“Miss Griffin, you came! I’m so happy you’re here.” She chomps off a huge bite, chewing with the enthusiasm of a kid seeking a sugar rush.
“I wouldn’t miss it, girlie.”
Before I can ask about her parents, Jamie and a man I presume to be Trevor appear. I offer them a smile and wave as another figure comes into view. Reeve waits on the outer rim of the mini semicircle the other three have formed. It’s been almost a week since he picked up his niece from school. What an interesting coincidence that turned out to be.
Watching him interact with that adorable little girl was a potent clip of lady porn. Since that day, I’ve found my thoughts even more centered on this man. Has he been thinking of me? His smirk, aimed directly at me, is downright devilish. That might suggest an affirmation in the positive. I feel that naughty expression strike straight into my core.
“See, Gabs? She showed. Now we can quit stalking the gate.” Reeve pats her head the way any adoring uncle should.
“Uh-huh, she didn’t ditch you like mama thought. Whatever that means,” she mumbles the last part.
Jamie sputters out her sip of soda. “I never said that.”
Two small fists park on Gabby’s hips. “Did so.”
“Remember what I told you about arguing?”
“It’s for adults only?”
Jamie’s laugh sounds strained. “Not quite, sweetie. It’s not polite for children to be sassy with grown-ups.”
“You’re one to talk,” Reeve mutters.
She pins him with a glare. “I’m attempting to defend you.”
“How so?”
“By eliminating interruptions.”
“Easier offered than executed,” he retorts.
Jamie squeezes Gabby’s shoulder. “We were about to take this bitty miss to the petting zoo.” Her daughter draws in a deep breath, about to add something, so she steamrolls on. “Enjoy the privacy while she’s occupied.”
Gabby frowns at her mother, but shrugs off the momentary defeat. “See you later, Miss Griffin. Have fun with Uncle Ree.”
“Oh, I’m sure she will,” Jamie sings as they wander toward a far corner of the property.
Reeve steps forward until only a couple of feet separate us. The sleeves of his flannel shirt are rolled up to show off an impressive set of forearms. A roadmap of ropy veins intersects the sculpted muscles. Staring for too long will get me in trouble. Instead, I trap a laugh that’s waiting to burst from my lips. I almost wore a shirt with the same plaid pattern. How fitting would it have been for us to match?
He flings up a brow, most likely due to my odd behavior. “Hey, city girl. Glad you made it.”
I return his coy grin. “Afraid I’d stand you up?”
“Maybe a little, not that I wouldn’t deserve it.”
“That’d be a tad harsh.” A gust of warmth breezes across my cheeks. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.”
That makes him ponder, and he gives me a slow perusal. “I see you’ve purchased a proper pair of boots.”
I click my clunky heels together. “Yes, I caved. Sondra brought me to a saddle shop near Des Moines. I didn’t know those were even a thing. That allowed me to cross two items off my never list.”
He releases a low whistle. “You really aren’t from around here.”
“Pretty sure we covered that months ago.”
“It slips my mind now and then.”
“Since I fit in so well otherwise?”
“Something like that. I’m sure you have plenty of tricks up your cuff that will stun me.”
I shimmy my shoulders. “Shocking you is one of my favorite pastimes.”
“I look forward to it.” Both his dimples choose that moment to salute me. “Have you been to a harvest festival like this?”
“Definitely not of this magnitude.”
“Bam doesn’t skimp on the flair and details.”
I give the expansive setup another once-over. “I’ve definitely gathered that. You guys know how to throw a lavish event.”
Reeve chuckles, stirring a fluster in my belly. “That’s some fancy lingo, but I’ll agree we spare no expense. There’s a bit of everything. It smells better than the county fair too.”
“I think the cooler temperatures allow for the delicious aromas to travel better.”
A pinch tightens his expression. “Is that true?”
I laugh. “No clue. Sounds legit, though.”
“Either way, I might steal that theory.”
“By all means.”
“So.” He sweeps an arm out to the side. “Where should we start?”
“What are my options?”
“Another spin on the Ferris wheel, grab some food, hayride, corn maze, or Bam’s esteemed spooky castle.”
“It seems a bit early for that last one.” I do my best to hide a gulp.
“They keep it running through Halloween.”
“That’s intense.”
“We don’t slack off with the festivities, remember? Especially when it comes to holidays. Those include the Hallmark kind. People travel rather far to visit our seasonal attractions.”
I fidget, searching for a reasonable excuse to avoid the scare tactics. “Then we should save the best for last.”
“Or go through it first, and if there’s time, we’ll do another round.” Excitement radiates from his voice and is difficult to refuse, even with a heavy dose of fear pumping through my veins.
“Uh, okay. You’re building this up to be a terrifying experience. I might be disappointed in the end.”
He mistakes my jest for a serious statement. “They actually do a decent job. I tend to startle at least once.”
A shiver racks my limbs. “Why would you want to suffer through that? It’s probably best to skip it.”
“Is the brave city girl afraid?”
His taunt straightens my spine with artificial courage. I scoff. “Hardly.”
“Great, we’ll see who surrenders first.” He notches a palm into the dip of my spine.
The unexpected touch soothes my jagged nerves.
“Right this way.”
An intimidating wood barn stands tall and proud near the far edge of the festival. Considering the building is in our direct path, I safely assume that’s where Reeve is leading me. Being the size of a small prison is daunting enough. The concerning amount of fog streaming from the doors and windows is just overkill.
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
I almost leap out of
