Anders hopes it won’t cause his parents to come back early.
After his initial teasing, Jonas is now on board with my maze idea, although he says he’ll call it a “maize maze” over his dead body. He said I can design it if I like, so I’ve been doodling in my sketch pad, planning it so that it begins and ends by the pumpkin patch on our property.
Dad and Sheryl have agreed to us ticketing the maze from the barn, which will not only save Jonas and Anders having to be on hand to welcome customers, but also means that people might stop at Wetherill to pick produce. It’s a win-win situation. Dad is getting a banner made for the sign on the other side of the bridge.
I realized after our discussion that I should have told Dad and Sheryl that Patrik and Peggy are unaware of all these plans, but then I thought at least they can claim ignorance if it turns out to be a problem. I really hope they don’t put a spanner in the works.
It’s my turnand luckily, Jonas has left a ball by a pocket for me. I hit it, but somehow manage to bounce it off the cushion instead of putting it in.
I curse and pull an apologetic face at Anders.
He grins at me and cups the back of my neck, bringing me closer. “Who cares if we win or lose? It’s playing the game that counts.”
It’s a brilliantly dry impression of Wilson from last weekend, but I’m so shocked by the physical contact that I don’t even laugh.
He lets me go, leaving a searing heat behind.
I force myself to giggle and then go and retrieve my drink from a nearby table.
How can a small touch between friends leave me feeling so shaken?
I watch furtively as he takes his next shot, noticing how the muscles in his arm lengthen as he leans across the table, theway his green eyes narrow with concentration. His black-and-white-checked shirt is hanging open and the gray T-shirt he’s wearing beneath is riding up, revealing a flash of tanned skin above his belt buckle. I imagine sliding my hands over his flat stomach, feeling his muscles tighten beneath my fingers, and a hot flush comes over me.
No. Stop it.
I quickly look away to the bar and do a double take when I realize Heather is standing there.
I glance at Jonas, but I don’t think he’s noticed her. She’s with a couple of friends.
I widen my eyes at Anders across the other side of the table.
“What?” he mouths.
I jerk my head toward the bar.
His expression darkens when he sees her.
Jonas has his arm slung around Bailey’s shoulders and he seems very chilled. Anders goes and quietly says something in his ear.
The change in Jonas’s body language is dramatic. He stiffens and two seconds later, he releases Bailey and turns to face the bar.
Heather has already seen him. She’s gone still, the hand that’s carrying her drink frozen halfway to her lips. And then she recovers and takes a sip, lifting her other hand to wave at him.
Jonas gives her a long, significant nod and then turns his back on her, draining his glass in one mouthful.
Whoa. He is definitely still affected by her, judging by that reaction. The tension between them is palpable.
“Casey!” Bailey shouts suddenly, waving like a lunatic across the bar.
“Hey!” Casey waves back, weaving through the tables to get to her.
She throws her arms around him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were seeing Brett tonight!”
“Canceled on him. Figured it was time I came and hung out with my wife and her friends instead. Hey, Wren,” he says warmly, giving me a hug.
I hug him back happily, delighted to see him here.
Anders comes over to be introduced, and then Bailey pulls Casey toward Jonas.
