"Yeah, we should," she agrees, but neither of us moves.
Tessa rolls her eyes. "You two are hopeless. I'm going to finish my deliveries before my mom comes looking for me." She pushes the wheelbarrow away, then calls over her shoulder, "But I want details at the market next Saturday!"
Once she's out of earshot, I turn back to Serena. The festival crowd thinned considerably, and most of the other vendors had already packed up and left. We're practically alone in our little corner of the market.
"So," I say, still holding her hand. "That happened."
"It did," she says softly, looking up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. "I can't say I regret it."
"Good," I say, stepping closer until there's barely any space between us. "Because I've been thinking about doing that since we were stuck in my storage room."
Her breath catches. "Really?"
"Really." I reach up with my free hand to tuck a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "I was an idiot for so long, being such a grump toward you."
"You were pretty grumpy," she teases.
I take a deep breath, knowing I need to address something that's been nagging at me. "Serena, I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me."
Her smile falters slightly. "What is it?"
"Does the age difference bother you? I'm fifty-seven, and you're only forty-five. That's twelve years, and I know that might seem like a lot to some people."
She blinks, then lets out a soft laugh. "Colt, are you seriously worried about that?"
"I just... I don't want you to feel like you're settling or missing out on someone closer to your own age," I say, my insecurities getting the better of me.
Serena steps closer, placing both hands on my chest. "Listen to me, you stubborn cowboy. We both are flippin' middle-aged, nevermind that age is just a number, and what matters is how you make me feel. You make me feel alive, desired, and protected. You think I care about twelve years when you defend me like that?" She gestures toward where the drunk man disappeared. "When you look at me like you are right now, as if I'm the most beautiful woman in the world?"
"You are the most beautiful woman in the world," I say without hesitation.
"See? That's what I'm talking about. I've dated men my age who made me feel invisible. You make me feel like I'm magic."
"You are magic," I murmur, leaning my forehead against hers.
"Then stop worrying about numbers and kiss me again," she whispers.
8
Serena
Standingin front of my bedroom mirror, I smooth down the emerald green dress I chose for tonight's Halloween Ball. When Colt asked me to be his date a week ago, I may have squealed a little too loudly, causing him to grin that crooked smile that makes my knees weak.
I'm nervous in a way I haven't been in years. This is our first proper date, and I want everything to be perfect. We've been stealing kisses and holding hands since the harvest festival, but tonight feels different. More official somehow.
The sound of gravel crunching on my driveway makes my heart skip. Through my window, I see Colt climbing out of his truck, and my breath catches. He's wearing a black button-down shirt that stretches perfectly across his broad shoulders and dark jeans that hug his legs just right. And naturally he's sporting dressy cowboy boots.
When I open the door, his eyes travel slowly from my face down to my toes and back up again, making heat pool low in my belly.
"You look incredible," he says, his voice rough.
"You clean up pretty well yourself, cowboy," I say, reaching up to straighten his collar just because I want an excuse to touch him.
Easy conversation and stolen glances fill the drive to the community center. Colt's hand finds mine on the seat between us, and I marvel at how natural this feels despite the butterflies dancing in my stomach.
Inside, the decorations are even more impressive than I expected. The Chamber of Commerce really went all out this year, turning the community center into something that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Orange and black streamers hang from the ceiling, carved pumpkins glow on every table, and a live band plays on a small stage at the front of the room. Couples already crowd the dance floor and sway to the music.
We find seats at a table near the back, and Colt pulls out my chair like a perfect gentleman. The dinner is surprisingly good for a community event, though I'm too distracted by the way my date's knee keeps brushing against mine under the table to pay much attention to the food.
