His eyes flared. “Good. Grab a sweater. I’d grab it for you, but we’d never leave the room, and I want to take you on a date.”
Laughing, she closed the pantry door and headed to the room. She waved at Fritter, who sat atop the hutch in the living room. “Seth and I are going on a date. We might be late. You’ve got food and water. I’ll see you in a while.”
Feeling like a teenager going on her first date, she grabbed a warm sweater and headed back out to the kitchen. She supposed they hadn’t actually gone on a date yet. All their moments had happened on this farm, a place they both loved.
No movie dates or romantic candlelit dinners at fancy restaurants. Maybe not the conventional way to get to know each other and fall in love, but it was right for them.
When they’d switched out their moccasins for shoes, Seth took her hand and led her down the steps, past the farmhouse, and into the trees beyond. A romantic stroll through the orchard sounded perfect. The sun hung low in the sky, casting intriguing shadows and pockets of light beneath the trees. “I love this place.”
Seth lifted her hand to brush a kiss over her knuckles. “Me, too. I didn’t expect to. I thought I was taking a temporary job until I got my feet under me, until I found out if my leg could handle working in a kitchen again.”
Anyone who knew Seth would know that he wouldn’t stop until he achieved his goal. The doctors might not have been sure he’d walk again, but he’d done it. He did physical therapy exercises every morning to ensure he kept his leg in top shape. “You can do anything you set your mind to. How do you feel about farm life now?”
He grinned at her, sexy mischief in his eyes. “Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I want to spend forever with you here at the No Phailed Apples Farm.”
Her heart filled. “That’s handy as I want the same thing.”
He grinned at her again, and then they let the peace of the farm surround them as they strolled under the trees, the scent of fresh apples surrounding them.
Mara felt contentment right down to her toes. “I like this date.”
Seth chuckled. “We’re almost there.”
That had her stumbling. “What? A romantic stroll isn’t the date?”
“Sort of, but this date has another element.”
“What is it?”
“Not telling you, Chaos Machine. You’ll see in a few minutes.”
Curiosity zipped through her, but she kept her questions inside. Whatever Seth had planned, she didn’t want to ruin it for him.
It wasn’t long before she spotted a bright light surrounding the Worminator. Voices drifted through the evening, filled with fun and laughter. “We’re having a date at the Worminator?”
“Yep. I promise you’ll like it.”
Knowing he’d have planned something more romantic than compost, Mara squeezed his hand and followed him around the Worminator’s corner.
Except for Charlie and Ella, everyone from the farm filled the space. Lawn chairs faced the Worminator’s back wall, which was covered in white sheets. A table held snacks and coolers with drinks. “What’s going on?”
Jolie grinned and hugged her. “You’re going to love it. Your man knows how to plan a date.”
Olivia grinned. “And it’s giving Charlie his first official babysitting job. He’s probably putting Ella Mae to bed as we speak. Then he’s got popcorn and a new book. He’ll call if he needs us, but I know he’ll be fine.”
Nash’s arm came around her shoulders. “Relax, Mama, he’s got it covered.”
Olivia leaned into Nash. “You’re right. She’s in excellent hands.”
Soon, everyone except Ford was seated. He stood at the back, beside a small table holding a projector. “Seth wanted us all to crash your date. Welcome to the Worminator Movie Night.”
Mara laughed and turned to kiss Seth. “I love it. What are we watching?”
Seth grinned. “I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I have it on good authority that it’s not bad.”
Ford started the projector, and a bright light covered the Worminator screen.
Mara watched, waiting for a clue to tell her which movie he’d chosen for their date.
