“Oh it is,” Whitney said, rubbing her hands together and letting out a wild cackle. “But that’s the beauty of it. We’ll be getting our hands dirty, all for a good cause. This particular booth is going to support our pet rescue initiative, which I would love for you to be part of.”
“That’s wonderful. I’d love to help out with that. It’s something I’m really interested in.” Pet rescue had always been at the forefront of Harlow’s advocacy for dogs. Back in Seattle, she’d been part of a team of veterinarians who had found forever homes for rescue pups. Making matches between owners and pets had been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
“So…I don’t want to overstep,” Whitney said, eyes twinkling, “but I heard you and Nick Keegan are seeing each other. Not that you care what I think, but I fully approve.”
Harlow froze. People were already gossiping about her and Nick? They’d had only one date, and it had taken place behind closed doors.How in the world had this rumor gotten started? And how quickly could she extinguish it?This was just another reminder that folks in small towns thrived on rumors.
Hmm.If something was true, then it wasn’t a rumor. It was pretty much fact. Could she really be upset about the townsfolk whispering about her and Nick? He had been a widower for years now and was a beloved figure in Mistletoe. People in small towns loved to run their mouths.
Maybe she needed to take a step back and try her best to be objective instead of allowing the past to cloud her judgment.
She was new in a small town where everyone had known one another for most of their lives. Harlow was like fresh meat to chew on. Understandable, but she had zero interest in being fodder for the town gossip mill. Harlow knew all too well that this type of thing could get out of hand. When she was twelve, her father had been caught up in a small-town embezzlement scandal that had cost him his reputation and, ultimately, his life. Her family had been left in ruins.
“I didn’t mean to make you uneasy, Harlow,” Whitney said, touching her arm in a comforting gesture. “Nick is a great guy. He’s actually one of my favorite people.”
“We’ve had only one dinner,” Harlow admitted. “I’m not sure that rises to the level of dating.”
“Doesn’t it?” Whitney asked. “I guess you have to ask yourself…do you want to see him again? Because if the answer is yes, that might mean you’re open to dating Nick. Or at least exploring the possibilities.”
With a grin, Whitney was gone, leaving Harlow with a lot to think about. Nick Keegan was a hot commodity in this sleepy little New England town. If she and Nick became an item, she knew with a deep certainty that tongues would be wagging all over Mistletoe. Would she be able to handle that type of scrutiny? Did she even want to have her name on people’s tongues?
Harlow had to figure out if seeing Nick would be worth the aggravation of being put under a microscope and, as a result, having to face painful childhood memories. In a few days she would be able to test the waters with Nick at the fall event. She was looking forward to seeing him again. Maybe even stealing a kiss or two. Harlow couldn’t ignore the butterflies flying around in her stomach at the mere thought of coming face-to-face with Nick again. He was the type of man she hadn’t even known she needed in her life.
Uh-oh.She might be too far in with Nick to be able to easily find her way out.
Chapter Ten
Nick wasn’t surprised to see that everyone in Mistletoe had come out of the woodwork to attend the fall festival. His own anticipation of the event took him back to his childhood. He, Luke, Dante, and a few other friends had always gone together as a posse, and they’d looked forward to the event for weeks. His stomach grumbled as the smell of fried dough wafted through the air. He breathed in deeply. Grilled hot dogs and apple cider doughnuts. Lobster rolls and grilled corn. Nick couldn’t wait to get his hands on some food.
Autumn was his favorite time of year—the stunning fall foliage, the crisp smell in the air, apple picking, and pumpkins on every porch stoop. Halloween was his absolute favorite holiday. And since Miles hated Snickers and Reese’s, Nick claimed all of them for himself. Life had gotten so busy lately with barely any downtime for himself. There were always people in need of being rescued, and since he was a senior team leader, more times than not, he was the one who received the call for high-stakes rescues. Add in Miles’s activities and schoolwork, as well as family obligations, and Nick was overextended. Today would serve as a nice break for him from the daily grind.
His parents met him at the festival, so they could walk around with their grandson while Nick manned the raffle table.
“See ya later, gator,” Miles said as they parted ways, high-fiving Nick.
“In a while crocodile. Come see me at the raffle table if you run out of things to do,” Nick said. He handed Miles a twenty-dollar bill. “Don’t spend it all on candy apples.”
“I’ll try to swing by. I’m meeting up with my crew over at the hay rides,” Miles said. “Peace out.”
His parents exchanged a confused look and followed behind Miles. They were probably wondering where little Miles had gone. Nick didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.His crew? Peace out?All of a sudden his little boy was growing up. His next birthday he’d be double digits.Where had the time gone? Wasn’t it just yesterday when Miles had learned to crawl?
Nick swallowed past the huge lump in his throat as he watched his son walk away.
As he walked toward the designated meetup spot, Nick stopped on numerous occasions to greet friends and town acquaintances. Nick knew his hometown was far from perfect, but the community had rallied behind him after Kara’s accident. He wasn’t sure if he would have made it through those dark days without the phone calls, casseroles, and endless support. Nick would never forget those acts of kindness. They were imprinted on his soul.
He spotted Harlow before he even noticed the booth. She stood out, with her dark curly hair and mahogany-colored skin. The crimson corduroy jacket she wore looked nice against her brown complexion. Dark jeans hugged her curves nicely. He dragged his gaze away from her for a moment, raising his hand in greeting to Stella, Luke, Dante, and Lucy. The closer he got to Harlow, the more fast and furiously his heart began to pound within his chest.Easy there.It was way too soon to fall for Harlow. Sure, she was easy on the eyes and a breath of fresh air, but he didn’t know her very well. He’d only begun to peel back her layers.
“Hey, guys,” Nick said as he walked up. He had to remind himself not to stare at Harlow. Nick didn’t want to scare her off. She was probably used to men fawning all over her, and he didn’t want to be like every other guy. Maybe he was overthinking things, but he wanted her to view him in a positive light.
“Nick! Thanks for coming out,” Stella said, placing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. Luke reached out and bumped fists with him.
“Hi, Nick.” Harlow’s honeyed voice washed over him like a warm spring rain. He’d missed her. Feeling this way surprised him, because his life was very focused on a small group of people with Miles at the center. This was the first time in years anyone had been added to his circle.
“Harlow. It’s good to see you,” Nick said, leaning in for a hug. A floral smell hovered around her like a halo. Nick breathed it in. “You smell nice.”Had he just said that? Did it sound creepy? Ugh. Maybe he really was out of practice with women.
“Thanks. I’ve been using this fragrance for forever.”
Phew.She was smiling at him and seemingly pleased with his compliment. Maybe he still had it after all. He was a grown-ass man who had been through the worst life could throw at a person, yet at this very moment he felt like a teenager.
