Courtney shot a knowing look at Blaze. “Let me guess, you want in on that action?”
Blaze pulled his wife against his side and gently placed his palm against Arlen’s back, being careful not to wake the baby. “Only if the festival isn’t too much for you two.”
Courtney rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I can spare you for a round or two if Clara’s dad is okay with you driving his precious tractor.”
“I’m sure he will.” Poppy poked Ace in the chest. “And you can take a couple of turns if you want. Gotta give the customers what they want so the fall festival lore continues to grow.”
Ace chuckled. “You weren’t kidding about how much you love this thing.”
“If anything, she was understating how much she enjoys the festival.” I beamed a smile at my best friend. “Remember your freshman year, when you came home for the weekend just so you could help out?”
“So totally worth it.” She snagged a bag of apple cider donuts from the case and took a bite out of one with a huge grin.
“Might be safer for me on the tractor, so you don’t bite my fingers off if I go for a donut,” Ace muttered.
“Please don’t feel like you guys need to help out. My dad really does have the hay rides covered. This was the first year anyone but him took the tractor out,” I explained.
“If anything, you’d be doing our men a favor by letting them take the tractor out.” Courtney swayed from side to side in a soothing motion for Arlen. “It’s not every day that they get to drive farm equipment.”
Farm life was normal to me, so I just shrugged. “I’m sure my dad won’t turn away the extra help from men who know how to handle machinery.”
Ace wagged his brows and winked at my best friend. “Oh, I know how to work machinery, all right.”
Poppy walked back around the counter to swat his arm before shoving half a donut in his mouth. “Here, eat this so you don’t embarrass me more.”
“Ooh, can I try them?” Stella asked.
“Sure.” Poppy grabbed her a fresh bag. “Here you go.”
“I just wanted a bite,” she mumbled with a laugh.
“Trust me, you’re gonna want a whole bag to yourself,” Poppy mumbled around her donut.
King pulled his wallet out of his pocket, but I waved him off before he could pull any cash out. “Even if you guys didn’t want to help with the hay rides, Ronan wouldn’t let us pay a penny for the top-of-the-line security system a bunch of your men helped him put in.”
“And I never pay for mine.” Poppy pulled another donut from her bag. “Kathy says I put in enough sweat equity as a kid to get them free for life.”
Stella’s eyes widened as she took her first bite. “I’m willing to pitch in wherever if you’ll pay me in these.”
Poppy flashed her a grin. “So good, right?”
We chatted for a minute about the other donut flavors we offered before Poppy grabbed my arm. “Bathroom break. Come with?”
I nodded, leaving the counter to Harper, who’d just walked in.
In the small restroom at the back of the store, Poppy leaned against the sink, her eyes locked on mine through the reflection in the mirror as she washed her hands. “Okay, spill. You’re glowing.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “Is it that obvious?”
“Girl, you’re practically sparkling. And from what Ace has said, it sounds like Rebel has been glued to this place all week. Which I freaking love for you because it tells me he gets how rooted you are here. Instead of trying to pull you away, he’s planting himself right in the middle of your world.”
I let out a dreamy sigh. “Yeah, that’s what I hoped was happening. But I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is he really okay with the orchard being my life? With me staying here, running the place someday with my siblings?”
“Being a little scared is normal. Especially with how quickly these guys sweep us off our feet.” Poppy’s expression softened. “It was the same with Ace.”
We stepped out into the hall and found Ace leaning against the wall, waiting for Poppy. “You two gossiping about me?”
“Mostly about Rebel,” Poppy corrected, sidling up next to him and wrapping her arm around his waist. “He’s swept my bestie off her feet so fast, her head is spinning.”
