Page 95 of Harvest Heat

“And you are, right?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t sure he’d ever had a better day in his life. He and Rhys were working the festival together. Kate was here. She loved the shop. It was more than he could even have imagined a few months ago when he started this project.

He introduced Kate to Natalie, who was in charge of the shop for the day, then brought her upstairs to show her the apartment and get Mallow settled where she could be comfortable for the rest of the day.

“I know the place is small, and I haven’t had any time to fix it up.”

“It’s big enough, and it’s cute. You’ll make it look better once you’re not working all day, every day.”

He huffed. “You’re one to talk about that.”

She sighed. “I guess that’s true, but I’m so proud of you. And I see why you and Rhys fit together now.”

“So you’re no longer holding it against him that he needed time to get himself together?” Caleb asked.

“I still don’t like it, and he better not pull shit like that again, but I like him. You were right. He was worth waiting for.”

“Wait, did you just say I was right about something?”

“No.”

“Yes you did.”

“All right, just this once.”

Caleb grinned. “I won’t hold my breath for it to happen again.”

“I’m sure you won’t.”

Rhys put the finishing touches on their booth. Caleb wasn’t back yet, and he still had some time before the festival officially opened, so he went to look at the Driftwood Doughs booth. He wanted a chance to see what they’d decided to sell at the festival.

“Wow, you’ve got a huge selection,” he said as he looked over their pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies and the cute little cats decorated with royal icing, black ones but also white like Mallow and striped ones as well. They had pastries and muffins and even tiny little apple cakes covered in loads of delicious buttercream. They were going to do very well today.

“It’s the most we’ve ever brought,” Finn said. “Tessa insisted we’d still sell out.”

“Based on how many people are already here, I agree. Did you turn in your baked goods entry yet?”

“Yes.” Tessa held up crossed fingers.

“The cake is so good. I don’t know how you could lose.”

“Keep your fingers crossed anyway,” Finn said. “There are a lot of creative bakers in the region.”

That was true. Competition was always stiff at the festival. “I’d better get back to my booth.”

“All right,” Tessa said. “Let us know if you need any help.”

“You do the same.”

When he returned, Caleb was there alone. Kate had stayed at Cloud Nine to spend some time playing with Mallow and freshening up. She’d be back to see the booths in action and enjoy the festival in a little while.

“She likes you,” Caleb said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. She told me she did.”

“Thank goodness. I was so worried.”