Chapter Four
Mom swatted his arm. “What did you do?”
He stared at the woman as she rushed away, keenly aware he didn’t catch her name. “It was the day things went down with Jenna. When you called me, I was running and trying to get to Jenna’s as quickly as I could.”
“Did you really run into her?”
“Yes.” He hadn’t noticed her then—had been too distracted and worried about Jenna—but he noticed her today. Especially her glossy dark locks tussled by the breeze. Her amber eyes that flashed with irritation when she recognized him. The long, trim legs tucked into a pair of cognac leather calf boots.
He was an idiot.
“What happened?” Mom hadn’t uncrossed her arms, a sure sign she wouldn’t drop the topic until she had all her answers.
Images of that moment surfaced in his memory. The event was hazy. Most of what he remembered revolved around his fear for Jenna’s life. “You had passed the phone to Dad, and he was trying to give me updates as I ran back to my car. I remember pulling keys from my pocket and running into someone, mumbling an apology, then continuing on.”
“You didn’t stop to make sure she was okay?” Her tone of censure cut deeper than her words.
“I guess not.” He bit down on his bottom lip, feeling like a creep. Even though he’d been distracted for a legitimate reason, it didn’t excuse his behavior.
Mom dropped her arms to her side. “There’s only one thing to do. Go find her and make it right.”
“Right now?” He looked at the line that finally moved. “I’m not missing the pumpkin patch.”
“You’re twenty-eight years old, not eight.” Mom snorted. “I think you’ll survive.”
He rolled his eyes. “For Myla’s sake.”
“I know, but it’s part of my mom duties to give you a hard time.” She swatted his arm for the second time. “And don’t you roll your eyes at your mother. I’m starting to wonder if I raised you so well after all.”
“Love you, Mom.” Giving her a sideways hug, he dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Why don’t I go find her after we get our pumpkins, and you can take Myla to the barn for arts and crafts.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan.” She paused and issued him a pointed stare. “Actually, in an ideal world, you wouldn’t have acted like an imbecile and had to apologize in the first place.”
“I know, I know, I know.” He patted his phone in his pocket and thought of the irony—he’d always been the first to get annoyed with people whose phones took over their lives. He’d even gone on a few dates after which there wasn’t a second because the girl had spent too much time scrolling and typing. Now, he’d inadvertently joined their ranks. “It won’t happen again.”
The line progressed, but the wagon filled when there were still five families ahead of them. They’d have to wait a bit longer, but the girl dressed in overalls assured them it wouldn’t be more than ten minutes. He kept silent on the fact he could have walked to the area five times over by now. Things happened that couldn’t be prevented, and the staff had gone above and beyond to make the wait tolerable.
Looking around, his gaze fell on the girl corralling the line, and he noticed a strong resemblance to the girl he’d run into. Change her from a blonde to a brunette and add five years or so and they could have been twins. Were they sisters? Either way, since both girls worked at the farm, she should be able to tell him the other girl’s name.
“I’ll be right back.” He glanced at his mom. “Will you keep an eye on Myla?”
Her eyes crinkled with curiosity, but she didn’t ask questions. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Taking long strides, he walked to the blonde and tapped her shoulder. “Excuse me, ma’am.”
She made eye contact with him and smiled. “How can I help you?”
“The lady that helped you pass out the snacks, what is her name?”
With furrowed brows, she hesitated a second before answering. “Paige. She’s the farm’s activity coordinator. Is everything okay?”
He nodded. “I might have been a little rude and wanted to find her to apologize.”
“She’ll appreciate that, but good luck tracking her down.” The girl swept her arm in a wide gesture. “Her position takes her all over the farm on days we’re open to the public.”
“Thanks for the heads up and information.” He started to pivot and return to his mom and Myla, but paused, figuring a compliment couldn’t hurt. “Nice place you all have. My niece is having a great time.”
“I’m glad to hear.”
