“So it comes down to weight.” He let go of her hand and wound up the tape.
“What time is the official competition?” asked Wynn.
“Noon.”
“High noon,” she said. Then she made her hands into guns and pretended to shoot them in the air. “You feeling lucky, punk?”
He charged, growling because she was teasing him, and he liked it. She took off at a sprint. Laney screamed to wake the dead and ran with her mom back to the truck. He slowed to a jog, laughing. “We’ll see who’s walking out of here with a shiny trophy and who’s just walking out.”
“Either way, I’m going to need food before then.” Wynn lifted Laney into the back seat and then climbed in.
“Food?” Miles mumbled in his sleep, his eyes fluttering open. “Do I smell bacon?”
Judd exchanged a look with Wynn, and they laughed. “I guess we’re off to the Blue Shadow Café for pancakes and bacon.” He put the truck in gear. Saturday mornings were his favorite. He loved the slower pace and the sleepy bed-headed kids. Life was good. There was no sense messing it up by starting to have feelings for Wynn.
His head knew this—but his hand itched to hold hers as they drove to the diner.
* * *
By the time they ate,went home and dressed, and made it back to the judging station, a large crowd milled about, waiting for things to get started. “Do you mind if we cruise past my booth to check on Birdie? She opened on her own this morning, and I want to make sure she’s okay.”
“Um …” Judd hedged and checked his watch.
“It won’t take long,” Wynn promised. “Besides, you know there’s going to be a speech before they announce the winner.”
Everything with the festival had to have some kind of ceremony. The weekly parades started with the mayor’s speech and announcing the grand marshal, the corn maze opened with a ribbon cutting, and the giant pumpkin contest always started with a word from the sponsor.
“Okay, but I don’t want to be late. I need to be up front when they call my name.”
Wynn cocked her head.
“What?” He swiped at his face to make sure he hadn’t left syrup on his chin.
“Nothing. I just think it’s cute that you’re putting on a brave face when I know you’re worried.” She touched his arm, causing his breath to snag. “You don’t have anything to worry about. This competition is in the bag.”
Wynn sashayed ahead of him. He hung back, worried on a whole new level now. Wynn said nice things to people all the time, but when she directed them at him? Well, it made him want to do things like lift cars off of old men and stop bank robberies.
They made it to the booth, which was crowded with people browsing the wares. Judd nodded with approval. The weekend rush was good for business, and if the exclamations from the women around him were any indication, they found Wynn’s furniture impressive.
“I’m doing great. Everyone is so nice.” Birdie grinned at a customer who glanced over, unintentionally listening in on their conversation. It couldn’t be helped, not in these close quarters. “You should bring over a few more of these fall decorations. They’re selling fast. We’re almost out of pumpkins.”
Wynn pulled out her phone and made some notes. “I’m taking that as a good sign for you today,” Winn said with a wink in Judd’s direction. “Do you need anything?” she asked Birdie.
“I’d take a dirty Dr. Pepper when you come back this way.”
“You got it.” Wynn made another note of the drink order. Judd watched her. She’d make a great manager. Not only did she listen to her employee, but she took care of her as well.
Birdie gave him a quick side hug. “Good luck. I hope you beat the pants off Wyatt.”
Judd dropped his chin to his chest. “I’m not out to beat Wyatt.” He hadn’t said a word to anyone about wanting to win over his cousin—except Wynn. But she wouldn’t have said anything, would she? He narrowed his eyes in her direction.
She crossed her heart and zipped her fingers across her lips.
Birdie poked him in the ribs. “Sure, you’re not. Just like when you both entered the science fair, the 4-H competition, and asked Stephanie to homecoming.”
He scowled. “We gotta go.”
Birdie laughed, knowing she’d hit a nerve, and waved them off.
