Still, neither of them moved for another beat. Caleb was reluctant to let her go.
Finally, they gathered their things and stepped out into the warm night. The music spilled out behind them as he opened the truck door for her. She climbed in, glancing over at him with a small, lingering smile.
He couldn’t help himself. He stepped close and kissed her again.
The drive back was quiet but comfortable. When he pulled into her drive, he cut the engine but didn’t get out right away.
“Tonight was really nice,” she said.
“It was,” he agreed. “I’m glad we did this.”
She hesitated, then leaned in and kissed him, slowly, unhurried, like she was already missing him. When she pulled back, her hand lingered on his arm.
“I’d like to do this again,” she said.
“So would I.”
He walked her to the door, waiting while she unlocked it. Before she went inside, she turned and gave him one last smile.
“Good night, Caleb. Thank you.”
“Good night, Mia.”
He stayed there for a moment after the door closed, listening to the quiet, his heart knowing one thing for sure.
This was not going to be a one-night thing.
CHAPTER 23
Mia was still ridingan emotional high on Saturday morning.
Friday evening had been everything she’d hoped for and more. The music was just loud enough to have a conversation. The food was rich and comforting. They talked and laughed and danced.
It felt real. Honest.
Caleb’s hands were warm and steady at her waist, anchoring her until he pulled her closer and she felt the solid heat of his chest beneath her palms. And when she looked up at him and caught the desire in his eyes, God help her, she wanted him to kiss her more than anything.
And he did.
It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t casual. It was a kiss that lingered, like he wasn’t ready to let go yet.
She smiled to herself as she pulled onto the farm drive after another successful farmers’ market. Sold out again. The kind of day that reminded her why she did this, why the long hours and aching feet were worth it.
The farm was quiet when she stepped into the barn. No Roy. No men working. Just the familiar silence of one space that never let her down.
Her dad was feeling good, steady on his feet, joking around, teasing her about her date in a way that made her roll her eyes and laugh at the same time. That alone felt like a gift.
Tomorrow’s event still needed final prep, and Wednesday’s tasting menu hovered in the back of her mind. But for once, she didn’t feel behind. She felt grounded.
Hopeful.
Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.
Lately, it seemed like people were curious about her schedule. Sabrina. Dana. Questions slipped in between small talk and customers, casual enough to shrug them off. Mia chalked it up to town curiosity. Business picked up, people noticed. That was all.
She couldn’t wait for the event barn to be finished. Once it was, she could hold tasting menus and small parties there instead of schlepping the food all over town, juggling unfamiliar kitchens and borrowed space.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and carried it to the table, setting it beside her pad and pen. The list of what was due tomorrow was waiting, neatly organized. She scanned the page, checking off what had already been done.
