tate
The hayride was,in fact, a blast.
Mostly from Amber’s reaction to the jump scares. The gray gelding with the reenactment of the Headless Horsemanwas definitely a highlight. Evidently, the kids in one of the hay trucks were actually reading the book. The squeals of fright then laughter had translated into more fun for everyone else as well.
But watching Amber take in the orchard and the Halloween touches was worth the slow and bumpy trip around the orchard. I was too damn tall for the seats, and my back was screaming, but the wonder in her face loosened something inside of me that I didn’t realize was locked up.
I’d strived to find joy since my mother died a few years ago, but that day was one of the first times I’d actually felt it. It was easier to be Tate, the guy who helped everyone. But right now I was just Tate with the pretty, interesting woman by his side.
Watching her with kids was also going to end me.
A family had always been an abstract thing that I’d eventually do. I was too focused on the Winter Wonderland to think about house, home, and a baby with gray eyes.
But damn if I didn’t dream a little.
When a black robed figure started hopping carts, I immediately yanked Amber into my arms. She gave me a startled look and then yelped as the Ghostface mask came into view. The guy behind the mask didn’t say a word, just jumped to the next cart.
Amber dissolved into laughter. “He’s lucky I didn’t kick him in the ba—” She glanced at the ten-year-old next to us. “Unmentionables like Sidney did in the movie.”
I tucked her in close to me. “That even got me.”
“What a fun day. Thank you so much for asking me to come.”
I couldn’t resist dropping a quiet kiss on her mouth. The kiss melted into a laugh at the kids around us groaning and pretending to choke themselves in disgust.
We finished off our hot chocolate as the truck rumbled over the pitted path in front of a massive, weathered barn. The owl logo proudly displayed with a smaller sign advertising to pick your own bushel from the massive apple bins. We could either take off into the trees to pick some ourselves or make a mix and match collection from those in the bins. We both opted for the store instead.
While we were making our own basket, Amber finally got recognized.
The wildfire of people that came forward was slightly alarming. An eight-year-old said her name in a barrage of tears and Amber immediately crouched to her level.
“Hey, it’s okay.” She put her basket on the ground and brushed the little girl’s bangs out of the way.
“But I love you so much!”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
A teacher tried to push through the crowd of students, alerted by the tears. “What’s going on here?”
Amber looked up from her crouch. “Ruby just is in her feels a little bit, but we’re okay.”
The teacher went white. “Oh, crap.”
Amber smiled at her briefly before turning her attention back on Ruby. “Are you okay now?”
The little girl threw herself at Amber, nearly knocking her down. I hurried forward, my gaze clocking all the kids slowly making the circle tighter. “Amber, things are getting dicey.”
She held a hand out for me and I helped her stand. She dipped a hand into her purse and came out with a silver Sharpie. Startled that she was prepared for this eventuality, I just watched incredulously as she waded into the crowd. She signed whatever was stuck out for her and smiled for photos and selfies.
Unfortunately we were making a spectacle of ourselves, and more and more people came over to check out what was going on.
A tall man with a Brothers Three baseball cap came over as backup and called over a half dozen more workers from the barn.
I recognized Justin Manning as the tallest one. I waved him over.
“What’s going on, folks?” His smile was affable, but his eyes were clear and assessing. He grinned up at me. “Hey, big guy. How can I help?”
I pitched my voice low. “Do you know who Ambrose is?”
