish this Thanksgiving memory in Harvest Ranch forever.
She stared down the barrel at the first of the six milk jugs.
“You can do it,” Charlie whispered behind her.
